Gas Control Modules

BMG LABTECH offers two forms of gas control on its Omega Series of microplate readers:

• Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) – a unique microprocessor controlled unit that regulates both CO₂ and O₂ inside the microplate reader chamber.
• Purge Gas Vent – a positive pressure gas purge to replace the internal atmosphere of the microplate reader chamber.

Atmospheric Control Unit

Available for the Omega range of microplate readers, the microprocessor Atmospheric Control Unit (ACU) offers dual independent control of both oxygen (O₂) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Oxygen levels, monitored by a calibrated electrochemical sensor, are accurately monitored between 1% and 19% by a microprocessor gas control system that regulates the delivery of oxygen-free nitrogen. In addition, carbon dioxide, monitored by a calibrated infrared sensor, can be delivered accurately to the microplate chamber through a similar but separate valve control, providing regulation of the CO₂ between 0% and 20%.

The superior control of this two valve system regulates the two gases independently, ensuring that once the reader is equilibrated there is minimal consumption of gases. Any combination can be easily programmed via the ACU key pad and there is no need to change cylinders or piped gas supplies. The CO₂ and O₂ levels are continually monitored and should the level drift outside of the pre-programmed set limits, a programmable alarm will sound. The system also has a built-in auto zero function enabling automatic calibration against atmospheric levels, thereby giving users complete confidence in its performance.

Unique to the ACU, each gas is controlled independently so that any combination of CO₂ and O₂ within the maximum and minimum ranges can be defined. This makes the BMG LABTECH ACU the most flexible gas control system available in a microplate reader. When used in combination with the Omega’s other features such as temperature control  and shaking (orbital, double orbital and linear), users can reproduce most physiological conditions making cell-based assays more biologically relevant. Together with continuous monitoring, extended cell based experiments can be performed without user intervention, providing a true walk away hands free assays solution.

Advantages are listed below:

• Stabilizes pH and media
• Improves cell growth
• Establishes physiological conditions for eukaryotic cells
• Provides stable growth under hypoxic conditions

Applications include:

• Mammalian Cell Assay
• Stem Cell Assays
• Hypoxia
• Cell Viability
• Cell Proliferation
• Migration Studies
• Invasion Assays
• Intracellular pH
• Angiogenesis
• Ischemia / Reperfusion

Purge Gas Vent

BMG LABTECH’s traditional purge Gas Vent system offers an advantage for assays working with samples sensitive to atmospheric gas. It is a simple mechanical solution which allows the user to either pump in an inert gas (e.g. CO₂, Ne or Ar) or to pull a vacuum into the reader. This is especially important when working with volatile oxidizing solutions that could potentially damage sensitive parts. The “quick connect” system allows the user to change to different gas supplies easily.

The Gas Vent is ideal for the study of bacterial and fungal growth that may be sensitive to atmospheric oxygen levels. The Gas Vent system allows the user to purge the exact air mixture, which in combination with on-board incubators and multimode shaking ability provides precise environmental conditions required for the assay.