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

*US Patent 7,245,368

Flow Profile

This series of incubation chambers all have the common feature of a laminar flow chamber on the underside of the chamber.  The arrows in the image to the left illustrate the direction of perfusion flow.  The standard fluidic ports for sample introduction or perfusion use 1/16 inch OD or 1/16 ID tubing, depending on the model type.  The narrow space between the o-rings is connect to a vacuum that function to hold the coverslip to the chamber body.  You can use the Model VCS-1 vacuum system provided by C&L Instruments or an ordinary laboratory vacuum.  

Laminar Flow Round, Models VC-LFR-25, VC-LFR-25-H

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. 

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. 

The chambers made of metal (aluminum or stainless steel) are available with integrated heating elements for precise temperature control (Model VC-LFR-25-H). They can be fabricated with other materials on special request.

Although this Vacu-Cell^TM is designed for  a 25 mm coverslip, it will adhere to a larger surface.  It will form a chamber with virtually any flat surface having a minimum of a 25 mm diameter.  Shown on the left is the chamber adhered to the bottom of one well of a six well microtitre plate without the use of a coverslip. These chambers can be connected in series or in parallel to make a variety of incubation configurations. 

This chamber uses 1/16 OD tubing for the perfusion ports and 1/16 inch ID tubing for the hose barb vacuum port.  The chamber is sold as a kit that included the chamber, o-rings, connectors and tubing.

Laminar Flow Round, Models VC-LFR-18, VC-LFR-18-H

We also offer a similar Laminar Flow design for use with 18 mm diameter coverslips.  For added convenience, the models LFR-25 and LFR-18 chambers have the same outer diameter (1.12 inches) and use the identical microscope chamber holder. 

Although this Vacu-Cell^TM is designed for an 18 mm coverslip, it will adhere to a larger surface.  It will form a chamber with virtually any flat surface having a minimum of an 18 mm diameter.  The dimensions of the flow chamber are listed in the table below.  size of the flow chamber is 4.8 mm (length) x 8.0 mm (width) x 0.25 mm (depth).

The chambers made of metal (aluminum or stainless steel) are available with integrated heating elements for precise temperature control (Model VC-LFR-18-H). They can be fabricated with other materials on special request.  The image to the right shows the chamber with an integrated heating element.

This chamber uses 1/16 ID tubing for the perfusion barbed ports and 1/16 inch ID tubing for the hose barb vacuum port.  The chamber is sold as a kit that included the chamber, o-rings, connectors and tubing. 

Laminar Flow Round, Models VC-LFR-18m, VC-LFR-18m-H

The model VC-LFR-18m and VC-LFR-18m-H chambers are similar to the VC-LFR-18 described above, but the chamber body is 0.75 inches in diameter as opposed to 1.21 inches. 

Although this Vacu-Cell^TM is designed for an 18 mm coverslip, it will adhere to a larger surface.  It will form a chamber with virtually any flat surface having a minimum of an 18 mm diameter.  The size of the flow chamber is 4.8 mm (length) x 8.0 mm (width) x 0.25 mm (depth).

The chambers made of metal (aluminum or stainless steel) are available with integrated heating elements for precise temperature control (Model VC-LFR-18-H). They can be fabricated with other materials on special request. 

This chamber uses 1/16 ID tubing for the perfusion barbed ports and 1/16 inch ID tubing for the hose barb vacuum port.  The chamber is sold as a kit that included the chamber, o-rings, connectors and tubing. 

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. 

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 black anodized aluminum or stainless steel.  These chambers are ideal for epifluorescence and TIRF fluorescence experiments.  We also can make custom chamber configurations to your specifications.  Please contact 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

Pricing Information