UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
Page 1 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
1. Scope
This Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) applies to the staff and students using
and/or maintaining the Eppendorf MiniSpin® Centrifuge in the laboratories of the
Pharmacy Department, University of Malta.
2. Objective
To give an account of the procedure for the installation, operation and maintenance of
the Eppendorf MiniSpin® Centrifuge.
3. Definitions
3.1 Centrifuge: A device in which materials of different densities are separated by
rotation at various speeds about a fixed, central point, by way of centrifugal
force. The denser particles tend to move along the length of the tube to a
greater radius of rotation, displacing the lighter particles to the other end.
3.2 Rotor: The rotating part of the centrifuge which holds the samples.
4. Responsibility
4.1 The members of the Department of Pharmacy (staff and students) are
responsible for following this SOP.
4.2 The designated Laboratory Officer or Laboratory Assistant is responsible for
ensuring that this SOP is followed.
5. Procedure
5.1 Diagram of Eppendorf Minispin® and its Display Panel
Page 2 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
5.2 Installation
5.2.1
5.2.2
5.2.3
5.2.4
Place the centrifuge onto a level surface.
Ensure that the ventilation slits are not blocked.
Place the rotor onto rotor axle, followed by the rotor nut.
Turn rotor nut clockwise to fasten tightly in place.
5.3 Operation
5.3.1 Turn on the mains switch.
5.3.2 Press Open to open lid.
5.3.3 Load the rotor symetrically.
5.3.4 Fasten the rotor lid and close the centrifuge lid.
5.3.5 Press the left Up and Down arrow keys to select duration of centrifuge
spin between 15 seconds and 30 minutes.
5.3.6 Press the right Up and Down arrow keys to select the speed of
centrifuge rotation between 800rpm and 13400rpm.
5.3.6 Press Start/Stop key to start the run.
5.3.7 Press Start/Stop key to end the run prematurely.
5.3.8 Press the left and right Up and Down arrow keys respectively to change
the duration of centrifuge spin and rotational speed during a centrifuge
run.
5.3.9 Hold the Short Spin key down for as long as needed to perform short
spin centrifugation for a maximum speed of 13,400 rpm.
5.3.10 Wait until the lid opens automatically after the run to remove samples.
5.4 Maintenance
5.4.1 Clean the outside of the centrifuge regularly with a moist cloth.
5.4.2 Disconnect the centrifuge from the mains supply to remove the rotor to
clean separately.
5.4.3 Use neutral agents for cleaning purposes and use alcohol-based
disinfectants for disinfection purposes.
5.4.4 Remove any residues present in the bores of the rotor using a bottle
brush and a hand-hot cleaning solution. Rinse well. Leave bores facing
downwards on a cloth to allow them to dry.
5.4.5 Check rotor and rotor bores regularly for deposits or damage.
5.4.6 Allow the rotor to accelerate once to the maximum speed after
cleaning.
Page 3 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
5.5 Flow Charts
5.5.1
Installation
Start
Place centrifuge
onto a level
surface
No
Ventilation
slits blocked
Place rotor onto
rotor axle, followed
by rotor nut
Yes
Unblock
ventilation slits
before use
Turn rotor nut
clockwise to fasten
tightly in place
End
Page 4 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
Valid for:
2 years
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
from approval
5.5.2
Operation
Start
Turn on mains switch
Press Open to open lid
Load rotor symmetrically
Fasten rotor lid and close
centrifuge lid
Desired duration
of centrifuge spin
being displayed
No
Press left Up and Down
arrow keys to adjust
Yes
Desired speed of
centrifuge rotation
being displayed
No
Press right Up and Down
arrow keys to adjust
Yes
Press Start/Stop key to start run
No
Require changing time
setting and/or rotational
speed during a run
Need to stop run
prematurely
Yes
Press Start/Stop key during run
Yes
No
Require short
spin
centrifugation
?
Yes
Press right and/or left Up and
Down arrow keys respectively
Hold Short Spin key down
for as long as needed
Wait until lid opens automatically
before taking out samples
End
Page 5 of 8
No
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
5.5.3
Maintenance
Start
Clean outside of the centrifuge
regularly with moist cloth
Rotor needs
cleaning
No
Yes
Disconnect from mains supply
and remove to clean separately
Use neutral agents for cleaning purposes
and alcohol-based disinfectants for
disinfection purposes
Residues or
deposits present
in the bores of the
rotor
Yes
Remove using bottle brush and
hand-hot cleaning solution.
Rinse well and leave bores facing
downwards to allow drying
Check rotor and rotor bores
regularly for deposits or damage
Allow rotor to accelerate once to
maximum speed after cleaning
End
Page 6 of 8
No
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
6. Precautions
6.1 Do not position objects that could cause damage to centrifuge operation in the
space around it.
6.2 Ensure that the rotor and rotor lid are always securely fastened. If the
centrifuge makes unusual noices when started, switch device off by pressing
Stop and fasten rotor lid tightly.
6.3 Load rotor symmetrically to reduce wear on the drive and to cut running noise.
If an odd number of samples is present, use water samples to balance rotor out.
6.4 Do not use centrifuge if it has not been correctly installed or repaired.
6.5 Do not operate centrifuge in a hazardous or flammable environment.
6.6 Do not use centrifuge for explosive or highly reactive substances.
6.7 Clean centrifuge properly if you spill toxic or radioactive substances in the
rotor or rotor chamber.
6.8 Inspect microcentrifuge tubes for material damage prior to centrifugation. Do
not centrifuge damaged tubes.
6.9 Always use microcentrifuge tubes of the same type during a run.
6.10 Close the microcentrifuge tube lids tightly before centrifugation.
6.11 Do not exceed a liquid density of 1.2g/ml at the maximum rotational speed.
6.12 To prevent damage caused by condensation, allow centrifuge to warm up in
lab for at least three hours before plugging it in.
6.13 Avoid damage to rotor or rotor lids caused by aggressive chemicals. Clean
rotor immediately using a neutral cleaning liquid if contaminated by an
aggressive chemical.
6.14 Do not use damaged rotors.
6.15 Do not move the centrifuge during the run.
6.16 After a run, do not open the lid of the centrifuge since it opens automatically.
6.17 Disconnect the centrifuge from the mains supply in case of power failure.
Wait until the rotor has come to a standstill. Lift up the centrifuge and insert a
pen into the opening in the ground plate to move the disc in the direction of
the arrow. Lift the centrifuge from the edges only since the underside may be
very hot.
7. References
Eppendorf. MiniSpin® and MiniSpin® Plus Operating Manual. Hamburg:
Eppendorf AG; 2005.
8. Appendices
N/A
Page 7 of 8
UNIVERSITY OF MALTA
FACULTY OF MEDICINE & SURGERY
PHARMACY DEPARTMENT
SOP Ref. No.
SOP/PD/301_02
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE
EPPENDORF MINISPIN®
Valid for:
2 years
from approval
9. Revision History
Version Number
01
02
Amendments/ Reasons for change
Initial Release
Inclusion of subheading titles of
Procedure section in Table of Contents
Page 8 of 8