News
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Winter 2010 Newsletter - click here
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CO2 Incubators Offer Performance and Value
The new INB-203 CO2 incubators from IKS International (Rosmalen, The Netherlands) offer an exceptional price/performance ratio and are ideal for applications in IVF, cell culture, haematology, cell biology and pharmaceutical laboratories. The INB-203 model is a direct-heat incubator with a capacity of 42 litres and a temperature range from ambient +5°C to 60°C. For those needing lower temperatures, the INB-203C has the added facility of peltier cooling down to ambient -5°C. This will be particularly useful for laboratories without adequate air conditioning, providing unprecedented security against loss of temperature-sensitive material. The larger INB-203 XL is a direct-heat incubator with a generous capacity of 179 litres and a temperature range from 
ambient +5°C to 60°C.
The design of the INB-203 range shows careful attention to detail. The combination of heating from all 6 internal surfaces with fan-assisted circulation means that temperature and CO2 levels stabilise quickly and that good temperature accuracy (± 0.25°C at 37°C) is achieved. As an option, the inner glass door can be subdivided into 6 sections (8 in the case of the INB-203XL), to minimise the environmental impact on sensitive samples when the door is opened. Temperature and CO2 levels are monitored by reliable PID and infra-red sensors and there is optional battery backup in case of power failure. These incubators are fully compatible with IKS’ market-leading XiltriX® laboratory monitoring system. The inner chamber has rounded corners to facilitate cleaning and is condensation-free, helping to reduce the risk of contamination. Units can be stacked to conserve valuable laboratory space.
Unique New Oxygen Sensor for IVF and Cell Culture Incubators
Many IVF and cell culture laboratories are using incubators with reduced oxygen levels in order to more closely reflect in vivo conditions and so improve embryo or cell viability. A unique new multi-channel oxygen sensor substation for the XiltriX® laboratory monitoring system from IKS (Rosmalen, The Netherlands) can accurately monitor the oxygen levels in up to 16 incubators.
Based on the proven and also unique XiltriX CO2 monitor, a single high performance oxygen sensor is combined with programmable sample switching so that the oxygen level in each of up to 16 incubators can be measured every 20 minutes. Automatic calibration can be programmed at selected intervals for long term accuracy and stability, and if a XiltriX CO2 sensor system is also in use there is no need for additional calibration gases as ambient air can be used as the oxygen standard and the CO2 calibration mixture as the zero standard!
XiltriX Product Manager Han Weerdesteyn said: “Long term oxygen stability monitoring is vital for growing embryos under lowered oxygen conditions. For multiple-incubator installations, this new oxygen sensor substation combines with XiltriX to give the easiest, cheapest and most accurate solution for monitoring up to 16 incubators, and will help to further improve IVF success rates.”
XiltriX offers a comprehensive solution for laboratory and equipment monitoring. Storage devices such as refrigerators, incubators and freezers and the products stored in them can all be monitored. Not only oxygen and CO2 but other parameters like temperature, humidity, door opening, pressure and flow can all be measured and recorded from multiple sensors, the results logged and reported, and alarms generated if necessary.
Monitoring Europe’s Largest IVF Lab
The XiltriX® laboratory monitoring system has been chosen for what will be the largest IVF centre in Europe, at the Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine in Liverpool Women’s Hospital. XiltriX is a comprehensive monitoring, logging and alarm system that will continuously and automatically supervise over 150 parameters in the IVF laboratory to ensure the safety of all biological materials kept there, and to guarantee that embryos are maintained under conditions representing absolute best practice in embryology. The system is manufactured by IKS International (Rosmalen, the Netherlands) and is supplied and maintained by their UK distributor, Sedna Scientific of Dronfield, Derbyshire.
XiltriX continuously monitors such parameters as temperature, relative humidity, CO2 levels and whether incubator and other doors are open or closed. Active areas like microscope platens, incubators, refrigerators, freezers, warming baths, room temperatures, and cryogenic storage are monitored, and all data is logged to ensure traceability. If an error condition is detected, a highly flexible alarm system is activated. Flashing lights give on-site warnings, backed up by an autodialler and sms text messaging. Two-way communication is possible so that, for example, the recipient of a text message can send a reply to acknowledge the alarm remotely. The alarm system is cascaded so that if no response is received from the first contact the message will be sent to a second and if necessary even a third. The system is also installed on the local network, so users can log in from internal or external computers or even from home via the internet. XiltriX is completely independent from the wiring and power for any other equipment in the unit so continues to function in the event of infrastructure failure.
When fully commissioned next year, the Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine will handle more than 2000 assisted conceptions a year. The newly completed, 1400 sq ft extension to Liverpool Women’s Hospital houses a state-of-the-art embryology laboratory, sperm bank, egg freezing facility and dedicated recovery services. This £5m investment, funded jointly by Liverpool Women’s NHS Trust and private practitioners North West Fertility Ltd, will further cement the hospital’s reputation as leaders in reproductive medicine.