In dozens of tests conducted in facilities around North America, the Gentle Air was demonstrated to be a reliable way to maintain a good microenvironment while extending the time between cage changes anywhere from 7 to 14 days. 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 two blowers 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. All the components on the vent top are autoclavable and all metal components are 304 stainless steel.

Unique Innovative Design to reduce operating cost & animal stress
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. 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.

Unique Air distribution design which efficiently remove the heat, moisture and gases from the cages to minimize the Odor & provide better drying effect at bedding level

As the air enters the cage, it is deflected down and to the front by the angle on the vent door. Moving through the bedding and animal environment, the air accumulates moisture, gases and heat. Through 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 ACH within +/- 10% at any cage position. Airflow to the cages is maintained regardless of how many cages are docked on the rack.

Greater Visibility

It’s easier and faster to inspect the animals with Gentle-Air. That saves a lot of valuable labor time. There are no shelves, filter tops or canopies to obstruct the light. Card holders are conveniently located to provide a clear view inside the cages. Higher bottom row and lower top row make inspecting easier too.

In addition, Gentle-Air cages come in either a light amber or clear Udel® polysulfone for fast, easy viewing inside cages.

Other Time Saving and Safety Advantages

Higher bottom row, lower top row to reduce the chance of straining by stooping or stretching too far. Easy read latch number system. High contrast to read quickly and save time. Large casters to reduce the chances of straining when moving the rack. Inner protective handlebars to avoid hand injuries. No repetitive motion with these latches.
Minimize the Odor & better drying effect at bedding level

As the air enters the cage, it is deflected down and to the front by the angle on the vent door. Moving through the bedding and animal environment, the air accumulates moisture, gases and heat. This gentle air distribution system minimize the Co2 and Ammonia, Humidity level at bedding which an important factor to reduce the odor and provides better drying effect at bedding level.

In case of power failure there is still some airflow through the cage even in a power outage because of our vertical main plenums, the hotter air will naturally rise creating a natural, although slight, airflow in the rack.

Innovative Static Filter in Cage As an innovation Alternative Design provide optional static filter with in cage but not in the cage lid as other respective competitor’s are providing. The advantage of new designed static filter is that it is close to bedding so it effectively minimize the Odor, Carbon dioxide and Ammonia from cage. Besides this Alternative Design’s cages filter is not providing direct exposure to user we located our cage filter at the back side of cage body.