Replacing the StatSpin® Express 3 with the DASH Coag

Labs that rely on a StatSpin Express 3 for coagulation testing are using a centrifuge that can no longer be purchased or supported. As parts become more difficult to source and manufacturer support is phased out, the chance of extended downtime increases, along with the delays that follow when a STAT unit is out of service.

Drucker Diagnostics offers a solution. The DASH Coag STAT centrifuge runs the same 2-, 3-, and 5-minute cycles labs already use with the Express 3, produces coag and PPP samples in as little as two minutes, and handles 12 tubes per run instead of StatSpin’s eight.

In this article, we’ll walk through how the two units compare spec by spec and what to consider when planning the switch.

Capacity: Twelve Tubes Up to 10 mL

Capacity is the clearest difference between these two centrifuges. The discontinued StatSpin Express 3 holds eight tubes ranging from 1.5 to 10 mL using adapters. The DASH Coag was redesigned to accommodate higher STAT workloads and spins 12 tubes up to 16 x 100 mm or 10 mL, adding four additional samples per run.

Larger tube sizes are processed using the same rotor and carriers, so there is no need to swap out accessories between spins. For smaller samples, the DASH Coag can be configured to spin 12 tubes down to 2 mL with adapters, and a 1 to 1.5 mL Microtainer tube adapter set is available separately. Every unit arrives ready to run with a 45° angle fixed angle, which is optimal for PPP formation.

Preset Cycles: 2-, 3-, and 5-Minute Runtimes

Both STAT centrifuges are pre-programmed with three cycles built around common coagulation runtimes:

While the cycle runtimes and g-force match almost exactly, the RPM values differ because the two units use different rotor radii. The Express 3 spins faster to reach 4,400 xg on a smaller rotor, while the DASH Coag reaches the same maximum RCF at 6,600 RPM. Since RCF is the force acting on the sample, both centrifuges deliver equivalent separation at their maximum settings despite the difference in stated speed.

Labs with workflows that require spin parameters other than the default presets can program validated cycles directly on the unit.

Interface: Simple Controls with Cycle Status Indicators

The Express 3 offers selectable 2-, 3-, and 5-minute cycles. The DASH Coag pairs the same three-setting simplicity with a two-button interface, so selecting a cycle and starting a run takes two presses.

Its set-and-lock function allows a single cycle to be locked in place, which removes the possibility of an operator selecting the wrong runtime during a busy shift. Cycles can also be customized at the lab rather than locked.

Where the two units differ most is monitoring. Both signal cycle completion with audible beeps, but the DASH Coag adds an LED lid lighting system that communicates cycle status at a glance. The lights stay off when the centrifuge is ready to load, turn on while it runs, and flash when the cycle is complete, continuing to flash until the lid is opened. In labs where samples occasionally sit forgotten, that visual cue helps keep turnaround time on track.

A QR code on the front panel links to support videos, manuals, and additional documentation for easy access.

Size and Weight: Sized for Higher STAT Volumes

The DASH Coag’s added capacity comes with added size. It measures 12 x 14 x 9 in (30.5 x 35.6 x 22.9 cm) and weighs 17 lbs (7.7 kg), compared with the Express 3 at 11 x 10 x 7 in (26.7 x 25.4 x 18 cm) and 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg). For most labs, that trade is worth making. Four additional tube per run and added 10 mL tube compatibility do more for throughput than the few inches of bench space, especially in labs processing higher STAT volumes.

The DASH Coag is light enough to reposition as needs change, and its footprint supports the same array strategy recommended for other DASH models. Placing multiple units in accessioning eliminates queuing, letting samples spin on arrival rather than waiting for an open centrifuge.

Performance: Statistically Equivalent PPP Preparation

A comparative, third-party study evaluated both centrifuges for platelet-poor plasma (PPP) preparation. Blood was drawn from 24 volunteer donors into lithium heparin plasma separator tubes, and each tube was spun individually with a balance tube for three minutes at 4,400 xg within five minutes of phlebotomy. Draw order was balanced across the two units so that each processed an equal number of first- and last-drawn tubes.

Platelet counts were measured in duplicate on a Sysmex XN-1000 Hematology Analyzer using the fluorescence platelet method. Mean counts came in at 5.33 x10³ platelets/µL for the DASH Coag and 5.48 x10³ platelets/µL for the Express 3, both comfortably under the 10 x10³ platelets/µL threshold that defines PPP. One-way ANOVA returned a p-value above 0.05, indicating no significant difference between the two units, and paired t-test, Bland-Altman, and coefficient of variation analyses all supported the same finding.

The study concluded that either centrifuge can be used confidently in clinical settings requiring high-quality PPP, and that labs can choose between them based on capacity, size, and operational preference without compromising sample quality.

Industry-Leading Support

All DASH centrifuges are designed, built, and supported in the USA. Drucker Diagnostics manufactures all of its products at its facility in Central Pennsylvania and maintains a U.S.-based customer service and technical support team. Because production stays in-house, from injection molding to final assembly, replacement parts and technical guidance come from the same team that built the centrifuge, without the lead times that come with overseas supply chains.

The DASH Coag carries a two-year parts and labor warranty, with 1-, 2-, and 3-year extended warranties available for purchase within 90 days of the original ship date.

Getting Started with the DASH Coag

Drucker Diagnostics offers two programs to support laboratories replacing a StatSpin centrifuge.

• StatSpin trade-in program. Send back an existing StatSpin unit in any condition, working or not, with a prepaid shipping label and receive promotional pricing on a qualifying Drucker centrifuge.
• 30-day evaluation. Put a DASH Coag through your own coag workflows at no cost, with no payment information required.

Labs that replace equipment on a planned schedule are able to manage the change on their own timeline rather than under pressure. For anyone currently operating a discontinued StatSpin Express 3, the DASH Coag keeps the cycle times already in use, matches the maximum RCF, and increases tube capacity per run, with added manufacturer support and warranty coverage.

To get started, visit the StatSpin replacement page or review full specifications for the DASH Coag.