Thermo Fisher Scientific Sorvall Legend T Plus and RT Plus Benchtop Centrifuges

Overview

The Thermo Fisher Scientific Sorvall Legend T Plus and RT Plus are high-performance benchtop centrifuges engineered for reproducible, high-throughput sample separation across research, clinical diagnostics, and bioprocessing laboratories. Leveraging brushless DC motor technology, these instruments deliver exceptional torque consistency, silent operation, and long-term reliability without carbon brush wear or scheduled motor maintenance. The Legend T Plus is a refrigerated-free model optimized for ambient-temperature applications, while the Legend RT Plus integrates precise thermoelectric cooling (–9 °C to 40 °C) for temperature-sensitive workflows—including cell culture harvest, plasma separation, and nucleic acid purification. Both platforms operate on the fundamental principle of sedimentation under controlled centrifugal force (RCF), enabling efficient separation of particles by size, density, and shape in liquid suspensions. Designed to meet evolving GLP and GMP operational expectations, the system supports audit-ready workflows through embedded self-diagnostics, programmable protocols, and hardware-enforced safety interlocks.

Key Features

• FIBERLite Carbon-Fiber Rotors: Ultra-lightweight, chemically inert, and autoclavable rotors reduce mechanical load on the drive system, extend motor service life, and eliminate metal fatigue—critical for high-cycle clinical and QC environments.
• SMARTspin Imbalance Detection: Real-time rotational mass monitoring with visual balance indicators and automatic shutdown if imbalance exceeds ISO 15882-compliant thresholds (≤ ±2 g per bucket at maximum speed).
• Auto Rotor Recognition: Integrated RFID-enabled rotor identification prevents parameter mismatch and ensures accurate RCF calculation, enforcing method compliance and reducing operator error.
• EASYset™ Touch Interface: Intuitive membrane keypad with LED display allows one-touch selection of speed, time, temperature (RT Plus), acceleration/deceleration profiles, and pre-cool activation—accessible from multiple lab angles.
• Low-Profile Ergonomics: 362 mm height enables easy loading/unloading without stooping; reinforced touch-activated lid lock guarantees secure chamber closure and meets IEC 61010-2-020 mechanical safety requirements.
• Multi-Rate Control: Nine independent acceleration and deceleration profiles support gentle pelleting of fragile cells (e.g., PBMCs) or rapid spin-down of viscous samples (e.g., serum, lysates).

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Legend platform accommodates an extensive range of primary and secondary sample containers—from standard 5/7 mL vacutainers and 50 mL conical tubes to 250 mL centrifuge bottles, 4-microplate carriers, and filter-column plates. Its modular rotor library includes nine horizontal and seven fixed-angle configurations, certified for use with ISO 10993-5 cytotoxicity-tested materials and compliant with ASTM F1870 (centrifuge performance testing) and USP sterility validation requirements. All rotors undergo full traceable qualification per Thermo Fisher’s internal quality system (ISO 9001:2015 certified), and the RT Plus refrigeration module complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 data integrity standards when paired with optional Thermo Fisher Connect software.

Software & Data Management

While the Legend T/RT Plus operates as a standalone instrument, it is fully compatible with Thermo Fisher Connect—a cloud-enabled laboratory informatics platform that supports electronic lab notebook (ELN) integration, remote monitoring, and automated audit trail generation. Protocol execution logs—including setpoints, actual RCF, run duration, temperature history (RT Plus), and imbalance events—are timestamped and digitally signed. Optional firmware updates maintain alignment with current ISO/IEC 17025 calibration traceability requirements and facilitate periodic verification per CLSI EP15-A3 guidelines.

Applications

• Clinical hematology: Routine plasma/serum separation from whole blood (108 × 5/7 mL tubes per run)
• Cell biology: Harvesting adherent and suspension cultures (28 × 50 mL conical tubes or 14 × 50 mL conical tubes with swing-out rotor)
• Molecular diagnostics: Clarification of PCR master mixes, plasmid preps, and RNA extraction supernatants
• Biopharma QC: Sterile filtration support using column-plate adapters and low-shear deceleration profiles
• Virology: Concentration of lentiviral vectors and AAV particles via high-RCF fixed-angle runs (up to 24,400 × g)
• Environmental microbiology: Sedimentation of waterborne pathogens prior to downstream qPCR analysis

FAQ

What is the difference between the Legend T Plus and Legend RT Plus?
The Legend T Plus is a non-refrigerated benchtop centrifuge designed for ambient-temperature applications. The Legend RT Plus adds thermoelectric cooling with a temperature range of –9 °C to 40 °C, enabling cold-sensitive separations such as enzyme assays and protein precipitation.
Are FIBERLite rotors autoclavable?
Yes—FIBERLite carbon-fiber rotors are validated for repeated autoclaving at 121 °C, 15 psi for 20 minutes without degradation in structural integrity or RCF rating.
Does the system support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 compliance?
When operated with Thermo Fisher Connect software and configured with user authentication, electronic signatures, and immutable audit trails, the Legend RT Plus satisfies key technical controls required under 21 CFR Part 11 for regulated environments.
Can I use third-party rotors or adapters?
No—only Thermo Fisher-certified rotors and accessories are supported. Auto rotor recognition disables operation if unrecognized hardware is installed, ensuring mechanical safety and regulatory compliance.
What maintenance is required for the brushless DC motor?
None beyond routine cleaning and annual verification of rotor balance and lid seal integrity. The motor has no brushes to replace and is rated for >20,000 hours of continuous operation under typical laboratory duty cycles.