Incubators are generally fundamental for the growth and storage of bacterial cultures, cell and tissue culture, biochemical and hematological studies, pharmaceutical work and food analysis.
Ranging in size from 2 cubic feet to 40 cubic feet, both large and small amounts of specimens can be stored easily and safely. While incubators are used for medical samples and specimens daily, other industries also find themselves in need of incubators for storage of other materials.
The primary function of an incubator is the endow a controlled, contaminate free environment for safe and reliable work with cell and tissue cultures by regulating condition such as temperature, humidity, and CO2.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF INCUBATORS
1. General Purpose Incubators: These incubators are available in a range of sizes and can be used for a variety of reasons including culturing, determinations of microbiological materials food processing, quality control and much more. They feature temperature gauges and a variety of space for specimens.
2. Refrigerated Incubators: These are often referred to as low temperature incubators, and are typically used for plant and insect studies, fermentation, and bacterial cultures. These feature controllable lower temperatures.
3. CO2 Incubators: This type of incubator is used to eliminate contamination and for precision temperature control and feature HEPA filters and copper for cleaning and decontamination.
4. Shaking Incubators: These incubators are used for cell aeration and culturing of cells. They feature stable temperature controls, variable speeds, and adjustable stroke lengths.
5. Drosophila Incubators: This type is often referred to as “fruit fly” incubators. They are used for culturing fruit flies and feature gently fluctuating temperatures that are specific to the insect’s needs.
LAB INCUBATOR CAPACITY:
1. Laboratory incubators are manufactured in a broad array of sizes, ranging from compact benchtop units smaller than 1 cubic foot to high capacity, reach-in chambers larger than 40 cubic feet.
2. Compact Incubators are small, countertop models under 6 cubic feet and are designed to house samples from a single cell culture line. Made for labs with limited workspace.
3. Floor-Standing Incubators. These are up to 20 cubic feet and are designed ti isolate cultures from multiple cell lines, protecting the samples from cross-contamination.
4. High Volume Reach-In Incubators are larger than 20 cubic feet and include space for additional sample agitation equipment, such as incubator-safe shakers, for cell aeration and solubility studies.
When choosing an incubator there are many choices and options to choose from. The most important thing is from the start is pinpointing what your lab needs are and which incubator will best meet those needs.
As a leader in Scientific Equipment Repair and Medical Equipment Calibrations, Scientific Instrument Center works with many corporations, universities, and hospitals providing the highest level of laboratory services.
If you have questions about your laboratory equipment and would like to discuss options for repairing or maintaining the equipment, please contact us toll free at (800) 686-8965
Our skilled staff members understand the nuances of instrument calibration and the manufacturers train our technicians, so any inspections we make mean your equipment is to quality standards. For more than 30 years, SIC has served businesses that use a wide variety of diagnostic and scientific equipment. We are specialists!
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