Multiple function centrifuge apparatus with index plate and method

A multiple function centrifuge comprising:

• a housing;
• a centrifuge chamber in said housing;
• a motor in said housing at a position below said centrifuge chamber;
• a rotor shaft on said motor, said rotor shaft extending into said centrifuge chamber;
• a rotor in said centrifuge chamber, said rotor being mounted to said rotor shaft to thereby accommodate said rotor being rotated by said motor;
• a plurality of receptacle sets in said rotor, each receptacle set being configured to receive a predetermined size of centrifuge container;
• an index plate rotatably mounted to said rotor shaft, said index plate having a single set of access ports therein, the orientation of said single set of access ports being selectively coordinated with the orientation of said plurality of receptacle sets in said rotor to thereby limit access to a single receptacle set at a time;
• cover means for enclosing said rotor and said index plate in said centrifuge chamber;
• and
• control means for controlling said motor.

A method for providing a centrifuge with a multiple function capability comprising the steps of:

• obtaining a housing;
• forming a centrifuge chamber in said housing;
• selecting a motor having a motor shaft extending therefrom;
• mounting said motor in said housing with said motor shaft extending into said centrifuge chamber;
• forming a rotor for said centrifuge chamber, said rotor having a plurality of receptacle sets formed therein;
• securing said rotor to said motor shaft;
• preparing an index plate having a single set of apertures therethrough, said apertures restricting access to a single receptable set in said rotor;
• rotatably attaching said index plate to said motor shaft;
• and
• selecting a preselected receptacle set in said rotor for receipt of a plurality of centrifuge tubes by indexing said index plate over said preselected receptacle set.