IVC Mouse Cage System
Modular individually ventilated caging platform for housing laboratory mice and rats in controlled microenvironments with independent air supply and 0.2μm filtration for each cage box.
| cage_frame_material | SUS304 stainless steel |
| base_box_material | PPSU or PSU plastic |
| cage_guide_rail_material | ABS engineering plastic |
| ppsu_thermal_deformation_temp | >180°C |
| psu_thermal_deformation_temp | >150°C |
| ppsu_sterilization_cycles | >500 times at 205kPa, 134°C, 5min |
The IVC Mouse Cage System is a modular individually ventilated caging platform designed for housing laboratory mice and rats in controlled microenvironments. The system comprises three integrated components: cage boxes constructed from PPSU or PSU thermoplastics, SUS304 stainless steel cage frames, and a central air handling unit with PLC or MCU control. Each cage box maintains independent air supply and exhaust through 0.2μm high-efficiency filtration, with automatic valve closure when cages are removed from the frame.
Key technical specifications include cage boxes molded from PPSU material (thermal deformation >180°C, >500 steam sterilization cycles at 205kPa, 134°C) or PSU material (thermal deformation >150°C, >200 sterilization cycles). The control system incorporates high-precision wind speed pressure difference sensors, temperature and humidity monitoring, and built-in UPS backup power. Cage frames feature numbered positioning (A-C, 1-3) for experiment management and ABS engineering plastic guide rails with installation indicators.
How It Works
The IVC system operates through three integrated subsystems that create individually controlled microenvironments. The central air handling unit generates positive or negative pressure differentials and conditions incoming air through multi-stage filtration. Each cage box receives independent air supply through 0.2μm high-efficiency filters that remove bacteria, fungi, and particulate matter while maintaining laminar airflow patterns within the cage volume.
Environmental control is achieved through high-precision wind speed pressure difference sensors that monitor airflow rates and pressure gradients across each cage unit. Temperature and humidity sensors provide real-time feedback to the control system, which adjusts air conditioning parameters to maintain stable conditions. When cage boxes are removed for husbandry or experimental procedures, automatic valve closure prevents backflow and maintains system pressure integrity.
The modular design allows each cage to function as an independent biocontainment unit while sharing centralized air handling resources. This architecture provides the environmental control benefits of barrier housing while enabling individual cage manipulation without compromising adjacent units.
Features & Benefits
cage_frame_material
- SUS304 stainless steel
base_box_material
- PPSU or PSU plastic
cage_guide_rail_material
- ABS engineering plastic
ppsu_thermal_deformation_temp
- >180°C
psu_thermal_deformation_temp
- >150°C
ppsu_sterilization_cycles
- >500 times at 205kPa, 134°C, 5min
psu_sterilization_cycles
- >200 times at 205kPa, 134°C, 5min
drinking_bottle_volume
- 500ml
metal_filter_size
- 25x50mm
filter_membrane_efficiency
- 0.2µm high efficiency
wheel_type
- 4-inch PU wear-resistant universal wheel
autoclavable_components
- cage box and 500ml drinking bottle
control_system
- PLC or MCU control
sensors
- high-precision wind speed pressure difference sensor, temperature and humidity sensor
backup_power
- Built-in UPS
alarm_functions
- abnormal parameters alarm, filter life alarm, power failure alarm
remote_monitoring
- computer or mobile phone (PLC)
grade_compatibility
- clean grade or SPF grade
auto_valve_closure
- air inlet and exhaust valves automatically close when cage removed
Automation Level
- semi-automated
Material
- ABS engineering plastic
- PPSU plastic
- PSU plastic
- Silicone
- SUS304 stainless steel
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Research Domain
- Addiction Research
- Aging Research
- Anxiety and Depression
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
- Developmental Biology
- Immunology
- Learning and Memory
- Motor Function
- Neurodegeneration
- Neuroscience
- Pain Research
- Social Behavior
- Toxicology
Weight
- 68.34 kg
Dimensions
- L: 42.0 mm
- W: 43.6 mm
- H: 38.0 mm
Comparison Guide
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cage Box Sterilization Cycles | >500 cycles (PPSU) or >200 cycles (PSU) at 205kPa, 134°C | Standard plastic cages often provide 100-300 sterilization cycles before replacement | Extended cage box lifespan reduces long-term replacement costs and inventory management requirements |
| Filtration Efficiency | 0.2μm high-efficiency filtration for each cage | Entry-level systems may use coarser filtration or shared filtration between multiple cages | Removes bacteria and fungi to maintain pathogen-free environments essential for immunocompromised animal studies |
| Backup Power Integration | Built-in UPS system with power failure alarms | Basic systems often lack integrated backup power capability | Maintains critical ventilation during power outages to prevent animal stress and environmental parameter excursions |
| Control System Options | PLC or MCU control with remote monitoring capability | Simple timer-based controls without data logging or remote access | Enables 24/7 monitoring and alarm notification for proactive maintenance and regulatory documentation |
| Automatic Containment | Air inlet and exhaust valves automatically close when cages removed | Manual valve operation or no containment during cage changes | Prevents cross-contamination and system pressure loss without requiring operator intervention during routine husbandry |
| Environmental Sensor Integration | High-precision wind speed, pressure difference, temperature, and humidity sensors | Basic systems may monitor only temperature or lack precision sensing | Comprehensive environmental parameter control essential for reproducible research results and animal welfare |
The IVC Mouse Cage System provides individual cage environmental control with 0.2μm filtration, automatic valve closure, and integrated backup power systems. PPSU cage boxes offer extended sterilization cycle life, while PLC control systems enable remote monitoring and comprehensive data logging for research documentation requirements.
Practical Tips
Perform monthly calibration verification of pressure difference sensors using certified reference standards to ensure accurate airflow monitoring.
Why: Sensor drift can lead to inadequate ventilation detection failure and compromise animal microenvironment quality.
Replace 0.2μm filter elements when pressure differential alarms activate, typically indicated by 25-50% increase in baseline pressure readings.
Why: Clogged filters reduce airflow efficiency and can cause system strain leading to premature equipment failure.
Autoclave cage boxes and water bottles together in batches corresponding to cage frame capacity to maintain sterility through installation.
Why: Coordinated sterilization reduces handling time and contamination risk during cage setup procedures.
If automatic valve closure fails, check cage box sealing surfaces and guide rail alignment before servicing valve actuators.
Why: Mechanical misalignment often prevents proper valve seating and can be corrected without component replacement.
Configure data logging intervals based on experimental requirements, with shorter intervals for studies requiring precise environmental documentation.
Why: High-frequency logging provides better resolution for detecting transient environmental excursions that could affect research outcomes.
Test UPS backup power monthly by simulating power interruption to verify adequate capacity for facility evacuation procedures.
Why: Backup power duration must exceed time required for emergency protocols to prevent animal welfare compromise during extended outages.
Use the numbered positioning system (A-C, 1-3) to implement systematic randomization schemes that account for potential airflow gradients across the rack.
Why: Position-dependent environmental variations can introduce bias in experimental results if not properly controlled through cage allocation.
Inspect installation indicators on ABS guide rails quarterly to ensure proper cage box seating and prevent gradual misalignment.
Why: Misaligned cages can compromise seal integrity and reduce ventilation efficiency over time.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- SUS304 stainless steel cage frame assembly
- PPSU or PSU cage boxes (quantity varies by configuration)
- Central air handling unit with filtration system
- PLC or MCU control system
- High-precision sensors (pressure, temperature, humidity)
- 0.2μm filter elements (25x50mm)
- 500ml autoclavable drinking bottles
- ABS guide rails with installation indicators
- 4-inch PU universal wheels
- Air supply and exhaust connection hardware
- Installation and operation manual (typical)
- System commissioning documentation (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides standard manufacturer warranty coverage for mechanical components and control systems, with technical support for installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance requirements.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What is the practical difference between PPSU and PSU cage box materials for long-term studies?
PPSU cage boxes withstand >500 sterilization cycles at 205kPa, 134°C compared to >200 cycles for PSU, with higher thermal deformation temperature (>180°C vs >150°C). For studies requiring frequent sterilization or extended housing periods, PPSU provides better long-term durability and cost-effectiveness.
How does the automatic valve closure system prevent cross-contamination during cage changes?
When cage boxes are removed from the frame, air inlet and exhaust valves automatically close to prevent backflow and maintain system pressure integrity. This eliminates manual valve operation and reduces risk of airborne contamination between adjacent cages during husbandry procedures.
What maintenance schedule is required for the 0.2μm filtration system?
Filter replacement frequency depends on facility air quality and animal density, but the system includes filter life alarms to indicate when 25x50mm filter elements require replacement. High-precision pressure sensors monitor differential pressure across filters to detect blockage before airflow compromise.
Can the system accommodate both SPF and conventional housing within the same installation?
Yes, the system is compatible with both clean grade and SPF grade housing requirements. Individual cage ventilation with 0.2μm filtration allows different biocontainment levels within the same rack system, though facility protocols should define appropriate cage placement strategies.
How does the backup power system handle extended power outages?
Built-in UPS provides backup power for critical ventilation functions, though duration depends on UPS capacity and system load. The system includes power failure alarms and remote monitoring capability to alert personnel of outage conditions requiring generator backup or animal transfer.
What data logging capabilities are available for environmental monitoring?
PLC control systems provide computer or mobile phone monitoring with data logging of temperature, humidity, pressure differentials, and airflow parameters. MCU systems offer basic control functions, though specific data storage capacity should be confirmed based on study documentation requirements.
Are cage boxes compatible with standard laboratory autoclave systems?
Yes, both PPSU and PSU cage boxes plus 500ml drinking bottles are designed for standard autoclave sterilization at 205kPa, 134°C for 5 minutes. PPSU material provides superior cycle life for facilities with frequent sterilization protocols.
How does the numbered positioning system facilitate experimental design?
Cage frames feature A-C, 1-3 positioning labels that enable systematic animal allocation for experimental designs requiring positional controls or randomization. Installation indicators ensure proper cage placement for consistent airflow patterns across all positions.
Have a question about this product?
Accessories
Enhance your setup with compatible accessories
Frequently Bought Together
Upgrade Options
