Flexible Film Isolators: The Trexler Legacy

From Steel to Film: The Origins of Isolators

The story of isolators begins not with film, but with steel. In the late 1930s and early 1940s, James A. Reyniers, working at the University of Notre Dame, sought to create a sterile environment for germ-free animal research.

Together with engineer Philip C. Trexler, Reyniers developed a stainless steel isolator. Built by Reyniers & Sons of Chicago, this unit was a steam-sterilised, airtight cylinder with glass windows, glove ports, and integrated sterilisation. It proved that complete microbial containment was possible — but the equipment was bulky, costly, and difficult to move.

The Trexler Isolator: A Flexible Revolution

By the 1950s, Trexler pushed for a more practical solution. He introduced the Trexler Isolator, made from transparent flexible PVC film stretched over a lightweight frame.

This design changed everything:

• Affordable compared to rigid steel models
• Portable, easy to set up in any lab
• Clear visibility for operators
• Adaptable layouts for different tasks

What started as a research tool for germ-free animals soon expanded. Flexible film isolators became essential in sterility testing, aseptic processing, and even high-containment medical work, including outbreaks like Ebola.

Modern Advances

Today’s Flexible Film Isolators still build on Trexler’s vision. New polymers, better sealing systems, and ergonomic improvements make them safer and more user-friendly. They remain vital in research, manufacturing, and healthcare — carrying forward the principle that containment can be both reliable and practical.

A Lasting Legacy

From the heavy steel chambers of Reyniers to the lightweight Trexler Isolator, each step in history has been about one thing: achieving sterility in a smarter, more practical way.

That same drive shapes our own flexible film isolators today. We’ve taken the lessons from the pioneers and advanced them with modern materials, ergonomic designs, and a focus on both operator safety and sustainability.

The result is isolators that carry forward the ingenuity of the past while solving the challenges of today’s laboratories and production spaces.