​Medical Incubator For Laboratory Buying Guide

Laboratory samples and organisms need to be stored under controlled conditions. However, you can't keep them in regular cupboards or ovens. There is a unique device for such purposes, the laboratory incubator.

Do you wish to purchase an incubator for your laboratory or research centers? Do you find it challenging to make the right choice? Here, you'll learn about the types, applications, and where to buy laboratory incubators in bulk at wholesale prices. Read on!

What is a laboratory incubator?

A laboratory incubator is an appliance used to grow and keep microbiological samples and cultures. The incubator stores cell cultures under conditions controlled by humidity, temperature, oxygen, and carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Laboratory incubators are essential equipment in microbiology and other related fields, including chemical use and organic compounds development. Depending on their use, there are various sizes and models of laboratory incubators. However, they all perform the same function, that is, to maintain the integrity of microbial cultures and samples and free them from contaminants. 

Generally, incubators are insulated with a temperature gauge of about 65 °C, and some models can get to higher temperatures than 100 °C. It is possible to control humidity and air levels in advanced models and lower the temperature via refrigeration. The primary function of the incubator is to store microbial cultures and create favorable conditions for microorganisms to grow by controlling the air, temperature, and pressure. The growth condition depends on your research goals and the type of microorganism.

The major components of a laboratory incubator include the cabinet, control panel, door, thermometer, perforated shelves, HEPA filters, thermostat, humidity, and gas controls. Usually, most incubators have glass doors in addition to the actual doors to prevent contamination to the lowest minimum. The laboratory incubator is also referred to as a  thermostatic cabinet.

The application of a laboratory incubator

Laboratory incubators are applied in biomedical centers, cytology, genetic engineering, molecular biology, and hematology research.

The types of lab incubator

There are various types of lab incubators, depending on the purpose. Examples include CO₂ Incubator, Shaking Incubator, Cooling Incubator, Anaerobic Incubator, Light Chamber, etc.

CO₂ Incubator

The CO₂ Incubator is a specialized incubator designed to supply a specific concentration of CO₂  and control humidity.  CO₂  incubators have been widely applied in various cell culture rooms. This incubator provides  CO₂, usually between 5% to 10% concentration, a condition necessary to grow bacteria cultures. In addition, it's easier to stabilize the pH of the medium, and it's a good choice for both open and semi-open cultures.

Shaking Incubator

Also known as a thermal shaker, this incubator is designed to shake its content while maintaining optimum growth conditions. The shaking of the cultures results in rapid heat transfer to the culture medium and subsequent aeration, promoting growth. However, shaking incubators are only used for liquid media.

Cooling Incubator

This type of incubator is designed for incubation below ambient temperature. Cooling incubators are equipped with refrigeration systems that allow for controlled heating and cooling of specimens.

Anaerobic Incubator 

Anaerobic incubators are used to eliminate ambient air when working with anaerobic microbes. This incubator creates an oxygen-free environment necessary for the cultivation of specific microbes.

What is the purpose of a lab incubator?

The lab incubator creates optimum growth conditions and an environment free of contamination for cell and tissue cultures, hematological, food, and pharmaceutical analysis. The incubator achieves this by controlling humidity, temperature, CO₂, and oxygen conditions within its chambers.

Factors to consider before purchasing the right lab incubator

The requirement about the environment

When purchasing a lab incubator, you need to consider the growth condition required to cultivate the organism. There are different types of incubators depending on the environmental requirement. For example, when you need a certain concentration of CO₂ for cultivation, you may consider CO₂ incubators.

Also, if you’ll need to cultivate bacteria in the absence of ambient air or oxygen, you may consider anaerobic incubators. You may also consider shaking incubators when working with liquid media.

The chamber size

Space is an essential consideration when purchasing lab incubators and other lab equipment. This isn’t only about the physical space of the lab but the capacity of the incubator. Before purchasing, you need to consider the chamber size and how many samples you can store at once.

The shelving system is another factor that determines how much you can keep in an incubator. Therefore, opt for models with adjustable shelves to expand the chamber size and accommodate more items.

The temperature range

When purchasing lab incubators, you need to consider the temperature range. Generally, some models begin from 5 °C up to about 100 °C, although most incubation wouldn’t require up to 100  °C. So, opt for models whose temperature range suits your study. 

It is critical to consider temperature control because you may be working on a temperature-sensitive experiment. Hence, a slight temperature variation can result in extreme consequences.

Humidity control

Humidity is one of the conditions controlled within a lab incubator. Correct humidity is required to allow for uniform osmotic pressure within the chamber. Also, the proper humidity condition will prevent drying out of cell cultures.

The type

There are numerous models of lab incubators with varying dimensions. However, your usage scale and lab space will determine your choice. For example, some space-saving models like the benchtop incubator are widely used in most labs as they are compact and economical.

Benchtop incubators are useful in labs with limited space. In addition, there are also floor unit types that may be portable or large, although the latter is mainly for industrial purposes. Also, some incubators have stackable units, thereby allowing for multiple applications.

Power and outlets

The power consumption rate of the lab incubator is another vital factor to consider. There are also other electrical appliances working in the lab, and therefore you should opt for an incubator with a low consumption rate to reduce running costs. Proximity to an electrical outlet is another essential factor.

Warranty

Purchasing a lab incubator is an investment, and therefore there is a need for product security through a warranty that may last for a few months to years. The warranty helps to cover any fault, whether during use or due to manufacturing defects. You have invested a lot into your research, and thus, you don't want to incur extra costs in fixing faulty equipment.

Pricing

The price of the lab incubator is an essential factor for purchasing, as you will be working on a budget. While working with a budget, you should purchase your lab incubators from reputable brands for quality products. At the same time, these brands are known for excellent customer support.

Some of the top manufacturers of lab incubators in the market include ESCO, Binder, BIOBASE, Panasonic, Thermo Scientific, NuAire, LEEC, Caron, etc.

Also, ensure the brand of the lab incubator has the required certification like CE or ISO, which proves that the product meets the necessary usage standard.

Lab incubator price guide

There are numerous models of lab incubators with varying dimensions and prices. Some are listed below:

• The BFW-1050B Thermostatic Cabinet costs about $5000.
• The WJ-3-160T CO2 Incubator costs about $11,600.
• The ZJ-SPX-150G Illumination Incubator costs about $700.
• The LAI-3 Anaerobic Incubator costs about $3000.
• The THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC Heracell 150i Laboratory Incubator costs about $8750.
• The REVCO Elite II RCO3000T-5-ABC Laboratory Incubator costs about $500.
• The THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC Heratherm IGS100 Laboratory Incubator costs about $1508.

You can buy your lab incubators from Medwish.com in bulk at wholesale prices, and the wholesale prices apply to other lab equipment and medical supplies.

In addition, all orders get shipped with insurance coverage in case of potential risks. Also, there are loyalty programs for customers who have built a healthy relationship with the Medwish.com team.

Where to buy lab incubators in bulk with wholesale pricing

You can buy your lab incubator in bulk online at medwish.com. There are various models of lab incubators from different brands on the Medwish.com platform, and they are supplied at wholesale rates. Medwish.com deals in providing medical appliances, furniture, and equipment to private hospitals, laboratories, and international agents.

The Medwish.com team ensures all supplies are made through secure supply chain channels. Also, Medwish.com offers a variety of payment options for customers, from Credit cards to MoneyGram, Paypal, L/C, American Express, West Union, etc.

In addition, Medwish.com is not only interested in delivering quality products; the team also ensures that your lab incubators and other medical supplies are delivered in due time. The Medwish.com team liaises with logistics, customs clearance, and insurance service providers to achieve this.

Conclusion

The incubator is an essential piece of equipment in every laboratory, and it is applicable across various fields, including hematology research. The lab incubators store and grow cell and tissue cultures under controlled air, temperature, humidity conditions.  Therefore when purchasing a lab incubator, consider factors like the chamber size, temperature range, pricing, research goal, etc.

Contact Medwish.com today for your lab incubator and other medical equipment, devices, and furniture.