Laboratory Incubator Components

Laboratory Incubator

• Provides a controlled, contaminant-free environment for safe, reliable work with cell and tissue cultures
• Controls temperature, CO2, and humidity for growth of live organisms
• Common uses: storage and incubation of bacteriological, viral, microbiological, and cellular cultures

Incubator Components

• Outer wall: stainless steel sheets
• Inner wall: aluminum
• Insulated cabinet: enables visualization of the interior
• Control panel: with all switches and indicators to set the desired temperature
• Strong seal: between the door and the cabinet
• Cabinet door: with control panel, thermostat, and air-pump with filters
• HEPA filters: vaporize water to maintain relative humidity inside the chamber
• Electrical part: with CO2 sensor, temperature sensor, humidity sensor, door switch, and control circuit

Preventive Maintenance

• Always wear gloves when handling containers
• Change the water in the humidity pan at least once per week
• Clean the outside of the unit, especially the door handle
• Sterilize inside the incubator often
• Check and calibrate the temperature regularly
• Check all displays & indicator lights working normally
• Check tubing cracks and tight connections
• Replace chamber HEPA Filter
• Ensure water level in water jacket is full
• Check gas or water leaks
• Check operation of all motors, fan, valve, and heaters

BSC Re-certification

• Certification is needed when:
  • Certifier should include:
    • Test Report
    • Installation
    • Calibration Date
    • Maintenance
    • Methods used
    • Filter loading
    • Date certified
    • Changing sample
    • Changing rooms
    • Certification due date
    • Certifiers name, address, and phone number
    • Signature

Common Mistakes in Using BSC

• Blocking of air flow
• Placing arms and materials on the grill
• Placing extra high materials
• Unclean room
• Diffuser damage during lifting materials
• Storing cotton materials

Maintenance Tests

• Smoke test
• Leakage test on filters
• Down flow test
• Electrical safety test

Biomedical Instrumentation Systems

• Types: Direct, Indirect, Invasive, Noninvasive, Contact, Remote, Sense, Actuate, Dynamic, Static
• Fundamental Rules:
  • Minimum disturbance to physiologic system
  • Sensor must be at physiologic variable value
  • Processing should be perfect
  • Maintain simplicity

Important Instrumentation Terms

• Sensitivity: change in output as a function of a change in input
• Stability: consistency in output for a constant input
• Specificity: ability to distinguish desired variable from other competing variables
• Accuracy: difference between true value and measured value divided by the true value
• Precision: number of distinguishable alternatives from which a given result is selected
• Resolution: smallest increment that can be measured with certainty
• Reproducibility: same output for the same input