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In-line Solution Heaters

 

Regulate the temperature of the incoming solutions to brain slice chambers and tissue chambers. Our In-line Solution Heaters are designed to be used in shielded environments. They do not generate any hum or other noise, so they can be used in any microelectrode laboratory (e.g. patch clamp).

 

In-line Solution Heaters are the best warming devices of brain slice chambers and living tissue chambers. Chamber heaters regulate the temperature of the whole liquid content of the chamber, except the most important area, above the objective. The objectives are not heated in most cases. That is why immersion objectives behave as heat drains. As a result, the observed cell culture will be much cooler than the surrounding solution. Even the most important area is warmed improperly by chamber heaters. In-line Solution Heaters solve this issue.

 

    Click on the picture to get it in full size

 

There are two different versions of  the In-line Solution Heaters in our product range. The single-channel version contains one heated tube; and the dual-channel version contains two, independently heated tubes. The two tubes of the dual-channel model can be used independently of each other, even with different flow rates. Our In-line Solution Heaters are able to warm at very high flow rates compared to similar devices by other manufacturers.

 

The outer diameter of the tube connectors are 1.2 mm. The thickness of the tube walls are 0.114 mm. The internal stainless steel metal tubing is made of a very special material. This kind of steel alloy is fully inert for any biological application.

 

The internal tubing of the In-line Solution Heaters form Archimedean spirals (also called arithmetic spiral). This geometry of the tube provides a linear reduction in the speed of the solution from the input to the output tube connectors. It is an essential feature as it minimizes the number of oxygen bubbles at the output liquid flow. Because of this construction the working position of the In-line Solution Heater is advisable as perfectly horizontal. The side with the blue factory logo label and the heat sink should be positioned as top side. The input tube connector is the one located next to the mechanical fixing connector. This positioning arrangement is important for proper operation.

 

There are internal temperature sensors in the In-line Solution Heaters. It is recommended to use them instead of the temperature sensors immersed in the solution bath. Please see the explanation about the advantages of the internal temperature sensors on the Animal Temperature Control product description page.

 

There are different connection points to ground and/or shield the equipments in every lab. The low voltage signal ground of the Physiological - Biological Temperature Controller is connected to the aluminum plate on the device's back, and the heat sink at the back of the Temperature Controller. During the construction of the In-line Solution Heaters we have focused on the highest noise suppression, and versatile shielding and grounding possibilities. For this purpose the internal assembly of the In-line Solution Heater units are NOT connected to the signal ground of the Temperature Controller, they are fully independent. This provides complete freedom to connect them anywhere electrically. The best connection points are the stainless steel tubes, because they are easily accessible, and they are connected to all internal metal parts of In-line Solution Heaters. The tubes can be clamped using crocodile clips. The best point for grounding the heater is the low voltage signal (and local shield) ground point, as close to the chamber as possible. The appropriate ground point should be chosen according to several different aspects. But there are two reasons why it is strongly recommended to connect the In-line Solution Heater to ground:

1) Suppression of hum noise in the shielded environment

2) Elimination of the parasitic electrochemical (galvanic) potentials between the different metal parts

 

    Click on the picture to get it in full size

 

In-line Solution Heaters are regulated by a Physiological - Biological Temperature Controller assembled with 12V FINE DC power end-stage. Either for the Single-channel In-line Solution Heater or for the Dual-channel In-line Solution Heater only one single-channel Physiological - Biological Temperature Controller is enough to control.

 

The plastic enclosure is not hermetically sealed. Please make sure not to pour liquid on the enclosure. Please do not immerse the equipment in liquid (water, saline or any other solution). The seal of this equipment has limitations; the electronic circuit will go wrong if a corrosive solution diffuses into the plastic case.

 

 

Single-channel In-line Solution Heater ISH-S

 

Flow rate: 12 ml / min (specified for 37 Centigrade at the output tube)

 

Internal solution buffer volume: 5.2 ml

 

Hysteresis: less than +/- 0.4 Centigrade

 

Outer dimensions of the plastic box: 90 x 50 x  25 mm (excluding the heat sink)

 

    Click on the picture to get it in full size

 

 

Dual-channel In-line Solution Heater ISH-D

 

Flow rate: 2 x 7 ml / min (specified for 37 Centigrade at the output tube)

 

Internal solution buffer volume: 2 x 5.2 ml

 

Hysteresis: less than +/- 0.5 Centigrade

 

Outer dimensions of the plastic box: 90 x 50 x  32 mm (excluding the heat sink)

 

    Click on the picture to get it in full size

 

 

Lockable Magnetic Fixing Stand LMFS-1

 

A lockable magnetic fixing stand is an independently available option for the In-line Solution Heater. The lockable magnetic fixing stand has a flexible, backbone styled holder arm on its magnetic base.  The magnetic base also has a lever to lock it at the desired place on any ferromagnetic steel surface. This provides a very stable and versatile fixing method. The flexible holder arm can be locked in any position by a small lever. This way the In-line Solution Heater can be easily installed in an optimal position in any experimental environment. The connection force of the fixing stand base to the ferromagnetic surface beneath it is 800 N.

 

    Click on the picture to get it in full size

 

 

Replacement In-Line Solution Heater

 

Since cell cultures and other biological objects are very sensitive, the In-line Solution Heater should not be used if it is faulty, or contaminated in any way. For faults arising during intended usage we have a special offer, only for our previous customers. If you send your used In-line Solution Heater back to Supertech Instruments, we will replace it for a brand new one. A used In-line Solution Heater can not be repaired, as all the internal parts would have to be replaced. In most cases the plastic enclosure and the electric cable is also worn out. So we can not reuse any part of the old device at all. We welcome used devices because we disassemble them to study the effects of usage on the internal parts. This way we collect valuable information to improve the quality of the product. This replacement possibility is provided at a discounted price.

 

 

Warranty Limitation

 

Supertech Instruments provides 5 years of full warranty for all electronics products, including In-line Solution Heaters. The warranty does not cover faults inflicted by the user. The warranty is valid for In-line Solution Heaters, but DOES NOT cover the following:

- broken stainless steel tube

- bent tube

- clogging in the tube

- dirt in the tube

- contamination in the tube

- corrosion in the electronic heater or sensor circuit

- broken wire

 

 

Tips

 

The inside of the tubes of the In-line Solution Heaters can be cleaned efficiently by running 20% citric acid solution through them. The duration of the cleaning process and the necessary quantity of citric acid solution depends on the level of dirtiness. It is recommended to heat up the In-line Solution Heater to 40 Centigrade during cleaning.

 

Based on the experience obtained in Dr. Norbert Hajos' laboratory (Hajos et al., European Journal of Neuroscience, Vol. 29, pp. 319-327, 2009, email: hajos@koki.hu), the temperature and the oxygenation of brain slices in a Dual-Superfusion Slice Chamber Insert could be controlled in two ways. Either the experiments should be conducted at room temperature, then only the flow rate of ACSF (Artificial CerebroSpinal Fluid) has to be set equivalently below and above the slices (e.g. using peristaltic pumps with at least three channels - two inlets and one outlet). Or, in case the experiment is performed at a higher temperature, then not only the flow rate but also the temperature should be maintained as equivalent as possible below and above the slices. To achieve this, a Dual-channel In-line Solution Heater is recommended, where the temperature of two inlets is controlled in a single heater head to ensure the same temperature.

 

 

Prices

 

You can find the general warranty and shipping conditions in the beginning of the Services page.

 

Single-channel In-line Solution Heater ISH-S (one heated tube) without lockable magnetic fixing stand (compatible with the 12V Physiological - Biological Temperature Controller): 444 EUR

 

Dual-channel In-line Solution Heater ISH-D (two independent tubes in one equipment) without lockable magnetic fixing stand (compatible with the 12V Physiological - Biological Temperature Controller): 576 EUR

 

Replacement Single-channel In-line Solution Heater ISH-SR (for the case of injury, internal dirt or infection) without stand, only for previous customers, if we get the worn-out piece back: 360 EUR

 

Replacement Dual-channel In-line Solution Heater ISH-SD (for the case of injury, internal dirt or infection) without stand, only for previous customers, if we get the worn-out piece back: 480 EUR

 

Lockable Magnetic Fixing Stand LMFS-1 (800 N force, with flexible, backbone styled holder arm): 132 EUR

 

Physiological - Biological Temperature Controller: you can look up its price on the Animal Temperature Control page.

 

 

 

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