MEMMERT ICP700 Refrigerated Biochemical Incubator

Overview

The MEMMERT ICP700 Refrigerated Biochemical Incubator is an engineered platform for precise, stable, and contamination-resilient temperature-controlled cultivation of microbiological, cellular, and enzymatic samples under extended operational cycles. Built upon MEMMERT’s decades-long heritage in precision thermal instrumentation, the ICP700 implements a fully enclosed air-jacket heating and cooling architecture—separating thermal actuation zones (heating at top, refrigeration at bottom) to eliminate simultaneous heating/cooling conflicts and minimize thermal overshoot (“overshoot” or “temperature surge”). This design ensures high spatial uniformity (±0.3 °C typical at setpoint) and exceptional temporal stability (±0.1 °C over 24 h), critical for sensitive assays such as yeast fermentation kinetics, recombinant protein expression, or low-temperature bacterial adaptation studies. Unlike conventional water-jacketed or forced-air incubators, the ICP700 maintains chamber humidity passively—without active humidification—by preventing internal desiccation through its sealed air-jacket system, thereby preserving sample integrity during multi-day or multi-week experiments.

Key Features

• Fully enclosed air-jacket thermal system: Eliminates moisture loss from samples and ensures uniform temperature distribution across the entire 416 L stainless steel chamber (interior grade 1.4301/AISI 304).
• Dual independent overtemperature protection: TWW (Class 3.1) and TB (Class 1) safeguards operate on separate circuits—ensuring fail-safe shutdown even if primary control logic fails.
• Energy-efficient refrigeration using R134a (zero ozone depletion potential, non-toxic, non-flammable), compliant with EU F-Gas Regulation (EU No. 517/2014).
• Microprocessor-based fuzzy logic controller enabling up to nine programmable temperature segments per cycle—including ramp rates, soak durations, fan activation schedules, and delayed start/hold functions.
• Integrated automatic defrost system operating without interrupting incubation—critical for uninterrupted long-term cultures (e.g., filamentous fungi or slow-growing anaerobes).
• Expandable digital interface: Standard RS232 port (upgradable to RS485); supports centralized control of up to six ICP units via PC using MEMMERT’s LabWorldSoft software.
• MEMoryCardXL removable program cartridge: Enables reproducible, operator-independent protocol execution—ideal for multi-user labs, QC/QA workflows, or ISO 17025-accredited facilities.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ICP700 accommodates standard laboratory vessels—including Petri dishes, flasks (Erlenmeyer and baffled), multiwell plates, and serum bottles—within its spacious, corrosion-resistant chamber. Its stainless steel construction (both interior and exterior) meets stringent cleaning and sterilization requirements, supporting routine disinfection with ethanol, hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV), or validated autoclave-compatible protocols. The unit is designed for operation in GLP-compliant laboratories and supports audit-ready data management when used with MEMMERT’s optional validation package, which includes IQ/OQ documentation templates and 21 CFR Part 11–enabled electronic signature functionality. While not certified to specific ISO standards out-of-the-box, its thermal performance aligns with ISO 15378 (primary packaging for pharmaceuticals) and ASTM E171 (standard specifications for environmental chambers).

Software & Data Management

LabWorldSoft, MEMMERT’s proprietary control and analysis software, enables remote monitoring, real-time graphing, alarm logging, and export of time-stamped temperature profiles in CSV or PDF format. When configured with the optional validation module, the software provides full electronic record integrity—including user access logs, change history, and tamper-evident audit trails—meeting FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for regulated biopharmaceutical or clinical research environments. All program parameters stored on MEMoryCardXL cards are digitally signed and version-controlled, allowing traceability from experimental design to final report generation.

Applications

• Low-temperature microbial growth studies (e.g., psychrophilic bacteria, cold-adapted enzymes)
• Controlled photoperiod experiments (when equipped with optional fluorescent lighting kit)
• Stability testing of biologics and diagnostic reagents at sub-ambient temperatures
• Cell culture pre-conditioning prior to cryopreservation or transfection
• Enzyme activity profiling across defined thermal gradients
• Long-duration biochemical assays requiring uninterrupted thermal constancy (e.g., BOD testing, lignin degradation kinetics)

FAQ

What is the temperature uniformity specification across the ICP700 chamber?
Typical uniformity is ±0.3 °C at 37 °C (measured per DIN 12880-1 at nine points), verified during factory calibration.
Can the ICP700 be validated for GMP use?
Yes—MEMMERT provides IQ/OQ documentation packages and supports PQ execution with third-party service providers; software validation requires LabWorldSoft with Part 11 add-on.
Is humidity actively controlled in this model?
No—humidity is maintained passively via the sealed air-jacket design; no humidifier or water reservoir is included or required.
How does the automatic defrost function operate without disrupting incubation?
Defrost cycles occur only during non-critical thermal phases (e.g., between ramp segments) and utilize residual heat from the air-jacket to melt frost without activating the compressor or altering chamber setpoint.
What safety certifications does the ICP700 carry?
CE-marked per EN 61010-1 (electrical safety) and EN 61326-1 (EMC); conforms to RoHS and REACH directives.