Centrifugal processing unit

A centrifugal processing unit (1) for directing the movement of substances within a sample processing cartridge (2), the centrifugal processing unit (1) comprising:

• at least one rotor (3) with at least one accommodation (31) for receiving the sample processing cartridge (2), the at least one accommodation (31) only allowing a free pivoting motion of the cartridge (2) about a respective pivot axis (310), wherein each pivot axis (310) is orthogonal to the rotor axis (300) and to a respective force vector (FI, F2, F3) of a centrifugal force (F),
• at least one rotor drive for rotating the at least one rotor (3) about a respective rotor axis (300) to create the centrifugal force (F),
• a control for accelerating and decelerating the at least one rotor (3),
• at least one blocking element (34), allowing the free pivoting motion of the cartridge (2)
• in a release position and preventing the free pivoting motion in a blocking position,
• characterized in that the blocking element (34) comprises a disk (340) that is arranged on the at least one rotor (3), wherein the disk (340) is connected to the rotor shaft at a centre thereof and is spaced apart above the at least one accommodation (31), and in that the disk (340) comprises at least one recess (341) that extends from an outer edge of the disk (340) towards the centre and in that a handle is arranged on top of the disk (340) at a centre of gravity thereof.