IBI Flow Cells are an affordable, sterile, consumable apparatus for the creation of biofilms and for direct, non-destructive, on-line microscopic examination of biofilms. The gamma irradiated, fully-assembled flow cell assemblies come in an airtight package and only need to be opened and connected to a reservoir of culture medium and a peristaltic pump to start your biofilm research. The flow cells allow for the use of traditional transmission light microscopy and scanning confocal laser microscopy to study the developing biofilm in real time. The gamma irradiated and single use of the flow cells eliminates the need for sterilization and risk of contamination. IBI offers two flow cell options: the Convertible Flow Cell with a single chamber and the 3-Channel Flow Cell with 3 separate chambers.
The Convertible Flow Cell has a detachable/re-attachable top that can be removed for insertion of samples such as polymers or metals or for coating the cover slip with seeded cells, proteins, polymer films, etc. The biofilm culture can be introduced to the flow cell by injecting tubing just prior to the input of the cell. The convertible flow cell has two choices for detachable tops: a glass cover slip top or a TCT coated APET plastic cover slip top. The APET cover slip top provides better surface attachment for certain types of biofilms. The Complete Convertible Flow Cell Assembly comes complete with convertible flow cell with #1 glass cover slip OR TCT treated APET plastic cover slip, influent & effluent manifolds, peristaltic pump tubing, clear influent & effluent tubing, luer lock effluent interrupt, I.D. flags pre-attached in two places, two pinch clamps, and inoculation tape. Individual convertible flow cells are also available.
The 3-Channel Flow Cell offers a triple chamber with a #1 glass cover slip attached to the cell with acrylic adhesive. The cover slip can be scored and removed for access to biofilm. Each channel requires a single pump cassette from the peristaltic pump to supply culture medium to it. A bubble trap with air release stop cocks capture air bubbles and govern pressure on passing liquid to help mitigate peristaltic pulsation. Also available are a luer connector and tube rack of effluent collection to collect effluent material for analysis. The Complete 3-Channel Flow Cell Assembly comes complete with 3-Channel flow cell with #1 glass cover slip, three cylinder bubble trap, influent & effluent manifolds, peristaltic pump tubing, clear influent & effluent tubing, and inoculation tape. Individual 3-Channel flow cells are also available for incorporation into existing biofilm assemblies.
IBI offers a complete line of accessories and replacement parts for your flow cell apparatus. Accessories include clear polycarbonate culture media and waste bottles with tubing, peristaltic pumps, luer connectors & tube racks of effluent collection, drip chamber, and diamond glass cutters.