Installation

1. Set ProOx C21 on or near host chamber and plug it in.

2. Hook up sensor and gas infusion tube and insert both into the chamber.

3. Hook up gas supply.

How It Works

From outside the host chamber, the ProOx C21 works by remotely sensing oxygen and carbon dioxide inside the chamber and infusing gas to control both. Oxygen and carbon dioxide are infused to raise each of their levels and nitrogen is infused to lower them through displacement. Once the initial gas reaches its set point, the second quickly follows. The accessory pod that attaches to the sub chamber contains the gas sensors. These sensors are isolated behind microbial barriers and also isolated from the controlled environment of the culture chamber. The pod also provides the infused, sterile, filtered gas. A flexible conduit (umbilical) connects the controller to the pod.

The pod component of the ProOx C21 is uniquely designed to isolate the critical cell environment (which can get contaminated) from the sensing mechanisms for monitoring the gases in the chamber. This isolation is accomplished by putting the sensors inside the pod and pulling a sample of gas from the chamber to the pod, then through the sensors back into the chamber. This side stream sampling starts with a sterile filter and ends with a sterile filter, so that if there was contamination it wouldn’t get past the sensors.

Front Panel Interface

All operations are conveniently located at the front of the panel and all connections are located at the back and out of the way allowing for less interference and increasing usability for cell culture research and development.

O2 and CO2 concentration sensor readings are displayed in bright green numbers to be continuously and easily monitored from across the lab.

Manual switch for gas provides a convenient shut off thus saving gas when chamber door is opened. An alarm buzzer, also manual, will remind you if you have forgotten to turn the gas back on.

USE ANY GAS SUPPLY

Conveniently utilizes gas from any source. Best supply depends on consumption. Compressed gas is best in low consumption applications. Generator is best in high consumption applications. Liquid is best in between.

SAVES GAS AND MONEY

Chamber gas consumption varies widely, but in every case the ProOx C21 always and absolutely minimizes gas consumption. It’s maximally efficient! Gas costs are reduced to absolute minimum.

At time (1) user opened and closed door briefly for access. Room air rushed in and took both O2 and CO2 away from setpoint. However, automatic feedback immediately responded and returned both gases back to setpoint. At time (2) user unlatched door but before he could open it became distracted and forgot to re-latch, thus increased chamber leakage. Again however, automatic feedback control quickly adjusted and re-established setpoints. Obviously gas consumption increased to accommodate the increased load but the integrity of the experiment was maintained.

CONTROL GAS IS NITROGEN

Setpoints are 0.1-20.7% oxygen. The lower the set point, the more time and nitrogen it takes to reach and hold the setpoint.

Hypocapnia is a relative term to cells that means a lesser amount of CO2 concentration. The ProOx C21 can create hypocapnia in a CO2 incubator by infusing N2 into the sub-chamber until it reaches the set point and thus holding it there. This allows a hypocapnia experiment without disturbing other cultures.

CONTROL GAS IS OXYGEN

Setpoints are 20.9-99.9% oxygen. The higher the set point, the more time and oxygen it takes to reach and hold the setpoint.

Hypercapnia is a relative term that means excess concentration of CO2. The ProOx C21 can create hypercapnia by infusing the CO2 into the chamber until it reaches the setpoint and holding it there.