Heratherm IMH180-S: A Reliable Incubator for Sensitive Applications
The Heratherm IMH180-S is designed for professionals in the medical, pharmaceutical, and research fields who seek to maintain their samples under precisely controlled thermal conditions. Developed by Thermo Fisher Scientific, this 178-liter microbiological incubator combines robustness, safety, and efficiency to deliver reproducible results, even in the most rigorous protocols.
The core strength of this unit lies in its so-called “dual” convection technology. This system allows users to freely select the ventilation speed from 0% (equivalent to natural convection) to 100%, depending on the nature of the samples. This offers great flexibility for applications requiring a calm and stable environment, or on the contrary, a homogeneous airflow for rapid temperature rise. The system thus adapts perfectly to both delicate bacterial cultures and high-temperature stability or drying tests.
In terms of thermal performance, the Heratherm IMH180-S ensures excellent temperature uniformity with a maximum spatial deviation of ±0.4 °C and a temporal stability of ±0.1 °C at 37 °C. These values reflect precise control of the internal environment, which is essential to ensure reliable results. The user interface is designed to facilitate daily settings, with a clear display and a programmable timer for daily or weekly scheduling.
This model also includes reinforced safety features. An alarm is triggered if the temperature exceeds or falls below the setpoint. Another alert is activated if the door remains open for too long, thus limiting thermal disruptions. These measures help preserve the integrity of the samples.
The Heratherm IMH180-S also stands out with its certified 140 °C decontamination function, performed without chemicals or disassembly. This process, validated by an independent microbiological institute, effectively reduces internal contamination, making the unit particularly suitable for environments with strict sterility requirements, such as pharmaceutical or clinical laboratories.
The 178-liter interior volume is optimized by a system of removable shelves, each capable of supporting up to 25 kg. The space is sufficiently adaptable to accommodate samples of various formats. The inner chamber is made of AISI 304 stainless steel, ensuring excellent corrosion resistance and easy cleaning. Additionally, the unit features an internal glass door for observing samples without fully opening the chamber, a standard access port for external sensors, and an RS232 port for data recording.
The Heratherm IMH180-S naturally fits into laboratories that require precision, control, and safety. It supports a wide range of protocols: bacterial culture, stability testing, solution storage, or incubation of complex media. With a reasonable energy consumption of 36 W at 37 °C, it also meets long-term operational efficiency requirements.
