ZiQi ZSI-160A Tri-Gas Incubator

Overview

The ZiQi ZSI-160A Tri-Gas Incubator is an air-jacketed, microprocessor-controlled environmental chamber engineered for precise regulation of oxygen (O₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and temperature—critical parameters in hypoxic, hyperoxic, and normoxic cell culture workflows. Designed for reproducible long-term cultivation of primary cells, stem cells, organoids, and anaerobic or microaerophilic microorganisms, the system employs independent gas control logic to decouple O₂ and CO₂ delivery sequences—ensuring minimal cross-interference during dynamic setpoint transitions. Unlike conventional dual-gas incubators, the ZSI-160A implements adaptive gas injection protocols: below 19.8% O₂, high-purity nitrogen is introduced first to displace ambient air before CO₂ dosing; above 23% O₂, medical-grade oxygen is metered prior to CO₂ enrichment. This staged gas management preserves target CO₂ partial pressure integrity while achieving sub-0.3% absolute O₂ concentration accuracy across the full 0.1–100% range.

Key Features

• High-fidelity gas sensing architecture: Non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) CO₂ sensor with zero drift compensation and factory-calibrated electrochemical O₂ sensor (long-life, linear response, <1% non-linearity over full scale)
• Five-face air-jacket heating with independent door-heating circuit—minimizing thermal gradients and eliminating condensation on inner glass surfaces
• PT1000 platinum resistance temperature sensors (IEC 60751 Class A) embedded in air jacket walls and door assembly for real-time multi-point thermal mapping
• Passive humidity maintenance via large-capacity 304 stainless steel water pan (≥90% RH at 37°C, no active humidification required)
• UV-C germicidal lamp (254 nm) with manual or programmable activation; optional HEPA-filtered recirculation path and fixed UVC LED array available for enhanced sterility assurance
• Intelligent airflow modulation: Low-turbulence axial fan system with automatic shutdown upon door opening to prevent gas loss and external contamination ingress
• Dual-stage safety architecture: Independent overtemperature cut-off relay (hardware-based, fail-safe), plus software-enforced thermal limits with alarm logging and heater disable

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZSI-160A accommodates standard tissue culture vessels—including T-flasks (up to T225), Petri dishes (100 mm), multiwell plates (6–96-well), and roller bottles—within its 160 L stainless-steel chamber (electropolished 304 SS, radius-free corners). Its gas control performance meets ISO 13485-aligned manufacturing standards and supports GLP-compliant workflows when paired with optional audit-trail-enabled firmware. While not FDA 21 CFR Part 11 certified out-of-the-box, the PLC controller supports timestamped event logging (door openings, gas setpoint changes, alarm triggers) and can be integrated into validated laboratory information management systems (LIMS) via Modbus RTU interface. The system complies with IEC 61010-1 for electrical safety and EN 61326-1 for electromagnetic compatibility.

Software & Data Management

Control and monitoring are executed via a 5.0-inch resistive touchscreen running embedded PLC firmware. The interface provides real-time graphical trends for temperature, O₂, CO₂, and relative humidity (derived from water pan saturation model), with configurable alarm thresholds and visual/audible alerts. All operational events—including power cycles, parameter modifications, and sterilization cycles—are time-stamped and stored locally (10,000-event buffer). Optional RS485/Modbus RTU output enables integration with SCADA platforms or centralized environmental monitoring systems. Data export is supported via USB flash drive in CSV format for offline analysis in MATLAB, Python (Pandas), or Excel. Firmware updates are performed via USB without requiring factory service.

Applications

• Hypoxia research: Stable maintenance of 0.5–5% O₂ for modeling tumor microenvironments, ischemic injury, or embryonic development
• Microaerophilic bacterial culture: Precise control of 5–15% O₂ for Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, and Neisseria spp.
• Stem cell expansion: Dual-gas optimization for mesenchymal and induced pluripotent stem cells under physiologically relevant O₂ tensions
• Co-culture systems: Independent regulation of compartmentalized O₂/CO₂ profiles in multi-chamber inserts or transwell assays
• Regulatory bioprocessing: Support for USP and Ph. Eur. 2.6.27-compliant cell banking and working cell stock maintenance

FAQ

What gas supply requirements does the ZSI-160A have?
The incubator requires three independent gas sources: medical-grade CO₂ (99.5% purity), high-purity N₂ (99.999%), and O₂ (99.5%). Dual-stage pressure regulators (0–0.25 MPa) are recommended for stable flow control.
Is humidity actively controlled or passively maintained?
Humidity is passively sustained via natural evaporation from a large-volume 304 stainless steel water pan; no ultrasonic humidifier or steam generator is used, eliminating mineral deposition and microbial aerosol risks.
Can the incubator be validated for GMP environments?
Yes—when equipped with optional calibration certificate packages (NIST-traceable PT1000 and gas sensor verification) and audit-trail firmware, the ZSI-160A supports IQ/OQ/PQ protocols per ASTM E2500 and EU Annex 15 guidelines.
Does it support remote monitoring?
Remote access is not built-in, but real-time analog outputs (0–10 V) and Modbus RTU enable connection to third-party building management or lab-wide monitoring systems.
What is the typical recovery time after door opening?
At 37°C / 5% CO₂ / 5% O₂, temperature re-stabilizes within ≤60 seconds, CO₂ recovers within ≤3 minutes, and O₂ achieves ±0.5% tolerance within ≤5 minutes—verified per ISO 15189 Annex B test methodology.