Centrifuge and method for cleaning a centrifuge

A centrifuge cleaning system, comprising:

• a rotor having a horizontal axis of rotation;
• a housing defining a rotor chamber, in which the rotor is arranged and rotatably mounted, the housing having an outlet to discharge any liquid discharged, and being provided with an inlet for supplying the rotor chamber with a cleaning solution, wherein the outlet has an outlet line and a blocking element for blocking the outlet line, the blocking element being arranged below the rotor chamber;
• a microtiter plate to be received into a receiving area of the rotor, the microtiter plate comprising 6 or more reaction vessels;
• a control unit configured for 1) filling the rotor chamber with a cleaning liquid at least up to a predetermined level, so that when the rotor is rotated the receiving area is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution, 2) rotating the rotor to distribute the cleaning solution in the rotor chamber through contact between the receiving area and the cleaning solution, and 3) removing the cleaning solution from the rotor chamber via the outlet;
• and
• a filling level sensor configured for detecting a fill level in the rotor chamber, wherein
• when the blocking element is blocking the outlet line, the cleaning solution can be supplied to the rotor chamber via the inlet without flowing through the outlet line such that the cleaning solution is supplied to and retained in the rotor chamber to the predetermined level, and
• when the blocking element is opened and not blocking the outlet line, the cleaning solution can drain off from the rotor chamber via the outlet line.

A centrifuge for cleaning a reaction vessel unit with a rotor and a rotor chamber, in which the rotor is arranged and rotatably mounted,

• wherein the rotor comprises a receiving area for receiving the reaction vessel unit, and
• the rotor chamber is limited by a housing, the housing having an outlet to discharge any liquid discharged from the reaction vessel unit, and being provided with an inlet for supplying the rotor chamber with a cleaning solution in such a way that the cleaning solution is distributed in the rotor chamber by rotation of the rotor by contact with the receiving area of the rotor so that the rotor chamber is cleaned,
• wherein the axis of rotation of the rotor is horizontal, and
• the centrifuge comprises a control unit configured for 1) filling the rotor chamber with a cleaning liquid at least up to a predetermined level, so that when the rotor is rotated it is at least partially immersed in the cleaning solution, 2) rotating the rotor to distribute the cleaning solution in the rotor chamber, and 3) removing the cleaning solution from the rotor chamber, wherein
• the outlet comprises a blocking element for blocking an outlet line, the blocking element is arranged below the rotor chamber, and
• when the blocking element is blocking the outlet line, the cleaning solution can be supplied to the rotor chamber via the inlet without flowing through the outlet line such that the cleaning solution is supplied to and retained in the rotor chamber to the predetermined level, and
• when the blocking element is opened and not blocking the outlet line, the cleaning solution can drain off from the rotor chamber via the outlet line.