I. Key Maintenance Points for CO2 Incubators:
A CO2 incubator is a device used for the in vitro culture of cells or tissues by simulating the environment found within a living organism. It requires stable temperature (37°C), stable CO2 levels (5%), constant pH (7.2–7.4), and high relative humidity (95%).
Since these instruments frequently come into contact with water and gases, impurities in the gas supply can enter the gas lines and cause operational failures.
II. Precautions for CO2 Incubators:
1. Before initial use, ensure the water jacket is filled with a sufficient amount of deionized or distilled water and securely close the sealing cap to minimize evaporation.
2. In facilities with unstable power supplies, it is advisable to use a high-performance voltage stabilizer to prevent malfunctions caused by voltage fluctuations.
3. Install a low-pressure CO2 regulator (0–0.25 MPa) on the CO2 cylinder to ensure stable output pressure. This prevents excessive input pressure from keeping the incubator's CO2 control valve constantly engaged, which could lead to damage.
4. When the unit is powered on but not actively being used for incubation, set the temperature to 0°C and the CO2 concentration to "0." This keeps the control valves inactive, preventing damage caused by prolonged operation.
5. The door temperature should be set approximately 7°C higher than the internal chamber temperature to minimize temperature fluctuations when accessing items.
III. Routine maintenance should cover the following aspects:
1. Frequently check the water jacket water level and replenish the water if the level is low;
2. Regularly check the CO₂ gas cylinder to ensure it does not run empty;
3. Inspect CO₂ supply lines and connections for any gas leaks;
4. Periodically remove dust from the unit to prevent dust from clogging air passages and solenoid valves.