OHAUS ISLDMPHDGL. Precision Incubated Orbital Shaker

Overview

The OHAUS ISLDMPHDGL. Precision Incubated Orbital Shaker is an engineered platform for controlled, temperature-stabilized orbital mixing in life science laboratories. Designed around the principles of consistent orbital motion—achieved via a triple-eccentric brushless DC motor drive—the instrument delivers highly reproducible agitation across a defined 3 mm orbital diameter. Unlike ambient shakers, this unit integrates precise thermoregulation within a sealed incubation chamber, maintaining setpoint temperatures from 5°C above ambient up to 40°C with ±0.5°C uniformity at 37°C. Its operational envelope supports critical biological workflows including suspension cell culture, bacterial growth kinetics, immunoassay plate incubation, and nucleic acid hybridization—where both thermal stability and mechanical consistency directly impact assay fidelity and reproducibility.

Key Features

• Brushless DC motor with triple-eccentric drive mechanism ensures low-vibration, maintenance-free operation and long-term speed stability across the full 100–1200 rpm range.
• Digital LED interface provides independent, real-time display of temperature, speed, and timer—enabling simultaneous verification of all three critical parameters without menu navigation.
• Cast aluminum housing and polycarbonate transparent lid deliver structural rigidity, chemical resistance, and visual monitoring capability while meeting CE and TÜV safety standards.
• Integrated over-load protection, spill-resistant platform design, and high-temperature warning indicator enhance operational safety during extended unattended runs.
• Programmable timer spans 1 second to 9999 minutes (160 hours), supporting both short-duration mixing protocols and multi-day incubation experiments.
• Optimized platform geometry (27.9 cm × 19.7 cm) accommodates standard configurations: up to four 96-well microplate racks or two universal microtube holders—ensuring compatibility with common labware without adapter requirements.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ISLDMPHDGL. is validated for use with aqueous and buffered biological samples under non-condensing humidity conditions (≤80% RH). Its temperature-controlled environment meets routine requirements for mammalian cell culture (e.g., HEK293, CHO), microbial suspension growth (E. coli, yeast), ELISA plate incubation, and hybridization steps in blotting workflows. The system complies with ISO/IEC 17025-aligned calibration practices; temperature and speed outputs are traceable to NIST-certified references. While not certified for GMP production environments, its digital logging capability, stable setpoint retention, and mechanical repeatability support GLP-compliant research documentation. The absence of refrigeration precludes sub-ambient operation, limiting application scope to mesophilic and moderate thermophilic protocols.

Software & Data Management

This shaker operates as a standalone instrument with no embedded software or network connectivity. All control logic resides in firmware with non-volatile memory for parameter retention after power cycling. Temperature and speed calibration are performed via front-panel service mode using factory-provided procedures—no external PC or proprietary software required. For audit-trail compliance, users may manually record setpoints and runtime in laboratory notebooks or integrate with third-party environmental monitoring systems via analog output (optional accessory). The device satisfies foundational elements of FDA 21 CFR Part 11 when used in conjunction with documented SOPs governing parameter verification, calibration frequency (recommended annually), and deviation reporting.

Applications

• Suspension-based mammalian and insect cell culture requiring gentle yet uniform agitation under controlled temperature.
• Bacterial and yeast growth curve studies where OD600 measurements demand homogeneous dispersion prior to spectrophotometric analysis.
• Immunoassay development and QC—particularly ELISA, Western blot stripping/reprobing, and antigen-antibody binding steps sensitive to thermal drift.
• Nucleic acid hybridization (e.g., Southern/Northern blots) where consistent temperature and motion prevent probe aggregation and improve signal-to-noise ratios.
• Enzyme kinetics assays involving temperature-dependent reaction mixtures where convection-driven homogenization must remain decoupled from thermal gradients.
• Microplate-based drug screening workflows requiring parallel incubation of multiple compound concentrations under identical mechanical and thermal conditions.

FAQ

What is the minimum operating temperature relative to ambient?
The unit maintains temperatures starting at 5°C above ambient, with a maximum setpoint of 40°C. It does not provide active cooling.
Is speed calibration traceable to international standards?
Yes—speed accuracy is specified as ±2% of set value, verified using calibrated tachometric reference equipment aligned to NIST-traceable rotational standards.
Can the shaker accommodate deep-well plates or custom tube racks?
The platform supports standard microplate formats (96-, 384-well) and 0.2–15 mL tube configurations via commercially available rack inserts; custom fixtures require mechanical validation for center-of-mass balance.
Does the instrument support remote monitoring or data export?
No—this is a stand-alone analog/digital control system without USB, Ethernet, or wireless interfaces. Data logging requires external instrumentation.
What maintenance is required for long-term reliability?
Routine cleaning of the platform surface and lid interior is recommended; the brushless motor eliminates brush replacement, and no periodic lubrication is specified per OHAUS technical documentation.