Incubation or Controlled Sample Environment?

An integrated approach to sample storage and security
20 years serving clinical, biotechnology, pharmaceutical and microbiology laboratories worldwide have given Dutch company IKS International unique experience in creating a secure controlled environment for sample storage or culture.

Based in Rosmalen, near ’s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands, IKS not only supplies a comprehensive range of individual incubators and other sample storage systems but can integrate these with its market-leading XiltriX®, monitoring, data logging and alarm system. Incubator parameters such as temperature, CO2 and oxygen concentration, pressure and humidity can all be monitored by XiltriX®, ensuring a secure, audited environment for precious samples. IKS specialises in integrated, total laboratory solutions and has collaborated in the design of a number of major IVF facilities internationally.

Incubators for every need
The range of IKS laboratory incubators covers everything from the 9-litre IVS-1203 “personal” unit to the new INB-203XL CO2 incubator with a capacity of 179 litres.

The 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. The INB-203C has the added facility of peltier cooling down to ambient -5°C. The larger INB-203 XL has a generous 179 litre capacity and a temperature range from ambient +5°C to 60°C. Heating from all 6 internal surfaces and fan-assisted circulation ensure good temperature accuracy (± 0.25°C at 37°C) is achieved and that temperature and CO2 levels stabilise rapidly. The interior can be subdivided to minimise the environmental impact on sensitive samples when the door is opened. Temperature and CO2 levels are monitored and there is optional battery backup in case of power failure.

Two new triple gas incubators offer a high quality culturing environment with excellent temperature accuracy and CO2 stability. The larger IVS-9160GC with 173 litre chamber and eight divided inner doors delivers a very good price performance ratio, while the small 33 litre IVS-9000GC is ideal for use with lowered oxygen concentrations. Very fast recovery times for temperature, CO2 and O2 ensure a highly stable environment for embryo growth, and an internal HEPA filter prevents contamination. Other features include a dual-beam (non-dispersive) infrared CO2 sensor and an access port allowing connection to an external XiltriX® sensor.

The novel IVS-1203 “personal” incubators are small and low cost, so individual laboratory workers can store samples at their workplace under personally selected conditions. They are also small enough to be easily accommodated in laminar flow cabinets. There are two models, measuring only 290 x 345 x 370mm and both with a capacity of 9 litres. The PS has a temperature range from Ambient + 5 ºC to 45 ºC. The IVS- 1203P1S has a range from 10 ºC to 45 ºC and is uniquely small for a cooled incubator These incubators are lightweight (only 4.2 Kg) for ease of handling and are ruggedly constructed, largely from ABS plastic. Like all IKS incubators, a sensor port is provided for monitoring.

Economical, Quality Laboratory Monitoring
However good the incubator, in any controlled environment sample storage must be closely monitored, and the IKS XiltriX® monitoring, data logging and alarm system provides a stateof-the art solution that integrates perfectly with the IKS incubator range. Parameters such as temperature, CO2 and oxygen concentration, pressure and humidity and events like door opening can all be monitored by XiltriX®. Flexible communication options offer real-time monitoring using hardwired, network or wireless connectivity. The system even monitors the local power supply and gives an alarm in case of power failure, while continuing to function using its built-in battery back-up system. Monitoring is not limited to incubators – other active areas like microscope platens, incubators, refrigerators, freezers, warming baths, room temperatures and cryogenic storage can all be monitored, and all data logged to ensure traceability.

XiltriX® was chosen for what will be the largest IVF centre in Europe, the Hewitt Centre for Reproductive Medicine at Liverpool Women’s Hospital. IKS International also supplied all the sample storage and security equipment at the new Fulya IVF centre in Istanbul following a highly successful joint project with their Turkish distributors Gonagen