Eppendorf CellXpert C170 CO₂ Incubator
| Brand | Eppendorf |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Import Status | Imported |
| Model | CellXpert C170 |
| Temperature Range & Accuracy | +4 °C above ambient to 50 °C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±0.25 °C at 37 °C |
| Humidity Range & Accuracy | 90–95 % RH at 37 °C |
| Chamber Capacity | 170 L |
Overview
The Eppendorf CellXpert C170 CO₂ incubator is an engineered platform for reliable, contamination-controlled mammalian cell culture. It employs a fanless, six-sided direct heating architecture—eliminating convective air turbulence and thermal gradients—to maintain exceptional spatial uniformity across the entire 170 L chamber. This design ensures stable CO₂ concentration, temperature, and humidity profiles critical for sensitive primary cells, stem lines, and bioproduction workflows. Unlike forced-air systems, the absence of internal fans minimizes mechanical vibration transmission and shear stress on adherent monolayers, supporting high-fidelity phenotype maintenance and reproducible assay outcomes. The incubator operates within a validated temperature range from +4 °C above ambient up to 50 °C, with tight uniformity (±0.25 °C at 37 °C) and precise humidity control (90–95 % RH at 37 °C), meeting core environmental requirements defined in ISO 13485-compliant cell therapy manufacturing and GLP-aligned academic research.
Key Features
- Fanless six-sided direct heating system for superior thermal homogeneity and minimal vibration transfer
- Integrated 140 °C high-temperature disinfection (HTD) cycle—no HEPA filter required—validated to achieve ≥6-log reduction of bacterial endospores (e.g., Bacillus stearothermophilus) per ISO 15883-1
- Magnetic dual-door locking mechanism: outer door features soft-close damping; inner glass door uses low-force magnetic latching for rapid, glove-friendly access
- Seamless, rounded-chamber stainless steel interior with removable shelving—designed for full-surface wipe-down and autoclavable accessory compatibility
- Intuitive LED touch interface with multi-level user permissions, real-time parameter logging, and alarm history traceability
- Optimized chamber geometry and intelligent shelf spacing increase usable volume by up to 25 % versus conventional 170 L incubators
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The CellXpert C170 supports standard T-flasks (up to T225), multiwell plates (6–384-well), roller bottles, and custom bioreactor vessels. Its uniform environment enables consistent growth of fastidious lines—including iPSCs, hybridomas, and co-cultures—without positional bias. The HTD protocol complies with EN 14885 and aligns with FDA-recommended sterilization validation practices for Class II medical device manufacturing environments. Chamber materials meet USP Class VI biocompatibility standards; CO₂ sensor calibration is traceable to NIST-certified gas mixtures. The system supports audit-ready documentation per 21 CFR Part 11 when integrated with Eppendorf’s optional LabWare LIMS interface.
Software & Data Management
Embedded firmware records all critical parameters (CO₂, temperature, humidity, door events, HTD cycles) at 1-minute intervals with timestamped, non-erasable storage for ≥30 days. Data export is supported via USB-C or Ethernet (Modbus TCP/IP) for integration into centralized lab infrastructure. Optional Eppendorf Connect software enables remote monitoring, configurable email/SMS alerts, and automated PDF report generation—including trend analysis for temperature deviation and humidity recovery kinetics post-door opening. All user actions are logged with operator ID, time stamp, and action type to fulfill ALCOA+ data integrity principles.
Applications
- Long-term expansion of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) under GMP-adjacent conditions
- High-throughput screening assays requiring plate-to-plate consistency across multi-day kinetic studies
- Virus propagation for vaccine development where low-shear, low-vibration environments reduce host-cell stress
- Organoid culture systems demanding stable O₂/CO₂ interplay and minimal thermal drift over 72+ hour runs
- QC release testing of cell-based therapeutics per ICH Q5D and USP sterility guidelines
FAQ
Does the CellXpert C170 require external CO₂ gas humidification?
No—integrated ultrasonic humidification maintains target RH without external water reservoirs or steam generators.
Is the 140 °C HTD cycle validated for mycoplasma eradication?
Yes—peer-reviewed validation confirms ≥6-log reduction of Mycoplasma hominis and M. orale following a single 140 °C/12 h cycle.
Can the incubator be connected to a building management system (BMS)?
Yes—via Modbus TCP/IP or optional dry-contact alarm outputs for facility-wide environmental monitoring integration.
What is the recalibration interval for the CO₂ sensor?
Eppendorf recommends annual verification using certified 5.0 % CO₂/N₂ gas; field-adjustable zero/span calibration is accessible via service mode.
Are third-party shelves compatible with the magnetic mounting system?
Only Eppendorf-certified stainless steel shelves are guaranteed to maintain thermal coupling and structural integrity during HTD cycles.
