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Anaerobic Chambers

How Anaerobic Chambers Work & How Leasing Benefits Your Lab

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Anaerobic chamber with gloves

Anaerobic workstations, also referred to as anaerobic chambers or anaerobic glove boxes, are used whenever there is an experiment requiring the handling of oxygen-sensitive materials.

Biotech diagram

An enormous range of labs use them, but companies researching biofuels, cell culture, studying microbiology, creating new drugs, and identifying infectious diseases all find these machines invaluable.

Using various concentrations of hydrogen, nitrogen, or carbon dioxide to remove the oxygen that could compromise an experiment, the chamber allows researchers to incubate, culture, process, or examine microorganisms without issue. The gas mixture is usually circulated through the chamber using a heated palladium catalyst. The use of a hydrogen gas mix, for example, can remove oxygen to 0-5 parts per million (ppm).

Due to their self-contained nature and airlocks, anaerobic workstations, such as the Bactron anaerobic chamber, do an excellent job controlling vexing experimental variables such as temperature, humidity and O². This provides a stable and optimal anaerobic atmosphere for scientists and researchers to use.

Gloved, Gloveless, & Other Options

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Anaerobic chambers have a number of different styles, specifications, gas mixtures, plate capacities, layouts, and temperature incubation options. They are most often made with polymer, vinyl, or aluminum.

Some of the most common unit variants include rigid gloved and flexible vinyl units.

Rigid Gloved

This style of unit is extremely common due to both its economical pricing and safety features. This style often comes with an upgradable polycarbonate viewing screen that can be replaced with tempered glass. This is generally done for labs that need a more chemical resistant unit for their experiments. The ability to upgrade doesn’t necessarily stop there either, as these units can be upgraded to a gloveless style with just a few modifications.

Flexible Vinyl

By far the most common style, the biggest selling point of this setup is the ability for researchers to reach deeper and higher up within the unit. The flexible nature of the unit, the clear vinyl, and the expanded glove ports offer a superior ergonomic user experience compared to the rigid glove box. Unsurprisingly, the drawback for this style is that it is not safe to perform experiments with corrosive or other dangerous chemicals.

Gloveless

Gloveless anaerobic chambers vary from the two previous units mentioned due to the most obvious difference, the lack of gloves. Using a system of sleeve vacuums and a special cuff system, the gloveless option allows the researchers to use their arms unimpeded inside the box, improving manual dexterity and the ability to feel textural changes.

Add-Ons & Upgrades

Regardless of which style is chosen, there are a number of upgrades and optional features that can benefit your lab. Some of the options include: oxygen and hydrogen monitors, touch screen interfaces, heavy duty transfer airlocks, real-time feedback systems, and even separate incubators.

Creating Anaerobic Conditions

While the idea behind creating a chamber for growing anaerobic organisms, or anaerobes, belongs to Rolf Freter of the University of Michigan, the honor of creating the chamber itself belongs to Dick Coy. Dick Coy was a local engineer who sought to create a device that could match the specifications he had been provided. This was the beginning of the Coy Anaerobic Chamber. Since then, Coy Laboratory Products has expanded to include a wide range of applications.

Over time the original units grew and were modified to adapt to growing needs in the industry. These changes have facilitated numerous experiments and massively simplified the process of obtaining anaerobic samples.

We Offer Flexible Vinyl Chamber Leases to Fit Every Need

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Founder-Friendly Leases

Our lease agreements are founder-friendly and flexible, helping you preserve working capital, strengthen the cash flow of your business, and keep business credit lines open for expansions, staffing, and other crucial operational expenses and business development opportunities.

2-5 Year Lease Lengths

Leases range from 2 to 5 years. Length will depend on several factors, including how long you want to use the equipment, equipment type, and your company’s financial position. These are standard factors leasing companies consider and help us tailor a lease agreement to fit your needs.

Your Choice of Manufacturer

We don’t carry an inventory. This means you’re not limited to a specific set of manufacturers. Instead, you can pick the equipment that aligns with your business goals and preferences. We’ll work with the manufacturer of your choice to get the equipment in your facility as quickly as possible.

Maintenance & Repair Coverage

Bundle preventive maintenance and repair coverage with your lease agreement. You can spread those payments over time. Easily maintain your equipment, minimize the chances something will break down, repair instrumentation quickly, and simplify your payment processes.

End-of-Lease Options

At the end of your lease, you have multiple options. You can either renew the lease at a significantly lower price, purchase the machine outright based on the fair market value of the original pricing, or call it a day and we’ll come the pick up the equipment for you free of charge.

No Loan-Like Terms

Our leases do not include loan-like terms, which can be restrictive or harmful in certain situations. We do not require debt covenants, IP pledges, collateral,  or equity participation. Our goal is to maximize your flexibility. When you lease with us, you’re collaborating with a true business partner.

In-House Underwriting Process

Our underwriting is done in-house. You can expect quicker turnaround, allowing you respond to your equipment needs as they arise. We require less documentation than traditional lenders and financiers and can get the equipment you need in operation more quickly.