Vivaspin® and Vivacon® Centrifugal Filters
Centrifugal ultrafilters, sometimes called centrifugal or spin filters, are a popular choice for macromolecule concentration and buffer exchange in research and development laboratories.
Each ultrafilter consists of a filter unit in a tube that requires only a standard benchtop centrifuge and pipettes for seamless operation.
Sartorius leads the industry in laboratory ultrafiltration, with the most comprehensive selection of centrifugal ultrafilters, including options for normal flow filtration or our pioneering formats that utilize tangential flow filtration (TFF). Our Vivacon® and Vivaspin® solutions, available in several capacities and with multiple membrane materials, ensure efficient processing of any molecule from small (≤90 mL) feed volumes.
Do you need to process samples >100 mL? Find out more about Vivaflow® SU
Shop Centrifugal Filter Products
Vivaspin® and Vivacon® Centrifugal Filters Offer:
Efficiency boost. For rapid UF and DF, both the original (Vivaspin®) and enhanced (Vivaspin® Turbo) centrifugal ultrafilters feature TFF technology and flow channels designed to prevent fouling and maximize flux.
Mix and max. Choose from our unique and comprehensive range of membrane materials and MWCOs to find the optimal ultrafilter for each target molecule.
Pipette-friendly to the last drop. Avoid target loss with sample-safe dead stops that are perfectly complemented by Optifit tips for easy retentate collection.
Ready for any process. Vivaspin® Turbo has enhanced chemical and temperature resistance to accommodate a wider range of sample compositions and operating conditions.
Find and stop or spin again. Quickly identify your sample and know at-a-glance if your process is complete or if you need to centrifuge just a little longer.
Skip the spin. Unique pressure cell options allow you to concentrate with positive pressure, ideal when centrifugation is impractical or inappropriate for your sample.
Centrifugal Filters and Their Applications
Principle of Centrifugal Ultrafiltration
Centrifugal force is used to create a pressure difference across the ultrafiltration membranes that drives the separation of particles or macromolecules from liquids based on their size or molecular weight. A sample (feed) containing the molecule of interest is dispensed into a filter unit equipped with ultrafiltration membranes. During centrifugation, larger molecules in the sample are retained above the membrane (retentate), while smaller molecules and solvent pass through (permeate) into a collection tube.
Need help choosing your ultimate ultrafilter?
Vivaspin® and Vivacon® centrifugal filters are compatible with standard centrifuge rotors.
The Dream Team for Easy Retentate Collection
Collecting your retentate sample from any of our centrifugal filters is a breeze. The pipette-friendly dead stops work perfectly with Picus® 2 electronic pipettes and Optifit tips, so there is no need for you to search high and low for those elusive gel loading tips. In addition, Vivaspin® 2 and Vivacon® ultrafilters are reverse-spin capable, so you can easily collect retentate samples even without a pipette.
Want to learn more about Picus® 2 pipettes?
Choose from Picus® 2 and Optifit tips or a quick reverse spin to easily collect retentate samples from Vivaspin® and Vivacon® ultrafilters.
Efficient Clarification and Molecule Removal
Although commonly used for concentration and buffer exchange, ultrafiltration is also a useful method for clarification and removal of macromolecules prior to detection of low molecular weight analytes. Vivaspin® Filtrate simplifies this process with counterflow ultrafiltration, where ultrafiltration occurs through ultra-thin membranes in the opposite direction to centrifugal force. This technique avoids trapping and membrane blocking to support high recovery of target analytes that can be collected directly from the floating permeate tube.
Ready to prepare your analyte samples more efficiently?
Vivaspin® Filtrate is ideal for isolating low molecular weight analytes from interfering substances.
Endotoxin and DNA Sample Preparation
Selected Sartorius centrifugal filters are recommended for applications where it is critical to avoid sample contamination. Vivaspin® Endotest is pyrogen-free and designed for complete retention of endotoxins, making it suitable for removal of interfering substances prior to Limulus Amoebocyte Lysate (LAL) testing. For forensic applications, PCR-grade Vivacon® ultrafilters have been treated to inactivate all trace DNA. With full manufacturing traceability, these ultrafilters are ideal for concentrating crime scene swab samples prior to DNA sequencing.
Vivaspin® Endotest and PCR-grade Vivacon® support reliable preparation of critical samples.
Supporting Products
Selected Centrifugal Filter Resources
Centrifugal Filter Manuals
Select manual by language
EN
- Vivacon® 500 - EN PDF | 391.0 KB
- Vivacon® 500 PCR Grade - EN PDF | 389.9 KB
- Vivacon® 2 - EN PDF | 4.1 MB
- Vivacon® 2 PCR Grade - EN PDF | 4.1 MB
- Vivaspin® 500 | 2 - EN PDF | 565.0 KB
- Vivaspin® 6 | 20 - EN PDF | 1008.2 KB
- Vivaspin® 15R - EN PDF | 430.4 KB
- Vivaspin® 100 - EN PDF | 899.6 KB
- Vivaspin® Endotest - DE | EN PDF | 221.3 KB
- Vivaspin® Filtrate - EN PDF | 395.8 KB
DE
- Vivaspin® 500 | 2 - DE PDF | 467.4 KB
- Vivaspin® 6 | 20 - DE PDF | 1.0 MB
- Vivaspin® Endotest - DE | EN PDF | 221.3 KB
- Vivaspin® Filtrate - DE PDF | 398.3 KB
ES
- Vivaspin® 500 | 2 - ES PDF | 457.4 KB
- Vivaspin® 6 | 20 - ES PDF | 1.0 MB
- Vivaspin® Filtrate - ES PDF | 404.0 KB
FR
- Vivaspin® 500 | 2 - FR PDF | 524.4 KB
- Vivaspin® 6 | 20 - FR PDF | 1.0 MB
- Vivaspin® Filtrate - FR PDF | 408.9 KB
IT
- Vivaspin® 500 | 2 - IT PDF | 457.2 KB
- Vivaspin® 6 | 20 - IT PDF | 1.1 MB
- Vivaspin® Filtrate - IT PDF | 395.7 KB
Frequently Asked Questions
Vivaspin® and Vivacon® centrifugal filters are available with the following MWCO | pore size membranes:
- Vivaspin® 500 | 6 | 20: 3 - 1,000 kDa or 0.2 μm PES
- Vivaspin® 2: 3 – 100 kDa PES, 2 – 30 kDa Hydrosart® RC, or 10 and 20 kDa CTA
- Vivaspin® 15R: 2 – 30 kDa Hydrosart® RC
- Vivaspin® 100: 5 – 1,000 kDa or 0.2 μm PES
- Vivaspin® Endotest: 20 kDa CTA
- Vivaspin® Filtrate: 5 – 20 kDa CTA, or 100 or 300 kDa PES
- Vivaspin® Turbo: 3 – 100 kDa PES, or 5 – 100 kDa RC
- Vivacon® 500: 5 – 100 kDa Hydrosart® RC, or 125 kDa and 0.2 μm CA
- Vivacon® 2: 5 – 100 kDa Hydrosart® RC, or 125 kDa and 0.2 μm CA
For more detailed information on membrane availability, please refer to the product datasheets.
Vivaspin® is available in different pack sizes that generally depend on the maximum filling volume (feed capacity) and sometimes the MWCO of your chosen ultrafilter:
- 25 or 100 units (for feed volumes ≤6 mL)
- 12 or 48 units (for feed volumes >6 mL to ≤20 mL)
- 2 or 10 units (Vivaspin® 100)
Vivaspin® Endotest and Vivaspin® Filtrate are available in packs of 12 units.
Each pack of Vivaspin® ultrafilters includes a quick start guide.
Most Vivacon® 500 ultrafilters are available in packs of 25 or 100 units.
PCR-grade Vivacon® and Vivacon® 2 ultrafilters are available in packs of 100 units.
Each pack of Vivacon® ultrafilters includes a quick start guide.
Yes, they are. While we have taken steps to minimize our environmental impact with quick start guides in the product packaging, if you need more information on how to use our products, the full instruction manual can be downloaded from this page or in the eShop.
Centrifugal filters require a benchtop centrifuge with a rotor that accepts tubes or bottles with the dimensions of your selected ultrafilter. All Vivaspin® and Vivacon® centrifugal filters have industry standard dimensions for universal compatibility with rotors accepting 2, 15, 50, or 250 mL centrifuge tubes or bottles. Please refer to the quick start guides or instruction manuals for specific dimensions and base shapes.
In addition to a centrifuge, Sartorius recommends using Picus® 2 pipettes and Optifit tips to dispense samples into Vivaspin® and Vivacon® and for retentate collection.
Yes, you can. Discontinuous diafiltration is possible in all Vivaspin® and Vivacon® centrifugal filters by simply concentrating, diluting and reconcentrating the sample. For best efficiency, we recommend diluting with exchange buffer and reconcentrating at least 3X.
Continuous diafiltration is also possible with Vivaspin® 20. Large sample volumes should either be concentrated to 2 mL or less or divided between several ultrafilters in 2 mL aliquots. A diafiltration cup is then inserted into each ultrafilter and filled with 10 mL exchange buffer. When centrifuged, diafiltration occurs at the same rate as ultrafiltration, maintaining a constant sample volume.
These centrifugal filters are stable for use with most common aqueous buffers and some solvents such a 70% ethanol. Additional compatibility is afforded by Vivaspin® Turbo. For further information, please refer to the instruction manuals.
For centrifugal ultrafiltration, Vivacon® and Vivaspin® are available with a wide choice of membrane materials and MWCOs. This already helps to ensure high recoveries of most molecules.
For some molecules, reducing the relative centrifugal force, performing a membrane passivation step before UF | DF, or rinsing the membranes after retentate collection, can also support higher recoveries.
The performance of ultrafiltration membranes degrades with repeated use, so most Vivaspin® and all Vivacon® centrifugal filters are designed for single use. This helps to reduce hands-on time, improve laboratory safety, and eliminate the risk of carryover.
However, cleaning and storage procedures are provided for Vivaspin® 100 so that they can be used multiple times.
Yes! Vivaflow® TFF cassettes, including the next generation Vivaflow® SU, are intended for ultrafiltration and diafiltration of >100 mL feeds without the complexity usually associated with crossflow technology.
