IVC Air Sampling Device for Contamination-Free Pathogen Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for microbiological monitoring in IVC rack systems for laboratory animals are inefficient, requiring large numbers of sentinel animals, which is costly and raises ethical concerns, and do not allow for safe and contamination-free sampling of airborne pathogens, potentially leading to unreliable results and exposure risks.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a support frame and sampling means with a capturing scaffold and sheath, allowing for contamination-free removal and analysis of biological samples from the air guidance system without interrupting the ventilation flow, enabling safe handling and retrofitting onto existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional microbiological monitoring methods using sentinel animals are employed, then infection detection capability is improved, but animal cost and ethical concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the monitoring function from the animal-based system and implements it directly in the air guidance system through sampling ports and filters. This allows pathogen detection in the airflow without requiring sentinel animals, thereby maintaining infection detection capability while eliminating the need for additional animals.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary sampling system that captures airborne particles and pathogens from the air guidance system. This intermediary mechanism transfers the monitoring function from direct animal exposure to indirect air sampling, reducing the need for sentinel animals while maintaining detection accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If sampling ports are opened in the air guidance system for microbiological monitoring, then pathogen detection capability is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies preliminary anti-action by equipping sampling ports with filters and containment mechanisms before sampling occurs. The filters prevent pathogens from escaping during sampling operations, and the design ensures that opening sampling ports does not create contamination pathways, thus preventing harm before it can occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs disposable filters and single-use sampling components that are discarded after use. This eliminates the risk of cross-contamination between sampling events and ensures that each sampling operation is independent and contamination-free, allowing frequent monitoring without contamination concerns.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If IVC rack systems are implemented for controlled environment housing, then animal protection from airborne pathogens is improved, but microbiological monitoring efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention makes the air guidance system multi-functional by integrating both animal protection and monitoring functions into a single system. The air guidance system continues to provide filtered air to protect animals while simultaneously serving as the sampling platform for pathogen detection, thereby maintaining protection effectiveness while improving monitoring efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention enables the air guidance system to serve itself by using its own airflow and structure for monitoring purposes. Sampling ports are integrated into the existing air guidance infrastructure, allowing the system to perform self-diagnosis and monitoring without requiring separate monitoring equipment or disrupting animal protection functions.
4Loss of information
If sampling operations are performed in IVC systems, then health status data collection is improved, but airflow disruption occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the air guidance system into multiple independent zones with separate sampling ports distributed throughout. This allows sampling to occur in specific locations without disrupting the overall airflow pattern, as each segment operates independently and sampling at one location does not affect ventilation efficiency in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention implements periodic sampling rather than continuous monitoring, with sampling ports opened only when needed for data collection. This periodic action minimizes disruption to airflow, as the sampling ports remain closed during normal operation and only open briefly for sampling events, thereby maintaining ventilation efficiency while still collecting necessary health status data.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention concerns a device for improved hygienic monitoring of individually ventilated caging (IVC) rack systems for laboratory animals and method for contamination-free removal of biological samples from unwanted organisms from the IVC-rack system. The device allows the performance of sampling operations on a ventilated shelving system in a safe and effective manner, without interfering with the ventilation air flow. The method of the invention allows the removal and transfer of the biological sample from inside the IVC-rack in a contamination-free manner by enabling a safe transfer of the sample from inside the IVC-rack system to any further processing procedure for analysis of the biological sample outside the IVC-rack system. It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device which is adapted to be used also on existing ventilated shelving systems, allowing the refitting of existing IVC-rack systems.