Bibby Scientific has claimed that robust polycarbonate homogeniser probes from Stuart are economical enough for single use but also quick and easy to clean and autoclavable.
These 7mm saw-tooth probes can process 0.25-30ml samples and are ideal for hard tissues such as heart, tumours, fatty tissue, muscle, kidney and lung, as well as all soft-tissue applications.
The company said compatibility with common reagent kits and with liquid nitrogen ensures complete versatility, while the clear two-piece construction eliminates sample loss.
The Stuart probes are designed to be disposed of after a single use to prevent cross-contamination but can also be autoclaved up to seven times or cleaned, for example, with five per cent chlorine bleach or 70 per cent alcohol.
However, unlike traditional stainless-steel probes, which may take as long as 15 minutes to strip down and clean, the polycarbonate probe can be dismantled in seconds and without tools.
Compatible with Stuart's lightweight SHM1 homogeniser as well as the more powerful SHM2 model, the polycarbonate probes are said to be virtually unbreakable.
Their processing capabilities are almost identical to those of stainless-steel probes, except with the hardest sample types such as bone, cartilage and skin.
