Do you have a shaking incubator with a small capacity that is restricted to temperature control? Would you like to implement humidification and a controlled gas composition for carrying out cell cultivations?

Humidification

CO₂ control

Retrofittable

Performance

The Kuhner FlowCon is a stand-alone gas mixing device, which has been developed for the R&D environment and the initial production steps in bioreactors with disposable bags. It provides the perfect headspace composition for your cultures by mixing up to four gases (including both pure and mixed gases). Whether stabilizing the pH in cell cultivations with CO₂, or reducing oxygen concentration for microaerophilic organisms, the FlowCon gas mixer meets all of the user’s needs. The FlowCon can be used as a stand-alone device and is also fully compatible with other Kuhner equipment (including shaking incubators, disposable bioreactors, etc.).

For universities and start-ups, which have a tight budget but want to perform cell culture (also stem cell) processes which demand a controlled gas composition, the Kuhner Flowmeter provides an optimal solution. The Flowmeter is integrated in the gas line between the gas cylinder (with precise pressure reducer), containing the required gas composition for the cell culture process, and the Kuhner AerationSystem. Thereby, the combination of Flowmeter, gas cylinder, and pressure reducer provides a cost-efficient alternative to a gas mixing device with mass flow controllers. Less effort is required in terms of connection and control of the gas supply. Also, there is a reduced risk potential by using a premixed gas supply compared to a gas mixing device as no pure oxygen or carbon dioxide must be handled. Also, tools and equipment like pressure reducers for connecting and using gas cylinders are already present in most laboratories.

The Flowmeter operates in accordance with the float measuring principle. The measuring unit consists of a small glass cone in which a float can move freely up and down. The small Flowmeter (150x275x125 mm) can simply be placed on top of the incubator shaker or besides the lab shaker.

The Kuhner FlowCon provides a single mixed and dry gas flow, which usually requires humidification and even distribution across several shake flasks. This task is performed by the Kuhner GasDivider which humidifies the gas flow and provides a precise gas distribution independent of the flask type attached, the tube length or any filters in-between. As the GasDivider is placed on the shaking tray inside the incubator, the gas flow is also perfectly adapted to the incubator temperature.

The Kuhner AerationCaps are used for aeration of standard single-use shake flasks (e.g., corning). They can be quickly and easily attached to the sterile caps ("Vent Caps"). Each AerationCap has two identical nozzles that are used for supply and exhaust air. The AerationCaps (as well as the FlexCaps) are connected to the GasDivider via gas-tight tubes. The AerationCaps are reusable, but not autoclavable. Since they are placed on the sterile covers of the single-use shake flasks, they do not come into contact with culture liquid and therefore do not need to be sterilized.

The Kuhner FlexCap is a universal silicone adapter lid that enables the utilization of various sizes and forms of shake flasks with the Kuhner AerationSystem. Its specific construction seals both the smaller and more narrow flasks (min. 25 mm inner neck diameter) and the larger and wider flasks (max. 55 mm outer neck diameter), respectively, using the same universal lid. With the FlexCap, also cultivations in custom-made flasks and baffled shake flasks are accessible for aeration and humidification with the AerationSystem. Besides the ports for supply and exhaust air, the FlexCap comes with an extra port for external feeding and sampling. Best of all, the FlexCap is reusable by autoclaving at temperatures up to 121°C without losing its mechanical performance.