ZOLLO TYMR-ZA Blood Tube Mixer

Overview

The ZOLLO TYMR-ZA Blood Tube Mixer is an electromechanical laboratory device engineered for consistent, low-shear homogenization of whole blood, anticoagulated samples, and reagent-containing tubes during pre-analytical handling. Unlike orbital shakers or vortex mixers, the TYMR-ZA employs a dual-mode motion architecture—simultaneous rolling and rocking—based on a five-roller cam mechanism. This design generates gentle yet effective axial rotation combined with controlled lateral oscillation, minimizing hemolysis and platelet activation while ensuring uniform suspension of cellular components and additives (e.g., EDTA, citrate, heparin). Its non-temperature-controlled, ambient-operating configuration aligns with CLSI H20-A2 and ISO 15189 requirements for specimen integrity prior to centrifugation or analysis. The unit is intended for use in clinical laboratories, blood banks, pathology departments, and academic research settings where reproducible, hands-free tube agitation is required without thermal perturbation.

Key Features

• Dual-motion operation: Independent control of rolling (10–80 rpm) and rocking (10–80 cycles/min) enables protocol-specific optimization for diverse sample viscosities and tube formats (e.g., 13 × 75 mm, 16 × 100 mm, 20 × 100 mm).
• Precision-engineered five-roller cam system ensures smooth, vibration-damped motion with <1.5 mm mechanical runout—critical for maintaining tube seal integrity and avoiding cap loosening during extended operation.
• Low-power DC motor (10 W nominal) delivers stable torque across the full speed range, supporting continuous unattended operation for up to 12 hours without thermal drift or performance degradation.
• Compact footprint (240 × 180 × 120 mm) and lightweight chassis (≤3.2 kg) facilitate benchtop deployment in space-constrained environments—including laminar flow hoods, biosafety cabinets, and mobile diagnostic units.
• Ergonomic tilt-angle adjustment (±15°) allows manual optimization of rocking amplitude to accommodate varying tube fill volumes and viscosity profiles, enhancing mixing homogeneity across heterogeneous sample batches.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The TYMR-ZA accommodates standard vacuum blood collection tubes (glass and polymer), microcentrifuge tubes (0.5–15 mL), and diagnostic assay vials. It supports all major anticoagulant types—EDTA-K₂/K₃, sodium citrate (3.2% and 3.8%), lithium heparin, and serum separator gel tubes—without compromising clot formation kinetics or analyte stability. Device construction complies with IEC 61010-1:2010 for electrical safety in laboratory equipment. While not certified for ISO 13485 or FDA 510(k), its operational parameters meet CLSI H20-A2 recommendations for “gentle inversion or rotation” of blood specimens prior to processing. No moving parts contact samples directly; all surfaces are accessible for alcohol-based disinfection per CDC/WHO decontamination protocols.

Software & Data Management

The TYMR-ZA operates as a standalone analog device with no embedded firmware, touchscreen interface, or digital connectivity. Speed selection is performed via calibrated rotary potentiometer with tactile detents at 10-rpm increments (10, 20, …, 80 rpm), providing repeatable manual setting retention without calibration drift. Absence of software eliminates cybersecurity risks, audit trail dependencies, or 21 CFR Part 11 compliance overhead—making it suitable for GLP/GMP environments where instrument qualification focuses solely on mechanical performance verification (e.g., speed accuracy ±3%, amplitude consistency per ASTM D4065). Routine operational checks include rotational speed validation using a handheld tachometer and visual inspection of roller alignment per manufacturer’s maintenance schedule.

Applications

• Pre-centrifugation mixing of whole blood specimens to prevent sedimentation and ensure representative aliquoting.
• Reconstitution and dispersion of lyophilized reagents in diagnostic assay kits requiring gentle agitation.
• Homogenization of cell suspensions in hematopoietic stem cell banking workflows.
• Anticoagulant distribution verification in quality control testing of evacuated tube manufacturing lines.
• Standardized sample preparation for coagulation assays (PT, APTT), complete blood counts (CBC), and therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) panels.

FAQ

Does the TYMR-ZA support programmable timing or automatic shut-off?
No. The device lacks a timer circuit and requires manual power interruption after desired mixing duration.
Can it be used with refrigerated or frozen tubes?
Yes—provided tubes are at ambient temperature before loading; the unit does not regulate temperature and is not rated for operation below 10°C or above 40°C.
Is the roller surface autoclavable?
No. The rollers are molded polypropylene with stainless-steel shafts; cleaning is limited to 70% isopropyl alcohol wipe-down per IEC 60601-1 Annex BB guidelines.
What tube capacities are validated for optimal mixing performance?
CLIA-validated performance is confirmed for 5–10 mL blood tubes filled to ≥75% capacity; underfilled (<3 mL) or overfilled (>12 mL) tubes may exhibit reduced homogeneity due to altered center-of-mass dynamics.
Does ZOLLO provide IQ/OQ documentation for GMP labs?
Yes—upon request, ZOLLO supplies customizable installation and operational qualification templates aligned with Annex 15 and USP <1058> analytical instrument qualification frameworks.