Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology – Apparatus – Bioreactor
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-25
2001-10-02
Beisner, William H. (Department: 1744)
Chemistry: molecular biology and microbiology
Apparatus
Bioreactor
C435S809000, C422S105000, C219S400000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06297047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is broadly concerned with incubators conventionally used for the incubation of cell-culture samples and which are improved by provision of an internal, continuous sterilization feature. More particularly, the invention pertains to such incubators equipped with internal ultraviolet (UV) lamps which can be user-controlled controlled to effect continuous or periodic sterilization of the internal working chambers of the incubators.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Cell culture incubators are ubiquitous in biological research laboratories. These units are designed to incubate cell culture samples, typically over a period of hours with closely controlled temperature and atmospheric conditions (e.g., 37° C. and 5% CO
2
). Typically, incubators are in the form of an upright cabinet having an openable door and an internal working or incubating chamber equipped with a series of sample-holding shelves. Modern-day incubators normally have temperature and CO
2
sensors for maintaining desired internal conditions without operator intervention.
During the course of incubations, the internal working chambers of incubators can become contaminated with air borne or liquid contaminants. As a consequence, it is necessary to sterilize and decontaminate the internal working chamber and components of the incubators. Presently, such sterilization/decontamination is performed by one of two methods. In one technique, all removable components are autoclaved and non-removable components are manually wiped down with a germicidal solution. In another method, the incubator undergoes a sterilization cycle which heats the internal working chamber and its components to approximately 90° C. to kill any contaminants. Both of these prior methods are cumbersome and time-consuming. Manual decontamination requires significant labor, whereas a incubator sterilization cycle disrupts the incubator's operating temperature for several hours both during heating and the subsequent cool down period.
There is accordingly a need in the art for an improved cell culture incubator which avoids the sterilization/decontamination problems described above, and which allows continuous or intermittent sterilization/decontamination without upsetting the desired incubation conditions maintained within the working chamber of the incubator.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the problems outlined above and provides an improved incubator having an incubator cabinet presenting an internal working chamber wherein one or more ultraviolet lamps are operatively coupled with the cabinet for generating ultraviolet radiation capable of sterilizing the working chamber.
In preferred forms, the ultraviolet lamps are of the short-wave variety, generating UV radiation at about 200-280 nm. The lamps may be mounted at any convenient position within the incubator cabinet, e.g., proximal to the internal working chamber on a stationary wall thereof or on the cabinet door. The UV lamps may also be of any desired configuration such as tubular or serpentine in shape.
In one embodiment, a UV lamp is situated within an internal airflow path passing through the incubator working chamber. Thus, as incubation proceeds, the circulating air is continuously sterilized and decontaminated by the UV radiation. In another embodiment, the incubator cabinet door houses a UV lamp, and a reflector is used to direct sterilizing radiation into the incubator working chamber.
A particular advantage of the invention is that sterilization may be carried out with little or no disruption of the desired temperature and atmospheric conditions within the incubator working chamber.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3710791 (1973-01-01), Deaton
patent: 4936824 (1990-06-01), Koch et al.
patent: 5090617 (1992-02-01), Swan et al.
patent: 5418131 (1995-05-01), Butts
patent: 5525512 (1996-06-01), Pieler et al.
patent: 5773287 (1998-06-01), Binder
patent: 5783439 (1998-07-01), Reichler et al.
patent: 5792427 (1998-08-01), Hugh et al.
patent: 5997397 (1999-12-01), Frickel et al.
patent: 10-113096 (1998-05-01), None
International Search Report PCT/US00/49377 (Dec.-2000).
HERAcell CO2brochure re Contra Con and BBD 6220 CO2incubators (No Date Provided).
Heraeus Instruments advertisement re CO2incubators (No Date Provided),
Beisner William H.
Pepper Hamilton LLP
SPX Corporation
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