LEC Instruments Pty. Ltd. specialises in instruments used for assisted reproduction. Their carbon dioxide CO2 incubators are used for culturing mammalian oocytes, embryos and other sensitive cells. Embryo culture dishes to be incubated are wrapped in foil bags designed for non-permeability of oxygen as well as carbon dioxide, filled with the appropriate gas mixtures, heat sealed and submerged into the CO2 incubator's water bath. Each culture dish exists as an individual incubator, using water instead of air as heat mediator in these CO2 incubators. These incubators feature superior stability, prevent contamination between the dishes and allow flexible use of different gas mixtures. Simple calibration of water temperature alone is required in these systems.
These CO2 incubators have been proven to achieve oocyte maturation, fertilisation and embryo development with high efficiency. Using these CO2 incubators expired and sterile human lung air containing 4% CO2 and 16-17% O2 with high humidity can be utilised as gas atmosphere for all phases of bovine embryo development. These CO2 incubators can accommodate 6 racks in each of the 4 shelves and a temperature range of 20 – 40°C can be maintained. CO2 incubating systems weigh only 20kg and have a water capacity of 50 litres. 24 foil bags and disinfectant cleaner are also provided along with these incubators. The water level needs to adjusted once every week in these incubators and de-ionised water is recommended for use in these systems.