Thermo Scientific Heratherm IGS180 General-Purpose Microbiological Incubator

Overview

The Thermo Scientific Heratherm IGS180 General-Purpose Microbiological Incubator is engineered for precision, reliability, and operational efficiency in regulated life science environments. Designed according to core principles of natural convection thermal management, the IGS180 ensures stable, uniform temperature distribution without forced airflow—minimizing desiccation risk for microbial cultures, agar plates, and sensitive biological samples. Its chamber operates across a broad range of +5 °C to 75 °C, with verified temperature uniformity of ±0.2 °C at the critical 37 °C setpoint—meeting routine requirements for bacterial growth, fungal propagation, and environmental stability testing. The unit complies with fundamental design expectations outlined in ISO 13408-2 (aseptic processing), ASTM E2927 (incubator performance verification), and supports adherence to GLP and GMP workflows where documented thermal consistency is essential.

Key Features

• Corrosion-resistant stainless steel interior (EN 1.4016) with seamless, rounded corners for simplified cleaning and reduced microbial retention.
• Natural convection architecture eliminates fan-induced turbulence and moisture loss—ideal for non-humidified microbiological applications including colony isolation, serial dilution assays, and media solidification.
• Large vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) provides high-contrast, wide-angle readability under varied laboratory lighting conditions.
• Intuitive touch-sensitive control panel enables rapid, error-resistant parameter entry—including setpoint, timer, and alarm thresholds—without requiring secondary software or calibration tools.
• Modular shelving system supports up to 19 independently adjustable shelves; standard configuration includes two load-rated shelves (55 kg max per shelf), enabling flexible spatial reconfiguration for Petri dishes, test tubes, flasks, or multi-well plates.
• Robust mechanical construction includes integrated castors with locking brakes, rear ventilation clearance guidance (≥80 mm), and optimized footprint (0.47 m²) for benchtop or floor-standing deployment in space-constrained labs.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The IGS180 accommodates standard microbiological sample formats—including 90 mm and 150 mm Petri dishes, 16 mm and 25 mm test tubes, T-flasks (up to 175 cm²), and stackable culture racks—without interference from internal obstructions or airflow distortion. Its non-humidified design aligns with USP and EU GMP Annex 1 recommendations for incubators used in non-sterile compounding and environmental monitoring. While not equipped with humidity control, its thermal stability profile supports validation protocols per ISO/IEC 17025 and facilitates IQ/OQ documentation when paired with external data loggers compliant with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 audit trail requirements.

Software & Data Management

The IGS180 operates as a standalone instrument with embedded firmware—no proprietary software installation or network connectivity required. All operational parameters are stored in non-volatile memory and retained during power interruption. Optional analog output (0–10 V or 4–20 mA) enables integration with building management systems (BMS) or centralized lab monitoring platforms for continuous temperature trending. For full compliance with electronic record integrity standards, users may deploy third-party validated data loggers (e.g., Elpro, DeltaTRAK) that meet ALCOA+ principles and support automated report generation for internal audits or regulatory inspections.

Applications

• Bacterial and yeast cultivation (e.g., E. coli, S. aureus, C. albicans) under standardized CLSI M07-A10 conditions.
• Environmental monitoring plate incubation for cleanroom qualification (ISO 14644-1) and pharmaceutical facility surveillance.
• Media preparation validation—including agar gelation kinetics and nutrient stability assessment at elevated temperatures.
• Stability studies for diagnostic reagents, vaccine components, and bioburden testing specimens.
• Teaching laboratories requiring durable, low-maintenance incubation platforms for undergraduate microbiology curricula.

FAQ

Does the IGS180 include humidity control?
No. The IGS180 is a non-humidified, natural convection incubator designed specifically for applications where moisture retention is not required—and where uncontrolled condensation could compromise sample integrity.
Can the unit be validated for GMP use?
Yes. Its consistent thermal performance, traceable calibration capability, and mechanical robustness support IQ/OQ execution per ASTM E2927 and internal validation SOPs. Documentation templates and sensor placement guidelines are available upon request.
What is the maximum allowable ambient temperature for safe operation?
The unit is rated for ambient environments up to 30 °C. Operation above this threshold may affect temperature stability and compressor duty cycle—consult the Installation Manual for site-specific HVAC recommendations.
Are replacement shelves and accessories available separately?
Yes. Thermo Fisher offers certified stainless steel shelves (part number: 50120115), shelf clips (50120116), and calibration adapters compatible with NIST-traceable thermistors.
Is the IGS180 suitable for CO₂-dependent cell cultures?
No. This model does not support gas blending, CO₂ regulation, or pH-controlled environments. For mammalian cell work, consider the Thermo Scientific Forma Series CO₂ Incubators.