A laboratory incubator is a specialized device that has the property of maintaining a space with stable controlled conditions, through the regulation of parameters such as temperature, humidity, oxygen and CO2. Among its main applications are:
- They are available in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.
- Incubator shelves are usually drilled with small alternating holes to allow airflow.
- It includes a stopwatch that can be programmable.
- Easy handling.
- Easy maintenance and cleaning.
- Some have a glass door that protects the shelves from contaminants or external substances.
- The standard incubator has a maximum temperature range of 80 to 100 °C
- Refrigerated incubators handle temperatures close to or below 0 °C.
Type of laboratory incubators
Today, there are different types of incubators, some of which have the ability to control extremely low temperatures (microbiological incubators), humidity and carbon dioxide levels (incubators for cell cultures). The main types of incubators include:
Forced convection laboratory incubators
A forced convection laboratory incubator is equipment that offers a wide range of temperatures, accuracy, homogeneity and great stability. Forced convection significantly reduces heating, stabilization and recovery times. These incubators are ideal for full loads or frequent door openings, and for crops that require cold environments.
With a fan, this equipment circulates air throughout the chamber constantly, preventing fluctuations in temperature. In this way, temperature control is maintained with great precision. These kits can be found in different sizes and models.
Natural convection laboratory incubators
Natural convection laboratory incubators are incubators used for the incubation of substrates that are sensitive to dryness, or for incubating substances based on dust. These incubators do not have as wide a range of temperatures as forced convection incubators, but they consume less electricity, resulting in a reduction in costs over time.
This type of incubator usually has an air jacket and control panels by which the temperature is adjusted with great precision. These incubators are designed for use in pharmaceutical, medical, food and packaging research laboratories as they provide a smooth flow of air.
CO2 laboratory incubators
The CO2 incubator is one of the most widely used incubators today. Being quite common in microbiological laboratories, as they are very versatile and useful equipment. It usually has an optimal temperature control, and also allows controlling other variables such as the amount of CO2 and relative humidity. It can be used to grow the most common microorganisms, that is, those that can live at 37.0°C, with 5.0% of CO2 and with a relative humidity of 85-90%. Among its main applications are: tissue engineering, in vitro fertilization, cancer research, stem cell research, regenerative medicine, mammalian cell research.
Currently there are two types of CO2 incubators, considering the type of jacket it uses: with heat and air jacket and water jacket. The heat and direct air jacket has as main benefit that is easier to configure. Also, it reaches the programmed temperature much faster than the water jacket. Additionally, the heat and direct air jacket weighs less, making it also easier to carry. While the waterjacket CO2 incubator is slower to start, it is slower
heavy, and when moving from place, water should be drained from the jacket.
Agitation laboratory incubators
These incubators allow the agitation of the samples placed inside, and at the same time applies the desired temperature. Agitation incubators are fairly innovative equipment used for: cell culture, cell aeration and solubility studies. These equipment have an integrated stirring system that gives them the property of maintaining a much more constant temperature compared to other incubators. Therefore, it is not necessary to continually review this parameter.
Generally, these devices have a stirring speed control, which not only controls temperature, but also accelerates (or decelerates) cell growth. This property increases productivity, accelerating processes that can sometimes take days or even weeks. However, cell growth may be more noticeable in some organisms than in others. As with the CO2 incubator, there are several types, such as: desktop and dual platform.
What does Kalstein offer you?
Kalstein is a manufacturer of medical and laboratory equipment of the highest quality and the best technology at the best PRICES in the market, so you can make your PURCHASE confidently with us, knowing that you have the service and advice of a company specialized in the field and committed to provide you with safe, economical and effective options to perform your functions in the right way. HERE
This time we present our microbiology incubator. This innovative equipment with cutting edge technology has the following features:
- The inner chamber is made of mirror stainless steel.
- The inner chamber of the semicircular corners is easy to clean.
- The shelf can be adjusted.
- LED microcomputer controller makes temperature and humidity constant.
- Touch key parameter setting.
- Timer, overheat alarm function.
- Large angle viewing window, easy to see the goods in the interior chamber with lighting.
- Large capacity humidifier, easy to use.
For more information we invite you to take a look HERE