Exhaust Plenum Collection Media for Pathogen Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for monitoring animal cage conditions rely on sentinel animals to detect pathogens, which is not only inefficient but also poses risks to the animals and requires additional handling.
Innovation Solution
A system that uses a collection media mounted in a vertical exhaust plenum to capture dust carrying rodent pathogen nucleic acid from the exhaust air, allowing for sampling and testing without the need for sentinel animals, while maintaining airflow and pressure within the cages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a collection media is mounted in the exhaust plenum to capture pathogens, then pathogen detection capability is improved, but airflow restriction and pressure deterioration may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The collection media is positioned at a specific location within the exhaust plenum where it can effectively intercept pathogens without creating significant airflow resistance. The media is configured with appropriate porosity and surface area characteristics that allow it to capture particles while maintaining adequate air flow through the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection media utilizes porous material structure that provides large surface area for pathogen capture while maintaining high permeability to air flow. The porous nature allows air to pass through easily while trapping particulate matter and pathogens on the media surfaces and within the pore structures.
2Measurement precision
If sentinel animals are used to monitor pathogens, then pathogen detection is achieved, but animal welfare and operational efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The pathogen detection function is extracted from the biological system (sentinel animals) and transferred to a physical sampling system. Collection media mounted in the exhaust plenum directly captures pathogens from the air stream, eliminating the need for sentinel animals and their associated handling, housing, and monitoring requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Collection media serves as an intermediary between the cage environment and the laboratory analysis system. The media captures and concentrates pathogens from the air flow, providing a representative sample that can be analyzed in the laboratory without requiring live animal sentinels.
3Measurement precision
If collection media is placed in exhaust plenum for sampling, then sampling effectiveness is improved, but shipping loss risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
Collection media is pre-installed in the exhaust plenum before sampling begins, ensuring it is in the correct position and orientation to effectively capture pathogens. The media is pre-conditioned and secured to prevent displacement or damage during subsequent handling and shipping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The collection media is secured with appropriate support structures and protective measures before sampling to prevent damage during removal and shipping. Packaging designs incorporate cushioning and stabilization features that protect the media from physical damage, contamination, or degradation during transport to the laboratory.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables effective monitoring of animal cage conditions by capturing and testing for pathogens directly from the exhaust air, reducing the need for sentinel animals and improving safety and efficiency in pathogen detection.
Implementation Method 1
Exhaust air dust clings to the collection media
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for monitoring conditions of a rack of animal cages. An animal caging system including a plurality of animal cages removably connected to an exhaust. Collection media is removably mounted in an exhaust plenum of the rack using a holder. Exhaust air dust clings to the collection media as exhaust from the animal cages flows along the length of the collection media. A door to the exhaust plenum can be opened and the collection media can be removed from the holder.