Used Lab Equipment for Clinics

For many medical facilities, lab equipment keeps things moving. From analyzing samples to preparing specimens, the capabilities of good lab equipment can help you meet a wide range of goals, like working more efficiently, reducing costs or bringing more of your processes in-house.

Fortunately, you don't need to spend a fortune to get high-quality clinical lab equipment. Used equipment is often just as dependable but comes at a much lower price. Still, you'll need to know what you're looking for and make sure you buy from a reliable source.

Types of Used Lab Equipment for Clinics

Many types of lab equipment can find their home in medical clinics. Some instruments that are commonly purchased used include:

• Biological safety cabinets: These large workspaces offer a contained area for handling biohazardous materials. They can help prevent exposure and ensure controls to protect people, the environment and products. Many clinics use biological safety cabinets to analyze potentially hazardous substances.
• Centrifuges and centrifuge rotors: With the help of centrifugal force and high speeds, centrifuges separate components in fluids. They come in several styles and can accommodate different types of rotors. Clinics often use centrifuges to separate and test blood and other liquids.
• Cryostats: A cryostat uses cryogenic temperatures to freeze tissue samples without degrading them. You can also use one with a microtome to thinly slice the samples and prepare them for analysis.
• Freeze dryers: Sublimation and desorption processes allow freeze dryers to remove ice and other frozen solvents from a sample. In the clinical setting, freeze dryers can dehydrate pharmaceutical products and samples for easier transportation.
• Incubating shakers: An incubating shaker controls environmental factors like temperature and pressure while gently shaking the materials. Some clinics use them to grow and maintain cultures, such as those derived from bacteria or fungi.
• RT-PCR/qPCR: Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) equipment can detect genetic material from specific organisms. Real-time PCR instruments — including quantitative PCR (qPCR) instruments — can measure DNA amplification during the reaction rather than after it. This equipment can provide quick, reliable confirmation of the presence of certain illnesses.
• Tissue processors: If you work with tissue samples, a tissue processor can fix, stain, dehydrate or decalcify them to prepare the samples for analysis. In a clinic, tissue processors can help providers offer fast, on-site diagnoses.
• Ultra-low temperature freezers: An ultra-low temperature freezer can provide the extremely cold environment needed to store and preserve different substances, from drugs and chemicals to samples and bacteria.

Clinic Lab Equipment Manufacturers

Depending on the instrument in question, the most notable equipment manufacturers for lab equipment can vary.

Some of the most popular names in used clinical lab equipment include Thermo Fisher Scientific and Leica Biosystems, both of which offer exceptional performance and longevity. Beckman Coulter and Eppendorf are also big players in the centrifuge space. Other notable manufacturers of clinical equipment include Sakura, Labconco and Infors HT.

Of course, you'll need to know a lot more than names if you're buying used lab equipment. Our team works with instruments from all major manufacturers, and we can help you find the right equipment for your application.

Why Buy Used Equipment for Clinics?

Buying used clinical lab equipment is one of the best ways to get your hands on high-quality equipment without the high costs. When you buy used, your clinic can take advantage of:

• Lower costs: Used lab equipment is highly affordable. Our instruments are usually 30%-70% off the retail price. Many also have a large selection of compatible accessories and components on the used market to keep future expenses low.
• More in-house capabilities: Some clinics have to outsource lab processes, increasing inefficiency and costs. With affordable used instruments, you can likely bring these tasks in-house and finish them on your own schedule.
• Improved patient experience: The right equipment can help you run your clinic like a well-oiled machine, supporting streamlined operations and a better patient experience. In-house options can also benefit patients by reducing the complexity of outsourced tests and billing requirements.
• Differentiation: Affordable equipment might allow you to take on more tasks and offer more services to your patients. You can stand out from the competition and attract more patients.
• Exceptional performance: Most clinical lab instruments last a long time, and used ones often perform just as well as new ones. If you buy from a trusted seller, you can expect used lab equipment that lasts for years — if not decades — with virtually no loss of performance.

Used equipment can put more capabilities within reach, helping you reach your goals and better support your patients.

What to Consider When Buying Used Clinic Equipment

Before you buy any used clinic lab equipment, take some time to understand the purchase. Some points you'll need to consider include:

• The seller: Always vet the seller carefully. Some untrustworthy sellers will offer extremely low pricing to draw you in, but you might get an instrument that doesn't work or match up to its description. A reliable seller can help you buy confidently and provide other benefits, like warranties and buying assistance.
• The manufacturer: Some manufacturers use better components and designs than others. Before you buy, talk with a pro to learn more about the typical longevity and performance different manufacturers offer.
• The equipment's condition and age: Of course, good-quality equipment is ideal, but sometimes, minor issues won't affect you much and can offer big savings. A few cosmetic scratches, for instance, likely won't affect the instrument's use. Look for certification processes and inspections that can attest to its quality. You'll also want to check on the age of the equipment to get an idea of its remaining service life.
• A warranty: Warranties can help you rest easy when buying used. If the instrument stops working shortly after you buy it, you don't need to worry about taking a financial hit. At New Life Scientific, our 90-day warranty and unmatched customer service protect you after your purchase. We also offer extended warranties on some instruments for additional peace of mind.

Purchase New Life Scientific's Used Clinic Equipment Today

Buying used clinic equipment is one of the best ways to expand your capabilities without expanding your budget. Working with the right seller is critical, and we offer buyer protection through transparent listings, 90-day warranties and unparalleled customer service. Our extensive knowledge of used lab equipment also allows us to be your helping hand and answer any questions you might have.

Reach out to us online to learn more about how New Life Scientific can help move your science forward.