New RAININ FlipTube Reduces Contamination Risk, Increases Speed

RAININ, a METTLER TOLEDO company is pleased to announce the arrival of FlipTube microdentrifuge tubes. FlipTube will help life scientists in a broad variety of research settings work faster while simultaneously reducing the risk of sample cross-contamination.

The RAININ FlipTube’s ideal blend of increased speed and contamination-free results benefit researchers in the rapidly evolving disciplines of genomics and proteomics in particular, noted Leonard Pulig, General Manager, RAININ Instruments, LLC, part of METTLER TOLEDO’s lab division.

“RAININ is happy to offer FlipTubes as part of our growing range of products that enable life science researchers to reach their goals more efficiently, whether they are working in academia, or in government, clinical, pharma or biotech labs,” he added.

FlipTube’s revolutionary design allows it to be held, opened and closed with one hand using an extended hinge projection. With the same hand that holds the FlipTube, a researcher simply applies a slight downward thumb pressure to the extension to open the lid. Sample or reagent can then be pipetted into the tube using the opposing hand. Finally, an upward thumb flip closes the FlipTube. Researches can also use the same simple motions to manipulate the easy-open seal while FlipTubes rest in a standard tube rack.

Not only does this one-handed, easy-open motion allow a researcher to quickly prepare one tube and move to the next; using one hand also makes it almost impossible for the interior of the lid or tube to come in contact with lab gloves. This lowers accidental cross-contamination risk, significantly improving accuracy and helping to ensure the repeatability of results so necessary in today’s competitive research marketplace.

Further ensuring the easy-open tube produces contamination-free results, RAININ manufactures FlipTubes in clean-room conditions from high-quality virgin polypropylene. The RNase- and DNase-free microdentrifuge tubes are autoclavable at 121 degrees C and can be stored at temperatures as low as minus 80 degrees C without danger of compromising the tube seal’s integrity. High thermal and chemical resistivity helps protect samples and further ensures high-quality, repeatable outcomes.

RAININ FlipTubes are manufactured with a maximum volume of 1.5 ml. Exhibiting graduated lines for every 0.5 ml of volume, FlipTubes are available in sterile and non-sterile clear as well as non-sterile red, blue, yellow, and green to assist in sample codification. Frosted side and lid writing surfaces further improve sample tracking. Lids can be pierced for use with automated sampling devices or needle syringes.

FlipTube microcentrifuge tubes fit all standard racks and centrifuges and can withstand up to 20,000 x g centrifugation. Presently, RAININ offers FlipTubes in units of 1,000 – two bags, each including 500 of the easy-open tubes.