10–100 µL Immunostain Moisture Chamber — Polystyrene, Natural, 3/Bag (240-9000-010)
The Caplugs® Evergreen 240-9000-010 is a natural polystyrene (PS) immunostain moisture chamber engineered to maintain a saturated humid environment around standard 25 × 75 mm microscope slides during antibody incubation steps in IHC, IF, FISH, ISH, and proximity ligation assays. Evaporation of small-volume antibody solutions (10–100 µL) causes concentration gradients, uneven staining, edge artifacts, and false-positive signal — the sealed humid enclosure eliminates those variables across room-temperature, 4°C, and 37°C incubations. Supplied non-sterile in bags of three, these chambers are autoclave-compatible for decontamination between staining runs.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Part Number (MPN) | 240-9000-010 |
| Product Type | Immunostain Moisture Chamber |
| Material | Polystyrene (PS) |
| Color | Natural (Translucent) |
| Slide Format | Standard 25 × 75 mm microscope slides |
| Working Volume | 10–100 µL antibody solution per slide |
| Light Properties | Translucent — visual monitoring without opening |
| Sterility | Non-Sterile |
| Pack Size | 3/Bag |
| Autoclave Compatibility | Compatible (121°C / 15 psi) |
| BPA / Phthalates | BPA-free; no phthalate plasticizers |
| Country of Origin | USA |
Applications
- Immunohistochemistry (IHC): primary and secondary antibody incubations, including overnight protocols at 4°C where evaporation risk is highest
- Immunofluorescence (IF): multi-step fluorescent antibody panels where consistent reagent coverage is critical for signal uniformity
- Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and in situ hybridization (ISH): extended incubations requiring stable humidity without fluid contact with the tissue section
- Proximity ligation assays (PLA) and other high-sensitivity slide-based assays where micro-volume reagent concentration must remain constant throughout incubation
- Routine histology counterstaining steps (hematoxylin, eosin, DAB) requiring a controlled environment
Chemical Resistance
| Reagent / Condition | Compatibility |
|---|---|
| PBS / TBS aqueous buffers | Excellent |
| Citrate antigen retrieval buffer | Excellent |
| EDTA antigen retrieval buffer | Excellent |
| Hematoxylin / Eosin stains | Excellent |
| DAB chromogen (aqueous) | Excellent |
| Ethanol (<70%, short-term contact) | Good — brief exposure only |
| Acetone / chloroform / aromatic solvents | Not recommended |
| Alcohols >70% or prolonged contact | Not recommended |
Quality & Procurement
Made in USA, these Caplugs® Evergreen moisture chambers are manufactured from virgin, BPA-free, phthalate-free polystyrene under ISO 9001 quality management. The rigid PS construction maintains precise chamber geometry under full slide loads, ensuring the lid seal holds throughout extended incubations — a detail that directly protects assay reproducibility. Autoclave compatibility (121°C / 15 psi) supports thorough decontamination between staining runs, and translucent natural PS allows technicians to visually confirm slide moisture and reagent coverage without disturbing the chamber. LabSupplies.com is an authorized Caplugs® Evergreen dealer shipping from USA inventory; volume and institutional pricing are available for high-throughput histology and pathology labs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can these moisture chambers be autoclaved between staining runs?
Yes — the polystyrene chambers are compatible with standard autoclave cycles at 121°C / 15 psi, making sterilization or decontamination between runs straightforward for shared-instrument environments.
Why choose the natural (translucent) version over the black or amber options?
The translucent natural PS allows you to visually inspect slide moisture and reagent coverage from outside the chamber without lifting the lid, minimizing disturbance during long or overnight incubations. Black chambers are preferred when light exclusion is critical (e.g., fluorescent antibodies), and amber chambers offer intermediate light attenuation for light-sensitive reagents.
How is humidity maintained inside the chamber?
The chamber floor is designed to hold distilled water or damp absorbent tissue at a defined depth below the slide surface. This creates a saturated microenvironment that prevents evaporation from small-volume antibody solutions without allowing fluid to contact the slide or tissue section directly.
Are these chambers compatible with standard microscope slides?
Yes — the chamber is designed for standard 25 × 75 mm microscope slides, the format used in the vast majority of IHC, IF, FISH, and ISH workflows in clinical and research laboratories.