RADOBIO Herotherm 180 Temperature and Humidity Controlled Incubator

Overview

The RADOBIO Herotherm 180 is a precision-engineered temperature and humidity controlled incubator designed for reliable, long-term cell culture, microbial growth, enzyme assays, and other life science applications requiring stable thermal environments. Utilizing natural convection (free-air circulation) architecture—optimized to minimize mechanical stress on sensitive biological samples—the Herotherm 180 delivers uniform thermal distribution without forced airflow-induced desiccation or vibration artifacts. Its PID-controlled heating system maintains setpoint stability under dynamic load conditions, including frequent door openings or variable chamber loading. The incubator operates within a validated temperature range of ambient +5°C to 60°C, with a resolution of 0.1°C and uniformity certified at ±0.5°C at the critical 37°C mammalian cell culture setpoint. Constructed with insulated double-wall stainless-steel chambers and a corrosion-resistant interior, the unit meets fundamental design requirements for GLP-compliant laboratory workflows where reproducibility and traceability are essential.

Key Features

• Button-operated LCD control panel with large-digit display and intuitive icon-based navigation—enabling operation without specialized training
• PID temperature regulation with adaptive parameter tuning to prevent overshoot during ramp-up or cooldown cycles
• Power-failure recovery mode: automatically restores pre-interruption settings upon re-powering and logs fault events for audit trail integrity
• Dual-stage safety system: independent over-temperature cutoff plus real-time deviation monitoring with simultaneous audible and visual alerts
• Three removable, autoclavable stainless-steel shelves (standard configuration), optimized for ergonomic sample access and airflow management
• Thermally insulated double-glass observation window with anti-condensation coating for continuous visual monitoring without compromising chamber integrity
• Energy-efficient design compliant with IEC 61000-3-2 harmonic emission standards and RoHS directive requirements

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Herotherm 180 accommodates standard tissue culture flasks (T25–T225), Petri dishes (up to 150 mm), multiwell plates (6–96-well), and microbiological tubes in both static and semi-dynamic configurations. Its natural convection airflow profile avoids shear stress on adherent monolayers and minimizes evaporation rates—critical for extended-duration assays exceeding 72 hours. While humidity control is not integrated into the base Herotherm 180 model (a feature available in the Herotherm 180-H variant), the chamber’s sealed construction and low-leakage gasket design support external humidification via water pans when required. The unit conforms to key regulatory expectations for laboratory equipment used in ISO 13485-certified medical device manufacturing environments and supports alignment with USP Analytical Instrument Qualification (AIQ) protocols. All firmware operations retain timestamped event logs compatible with 21 CFR Part 11–aligned data governance frameworks when paired with RADOBIO’s optional data export module.

Software & Data Management

The Herotherm 180 operates as a standalone instrument with embedded microcontroller-based logic; no external PC connection is required for routine operation. However, optional RS-485 serial interface (available via accessory port) enables integration into centralized building management systems (BMS) or LIMS platforms using Modbus RTU protocol. Event logs—including door-open duration, temperature excursions >±1.0°C, power interruptions, and user-initiated parameter changes—are stored internally for up to 30 days and exportable via USB flash drive in CSV format. Firmware updates are performed offline using signed binary files distributed through RADOBIO’s secure customer portal, ensuring version control and cryptographic integrity verification prior to installation.

Applications

• Mammalian and insect cell line propagation under standardized 37°C/5% CO₂ (when used with external CO₂ regulator)
• Bacterial and fungal cultivation for antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) and bioburden analysis
• Enzyme kinetics studies requiring precise thermal stabilization across multi-hour time courses
• Seed germination and plant tissue culture under controlled non-photoperiodic conditions
• Stability testing of diagnostic reagents and biopharmaceutical intermediates per ICH Q1A(R2) guidelines
• Quality control incubation for raw material screening in food safety and environmental microbiology labs

FAQ

Does the Herotherm 180 include built-in humidity control?
No—the base Herotherm 180 model is a temperature-only incubator. Humidity regulation is available in the Herotherm 180-H variant, which integrates an ultrasonic humidifier and capacitive RH sensor calibrated to ±3% RH accuracy.
Can the incubator be validated for GMP use?
Yes. The unit supports IQ/OQ documentation packages provided by RADOBIO’s Application Support team, including factory-as-tested calibration certificates traceable to NIST standards and blank qualification protocol templates aligned with ASTM E2500 and EU Annex 15.
What is the maximum allowable load weight per shelf?
Each stainless-steel shelf is rated for 15 kg uniformly distributed load; total chamber loading must not exceed 45 kg to maintain specified thermal uniformity.
Is remote monitoring supported out of the box?
Remote status monitoring requires the optional Ethernet-to-RS485 gateway and RADOBIO’s IncuLink™ software suite, sold separately. Local real-time data is viewable only via front-panel LCD.
How often does the unit require recalibration?
Annual verification against a NIST-traceable reference thermometer is recommended. RADOBIO provides on-site calibration services and certifies compliance with ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratories upon request.