Green rays

Gentle-Air Innovations

Positive Isolation
The Gentle-Air Ventilated Rack System® protects mice better by maintaining a consistent pressure that is greater inside the cage (micro-environment) than outside (macro-environment). The higher inside cage pressure provides a better barrier that keeps contaminants from entering the cages and reaching the mice. This is accomplished by the rack’s unique design that uses only one blower to direct the air, large vertical supply and exhaust plenums and solid top cage lids. These 3 components help contain the air within the rack system.

Airflow through the Cage Unique Innovative Design
In 1996, Alternative Design introduced a new concept to individually ventilated caging systems. Instead of using traditional methods that use small tubing that creates turbulence and delivers higher velocity air to the cages at animal level, the company utilized large vertical plenums and convection to deliver the air “gently” to the cages. In addition, only one blower was used instead of two. This creates a greater static pressure differential for a better protective barrier between each cage and the room. It also eliminates the need to balance between supply and exhaust, substantially reduces the noise and vibration that can cause stress within the animals and significantly reduces labor and operating costs.

Low Volume / Low Resistance Air Delivery
Through Alternative Design’s unique air delivery method, high velocity and high volumes of air are no longer needed to efficiently remove heat, moisture and gases from the cages. Low velocity HEPA filtered air travels through large, open vertical ducts, plenums, to the cages. These open plenums offer very little air resistance or turbulence. At the cage, HEPA filtered air is delivered above the animal level and directed downward. The mild air delivered eliminates harsh, chillier air blowing directly on the animals and helps to reduce animal stress.

Balanced Airflow – Protecting Research Quality & Integrity
In research studies, consistency and controlling variables are crucial. Gentle-Air’s ability to deliver a consistent amount of air to each cage on the rack helps investigators maintain the quality of their studies. A fully populated Gentle-Air maintains the AC/H within +/- 10% at any cage position. Airflow to the cages is maintained regardless of how many cages are docked on the rack.