In vitro culture of cells or tissues requires suitable temperature, humidity, pH, etc., and various similar conditions in vivo. The carbon dioxide incubator simulates the growth environment of a cell or tissue in a living body through the incubator. For example, stable temperature (37 ° C), high relative humidity (95%), constant pH (pH 7.2 ~ 7.4), etc.
There are two types of commonly used carbon dioxide incubators: air-jacketed and water-jacketed.
Heating method of air-jacketed carbon dioxide incubator: The box is directly heated by the heater in the air-jacket layer.
Heating method of water jacket type carbon dioxide incubator: heating the water in the water jacket by electric wire, and then detecting the temperature change through the temperature sensor in the box, so that the temperature in the box is constant at the set temperature.
Which is better, air-jacketed or water-jacketed?
The air jacket type has the advantages of fast heating and rapid temperature recovery.
The carbon dioxide concentration is controlled by a carbon dioxide sensor. The sensor transmits the detection result to the control circuit and the solenoid valve. If the carbon dioxide concentration is low, the solenoid valve opens, and the carbon dioxide replenishment enters the cabinet until the set concentration is reached, and the solenoid valve is closed. The gas mixing pump mixes carbon dioxide and air to ensure uniform carbon dioxide distribution.
Structural composition of carbon dioxide incubator:
- Upper box: control panel, used to control the gas path.
- Lower cabinet: high temperature resistant rock wool between the studio
- Studio: space for culturing cells or tissues
- Cultivation room: there is heating device and thermal rock wool inside the outer door to ensure that the glass inner door will not dew
- Control panel: Control the concentration, temperature and humidity of carbon dioxide.
How to use a carbon dioxide incubator?
- Open the glass door and put sterilized water at the bottom of the studio.
- Open the carbon dioxide supply valve. Please note that the carbon dioxide supply must be output from the pressure reducing valve. The pressure is maintained at 0.5-1bar
- Set the required values for the desired culture on the control panel.
- Wait for the parameters to stabilize and place in the sample.
Cautions for the CO2 incubator
- Before use, the controller switch should be in non-working state, and the speed control knob should be in the minimum position.
- Do not adjust the pressure of the incoming gas too much, so as not to break the pipeline and damage the detector.
- The cylinder should be replaced when the cylinder pressure is lower than 0.2MPa.
- Minimize the time to open the glass door to avoid affecting the experimental results
- Frequently check the temperature of the incubator and whether the amount of carbon dioxide gas meets the set value.
- Every three months, check the compressor and fuse.
- Before transporting the incubator, remove the moisture from the cabinet and remove the shelf to prevent the glass door from being damaged.
