ECMINI™
Environmental control for the
Maestro™ platform
Benchtop CO2 control
Performance of cells in an in vitro assay is critically
dependent on the maintenance of a stable temperature and
CO2 environment. For Maestro MEA assays, that control is
available directly on the benchtop through Maestro internal
temperature regulation and the ECmini.
How the ECmini works
The ECmini gas delivery system consists of three parts: a
skirt, lid, and dedicated stand/flow meter. The detachable
gas skirt is secured onto the Maestro via concealed, paired
magnets. The skirt provides even delivery of pre-mixed
CO2 over the MEA plate, which prevents experimental
variability caused by pH drift. The lid maintains a dedicated
environmental chamber free from contamination while
providing rapid, easy access to the MEA plate. Gas flow
from a dedicated 5% CO2 source is controlled via an
easily-accessible flow meter housed in a secure stand for
the ECmini gas skirt and lid when not in use.
ECmini redesign
As new applications and features for the Maestro require
access to the MEA plate while recording (Lumos™ for topside optical stimulation; and Maestro APEX™ for assay
automation and pipettor access), the ECmini has been
redesigned with this need in mind. The new gas skirt has a
sleeker, thinner profile providing consistent environmental
conditions across the plate via 50 ports that circle the inside
chamber surrounding the engaged MEA.
ECmini CO2 environmental control comes standard with the Maestro microelectrode
array platform for worry-free benchtop recording.
ECmini gas skirt The newly redesigned ECmini delivers CO₂ to an engaged MEA
plate on the Maestro via an innovative gas skirt. Fifty ports on the skirt surround
the plate distributing gas evenly to every well for reliable, localized environmental
control.
axionbio.com
A
ECmini performance
The ECmini maintains cell health as effectively as a
standard incubator. With the ECmini in place, temperature
control enabled on the Maestro, and humidity chambers
on the MEA plate in use, local cellular environment on the
Maestro can be maintained for hours with the consistency
and accuracy of a dedicated incubator (right, top).
B
pH Maintenance
9
0
8.6
−10
Bench Top
−20
8.2
Beat Period
(% Change
from Baseline)
pH
7.8
ECmini
−40
−50
Incubator
7.4
−30
−60
7
0
4
8
12
−70
16
0
Time (hours)
To demonstrate the effect on cell health when the
A period
pH Maintenance
ECmini is not in place, beat
from established,
9
cultured cardiomyocytes was measured with and without
8.6
Top
experimental CO2 control (right, bottom).
To begin, Bench
data
was collected for 45 minutes in the 8.2
presence of the ECmini
providing 5% CO2. Upon removal
of the ECmini from the
pH
7.8
Maestro, cell health and function was notably impaired
ECmini
Incubator
yielding unstable results with large variability.
7.4
7
0
4
8
12
B
Cardiomyocyte Beat Period Stability
0
−10
ECmini providing
1 SCFH of 5% CO2
−20
Beat Period
(% Change
from Baseline)
−30
pH
−40
ECmini
removed
−50
−60
−70
16
Time (hours)
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
Time (minutes)
ECmini performance (top) The CO2 environment created by the ECmini equals that
of a stand-alone incubator; (bottom) Cell response in presence and absence of the
ECmini.
Axion CO2 gas mixer
Freedom from expensive, specialty gas tanks
For additional operational ease and flexibility, a compact,
benchtop gas mixer for the ECmini is available. This option
enables pairing the ECmini with a 100% CO2 source
(house supply or tank), eliminating the need for specialty
pre-mixed 5% gas tanks. With AxIS software controls,
local environment can be maintained and adjusted to
any concentration between 0-15% CO2. Save thousands
of dollars by using the ECmini/gas mixer with a standard
100% CO2 tank or use a house supply of carbon dioxide
for even greater savings and convenience.
Full AxIS integration
Control of the gas mixer is fully integrated into AxIS software
in the Environment Control module. Flow and concentration
controls as well as settings for an optional alarm for
notification when CO2 concentration is out of specification
are easily accessible at all times during an experiment.
ECmini gas mixer option Measures approximately 8” x 8” x 5” and eliminates
the need for specialty 5% CO2 tanks.
AxIS integration CO₂ control settings are readily available in AxIS during a
Maestro experiment; settings include CO2 concentration and flow rate
Axion BioSystems / axionbio.com / 404.477.2557 / [email protected]