Embodiments of the present invention relate to a system, device, and method for automatically inducing, maintaining, or controlling hypoxia in a patient. Specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to delivering a hypoxic gas mixture to a patient, monitoring at least one physiological parameter of the patient, and automatically controlling the delivery of the hypoxic gas mixture based on a value of the physiological parameter.

Method and system for controlled maintenance of hypoxia for therapeutic or diagnostic purposes

A controlled atmosphere incubator having an interior chamber surrounded by a heated water jacket. A glass access door of the chamber is directly heated by a clear, electrically conductive coating. The door is sealed against the perimeter of the opening by a readily replaceable gasket and is field reversible due to unique hinge mounting assemblies. An easily accessed blower assembly is located within the chamber and includes a HEPA filter readily replaceable by the user from within the chamber. A filtered air exchange system is provided for limiting the maximum level of humidity in the chamber. The incubator control maintains constant power output from the blower motor so that the heat output of the motor is also constant. A voltage compensated temperature control is also provided for the heaters associated with the water jacket. Compensation for environmental conditions inside the chamber is also provided by the control for producing more accurate readings of carbon dioxide levels. When an infrared carbon dioxide sensor is used, the control provides a unique calibration method which does not necessitate the use of conventional tanks of calibration gas mixtures.

Controlled atmosphere incubator

An incubator for laboratory use which includes a housing defining a thermally insulated inner chamber having a controlled gas atmosphere. Devices for sensing characteristics of the incubator chamber atmosphere, and for conditioning the atmosphere, are positioned in a gas recirculation path outside the incubator chamber. The gas atmosphere of the incubator chamber circulates from a chamber outlet in an upper portion of the chamber, through the recirculation path, returning to the incubator chamber through a chamber inlet in a lower portion of the chamber. Included in the recirculation path are a blower for recirculating the chamber atmosphere, a filter, a CO2 sensor, and a humidifier. A microprocessor-based controller is responsive to the output of the CO2 sensor to effect the addition of CO2 to the recirculating gas to maintain a selected CO2 level in the chamber atmosphere. Upper and lower diffuser plates in the incubator chamber define upper and lower plenums, respectively. The upper plenum communicates with the chamber outlet, and the lower plenum communicates with the chamber inlet, to produce an upward vertical laminar flow of the gas atmosphere through the chamber. The incubator chamber walls are spaced inwardly from insulated outer walls to provide an enclosed air space about the outside of the chamber wall. Heaters inside the air space, spaced apart from the inner wall, are sized to produce substantially even heating of the chamber through convection in the air space.

Controlled atmosphere enclosure

A system for metering nutrient media to cell culture containers includes a media flow conduit which defines at one end means for substantially aseptic communication with the source of the media. In a preferred embodiment, sterile connectors may be used for essentially sterile conditions. A branch conduit extends from the flow conduit at a location spaced from the ends. The branch conduit communicates with means for receiving a predetermined-volume aliquot of media through the media flow conduit from said one end. The flow conduit also defines a portion downstream from the branch conduit, which communicates with at least one cell culture container, each container being a flexible bag. At least part of the flexible bag is made of a material capable of providing at least 2 times the oxygen diffusion and at least 2 times the carbon dioxide diffusion between the bag interior and exterior, compared with an identically-sized, sealed bag having polyethylene walls 0.013 inch thick.

System for metering nutrient media to cell culture containers and method

Method for metering nutrient media to cell culture containers

To establish predetermined humidity levels within a sterile treatment chamber, and maintain sterility, water, preferably deionized, is conducted to an evaporator outside of a container defining the treatment chamber, to be there heated to superheated steam, for example in the order of 300° C., and conducted to a bypass duct (1) in atmospheric communication with the treatment chamber (10), for mixing with the atmosphere within the treatment chamber. Preferably, the treatment chamber is surrounded by heat exchanger elements, such as electrical heating wires and/or cooling coils, the heaters being controlled to rapidly heat the treatment chamber to a temperature in the order of 180° C. during pauses of treatment for sterilizing the interior of the container, and/or maintaining temperature levels at a desired treatment level in operation. Additional gases to establish controlled atmospheres can be admitted to the interior of the treatment chamber, preferably after having passed through a heat exchanger for establishment of a desired temperature level.

Helmut Loscher

Papers

Method and apparatus for treatment of biological substances, particularly for cultivation of biological cells and tissues, or of microorganisms

Verfahren und vorrichtung zur kultivation von zellen und geweben