AeroDeliver System
Precision aerosol delivery system with collision nebulizer for controlled inhalation studies in freely-moving rodents, featuring dual airflow control and CageCenter™ software integration.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- ME-25101
- Shipping box
- 43.2 x 38.0 x 27.9 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Inhalation & Vapor Exposure
- Build notes
- Plastic
The AeroDeliver System is a precision aerosol delivery platform designed for controlled inhalation studies in rodent models. The system employs a collision nebulizer to generate aerosols with defined particle size distributions, enabling researchers to deliver therapeutic compounds, environmental contaminants, or test substances via the respiratory route. The sealed exposure chamber (19.7 cm inner diameter, 25.4 cm length) provides a home-cage environment where rodents can move freely during extended exposure sessions.
Integration with CageCenter™ software provides two operational modes: timer-controlled exposure schedules and self-administered protocols with sequential phases (food only, food plus aerosol, aerosol only). Dual airflow meters with valves and an integrated pressure gauge enable precise control of aerosol flow rate, particle size distribution, and concentration. Nose-poke mechanisms allow simultaneous food and drug administration, supporting operant conditioning paradigms in addiction research and behavioral pharmacology studies.
How It Works
The AeroDeliver System operates through collision nebulization, where pressurized laboratory air forces liquid formulations through a nebulizer chamber to generate aerosol droplets. The collision nebulizer design creates particles through liquid jet impaction, producing droplets with controlled size distributions suitable for respiratory deposition studies. Air pressure regulation directly controls particle generation rate, size distribution profile, and aerosol concentration within the exposure chamber.
The sealed cylindrical exposure chamber maintains aerosol concentration while allowing normal rodent behavior patterns. Pressurized air flow creates a controlled atmosphere where aerosol particles are suspended and available for inhalation throughout the exposure period. Dual airflow meters with integrated valves provide independent control of nebulizer pressure and chamber ventilation, ensuring stable aerosol delivery conditions.
CageCenter™ software coordinates aerosol generation with behavioral monitoring, tracking elapsed time, aerosol delivery events, and food administration responses. The nose-poke mechanism integration enables operant conditioning protocols where aerosol delivery serves as either reinforcement or as a self-administered exposure model, supporting addiction research paradigms and behavioral pharmacology studies.
Features & Benefits
Chamber Inner Diameter
- 19.7 cm
Nebulizer Type
- collision nebulizer
Airflow Meters
- two with valves
Air Pressure Gauge
- included
Nose Poke Mechanisms
- food and drug administration
Software
- CageCenter™
Delivery Modes
- Timer mode and Self-administered mode
Self Administered Phases
- Food only, Food and aerosol, Aerosol only
Air Source
- pressurized laboratory air
Chamber Type
- sealed exposure chamber
Monitored Parameters
- elapsed time, aerosol events, food administration events
Recommended Exposure Schedule
- 24 times every 12-hour dark phase for 10 days
Chamber Environment
- home-cage simulation for free movement
Behavioral Construct
- Self-administration
- Operant conditioning
- Drug-seeking behavior
- Reinforcement schedules
Automation Level
- semi-automated
Material
- Plastic
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Dimensions
- 25.4 cm
Research Domain
- Addiction Research
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Developmental Biology
- Neurodegeneration
- Toxicology
Shipping weight
- 21.0 lb
Shipping box
- L: 43.2 cm
- W: 38.0 cm
- H: 27.9 cm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exposure Chamber Design | Sealed cylindrical chamber (19.7 cm diameter) allowing free rodent movement | Many systems use restraint tubes or nose-only exposure limiting natural behavior | Reduces stress-related confounds while maintaining controlled aerosol delivery conditions |
| Software Integration | CageCenter™ with timer and self-administered modes plus behavioral tracking | Basic exposure systems often lack integrated behavioral monitoring capabilities | Enables simultaneous aerosol delivery and operant conditioning for addiction research protocols |
| Airflow Control System | Dual airflow meters with valves plus integrated pressure gauge | Single flow control or manual pressure regulation in entry-level models | Independent control of nebulizer pressure and chamber ventilation ensures stable aerosol conditions |
| Nebulizer Technology | Collision nebulizer with controlled particle size distribution | Ultrasonic or jet nebulizers with limited size control vary by model | Consistent particle generation suitable for precise respiratory deposition studies |
| Operant Conditioning Integration | Nose-poke mechanisms for food and drug administration with behavioral tracking | Most inhalation systems lack integrated operant conditioning capabilities | Supports self-administration paradigms essential for addiction research and behavioral pharmacology |
The AeroDeliver System integrates precision aerosol delivery with behavioral monitoring capabilities through collision nebulizer technology and CageCenter™ software. The home-cage exposure environment and operant conditioning features specifically support addiction research and behavioral pharmacology applications requiring extended exposure protocols.
Practical Tips
Verify particle size distribution using cascade impaction or laser diffraction before beginning experimental exposures.
Why: Particle size directly affects respiratory deposition patterns and experimental outcomes.
Clean the nebulizer chamber and air pathways with appropriate solvents between different formulations to prevent cross-contamination.
Why: Residual compounds can alter aerosol properties and interfere with subsequent experiments.
Acclimate animals to the exposure chamber for several sessions before beginning aerosol exposures.
Why: Habituation reduces stress-related behavioral changes that could confound experimental results.
Monitor air pressure and flow rate continuously throughout exposures to identify system fluctuations.
Why: Pressure variations can affect aerosol concentration and particle size consistency.
Check nebulizer output visually or with particle counters if aerosol generation appears inconsistent.
Why: Blocked orifices or pressure irregularities can significantly reduce aerosol delivery efficiency.
Ensure adequate laboratory ventilation and use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling volatile or toxic formulations.
Why: Aerosol systems can create airborne exposures requiring proper containment and safety measures.
Document environmental conditions (temperature, humidity) during exposures as they can affect aerosol stability and animal behavior.
Why: Environmental factors influence both aerosol properties and behavioral response patterns.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- AeroDeliver main unit with collision nebulizer
- Cylindrical exposure chamber (19.7 cm diameter, 25.4 cm length)
- Dual airflow meters with control valves
- Air pressure gauge
- Nose-poke mechanism assembly
- Rodent platform for exposure chamber
- CageCenter™ software license
- Air supply connection fittings (typical)
- User manual and setup guide (typical)
- Calibration documentation (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for system setup, calibration, and troubleshooting assistance.
Compliance
Protocol and background
Apparatus & Equipment
The AeroDelivertm system consists of a collision nebulizer that can consistently emit aerosols having specific size distribution profiles, two air flowmeters with valves for monitoring and regulating the inlet airflow rate and pressure applied to the nebulizer, and one air pressure gauge. The system also includes nose-poke-operated food and drug administration systems. The data obtained from the aerosol delivery system is analyzed by using the CageCentertm software with two pre-programmed modes of aerosol delivery:
- Timer: The user sets a schedule to control the duration of aerosol exposure.
- Self-administered with three phases
- Food only
- Food and aerosol
- Aerosol only.
The pressurized air is supplied from the air source of the laboratory facilities. The air pressure generating the aerosol through the nebulizer determines the flow, the droplet size distribution, and the concentration of the output aerosol. The outlet of the nebulizer is opened to a sealed exposure chamber, i.e., a plastic cylindrical tube of 19.7 cm inner diameter (ID) and 25.4 cm long with a platform that holds rodents. The exposure chamber mimics a home-cage environment where the rodent can freely move during prolonged research manipulations. The aerosol flow rate and the air pressure are continuously regulated during the experiments to ensure controlled and stabilized drug delivery.
The software measures three parameters to assess the toxicity, teratogenicity, and pharmacological dynamics of the drug used. These parameters are Elapsed time, Aerosol events (open and close), and Food administration events.
Protocol
- Place the animals in the chamber.
- Insert animal cage holders into a nose-only chamber of the AeroDelivertm
- Connect the experimental system by joining the output of the nebulizer to a sealed cage made for freely moving rodents.
- Open the outlet of the rodent's cage to a fume hood.
Note: For experimental accuracy, put one rodent into the sealed cage at a time.
- Expose the animals for a total of 24 times in every 12-hour dark phase of 12/12-hour dark/light circadian cycles for 10 days.
- The pressure of the air that enters into the nebulizer for the generation of aerosol determines the volume, the droplet size distribution, and the concentration of the output aerosol.
- Control the air pressure and flow rate and continuously monitor the pressure and flow rate during the aerosol exposure experiments.
- Obtain the measurements for elapsed time, aerosol events (open and close), and food administration events.
- Analyze the data using the CageCentertm
Precautions
- The SmartCageTM is widely used for quantitative characterization of psychological and behavioral elements and their patterns in the freely moving rodents in their home cages demonstrating free moving behavioral structure and changes in mice with single gene mutations altering energy balance.
- As the home cages are used in the procedures, the transportation-induced stress is minimized.
- Rodents, particularly mice, are sensitive to environmental conditions. The previous behavioral assessment tools require acclimation period of at least 3-4 days; however, the SmartCageTM allows the researchers to conduct experimental manipulation in the home cages of the animals.
- The SmartCageTM system provides an automated and accurate tool to quantify various rodent behaviors in a ‘stress-free’ environment.
- The system offers a simple, versatile, and cost-effective toolkit for automated characterization and quantification of spontaneous activity, inactive state, or sleep.
- The SmartCage™ system efficiently expedites the process of behavioral phenotyping and in vivo drug screening.
- Automated animal behavioral testing and paradigms using the SmartCageTM system have revolutionized the translational research that moves drug discoveries at the molecular level towards clinical developments.
- Quinoline is moderately toxic, a severe eye irritant, and possibly carcinogenic. The experimenter should avoid skin contact, inhalation, and ingestion.
- It is highly recommended to wear appropriate protective clothing (i.e., nitrile gloves, solid scrub jacket, safety mask) and work with the potent compounds in a well-ventilated hood.
Strengths and Weaknesses of the AeroDeliver System
- The aerosol delivery system is flexible regarding animal exposure to different levels and schedules of the test compounds.
- The AeroDelivertm system is relatively cheaper than other aerosol delivering devices.
- The system has relatively modest space requirements coupled with ease of use in any laboratory space.
- Small molecules can be delivered with rapid action, low metabolism, and high bioavailability using the AeroDelivertm
From the Maze Engineers documentation for this apparatus.
What particle size range can the collision nebulizer generate?
The collision nebulizer produces aerosols with controlled size distributions, though specific particle size ranges should be confirmed through the product datasheet as they depend on formulation properties and pressure settings.
How does the system ensure consistent aerosol concentrations during extended exposures?
Dual airflow meters with valves and an integrated pressure gauge provide continuous monitoring and control of nebulizer pressure and chamber ventilation, maintaining stable aerosol generation conditions throughout the exposure period.
Can the system accommodate different rodent species simultaneously?
The 19.7 cm diameter chamber is designed for individual rodent housing during exposures, supporting rats and mice with adequate space for natural movement patterns in a home-cage environment.
What data outputs does CageCenter™ software provide?
The software tracks elapsed time, aerosol delivery events, and food administration responses, with options for timer-controlled schedules or self-administered protocols with sequential exposure phases.
How frequently should the nebulizer be cleaned and maintained?
Maintenance schedules depend on usage frequency and formulation characteristics; consult the user manual for cleaning protocols specific to the compounds being nebulized and exposure frequency.
Is the system compatible with volatile organic compounds or corrosive substances?
Material compatibility should be verified for specific compounds; the plastic chamber construction may have limitations with certain solvents or corrosive formulations requiring compatibility assessment.
What air supply pressure is required for optimal nebulizer performance?
The system operates with standard laboratory compressed air; specific pressure requirements for optimal particle generation should be confirmed in the technical specifications.
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