Abstract: A laboratory animal cage including a basin and a removable hood positioned which define an inner space that is closed and not accessible from the outside. The basin includes a flat bottom wall and sidewalls joined thereto, which define a first support edge. The hood is tray-shaped to define a second engagement edge and includes a main cover wall. Positioning the hood over the basin prevents the inner space from being accessed via the opposing first support edge and second engagement edge. With the bottom of the basin positioned on a support plane, the maximum distance between the first support edge and the support plane is 110 mm or less. Additionally, at least 50% of the inner surface of the bottom wall has a minimum height measurement to the inner surface of the hood of at least 127 mm, which is available for an animal.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for automated behavioral and physiological testing of untethered testing animals. An automated behavioral testing system communicates with electronic devices attached to testing animals to provide automated physiological measurements and perturbations. The electronic devices are wirelessly charged to eliminate the need to remove the electronic devices during the course of the study. The automated behavioral testing system includes a filtering chamber positioned between a housing chamber and a behavioral testing chamber. The filtering chamber provides a passageway between the housing chamber and the behavioral testing chamber used to manage access to the behavioral testing chamber.

Abstract: A smart bed for an animal includes a microprocessor, and at least one sensor communicatively coupled with the microprocessor configured to measure at least one of ambient temperature, humidity, moisture, sound, animal temperature, animal weight, animal dimensions, and animal movement.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring conditions of an animal cage. An animal caging system including a plurality of animal cages removably connected to an exhaust. Cage collection media is removably mounted in a cage media housing coupled to an exhaust port of the animal cage. Exhaust air dust clings to the collection media as exhaust from the animal cages flows along the length of the collection media.

Abstract: A catch drawer litter box for the recovery of litter and prevention of unwanted dispersal outside of a litter box. The catch drawer litter box generally includes a base and a cover. The base generally comprises a recovery region, a litter region, and a base divider separating these two regions. The litter region generally comprises a litter container configured for the receipt of litter comprising litter particles. Recovery region generally comprises a grate with openings large enough to allow passage of litter particles and a recovery drawer configured for removable deposition within the recovery region via an opening in the base. The recovery drawer is configured to receive at least a portion of the particles of litter that may pass through the openings in the grate.

Abstract: A system for remote care of an animal includes a robotic animal caregiver that has a housing, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor in communication with the wireless data communication system disposed within the housing. The system further includes an aerial drone wirelessly communicatively coupled to the wireless data communication system of the robotic animal caregiver. The aerial drone includes a microprocessor, a wireless communication module, a video camera, the aerial drone configured to act in response to instructions issued by the microprocessor of the robotic animal caregiver.

Abstract: A storage container includes a container body, a lid, and a dividing member. The container body defines an accommodating space that has a top opening. The lid is removably disposed on the container body, and has two covering sections that cooperatively cover the opening. Each one of the covering sections is independently operable to uncover a part of the opening. The dividing member is removably disposed in the accommodating space for dividing the accommodating space into two compartments.

Abstract: Implementations of a rack for animal cages are provided. A rack may be comprised of multiple levels stacked together in a vertical orientation. In some implementations, each level of the rack acts as a frame configured to support thereon one or more tubs (i.e., cages). In some implementations, each level of the rack may be comprised of top panels, glides, joint connectors, vertically oriented legs, and cross beams. In some implementations, two glides may be positioned on a level of the rack to support a top panel and tub therebetween. In this way, the glides hold the top panel in position over the tub and thereby prevent an animal from escaping the interior compartment(s) of the tub. In some implementations, a level may be further comprised of a bracket having a lip thereon. In some implementations, the bracket may be used to reinforce the unsupported edges of the top panel.

Abstract: A system for remote care of an animal includes a robotic animal caregiver that includes a housing, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor in communication with the wireless data communication system disposed within the housing. The system further includes a smart collar to be worn by the animal operable to determine a geo-location and behavior information of the animal and communicate with the microprocessor.

Abstract: A laboratory animal breeding apparatus includes a case having a breeding space in which an experimental animal is bred; a cover covering an open upper portion of the case; and a filter separably provided on an opening portion formed in the cover or the case, and purifying air flowing into the breeding space.

Abstract: An animal monitoring device and method comprising an animal cage and associated electronics slab is described. The device is suitable for use in a modular vivarium implemented in one or two racks adjacent to walls in a holding pod. There is a one-to-one relationship between fixed slabs and removable cages. A single camera provides range of functions: its field of view includes the entire area of the cage accessible to an animal; it may observe water level in a water bottle; it may observe food level in a food tray; it may view activity on an exercise device; it may read the rear of cage card. The shape of the food tray is specialized to meet these requirements. An inner-cage frame holds elements in fixed locations within the cage. The cage is free of electronic penetrations. Supply and return air for the cage passes through the slab.

Abstract: A system for remote care of an animal includes a robotic animal caregiver that includes a housing, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor in communication with the wireless data communication system disposed within the housing. The system further includes a smart collar to be worn by the animal operable to determine a geo-location information of the animal and communicate with the microprocessor.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: A method for facilitating the delivery of water to a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages, for housing animals for an animal study, the method including; providing a plurality of cage level barrier-type cages for an animal study at a laboratory facility site, and disposing a bag forming apparatus at a clean side of a laboratory washroom at the laboratory facility site, wherein the bag forming apparatus is capable of providing sealed bags of water for use in the cage level barrier-type cages. The method can further include providing bag material to the laboratory facility site.

Abstract: A system for remote care of an animal includes a water-tight housing with a hardened structural shell defining a chamber for accommodating the animal, a door disposed in the housing providing entry into and exit from the chamber by the animal, a wireless data communication system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with a global computer network, a mobility portion coupled to the housing and operable to move the housing, and a microprocessor disposed within the housing and in communication with the wireless data communication system and operable to control the mobility portion and the door.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a customizable bio-manufacturing system which includes a manufacturing space having a first air handling system for providing supply air and a second air handling system for handling exhaust air, the supply air system being optionally provided with at least one of filtration, heating, cooling and or humidity control and a plurality of portable modules provided within the manufacturing space. At least one module having an interior capable of being interconnected with another module interior and each module's interior includes one or more components to perform at least one specific task of a biological, chemical, and/or pharmaceutical manufacturing process. At least one module includes an on-board environmental control system for controlling an environment within the module and a connection means for interconnecting the module interior with another module interior.

Abstract: A system for remote care of an animal comprises a housing, a mobility portion coupled to the housing and operable to move the housing, a wireless data communications system disposed within the housing and wirelessly communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and a microprocessor disposed within the housing and controlling the mobility portion. The system further includes a smart collar worn by the animal for effecting a variety of functions.

Abstract: An air supply apparatus for experimental husbandry equipments includes a frame having a plurality of cubicles formed by a support frame, and a container for containing and breading an experimental animal. The frame has an air supply pipeline comprising a main intake pipe and a main extraction pipe, and a branch intake pipe and a branch extraction pipe are installed between the two main pipes, wherein the branch intake pipe is interconnected with the main intake pipe, and the branch extraction pipe is interconnected to the main extraction pipe, and each branch pipe has a through hole formed at a position corresponsive to each cubicle and a joint for supplying air to the container, and the air supply pipeline has an adjusting device for adjusting the amount of supplied air, so that each container can obtain an equal amount of air.

Abstract: A system for remote animal care is presented and includes a housing and a mobility portion coupled to the housing and operable to move the housing. The system includes a data communications system and communicatively coupled with an external data communications system, and an electronic data processor controlling the mobility portion. Further, the system includes a food storage portion and a water storage portion. The system may also include receiving a plurality of location data associated with an animal, determining a location of a debris item associated with the animal, and a cleaning portion coupled to the housing. Also, method for animal care is presented. The method includes providing a mobile housing having a cleaning portion and determining a location of a debris item associated with an animal. The method also includes moving the mobile housing to the location of the debris item and cleaning the debris item.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of a cyclone separator for separating keratin particles originating from poultry out of a gas, in particular air. The separated particles comprise down particles. The invention furthermore relates to a climate chamber for hatching eggs and/or keeping poultry. Said climate chamber comprises a substantially closed compartment having two opposite side walls provided with one or more passages; as well as a substantially closed duct which extends outside the compartment and connects one of said side walls to the other of said side walls so as to form a substantially closed circuit together with the compartment. Said climate chamber furthermore comprises a cyclone separator, the inlet of which ends in the substantially closed duct and the outlet of which ends outside the closed duct for discharging into the environment.

Abstract: A rack system having shelves configured to support a plurality of disposable animal cages may include a modular configuration that is adapted to easily provide a desired rack size during manufacturing. A rack system may also include shelves which are configured to receive disposable cages and which have spring biased rails configured to receive edges of the disposable cages and provide a spring bias pushing apertures of a cage against nozzles of the shelf to provide a seal therebetween. A rack system may also include shelves which are configured to receive disposable cages and which have resilient flexible lids configured to deflect for releasable engagement into the rack assembly and establish a seal between the nozzle and receptacle for a controllable flow of air therethrough.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses and systems for convenient management of animals within a rodent containment cage system that includes labeling components, receiving data, associating the data, reporting the data and/or associations and locating components within the cage system. The management of the system may be self-contained, networked through a controller, local server and/or main server.

Abstract: A filter top assembly for a cage, wherein the assembly includes a bonnet having a perforated top wall to protect filter paper placed above the top wall. The perforations may be small enough to prevent an animal from getting a purchase position and spaced apart sufficiently to prevent the animal from biting the spacing between the perforations. The bonnet may also include one or more elevated ribs to retain the filter paper suspended above the bonnet.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: A closure system for a cage containing laboratory animals, where in an upper edge of the base of the cage an U-shaped housing towards the outside of the edge hosts a gasket having a lip projecting out of the upper edge, and s bending in contact with a side rim of the top, the side rim overlapping the upper edge, and comprising at least two latches, connected on one side to the base, and having a bending line with a smaller thickness, and a projecting hook at the opposite side, to be restrained in a slot in the top, so that in operation the latch bends in the bending line and the projecting hook can be engaged to or disengaged from the slot.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages, modular rack units and components thereof. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a cage rack system for animals, particularly for laboratory animals. This system can accommodate or comprises a plurality of cages ventilated individually or in groups. At least the majority of the cages comprise at least one air-inlet and at least one air-outlet. The cages can be selected according to the race, size, the number and/or conditions of the animals. The invention further comprises an air guidance system for delivering air to the air-inlet and/or collecting air from the air-outlet with integral or separated conduits. Further, there is provided at least one sampling unit for collecting airborne particles from the air; the sampling unit being adapted to collect the airborne particles by a cyclonic flow path to cause a separation of the particles from the air. The sampling unit can have one or more components and can be arranged for analysing, evaluating, controlling and/or monitoring the incoming air and/or the outgoing air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a ventilated shelving storage system for housing laboratory animals. The ventilated shelving storage system according to the present invention is of the type suitable for being connected to the centralised air circulation system of a building, or of the room where the shelving storage system is located, while at the same time each shelving storage unit is designed to have its own filter unit comprising at least one antiparticulate filter. Another object of the present invention is a system of shelving storage units in series suitable for being connected to a centralised air circulation system and comprising an antiparticulate filter unit.

Abstract: A biological safety system includes a life-support cell, a supply system fluidly connected to the life-support cell, and an exhaust system fluidly connected to the life-support cell. The life-support cell is structured to contain a laboratory animal infected with microorganism of a type that requires bio-safety level 3 (BSL-3) isolation, is transparent to at least one form of radiation to permit observation of the laboratory animal while in use, and the biological safety system contains the microorganism that infect the laboratory animal within the life-support cell while permitting the observations of the laboratory animal from a bio-safety level 2 (BSL-2) environment without the microorganism escaping from the life-support cell.

Abstract: A rack system having shelves configured to support a plurality of disposable animal cages may include a modular configuration that is adapted to easily provide a desired rack size during manufacturing. A rack system may also include shelves which are configured to receive disposable cages and which have spring biased rails configured to receive edges of the disposable cages and provide a spring bias pushing apertures of a cage against nozzles of the shelf to provide a seal therebetween. A rack system may also include shelves which are configured to receive disposable cages and which have resilient flexible lids configured to deflect for releasable engagement into the rack assembly and establish a seal between the nozzle and receptacle for a controllable flow of air therethrough.

Abstract: Featured are various devices, apparatuses and systems for use in connection with animal studies or experimentation as well as methods related thereto. Such devices, apparatuses and systems include a scalable animal enclosure that is easily customized for a given application; a scalable and easily customizable sound attenuation chamber that can be used with such an animal enclosure; an olfactory discrimination system which can quickly delivery an odor to an animal while minimizing the potential for ambient contamination and a leak-free water delivery apparatus that provides a mechanism for the experimenter to determine water consumption without handling the device.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages, modular rack units and controllers. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems. The single-use animal containment cages contain controllers that regulate airflow or air pressure and have a user interface and processor.

Abstract: A filter top assembly for a cage, wherein the assembly includes a bonnet having a perforated top wall to protect filter paper placed above the top wall. The perforations may be small enough to prevent an animal from getting a purchase position and spaced apart sufficiently to prevent the animal from biting the spacing between the perforations. The bonnet may also include one or more elevated ribs to retain the filter paper suspended above the bonnet.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for changing laboratory animal cages wherein the apparatus includes at least one seat, preferably at least two seats, each of which receives a cage having a lid. The seat is provided with means for picking and lifting the lid.

Abstract: A ventilated rack system includes a frame having a plurality of cage bays, each for supporting an animal cage. At least two first and second vertical ventilation input ducts are disposed, one on either side of the frame. At least one air input cross-frame channel connects the first vertical ventilation input duct on one side of the frame to the second vertical ventilation input duct on the opposite side of the frame, where the air input cross-frame channel is configured to dispense ventilation air into the cages in the plurality of cage bays.

Abstract: This system provides an air-ventilating and cleaning element positioned within a housing. The housing contains multiple vents in the housing walls. The vents serve as channels that enable air to flow into and out of the air-ventilating device. The air-ventilating and cleaning element can vary and can range from a simple air ventilator to and an air purifier. The cleaning element can contain a filter element to further facilitate cleaning of the air. The cleaning element can be positioned in the housing on a track or pin to allow for movement of the cleaning element within the housing. Movement of the cleaning element may be desired in order to more efficiently clean air channeled through the device. Because of the ability to move the cleaning element, air flow through the device can be adjusted depending on a particular cleaning application.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for economically filtering air into swine farms and other animal enclosures. Advantageously, the invention substantially reduces the risk to airborne transfer of disease into animal enclosures. In one embodiment, a method for providing clean air to an animal enclosure includes providing an animal enclosure having an animal containing volume for containing a plurality of animals, removing air from the internal volume via at least one exhaust fan, and filtering air being pulled into the enclosure by the at least one exhaust fan using a fully sealed filter, the fully sealed filter having a particle separation sufficiently efficient to prevent detection of live (PRRS-) virus downstream the of filter, using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of samples collected with a cyclonic aerosol collector.

Abstract: A laboratory animal breeding device comprises breeding cages, each including a cage body with a part of the cage body being opened and a removable cover for hermetically sealing the opening in the cage body. An air supply device for ventilation inside the breeding cage is attached to the cover of the breeding cage. The breeding cage includes an air exhaust device that is formed of a fan filter unit comprising a fan device and a first filter. The air exhaust device includes an air exhaust opening formed in the breeding cage and a second filter for cleaning air in the breeding cage passing through the air exhaust opening. Outside air is taken into the breeding cage while being cleaned by the fan filter unit, and contaminated air in the breeding cage is exhausted from the air exhaust opening through the second filter to outside of the breeding cage.

Abstract: An animal test chamber has one or more side walls, a ceiling, and a floor to define an internal space in which animals can be housed and exposed to a chemical agent, a door, a port for introducing animals, an exhaust port, and one or more of the following four features. The first feature is a projector for projecting an image onto the chamber floor to assist in the counting of the knocked-down animals. The second feature is the capability of automatically washing/cleaning the chamber after a test. The third feature is the capability of simulating real life insecticide application conditions. The fourth feature is the capability of automatically dispensing the contents of an aerosol can into the chamber.

Abstract: An environmental monitoring and controlling system for a ventilated cage and rack system that monitors and measures air flow in the rack at either the rack or cage level. At the rack level, two pressure sensors are provided in a supply air system to accurately monitor the air flow rate into the rack. In addition, two pressure sensors may be provided in an exhaust air system to accurately monitor the air flow rate out of the rack. At the cage level, a cage may be equipped with a highly accurate pressure sensor, including a Venturi tube and thermistor, the monitor the air flow rate in a cage located at any cage position in the rack.

Abstract: The invention provides a rodent housing rack that effectively draws the air inside the cages out through exhaust vents.

Abstract: A containment and test system for extremely toxic substances includes a fume hood, a containment compartment such as glove bag or box, positioned within the fume hood, a source of a non-reactive gas to provide a stable environment within the containment compartment, an inline moisture trap coupled to the source of non-reactive gas to dry the non-reactive gas, an ion neutralizer coupled to the source of non-reactive gas to reduce static charges within the containment compartment, a staging area for preparing test samples, a balance positioned within the containment compartment, a stanchion positioned within the fume hood for holding a test animal, and decontaminating apparatus for safely disposing of any toxic substance residue.

Abstract: IVC rack system comprising a plurality of IVC cages 13 for test animals which are supplied with sterile air, wherein samples of exhaust air from the IVC cages 13 are supplied from sampling points 15 to at least one sentinel cage 24 housing sentinel animals as bio-indicators for the detection of infectious particles within the exhaust air samples, and to at least one particle sampling filter 33 for the identification of pathogens.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for anesthetizing one or more laboratory animals is provided. An anesthetic component is introduced into a pressurized gas stream for delivery to laboratory animals. In one embodiment of the invention, a solo apparatus is used to administer anesthetic component to a single animal. The apparatus may also contain a host cage providing a group apparatus connected to the pressurized gas stream that permits administration of anesthesia to one or a group of animals simultaneously. One or more solo and/or group apparatuses may be used to administer anesthetic components to different animals at various dosages. The apparatus may also include a thermoregulatory system that transfers heat to animals as they receive anesthesia to control the animals' body temperature. In addition, the apparatus may include an exhaust system to remove contaminants from exhaust gases and to withdraw exhaust gases from the apparatus or apparatuses.

Abstract: An animal isolation and caging system which maximizes cage density within a ventilated rack is provided. The rack includes at least one air exhaust plenum, and at least one canopy disposed within the rack for ventilation of the cages housed in a rack system. The rack is capable of supporting a first cage within the rack below a first canopy, and also positioning a second cage below a second canopy. The filter top of the first cage provided by the invention also provides a filter retainer having a filter top retainer wall designed to be in contact with a first canopy unit forming an enclosed space so configured as to create an enclosed space from which the animal isolation and caging system of the invention creates a zone of negative pressure so as to permit air to be drawn into an air exhaust plenum or duct from the interior of the first cage through the top of the first cage.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of rearing a bird of germ-free status. The method comprises housing a bird as a parent bird, surgically removing an egg in its shell from the parent bird prior to transfer of the egg to the cloaca in the parent bird, incubating the egg still in its shell and hatching the egg to produce a laying bird. The invention also relates to the production of avian eggs of germ-free status.

Abstract: The present invention is an animal cage adapted for providing supply air to the cage by either static or forced ventilation, comprising, a cage receptacle and ventilation distribution means integral to said cage receptacle for distributing supply air to an interior space of said cage receptacle. A ventilation air supply system that provides air to the entire cage receptacle and allows the air to leave the cage receptacle in the same manner without the need for a filter cap or bonnet. The ventilation system creates an even flow of air along the side of the cage receptacle thus providing an even air flow across the bottom of the cage, and therefore providing a better environment for the animal. The present invention also provides a an animal cage with biological barrier means integral to said cage receptacle for precipitating microparticles and/or contaminants in the supply air out of suspension due to the low velocity of the supply air during static ventilation.

Abstract: A balance mechanism of an industrial robot is provided with a first balance mechanism for a first arm which is swingably mounted to a stand of the robot and a second balance mechanism for a second arm which is swingably mounted to a distal end of the first arm. The first balance mechanism includes a flexible coupling device such as, for example, a chain, led through a guide, which couples between a coupling element of a coupling member which is mounted to a center of angular movement of a proximal end of the first arm and a spring having one end fixed to the stand and which is moved in the direction of deformation when the first arm is angularly moved. The second balance mechanism includes a counterbalancer disposed in the opposite side to an operation side of the second arm and a center of angular movement of the second arm constitutes a fulcrum. The balance mechanisms can be applied to the robot without exchanging parts greatly even if the robot is installed in any position.