Vacu-Cell^TM
Cell Perfusion and Incubation Chambers*

*Patent Pending

Overview

C&L introduces the Vacu-Cell^TM  line of perfusion chambers for microscopy.  The unique design of the Vacu-Cell^TM holds a coverslip or other flat surface by one side only, forming a perfusion chamber.  The Vacu-Cell^TM design provides several major advantages over microscope cell chambers made by other companies. The advantages of the Vacu-Cell^TM include:

• Complete access to the bottom of the chamber, all the way to the edges. This is perfect for oil immersion objectives and through-the-objective TIRF experiments, when access across the entire coverslip is preferred.  No holders or retaining rings are in the way of the microscope objective.
• The chamber is formed directly from one or two coverslips, a  Petri dish or a microtitre plate by suction.  Just a simple laboratory vacuum does all the work to hold the surface firmly to the chamber body in a water-tight fashion.
• Several chamber models contain an integrated heating element for precise temperature control.  Other chamber styles work with a heated stage adapter.
• Chambers are forms very quickly, with no fuss.  Snaps, screws or fixtures, that you can lose and which will wear out and break, are not required.
• Many types of chamber configurations are available, for both round and rectangular coverslips.  Several chambers are designed for open-top incubation.  Closed laminar flow chambers are available that use coverslips separated by only 100 microns.

Categories

We offer Vacu-Cell^TM  chambers in three different series to suite various perfusion and microscopy requirements.  Several chambers can be used for either standard or inverted microscopes.

Follow these links to pages that describe the various chambers available in these three series, and the accessories used with the chambers.

• Round Vacu-Cell Configurations
  • Laminar Flow Round
  • Center Perfusion Round
  • Open Top Round
• Rectangular Vacu-Cell Configurations
  • Large Window Rectangular
  • Thin Window Rectangular
  • 24 Well Microtitre
  • Laminar flow for 1x3 slides
• Mini Vacu-Cell Configurations
  • Large Window Mini
  • Thin Window Mini
  • Open Top Mini
• Vacuum Pump System
• Temperature Controller
• Product Literature

Shear Stress Experiments

Several of our Vacu-Cell^TM chambers designs are ideally suited for experiments where application of a controlled shear stress to cells attached to a coverslip surface is desired.  Details of how our chambers can be used for shear stress experiments are discussed in an Application Note.  Several of our customers have critically evaluated these chambers for use in shear stress experiments and have given us testimonials about their performance.  We invite you to read their comments. 

Vacuum System

Vacuum Pump System (Model VCS-1)

We also offer a Vacuum Pump system for use with these perfusion chambers. The pump draws a vacuum of approximately -20 inches Hg and it fitted with a Luer-lock port for easy connectivity to standard tubing systems.  The Model VCS-1 vacuum pump assembly is approximately 8.4 (width) x 8.0 (depth) x 5.8 (height) inches in size.  Our perfusion chambers also work well with other standard laboratory vacuum supplies.

Pricing Information

Temperature Controller

Temperature Controller (Model TC-30)

We provide a temperature controller designed to regulate the temperature of our Vacu-Cell^TM chambers.  The controller has several features designed for precise, noise-free temperature control.

Literature

Download our complete Vacu-Cell^TM product line specification literature (PDF format).  A current price list is also available.