Suspended Perforated Floor for Laboratory Animal Cage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ventilated caging systems for laboratory animals are suboptimal due to the inability to dry bedding, leading to ammonia gas formation, which causes respiratory issues in rodents and requires high air change rates, resulting in animal discomfort, increased energy costs, and potential dehydration.
Innovation Solution
A cage system with a laminar airflow from bottom to top, utilizing a removable perforated floor suspended above a solid cage floor, which allows clean air to circulate through the bedding, removing moisture and contaminants, and includes an adjustable air supply system to maintain optimal conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If high air change rates are used to remove ammonia, then ammonia removal is improved, but energy consumption increases and animal comfort deteriorates due to chilling and dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by directing airflow through the bedding material before animals contact it, pre-drying the bedding to prevent ammonia formation at the source. This proactive approach eliminates the need for continuous high-rate air changes to remove ammonia, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining effective ammonia control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of airflow by directing it through the bedding to dry it, transforming the airflow from a potential source of chilling into a beneficial drying mechanism. This converts what would be harmful (cold airflow on animals) into a beneficial effect (drying bedding to prevent ammonia formation).
2Device complexity
If solid bottom cages are used to hold bedding, then animal housing is simplified, but moisture removal from bedding is ineffective
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a porous airflow distribution layer beneath the bedding material that allows air to pass through uniformly across the entire bedding area. This porous structure enables effective moisture removal from the bedding while maintaining a simple cage overall structure, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and effective moisture removal.
3Ease of operation
If automatic watering systems are used, then water delivery is improved, but leakage and flooding problems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a gravity-driven water delivery system where water flows automatically from a reservoir through a tube to a distribution point in the cage. This self-service system requires no active control mechanisms, pumps, or valves, thereby eliminating leakage problems while maintaining reliable water delivery. The system uses the natural force of gravity to regulate water flow.
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
This design effectively dries bedding, reduces ammonia formation, improves animal comfort, decreases energy consumption, and minimizes the risk of dehydration and contamination, while maintaining a healthy environment and reducing operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The cage has a laminar air flow from bottom to top
Implementation Method 2
direct airflow through the bedding, thus keeping it dry which will reduce bacteria formation caused by humidity and moisture
Implementation Method 3
Airflow is introduced into the cage either positive or negative pressure in an attempt to rid the cage of harmful contaminants
Data Source
AI summary
An animal cage includes a removable, suspended interior floor provided with a plurality of perforations formed therein. The floor creates a plenum inside the cage allowing air to flow laminarly through the perforations and liquids or liquid waste to substantially fall through the perforations in the raised floor.