Memmert ICO Series Touchscreen CO₂ Incubator
| Brand | MEMMERT |
|---|---|
| Origin | Germany |
| Manufacturer Type | Direct Manufacturer |
| Product Origin | Imported |
| Model Variants | ICO50 / ICO105 / ICO150 / ICO240 |
| Instrument Type | Air-Jacketed CO₂ Incubator |
| CO₂ Detection | Infrared (IR) Sensor |
| Temperature Control Range & Accuracy | 18–50 °C (±0.1 °C typical at 37 °C) |
| Temperature Uniformity | ±0.2–0.3 °C (at 37 °C, measured per DIN 12880) |
| CO₂ Concentration Control Range & Accuracy | 0–20% (±0.1% at 5% CO₂) |
| Humidity Control Range & Accuracy | 40–97% RH (±1.5% RH, non-condensing) |
| Chamber Volume | 56 L (ICO50 variant) |
| Dimensions (W×D×H) | 600 × 620 × 840 mm |
| Standard Configuration | Multi-point calibration support, Six-sided heating, IR CO₂ sensor, 180 °C dry-heat sterilization cycle (60 min), Dual Pt100 temperature sensors, Heated glass door, AtmoCONTROL software integration, USB + Ethernet connectivity, Internal SD card (10-year data logging capacity) |
Overview
The Memmert ICO Series Touchscreen CO₂ Incubator is an air-jacketed, microprocessor-controlled incubation system engineered for precision cell and tissue culture applications in academic, pharmaceutical, and clinical laboratories. It operates on a dual-sensor feedback principle: infrared (IR) spectroscopy for real-time, drift-free CO₂ monitoring and dual Pt100 resistance thermometers for redundant temperature validation. The chamber employs six-sided heating—uniform thermal distribution across all interior surfaces—to eliminate cold spots and suppress condensation. Combined with a heated glass door and dynamic humidity control, this architecture maintains stable physiological conditions (37 °C, 5% CO₂, >95% RH) critical for sensitive mammalian cultures, stem cells, and primary isolates. All firmware and data handling comply with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records and signatures, including audit-trail-enabled event logging and user-access-level management.
Key Features
- Air-jacketed thermal design with independent heating circuits on all six chamber surfaces ensures rapid recovery (<6 min to re-stabilize temperature after 30-sec door opening) and exceptional uniformity (±0.2 °C at 37 °C per DIN 12880)
- Infrared CO₂ sensor with automatic background compensation delivers long-term stability and eliminates the need for periodic recalibration under normal operating conditions
- Integrated 180 °C dry-heat sterilization cycle (60 minutes) validated for complete decontamination of chamber walls, sensors, shelves, and internal air pathways—no chemical agents required
- ControlCOCKPIT touchscreen interface with uninterruptible power supply (UPS) backup preserves display functionality, real-time parameter monitoring, and CO₂ regulation during brief mains outages (up to 15 min)
- Heated glass door prevents surface condensation and minimizes thermal gradient disruption during routine access
- Non-turbulent gas exchange system with optimized airflow path maintains laminar, particle-free circulation without disturbing delicate monolayers or suspension cultures
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The ICO incubator supports standard SBS-format multiwell plates (6–384-well), T-flasks (T25 to T225), Petri dishes, roller bottles, and custom bioreactor inserts. Its stainless-steel interior (AISI 304), rounded corners, and removable shelf supports facilitate ISO 14644-1 Class 5-compatible cleaning protocols. Device validation documentation includes IQ/OQ templates aligned with GMP Annex 1 and USP . Data integrity meets ALCOA+ principles: attributable, legible, contemporaneous, original, accurate, complete, consistent, enduring, and available. Full traceability is ensured via time-stamped logs for temperature, CO₂, humidity, door events, sterilization cycles, and alarm triggers.
Software & Data Management
AtmoCONTROL software (v4.2+) provides local and remote configuration, real-time visualization, and automated report generation (PDF/CSV). Through integrated Ethernet (TCP/IP) and USB 2.0 ports, users export datasets directly to LIMS or ELN platforms. Internal SD card stores ≥10 years of second-resolution environmental data (temperature, CO₂, RH, alarms) with cyclic overwrite protection. Optional SMS/email alerting—via external GSM module—triggers notifications upon deviation from user-defined thresholds for any monitored parameter (CO₂, O₂, temperature, humidity, door status). Audit trails record operator ID, timestamp, action type, and pre-/post-change values—fully compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 and EU Annex 11.
Applications
- Mammalian cell line maintenance (e.g., HEK293, CHO, HeLa) under standardized CO₂-bicarbonate buffered conditions
- Stem cell expansion and differentiation requiring strict avoidance of pH fluctuations and thermal stress
- Primary neuron and organoid culture where prolonged sterility and humidity stability are non-negotiable
- Regulatory-grade bioproduction workflows adhering to ICH Q5D, Q5A(R2), and WHO TRS 977 guidelines
- Long-term viability assays (e.g., clonogenic, senescence, metabolic activity) demanding reproducible microenvironmental fidelity
FAQ
Does the ICO incubator support oxygen (O₂) control?
No—the ICO series is configured exclusively for CO₂ regulation. For tri-gas (CO₂/O₂/N₂) applications, consider Memmert’s OX110 or INB series incubators.
Is the 180 °C dry-heat cycle validated for prion decontamination?
The 180 °C/60 min cycle exceeds EN 14885 requirements for general microbial inactivation but is not specifically validated against prion agents; supplemental chemical treatment may be required per institutional biosafety protocols.
Can the internal data logger be accessed without AtmoCONTROL software?
Yes—recorded data files (.csv) are stored in standard FAT32 format on the internal SD card and can be read directly via USB connection using any host computer.
What is the mean time between failures (MTBF) for the IR CO₂ sensor?
Based on accelerated life testing and field performance data, the IR sensor exhibits an MTBF of >15,000 operating hours under continuous use at 5% CO₂ and 37 °C.
Are third-party calibration certificates available?
Yes—accredited calibration services (DAkkS or UKAS traceable) for temperature, CO₂, and humidity are offered as optional add-ons with full uncertainty budgets and ISO/IEC 17025 documentation.
