The Multitron incubator shaker remains uniquely popular since its launch in 1991. The original concept was to offer maximum shake flask capacity whilst occupying minimum space within the laboratory. A number of other new features were launched alongside the Multitron, and since have become firm favourites with users. Some of the best loved capabilities of the Multitron are listed below.
Interactive touchscreen display
The newest update of the Multitron features is in the electronics. Thanks to its new display, the Multitron incubation shaker now provides new functionalities like valuable and easily accessible insights into your lab operations.
- Interactive touchscreen display
- Event list showing latest events such as door openings, parameter changes, alarms and restarts
- Intuitive and user-friendly
Pull-out tray
The pull-out-tray of the Multitron is an amazing feat of design and excellent engineering in its own right. It is the answer to problems most users are only too aware of, including:
- A large tray loaded with high-capacity flasks and nowhere to put it down after taking it from the incubation chamber
- The need to change just one flask at the rear of the tray with no clear access
- Not physically being able to pick up the tray and move it due to its weight and size
The front-opening door provides a platform for the pull-out tray solving all the issues listed above. The tray is secure, accessible from all angles and does not need to be totally removed for loading and unloading. Add to that the simplicity of part-opening the door to stop the shaker action and have it resume automatically when the door is closed again. No wonder this is beyond a «nice to have» and has become a «love to have» for many users.
High capacity
Getting more done for less and with less is always going to be popluar. The Multitron combines a compact outside with a spacious inside to give the most «bangs per buck». Even the saving in laboratory space per flask can be taken into account. The capacity equation can have several elements as listed below, and the saving in laboratory space per flask is notable when used either singularly or in combination:
- The use of flasks up to 5L in size, allowing many litres of culture to be grown, espcially when high-density flasks with larger capacity are used. This makes limited production in shake flasks possible for e.g. Phase 1 clinical trail material.
- Increased number of shake flasks, depending on tray size / type and the use of adhesive matting which can allow for strategic placement of additional flasks.
- Special tray designs (e.g. for screening), can take the capacity of a Multitron for screening work into the range of several thousand wells per experiment. Plates can be stacked with spacers to allow good air circulation and humidity control will stop the wells losing volume due to evaporation.
The more capacity per run, the quicker results can be obtained and for lower cost, labour and resources.
Ease of cleaning
The tedious but essential job of cleaning up after a spill or as part of a routine maintenance will eliminate problems such as contamination or corrosion. The Multitron reduces the effort of dealing with spills and the hygienic design minimises the chances of the evil twins mentioned above. The key guidelines to safeguard against a messy situation are:
- Antimicrobial coating for cell versions to lessen the risk of contamination
- Easy to move (for cleaning) to get behind a stacked unit with no fuss
- Corrosion resistance to minimize damage from the occasional spill or a humid environment
- Easy access under the shaking platform with a sealed base which can be washed out and drained
The job of cleaning up may not be loved by many, but any mitigation of the work and time involved has to be deserving of affection.
Ease of access to the top deck
A triple stacked incubator shaker is big. Often, adding a third deck places the shake flasks in the top deck out of reach for users below a certain height and physical strength. Rather than having to use a kick-stool or ladder, the Multitron takes a different approach, which the majority of triple stack users have come to appreciate and love: A comfortable working height accessible by the majority, and lower than that of the competition.
Green sticky stuff
Ok, so this one precedes the Multitron launch by a decade or so, but we could not go without mentioning Sticky Stuff. The days of fixed clamps or removable versions needing a screwdriver and a lot of patience are mostly gone. The sheer capacity of the Mulitron and it’s flexibility allows for multiple users to share a deck at any given speed and temperature. The sticky stuff will easily handle:
- Glass or plastic Erlenmeyer flasks
- Test tube racks
- Micro- and Deep-Well-Plates
- Boxes to lessen evaporation losses
- Anything with a flat, dry base
Add up to the talents of green sticky that it can be washed, lasts for a long time and is easily replaced to get the recipe for user satisfaction and contentment.
Hassle-free door
Any interruption of the growth cycle is a risk to the success of the bioprocess. To address this and reduce the process interruption to a minimum, an easy and fast door opening has been engineered by improving the braking and starting of the drive. Thus, we get the best conditions for performing all kinds of research:
- Fast braking (configurable)
- Intelligent safety at high speeds
- Time saving
- Minimum interruption of culture growth
Temperature Uniformity
Uniform temperature distribution is essential for the reliability of bioprocesses and is one of the most important and crucial features of an incubator. For this reason, the heating and, if available, cooling capacity of our machines are tested in detail – for qualified devices even within the shaking flasks. This way we can ensure that
- specific air flow pattern allows excellent temperature distribution
- Heating elements reduce condensate
The future:
The ever-changing world of biotechnology means giving users even more to love in future. The latest iteration of Multitron adds even more features that the current and next generation of users will want to add to their wish list, including:
- Network capability for integration with bioprocess software, automating changes in the phases of growth
- Incorporating data into wider knowledge-based systems and increase automation of processes and their optimisation
- Better growth with a refinement of parameter control, such as stronger motors
- Better control of contamination with filters, UV lighting and easy-clean surfaces
Having read the list of most loved features, we would like to give you a chance to have a say about your particular favourites. We are looking forward to receiving your comments and feedback below.
