Thermo Scientific HERAcell 240i CO₂ Incubator (Models 51026333 & 51026334)
| Brand | Thermo Fisher |
|---|---|
| Origin | USA |
| Manufacturer Type | Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Models | 51026333, 51026334 |
| Temperature Range & Accuracy | 0–50 °C ±0.1 °C |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±0.5 °C |
| Humidity Control Range & Accuracy | 5–95% RH ±2% RH (at 37 °C, 5% CO₂) |
| Chamber Capacity | 240 L |
| Sterilization Method | In-chamber 90 °C moist-heat (ContraCon) |
| Interior Material | Electropolished stainless steel or optional copper-lined chamber |
| Humidity System | Water-jacket-free, active humidity generation |
Overview
The Thermo Scientific HERAcell 240i CO₂ incubator (models 51026333 and 51026334) is an engineered platform for reliable, contamination-controlled cell culture under physiologically relevant conditions. Designed for laboratories requiring high reproducibility in mammalian, stem, and primary cell work, it employs a dual-gas (CO₂ + air) mixing system with infrared (IR) CO₂ sensing, PID-controlled heating, and active humidity generation—eliminating reliance on passive water pans. Its core architecture integrates thermal stability, rapid environmental recovery, and validated decontamination to meet stringent GLP, GMP, and ISO 13485-aligned workflows. The incubator operates within a temperature range of 0–50 °C (±0.1 °C accuracy) and maintains humidity between 5–95% RH (±2% RH at 37 °C, 5% CO₂), ensuring fidelity across sensitive applications including induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) expansion and co-culture assays.
Key Features
- iCAN™ touchscreen interface with graphical trend logging—records temperature, CO₂, and humidity at 3-minute intervals; stores up to 15 days of data internally with timestamped event logs (e.g., door openings, parameter changes, alarm triggers)
- ContraCon™ 90 °C in-chamber moist-heat sterilization: fully automated cycle requiring no component removal; validated against Mycoplasma genitalium, Aspergillus niger spores, and biofilm-forming bacteria per ISO 14644-1 Class 5 cleanroom-compatible protocols
- Electropolished 316L stainless-steel interior with radius-free corners; optional solid copper inner chamber provides continuous antimicrobial surface activity (ASTM E2149-20 compliant)
- Air-tight split-door configuration minimizes cross-compartment exchange—reduces CO₂ recovery time by ≥65% and humidity recovery by ≥80% versus single-door designs
- Water-jacket-free humidification: proprietary vapor diffusion system achieves full 37 °C/5% CO₂/95% RH equilibration in ≤15 minutes post-door opening (vs. >75 min for conventional pan-based systems)
- Auto-Start calibration sequence initiates automatically post-sterilization, verifying sensor drift and adjusting control algorithms to maintain traceable setpoint adherence
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The HERAcell 240i supports standard T-flasks (up to 175 cm²), multiwell plates (6–384-well), roller bottles (up to 4 tiers with optional rotisserie kit), and custom bioreactor vessels. Its interior dimensions (W×D×H: 600 × 600 × 670 mm) accommodate Thermo Scientific HERAtrays and stackable universal carriers. All control firmware complies with IEC 62304 Class B software safety requirements. Data integrity meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 criteria through audit-trail-enabled user authentication, electronic signatures, and immutable log export (CSV/Excel). Environmental validation reports (IQ/OQ/PQ templates) are available upon request for ISO/IEC 17025-accredited labs.
Software & Data Management
The iCAN interface supports eight languages (English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean) and enables real-time parameter visualization via dynamic graphs. Logged data can be exported via USB or network transfer (Ethernet port); optional integration with Thermo Fisher Connect™ cloud platform allows remote monitoring, alarm forwarding (email/SMS), and centralized fleet management. All event logs include digital signatures, timestamps, and user IDs—fully compliant with ALCOA+ principles for raw data retention in regulated environments.
Applications
- Long-term maintenance of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and iPSCs under low-oxygen (5% O₂) + 5% CO₂ conditions
- High-throughput drug screening using 3D spheroid cultures in ultra-low attachment plates
- Microbial co-culture studies requiring precise CO₂ modulation (e.g., Helicobacter pylori growth at 10% CO₂)
- GMP-compliant production of viral vectors (AAV, lentivirus) where sterility assurance level (SAL) ≥10⁻⁶ is mandated
- Academic core facilities serving >50 concurrent users with role-based access control (administrator, technician, researcher)
FAQ
Does the HERAcell 240i support external CO₂ gas supply monitoring and automatic switching to backup cylinders?
Yes—integrated dual-CO₂ inlet ports with pressure-sensing valves enable seamless failover without interruption to culture conditions.
Can humidity data be synchronized with external environmental monitoring systems (EMS)?
Yes—via Modbus TCP or OPC UA protocol over Ethernet; compatible with Vaisala, SensiNet, and Siemens Desigo CC platforms.
Is the copper-lined chamber option certified for ISO 22196 antimicrobial activity testing?
Yes—the solid copper variant demonstrates ≥99.9% reduction of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli within 2 hours per ISO 22196:2011.
What validation documentation is provided with shipment?
Factory-issued IQ/OQ documentation, sensor calibration certificates (NIST-traceable), and ContraCon sterilization cycle validation summaries are included.
How often must the IR CO₂ sensor be recalibrated?
The sensor is factory-calibrated for 24 months; annual verification using certified 5.00% CO₂ test gas is recommended per ISO 17025 clause 7.7.
