Forma Steri-Cycle Model 381 CO₂ incubator: an effective solution for cell culture
The Thermo Scientific Forma Steri-Cycle Model 381 is a CO₂ incubator designed to deliver exceptional performance in research, diagnostic and laboratory production environments. Combining proven technologies and advanced features, this incubator is a complete solution for cell culture, ensuring a stable, controlled and sterile atmosphere.
With a generous internal volume of 184 litres, the Forma Steri-Cycle Model 381 offers high load capacity while remaining compact and stackable, optimising floor space. Its polished stainless steel interior with rounded corners makes cleaning easy and reduces areas where contaminants can accumulate. This hygienic design is reinforced by an integrated HEPA filtration system that renews the air every 60 seconds, ensuring ISO Class 5 conditions (equivalent to a Class 100 clean room) within five minutes of the door being opened.
The direct heating technology used ensures uniform temperature distribution throughout the chamber, with control accuracy of ±0.1°C and uniformity of ±0.3°C at 37°C. This thermal stability is essential for sensitive crops. CO₂ control is equally rigorous, with a choice of IR or thermoconductivity sensors, ensuring regulation better than ±0.1%, with an adjustable range from 0 to 20%. Humidity is managed by a 3-litre tray, maintaining humidity levels up to 95% RH, helping to prevent evaporation of culture media.
The 140°C sterilisation cycle, which can be activated on demand, effectively eliminates internal microbial contaminants in a single cycle of approximately 14 hours, ensuring thorough disinfection without the use of chemicals. At the end of the cycle, the incubator automatically returns to its defined operating conditions, simplifying everyday use.
The control panel is intuitive, with simple navigation keys and digital displays for temperature, CO₂ and humidity (optional). Features such as independent calibration, programmable alarms, analogue and digital data outputs (4-20 mA, RS-485) and compatibility with the Thermo Scientific™ Smart-Vue™ Pro monitoring system allow for easy integration into regulated or GMP environments.
In terms of safety, the Forma Steri-Cycle Model 381 is equipped with an independent safety thermostat, redundant sensors and alarm contacts for temperature, CO₂, humidity and power failure. It can also incorporate an automatic CO₂ cylinder switchover system, minimising interruptions to operation.
All shelves and racks are removable without tools, making them easy to clean and reconfigure. Thermo Scientific also offers a wide range of accessories, such as replacement HEPA filters, CO₂ regulators, castor bases and telephone alert systems to complete and customise the equipment.
The Forma Steri-Cycle Model 381 combines robustness, precision, ease of use and exemplary hygiene. It is an ideal choice for laboratories seeking to ensure a stable and sterile environment for sensitive cell cultures, with excellent value for money and guaranteed compliance with international standards.
