Self-sterilizing automated incubator

摘要

A method and system for self-sterilizing an automated incubator is disclosed. The internal temperature of the automated incubator is elevated by forcing hot air to flow into the internal incubation chamber, wherein all mechanics and electronics associated with the automated plate mover are outside the internal incubation chamber. During sterilization, the heating system of the automated incubator will force hot air to flow over the internal surfaces of the incubator, thereby reducing contaminating microorganism resistance by inducing dehydration.

主权项

1. An automated incubator including an internal incubation chamber and an automated plate mover, the automated incubator comprising:
a heating system configured to force hot air into the internal incubation chamber of the automated incubator, wherein all mechanics and electronics associated with the automated plate mover are located outside the internal incubation chamber, wherein the heating system forces sufficient hot air into the internal incubation chamber to raise an internal temperature of the internal incubation chamber to approximately 130-180° C., for a period of approximately one to four hours; and a housing connected with the internal incubation chamber, the housing including a controller programmed to regulate the internal temperature within the internal incubation chamber and a relative humidity within the internal incubation chamber by instructing the heating system to force sufficient hot air into the internal incubation chamber to raise the internal temperature of the internal incubation chamber to approximately 130-180° C., for the period of approximately one to four hours, wherein the controller is located outside of the internal incubation chamber.