Paddle Wheel Stirrer/Reservoir for the Nanodrop

Innovadyne Technologies offers the Paddle Wheel Stirrer/Reservoir, a variable-speed stirring accessory that keeps beads, cells, and other particulates in suspension. It replaces either reagent tray in a Nanodrop™ I, Nanodrop™ ExtY or Nanodrop™ II stage, and is compatible with reagent refill in the same reservoir. The stirrer can stir suspensions even as the pipette tips are removing the cells or beads from the bottom of the reservoir. This, coupled with the very small dead volume in the bottom of the reservoir, makes this system highly suited to re-suspending particulate specimens during the pipetting operation.

The stirrer is removable from the reservoir, and both the stirrer and the reservoir are autoclavable. The paddle wheel for the reservoir is made with Parylene-coated stainless steel and has a PTFE bearing at the end that fits into a locating bearing notch in the reservoir. This keeps the paddle wheel in precise location in the reservoir and prevents it from touching the bottom of the reservoir. This latter feature is important when stirring fragile mammalian cells.

Features

Replaces either reagent tray in a Nanodrop I, Nanodrop ExtY or Nanodrop II stage. Two stirrer reservoirs can be installed side-by-side
Tips can aspirate from the reservoir while the stirrer is spinning
Compatible with reagent refill tubes in the same reservoir
Removable (autoclavable) parylene-coated stainless steel paddle wheel (with PTFE and delrin bearings)
Removable (autoclavable) polypropylene reservoir
Motor not in contact with paddle wheel; the paddle is turned by a small electric motor magnetically coupled to the paddle through the wall of the reservoir.
Variable speed control, 0-5700 RPM

Video

Paddle Wheel Stirrer (AVI format - 2.8 MB)

Specifications

Paddle Wheel	Bubble paddle, 9 bubbles on 9 mm centers, constructed from parylene-coated stainless steel and PTFE hub.
Reservoir	Polypropylene, 10-15 mL capacity (with paddle wheel in place)
Dimensions, Reservoir	25.4 mm tall x 25.4 mm deep x 104 mm wide
Power Supply/ Speed control	115/230 V input, 50/60 hz. 0-90/180 V output
Motor/ magnetic clutch	DC Brush motor with a magnetic clutch housing; top speed of 5,700 RPM
Extent of motor unit protrusion beyond edge of stage (when installed)	Approx. 95 mm past left edge of stage, including power-supply connector plug