Thermo Scientific Heratherm General-Purpose Biochemical Incubator

Overview

The Thermo Scientific Heratherm General-Purpose Biochemical Incubator is an engineered platform for reliable, low-disturbance temperature-controlled environments in microbiological, cell culture, and biochemical applications. Designed around natural convection airflow, the Heratherm IGS series eliminates forced-air turbulence—critical for sensitive cultures, enzymatic assays, and long-term stability studies where mechanical agitation or rapid air exchange could compromise sample integrity. Its chamber architecture prioritizes thermal homogeneity and minimal thermal drift, achieving ±0.6 °C uniformity and ±0.2 °C stability at the biologically standard setpoint of 37 °C. Constructed with electropolished stainless steel interior walls and seamless rounded corners, the chamber resists corrosion from repeated disinfection cycles and facilitates ISO-compliant cleaning protocols. The incubator complies with IEC 61010-1 for laboratory equipment safety and supports GLP/GMP-aligned workflows through traceable operational parameters and stable environmental control.

Key Features

• Natural convection system ensures gentle, laminar air movement—ideal for non-agitated cultures, petri dishes, flasks, and multiwell plates without vibration or desiccation artifacts.
• Vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) offers high-contrast, wide-angle readability under lab lighting conditions; intuitive rotary encoder interface enables precise temperature setting and real-time monitoring.
• Modular shelving system: adjustable stainless-steel shelves (2–19 configurable positions depending on model) support up to 25 kg per shelf; quick-release mechanism allows tool-free reconfiguration during routine use.
• Standard rear access port (Ø50 mm) accommodates probe wiring, gas lines, or sensor feeds for integrated environmental monitoring or external data logging.
• Energy-optimized thermal insulation and low-power heating elements reduce operational load—typical power consumption at 37 °C ranges from 21 W (IGS60) to 31 W (IGS180), supporting sustainability goals without compromising performance.
• Robust construction includes reinforced double-wall cabinet, insulated door with magnetic gasket seal, and IP20-rated electrical enclosure for safe operation in general laboratory environments.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The Heratherm IGS series supports a broad range of sample formats including Petri dishes, culture tubes, Erlenmeyer flasks (up to 2 L), microtiter plates, and glassware used in enzymology, fermentation kinetics, and microbial growth profiling. Its stainless-steel interior meets ASTM F2100 Level 1 requirements for surface cleanability and resists degradation from common lab disinfectants (e.g., 70% ethanol, sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide vapor). While not certified for sterile processing, the unit is routinely deployed in ISO 13485-regulated quality control labs and academic research facilities requiring documented temperature consistency per ISO/IEC 17025 calibration practices. Optional validation packages—including IQ/OQ documentation templates—are available to support FDA 21 CFR Part 11 readiness when paired with compatible data acquisition systems.

Software & Data Management

Standalone operation is fully functional via front-panel controls; however, optional Thermo Scientific™ Connect™ software enables remote monitoring, alarm notification (email/SMS), and export of time-stamped temperature logs in CSV or PDF format. When connected via RS232 or USB-to-serial adapter, the incubator provides real-time serial output of chamber temperature, setpoint, and status flags—enabling integration into LIMS or ELN platforms. Audit trail functionality records user actions (e.g., setpoint changes, door openings) with timestamps and operator IDs when used with validated authentication modules. All firmware adheres to IEC 62304 Class B software safety standards.

Applications

• Bacterial and fungal growth studies under controlled ambient or sub-physiological temperatures (5–45 °C).
• Enzyme activity assays requiring stable thermal baselines over extended durations (e.g., kinetic profiling of amylase, protease, or phosphatase).
• Storage and conditioning of reagents, antibodies, and media prior to use in ELISA, Western blotting, or PCR setup.
• Environmental simulation for stability testing of diagnostic kits, pharmaceutical intermediates, and biologics excipients.
• Teaching laboratories conducting foundational microbiology experiments where reproducibility and ease of use are paramount.

FAQ

Is the Heratherm IGS series suitable for CO₂-dependent cell culture?
No—this is a non-CO₂, ambient-air incubator. It does not regulate CO₂ concentration or humidity; users requiring CO₂ control must select the Thermo Scientific Forma™ series or equivalent.

Can the incubator be calibrated internally?
Yes—the unit supports two-point calibration using NIST-traceable reference thermometers via the service menu; calibration offsets are stored in non-volatile memory and persist through power cycles.

What is the maximum recommended loading density for optimal temperature uniformity?
For best thermal performance, maintain ≥30% free chamber volume; avoid stacking containers directly against side walls or ceiling to preserve natural convection pathways.

Does the IGS series meet UL or CSA certification requirements?
The North American variant (230 V, 60 Hz) carries cULus listing per UL 61010-1; the European version (230 V, 50 Hz) bears CE marking under the Low Voltage and EMC Directives.

Are replacement shelves and accessories available separately?
Yes—stainless-steel shelves (part numbers IGS-SH-01 to IGS-SH-19), shelf supports, and calibration kits are stocked globally through Thermo Fisher Scientific’s authorized distribution network.