What is a laboratory incubator and why do labs need them?
Have you ever wondered what goes on in laboratories, especially those that are used to manufacture and test new drugs that are continually released into the medical world? There are four main types of laboratory including diagnostic labs, hospital labs, clinical labs and research labs. While they are all different there are certain common denominators such as highly skilled and qualified personnel, and highly technical equipment. This includes laboratory incubators.
To ensure they work effectively and efficiently while also meeting the needs of their customers of patients, laboratories rely on many essential pieces of equipment. Whether they keep items cool, warm, or within a certain set of humidity conditions, they are usually highly technical and mean labs can function without issue. In these situations, a contaminant-free environment is an absolute essential.
But what exactly is a laboratory incubator and why are they so important? Read on to find out!
What is a Laboratory Incubator?
Put most simply, a lab incubator is an appliance used to keep samples, specimens, or perishable goods within very specific conditions.
These environmental and atmospheric conditions can include:
- Temperature
- Humidity
- Oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations
- Among others.
It can be countertop, under-counter, or freestanding and has a possible capacity of 30-1,200 litres – meaning laboratory technicians can choose the right model for their lab.
As these conditions can be carefully controlled and monitored, the chemical or biological processes in the samples or specimens can take place within the desired conditions.
This makes studying the results of testing or developing further outcomes from the initial study even simpler and easier – without the threat of disturbance from contamination and unaccounted influences.
Why Are Lab Incubators Needed?
Laboratories frequently complete any number of highly specialised studies or tests – usually linked to one specific industry.
For example, laboratories that work with pharmaceuticals can carry out crystallisation studies to see if, how, and when samples become crystallised.
There are potentially thousands of real-life applications for laboratory incubators, but common examples include:
- Antibody testing
- Pharmaceutical stability studies
- Safe storage of chemicals and samples
- Cultivating thermophilic bacterium
- Growing cell, tissue, and microbiological cultures
- Researching, growing, and incubating microbiological samples
- Gene expression studies and genetic cloning
- Vaccine development
- Fermentation
- Food and beverage testing
- Tissue engineering
Without a laboratory incubator, such tests may be much harder to complete and there could be significant delays across multiple industries.
Benefits of Laboratory Incubators
As well as being incredibly versatile, lab incubators come with a range of benefits, including but not limited to:
- Precise results that are easy to replicate
With scientific testing, the ability to record precise results and easy replication is essential. This delivers consistent research outcomes and means that if further tests or studies need to be carried out, it is easy and simple to do so.
- Safety and security features
Within laboratory incubators, there is a range of specialist tech designed to keep samples safe and secure.
This can include temperature stability of +/- 0.75˚C and a temperature range of up to +100˚C as well as automatic over-temperature safety cut-outs to stop samples from being spoilt by overheating.
Plus, if you select glazed outer doors, you may be able to view the contents without opening the door – stopping temperature fluctuations.
- Reduced contamination
Most often constructed with a painted sheet steel exterior shell and either a plastic, steel, or stainless steel interior, they are easy to clean and keep sterile.
This is crucial for ensuring a contamination-free environment.
Do you need a laboratory incubator?
It is essential that anyone needing a laboratory incubator you must reach out to a trusted medical equipment supplier, especially a provider that is registered as an approved NHS supplier.
This will mean that the equipment will meet all of your requirements, meet all necessary legal requirements, and can be customised to meet exact needs.