Xvivo System® Model X3

Cytocentric® by Design

The Hypoxia Incubator and Glovebox Configuration of the Xvivo System® model X3 is a simple but sophisticated hypoxia cell culture system. It is the most economical cell culture hood configuration available with identical incubation and handling oxygen tensions. Modular, independent controls and components deliver all essential functions, yet offer unlimited upgrade options.

Unlike bacteria glove boxes cobbed up for cells, the model X3 Xvivo system® was designed for cells. It is economically competitive with all bacteria hypoxia glove boxes, but offers much more capability including active particle clearing to ISO 5. Features comfortable, soft glove sleeves as opposed to hard, uncomfortable holes. Ample head room allows for easy pipetting and use of other equipment and accessories.

Docking for remote culture chambers and transport chambers allows you to transport cells from the closed hood to other areas without risk of contamination. Expand culture capacity infinitely with this cell culture hood. Use culture chambers to receive cells from every incubator in your lab.

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Cytocentric-by-Design ushers in new era for cell scientists at the leading edge!

New and Better Equipment Conventional incubators and hoods haven’t changed in decades. They are limited in ability. They were designed for people, not cells. Now a radical new alternative type of equipment is available for manipulating and growing cells. It is unlike any other equipment. The Xvivo System® is the first system designed to go beyond the ordinary needs of people and specifically address the advanced needs of cells. Better for your cells. Better for you.

From the Perspective of Cells When you look through the eyes of your cells, handicaps inherent in conventional People-Centric equipment are obvious. Protection from contamination is poor. Critical parameters are not accounted for, or poorly controlled at best. Eliminating these handicaps and better meeting the needs of cells requires something different. For people, the Xvivo System® may be a radical new concept. For cells, it’s not. For cells, it is about time.

Cell Incubation and Processing Re-Invented In contrast to conventional cell culture and processing in open incubators and open hoods, the Xvivo System® consists of modular sets of closed incubators and closed hoods, all integrated together as co-chambers and sub-chambers. Modularity allows an infinite variety of different configurations. All are completely closed, with aseptic conditions throughout, and advanced controls wherever needed. Microscopes, centrifuges, sorters, and all other common cell tools can be integrated as well. For the first time, cell needs can be met by one efficient system.

High Performance Incubators Our hypoxia chambers for incubation are integrated into the hoods where you need them, and open only into the hood. This eliminates 2 major handicaps in conventional open incubators and open hoods. First, incubators can’t get contaminated by people or by the room. They are isolated from both. They open only into the aseptic hood. Second, cells never see any disruptions in critical cell parameters, because all cell parameters controlled in incubators are also identically controlled in hoods. Any number of independent incubation chambers can be fitted into a system. Each can be sized for and dedicated to each different culture to accommodate any number of different culture protocols simultaneously. Basic cell parameters like O₂ are fully accounted for, and exotic new cell parameters not available elsewhere provide better simulation of physiologic conditions. Every parameter can have dynamic control to keep up with the changing dynamics of any cell population.

Expansion Protocol – Primary cultures and other low cell population density do best under low oxygen gas phase when they start, but when they grow, they are bound to need more. You can design any ramp up in oxygen, and consistently repeat it. With a click of the mouse.

Acute/Intermittent Hypoxia – Hypoxic stress can model components of many severe diseases such as heart attacks, strokes, asthma, or epilepsy. Frequency, duration and degree of drops are all adjustable.

Hypoxic Preconditioning – Cells destined for implantation will experience hypoxia and may be better prepared if they are conditioned to it before implantation. Ischemia may also be protected by conditioning. The OxcyCycler C42 can easily run any preconditioning profile.

xvivo3 overview 04 Hypothetical Protocol – To illustrate the unprecedented power of dynamic multi-variable optimization, imagine you have a transgenic cell population to be implanted. You use the last few hours before implantation to prepare it. You know the cells are going to better survive the time between the dish and the body if their metabolism slows down, so you program the temperature to gradually cool the cells just before they leave the incubator. You know your cells are going to be hypoxic for their first few days in the body, so you program the O₂ for a series of acute hypoxic episodes in the last hours before implantation to precondition them, then at the last moment make the O₂ rise to saturate their media just before they leave the incubator. You also know they will handle the stress a lot better if you can upregulate their stress response, so you program a short burst of CO just before they leave the incubator. As usual, you program the CO₂ concentration to stay constant while the other variables are manipulated up and down.

High Performance Integrated Hoods Hoods are closed instead of open. Isolation of cells away from people and the room cuts risk of contamination during handling dramatically. Multiple levels of aseptic conditioning provides a more cleaner cell environment than any conventional BSL Class 100 hood. All manual and automated processing is protected from contamination. All incubators are protected because they open only into these isolated protected aseptic hoods. All cells are protected. All the time. Hoods can have some or all the same cell parameters as the incubators. Now it is easy to handle and process cells with no disruption in optimum conditions.

Unlimited Flexibility Xvivo System® modularity means you can invest with confidence. Start small and expand as necessary. Reconfigure if your needs change. No dead ends. Xvivo System® can grow with you. Modularity allows you to invest in just what you need now, and then add to it later when your needs change or expand.

xvivo3 overview 05

Step One: Starter system with one closed hood for culture processing and one incubation chamber on end.
Step Two: Same starter system: moved incubator to back wall, added a microscope chamber (open and contiguous with culture processing chamber), and another processing chamber for second technician and 3rd party equipment like cell separator, colony picker, plate reader, etc.
Step Three: Added 12 additional incubation chambers (8 in one hood, 4 in the other) for a new total of 13, each independently controlled, and added a couple of small laminar flow clean hoods one at each end. Modularity means you will never be limited.

Fit any application, any budget, any lab, any cyto-need.

As opposed to conventional independent laboratory appliances, the Xvivo System® is an integrated system of modules consisting of interconnecting chambers, subchambers, and co-chambers, each functionalized with controls for just the performance and efficiency required. All modules are compatible with all other modules. They can be mixed and matched to fit together and work together in millions of different ways to provide exactly what you and your cells need now, and change as your needs evolve. All modules can be reconfigured as needed, expanded as needed, redeployed as needed. You and your cells will never be dead-ended.

Building-blocks for Cyto-Success

3 categories of essential modules and 2 categories of non-essential but supporting modules are all it takes. Essential modules are the processing chambers, incubation chambers, and buffer chambers. Non-essential modules are laminar clean hoods and base cabinets. Systems are configured appropriately for size and function, and can be modified to scale up or scale out as needed.

Processing Chamber Modules

xvivo3 module 01 Processing chambers are the modules inside of which you handle and process cells. They are basically closed hoods. They are closed like a glove box with soft sealed glove windows. They are clean inside like a conventional hood, but actually cleaner due to multiple levels of aseptic conditioning and the absolute isolation. Plus they are like incubators because the full suite of critical cell parameters can be controlled inside too, including temperature, CO₂, O₂, CO, etc. Process chambers interconnect with any other process chamber or any buffer chamber. Various types of processing chambers are available: Culture Processing Chambers are uniquely designed to integrate with Incubation Chambers. They have the highest degree of aseptic conditioning so your incubators open only into the cleanest of environments. This eliminates the chance of contaminating your incubators. It also eliminates the chance of contaminating your cells during handling and processing. The other processing chambers can optionally be configured with the same degree of cleanliness, but it is always obligatory in Culture Processing Chambers. From 1 to 12 independent Incubation Chambers (depending on incubator size) can be fitted to each Culture Processing Chamber (depending on interconnecting modules). Critical cell parameter control options further functionalize these process chambers so cells experience no disruptions when removed from the incubators. General Processing Chambers are available in various sizes, but otherwise have all the same controls for aseptic conditioning and critical cell parameters as options. Equipment Specific Processing Chambers are functionalized for specific equipment needs, especially the physical size and shape and access points necessary to efficiently integrate it. Any piece or multiple pieces of equipment can be accommodated, including microscopes, centrifuges, cell sorters, cell separators, liquid handling robots, any and all automation packages, any and all 3rd party equipment. Even conventional laboratory appliances such as incubators, refrigerators, freezers can be integrated. All the same controls for aseptic conditioning and critical cell parameters are available as options.

Incubator Bank Modules

Incubator Bank Modules hold one or more incubation chambers mounted in the bank. Up to 3 Incubator Bank Modules can integrate with a Culture Processing Chamber. Up to 4 Incubation chambers depending on height can be mounted in each Incubator Bank Module. Incubation Chambers mount on internal face of Incubator Bank Module so incubator door opens only into the aseptic controlled atmosphere workspace of Culture Processing Chamber. Incubation chambers come in different sizes and many control options are available to optimize the critical cell parameters for health and long term culture of cells in culture vessels. Removable racks, slide out trays, water pans are options.

Buffer Chamber Modules

xvivo3 module 05 Buffer Chambers are the pass-thru passageways that isolate different sections of a system. They are like air locks (except they never keep air in them) with double doors. Buffer chambers provide separation between outside and inside of system so items can be passed in and out without compromising isolation. They also provide separation between adjacent processing chambers so items can be passed back and forth without compromising separation. Aseptic processing options and control options in Buffer Chambers are available depending on application. Various sizes and shapes with single or multiple channels are options, and multiple door options are available to accommodate any pass-thru need. Any Buffer Chamber can interconnect with any Process Chamber.

Clean Hoods

xvivo3 module 06 Staging area for preparation of items entering and exiting an Xvivo System®. Clean air is provided by HEPA filtered horizontal laminar air flow from back of hood toward open front of hood. Note that these are not BSL safety hoods, only clean hoods. Primary function is to provide a clean area for swabbing, debagging, etc. as well as for other preparations. Secondary function is to assure that any air going into an adjacent buffer chamber is clean. Various widths are available. All interconnect to any buffer chamber.

Base Cabinets

xvivo3 module 07 Small or large, any configuration can be fitted with base cabinets to make it free standing and moveable on casters. Options for shelves and/or cabinets built into base.

Unlimited Size And Shape And Function:

You can even put the entire lab inside. It is possible to transform all open cell-incompatible bench tops designed for people to a fully Cytocentric® facility! xvivo3 module 08 xvivo3 module 09 xvivo3 module 10

Xvivo System® Configurations

Modular design of Xvivo System® allows unlimited flexibility in physical and functional configuration. Up front you can specify it to fit any existing space, budget, or need. Later you can reconfigure it as needed, as your space, budget and need changes. Popular applications are usually configured with a common set of functional features particularly useful in that application. Examples:

Stem Cell Superstation xvivo3 stemcellsuperstation

Usually configured with multiple independent incubation chambers for multiple simultaneous protocols including: low O₂ for simulation of stem cell niche, low O₂ for high efficiency induction of iPSC cells, low O₂ for prevention of chromosomal damage in long term hESC cultures, dynamic O₂ and CO₂ for increased stem cell expansion, dynamic O₂ for induction of proliferation and differentiation phenotypes, inverted microscope chamber with uninterruptible conditions, and other equipment specific processing chambers as needed, fully expandable and upgradeable into a cGMP compliant stem cell production mini-facility for later clinical trials. Oxygen Core Facility xvivo3 oxygencorefacility

Usually configured with multiple processing chambers for multiple simultaneous users, each with full range O₂ control for uninterrupted handling, and multiple independent incubation chambers each with full range dynamic O₂ control, and pericellular dissolved O₂ sensors. Designed to characterize pericellular O₂ achieved in existing protocols and then correct as necessary. Carbon Monoxide Core Facility xvivo3 carbonmonoxidecorefacility

Usually configured for multiple simultaneous users, multiple simultaneous incubation protocols with full range dynamic control of CO, O₂, and CO₂ in all incubation chambers, external CO safety monitor and alarms, microscope chambers as needed, other equipment chambers as needed, and total containment. IVF Superstation xvivo3 ivfsuperstation

Usually configured with closed aseptic micro-dissection station controlled at low O₂, and embryo culture station with multiple independent isolated incubation chambers with CO₂ and low O₂ control for optimizing physiologic simulation of embryo formation all integrated into aseptic processing chamber with identical O₂, CO₂, and temperature for uninterrupted handling of embryos before implantation. Whether required or not, provides a platform for any IVF program to easily and economically achieve cGMP compliance.

Live Cell Microscopy Superstation xvivo3 livecellmicroscopysuperstation

Usually configured with multiple microscope chambers integrated and organized around one or more incubation chambers. Microscope chambers provide aseptic and cell optimized conditions around all microscopes enabling longer better controlled simultaneous exposures. Incubation chambers with identical conditions as microscope provide large cohort of cells identical to those imaged. Phenotype Incubator xvivo3 phenotypeincubator

Usually configured with multiple banks of fully loaded independent incubation chambers, each with dynamic O₂, CO₂, NO, and CO control for maximal simulation of diverse physiologic conditions and rapid protocol development. Programmability provides control over the time factor in development. Each incubator bank is usually integrated inside a processing chamber with identical controls for uninterruptible processing to avoid disturbance of all conditions that affect gene expression whether through transcription, epigenetics, or splicing. Virus, Vector, Prion Incubator xvivo3 virusvectorprionincubator

Usually configured for total containment to protect users, with physiologic simulation and uninterruptible conditions, with third party equipment as needed.

Hypoxia Superstation xvivo3 hypoxiasuperstation

Usually configured with deep hypoxia (to 0.1%) processing chambers integrated with deep hypoxia (to 0.1%) incubation chambers, for uninterrupted handling and processing of hypoxic cultures. Multiple independent incubation chamber with low range (0.1 – 20.9%) O₂ control and programmability for intermittent hypoxia, acute hypoxia, chronic hypoxia, and dynamic programmable CO₂ control for bicarbonate buffering against lactic acidosis. Primary Culture Incubator xvivo3 primarycultureincubator

Usually configured with quarantine section due to high probability of sample contamination. Quarantine culture chambers are clear in order to detect overt contamination, and can be removed from system before opening to prevent contamination of system. Each is small and dedicated one primary per chamber with low O2 tension where primaries grow best. Contamination free cultures are released out of quarantine, and expanded in inner section configured with large incubation chambers with dynamic O₂/CO₂. Nitric Oxide Core Facility xvivo3 nitricoxidecorefacility

Usually configured for multiple simultaneous users, multiple simultaneous incubation protocols with full range dynamic control of NO, O₂, and CO₂ in all incubation chambers, external NO safety monitor and alarms, microscope chambers as needed, other equipment chambers as needed, and total containment.