Development of hypoxia control device for cell culture in vitro

Abstract

Objective To simulate the hypoxic environment of cells in vivo more approximately, a hypoxia control device which can control oxygen concentration automatically for cell culture in vitro was developed. Methods In vitro cell culture hypoxia control device consisted of hardware and software which were controlled by computer. The hardware was composed of oxygen detection and control system, nitrogen gas pipeline, cell culture and anti⁃jamming device, and the software was based on Clanguage. When oxygen controlle rreads the oxygen concent ration more than the set value, the nitrogen gas pipeline opens and nitrogen enter into the incubator; when reaching the set value, the nitrogen gas pipe⁃ line closes and nitrogen is not allowed to pass through. Circularly, a constant oxygen concentration was reached and maintained. This device was further verified by comparing the set value of the equipment with figures of the oxygen me⁃ ter and by monitoring fluctuation condition after the oxygen concentration reaching the set value. Results There was no significant difference between the oxygen concentration set in the in vitro cell culture hypoxia control device and the actual oxygen concentration in the measured box (P > 0.05), and the accuracy of the device to set the value of the simu⁃ lation up to ± 0.5% of the requirements to meet the system accuracy requirements, and can remain stable for a long time. Conclusion The device can effectively control the oxygen concentration to the required requirements, to meet the conditions in the hypoxic conditions for in vitro cell culture.

Keywords

• Hypoxia control device
• Cell culture
• Oxygen
• Nitrogen