Laminar Flow
Vacu-Cell^TM Incubation Chambers*
for 18 and 25 mm Round Coverslips

*Patent Pending

Laminar Flow Round (Models VC-LFR-25 and VC-LFR-18)

The Laminar Flow incubation perfusion chamber forms a small flow chamber using a coverslip or other flat surface.  The chamber body has a diameter of 1.12 inches and is 0.65 inches tall.  The coverslip is held to the chamber body by a vacuum.  You can use the Model VCS-1 vacuum system provided by C&L Instruments or an ordinary laboratory vacuum.  

Dual o-rings isolate the vacuum from the area of the coverslip under study and securely hold the coverslip in place, forming a laminar perfusion chamber.  For a complete 3-D view of this innovative design, download the animated chamber.  

As described below, the chambers made of metal (aluminum or stainless steel) are available with integrated heating elements for precise temperature control.

The Vacu-Cell^TM forms a chamber with virtually any flat surface, so you can culture cells directly in microtitre plates without using coverslips. This image shows a chamber formed from the Vacu-Cell^TM and a standard 6-well microtitre plate. 

We also offer a Laminar Flow design for use with 18 mm diameter coverslips.  For added convenience, Vacu-cells designed for 25 and 18 mm coverslips use the identical microscope chamber holder.

Flow Profile

The standard fluidic ports for sample introduction or perfusion use 1/16 inch OD tubing.  Hose barb fittings for 1/16 inch ID tubing are available on request.  The vacuum port is a hose barb connector for a 1/16 inch ID tube.  The arrows in this image illustrates the direction of fluid flow.  The horizontal arrows illustrate the flow within the laminar flow area.

Shear Stress Experiments

Several of our Vacu-Cell^TM chambers designs are ideally suited for experiments where application of a controlled shear stress cells on 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. 

Laminar Flow Round, with Integrated Heating Element

The LFR Vacu-Cell^TM series that are made of metal (aluminum or stainless steel) are also available with an integrated heating element for precise temperature control.  Imbedded in the chamber body is a heating element and a 1/16 inch diameter hole for a temperature sensor.  The sensor is a component of our Model TC-30 Temperature Controller.

Parylene-C Coated

All our Vacu-Cell^TM perfusion and incubation chambers that are made of black anodized aluminum are now also coated with Parylene-C.  The Parylene coating on the chamber is made to a uniform thickness of 0.5 mil (~12 microns).  This organic polymer coating makes the surface hard and completely bio-compatible.  It also exhibits a very low permeability to gasses.  This coating allows the chamber to be used for heat control (since aluminum conducts heat very well), but it effectively isolates the aluminum from your cells and media. You can read more about the remarkable properties of Parylene on our website. 

Chamber Specifications

The Laminar Flow Round chamber is designed to form a small rectangular flow chamber using a coverslip or other flat surface.  The specifications of the chamber are shown in the following table.

Chamber Dimension Specifications:

*The Total Volume refers to the Laminar Flow Volume (that portion of the chamber having a 0.25 mm thickness) plus the volume contained in the entrance and exit slots on either side of the laminar flow chamber.

This chamber is available in several materials, including black anodized aluminum, stainless steel, black delrin and clear acrylic.  The chamber made of clear acrylic allows the surface to be also viewed by transillumination.  These chambers are ideal for epifluorescence and TIRF fluorescence experiments.  We also can make custom chamber configurations to your specifications.  Please call us to discuss your application.  

Stage Holders

Stage holders are available for many popular inverted microscopes.  These holders gently clamp the Vacu-Cell^TM on the stage of the microscope using a single retaining spring clip.  The spring clip is easily moved to the side to insert the chamber into the holder using a thumb screw.  The stage holder is made of clear acrylic, allowing you to view the objectives below the microscope stage. 

Other Styles

We also manufacture other styles of Vacu-Cell^TM perfusion chambers for both circular and rectangular coverslips.  You can examine them on our product overview page.

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.  These 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.

Ordering Information, Chambers for 25mm round coverslip

Ordering Information, Chambers for 18mm round coverslip

Ordering Information, Stage Holders

(Specify microscope model when ordering)

Ordering Information, Coverslips

*No. 1, 0.13 - 0.16 mm thick
  No. 2, 0.19 - 0.23 mm thick

Download Product Specification Sheet

Pricing Information