How It Works
The Innovive Disposable IVC Rodent Caging System for mice and rats is a comprehensive end-to-end animal husbandry solution that features our high-performance IVC racks and our single-use, disposable cages. We also offer additional options such as pre-bedded cages, pre-filled water bottles and a closed-loop recycling service that makes it easy for you to recycle.
Innovive Disposable IVC Rodent Caging System includes:
High performance IVC Innorack®
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Dual HEPA-filtered ventilation system
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Single and double-sided options, multiple configurations
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Dynamic digital controller
Single-use, recyclable disposable Innocage®
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Variety of caging lids to accommodate all types of research
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Made of 100% high viscosity PET, BPA-free, fully recyclable
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Patented lightweight thin-wall caging
All Innovive disposable caging products are delivered Research-Ready™
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All products arrive securely double-bagged and irradiated, and ready for research use
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Options for pre-bedded cages (corn cob, Biofresh or ALPHA-dri®), pre-enriched cages (Innorichment™) and pre-filled water bottles (Aquavive®)
Innovive Disposable IVC Rodent Caging System simplifies dirty cage processing:
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Once disposable cages are used, the dirty bedding can be dumped and the cages can be fully recycled
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Our system eliminates all of the laborious activities of a traditional washable caging system, such as cage washing and sterilizing
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Innovive offers a dedicated recycling service that picks up dirty bedded cages from your facility and processes them for you
Using the Innovive Disposable IVC Rodent Caging System results in:
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Simplified vivarium processes
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A smaller, less complicated facility layout
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Improved employee health and ergonomics
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Lower costs and utility consumption
Simpler Process and Protocols
Disposable Research-Ready caging components follow a one-way process flow through the facility and are received directly into clean cage storage¹. The cages arrive sealed in two layers of bagging to ensure biosecurity, and the outer bag can be delayered at any stage based on your facility's flow of operation. When they are ready for use, the inner bag is typically unsealed under a laminar flow hood where cage changes are performed. Standard cage change processes are followed and animals are returned to their ventilated racks (Innorack®). Each cage has the added benefit of never having previously housed another animal.
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With the Innovive Closed-Loop Recycling Service, used disposable cages can be re-stacked with soiled bedding and sealed back in their original bags. Afterwards, it can be taken straight to the recycling dock of the facility. The Innovive Recycling Service Team then picks up the bags of soiled cages so they can be further processed for recycling and composting.
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¹ In barrier facilities, this can be done effectively by wiping down the double-bagged configuration or stripping off the outer bag as you enter the facility or using a misting tunnel as the point of entry. There is a high degree of flexibility in how direct-to-clean storage is implemented at any facility.
Disposable vs. Traditional Caging
The diagrams below provides a comparison between a traditional and disposable caging facility. It illustrates the simplified process and material flow that occurs in a disposable caging facility.
Disposable Caging Workflow Simplifies Dirty Cage Processing
By comparison, caging in a traditional facility follows a return loop to the dirty cage wash area. There, the bedding is dumped and used cages and bottles need to be thoroughly washed. Fresh bedding and water are added to cages before everything is sterilized and delivered back into clean storage. This entire process requires strict adherence to SOP protocols to maintain separation of the dirty and clean areas of the facility, such as dirty hallway traffic control.
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The Innovive system offers a simpler workflow at your facility, and allows you to control a secure process. As a result, the Innovive system will improve your biosecurity profile.
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Water Process
Innovive Water Formulation Process
The filling of Aquavive® water bottle occurs within a positive-pressure HEPA-filtered environment. An automated conveyor system fills, caps, dates and labels the bottles. The water is acidified to a range of 2.5 to 3.0 pH before capping. The filled bottles are then packaged in an inner vacuum bag and a secondary containment outer bag for maximum security.
Acidification (pH) Testing
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Acidified water is used to prevent the transfer of bacterial disease between rodents. Our acidification process is carefully managed to add a range of 2.5 to 3.0 pH.
ATP Testing
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We perform tests on water bottles, caps, conveyor belts and filling systems prior to filling to monitor Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP). The luminometer system detects residual ATP as an indicator of surface cleanliness and the possibility of bacterial growth. ATP is measured in Relative Light Units (RLU), and our standard is to provide bottles with less than or equal to 10 RLU.
Point-of-Use Testing
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The point-of-use testing is performed with a filled water bottle that's pulled off the production line. A sample of the water is collected and filtered. The filter is then placed on an agar plate and stored in an incubator to measure any bioburden. Our standard is to produce ultra pure water with less than 0.1 CFU/ml, and less than 500 ppb Total Organic Carbon (TOC). Additionally, we produce chlorinated water with less than 80 ppb of trihalomethanes (THM).
Innovive offers multiple water bottle solutions, including pre-filled acidified water bottles. We follow a strictly controlled multi-step water formulation process to ensure that bottles are filled with the highest quality water for your animals.
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Our process includes:
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Highly regulated multi-step water formulation process
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Water quality tests performed on each batch
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Adherence to strict quality standards before delivering water to our customers
Quality and Testing Standards
Innovive performs consistent water testing to ensure it meets our quality standards before bottles are shipped to facilities. Our water is tested for HPC, TOC (total organic carbon), mold, coliform, and yeast. Customers can trace back to these test results using the date and time stamped on each bottle or the lot number affixed to the pallet.
Recycling with Innocycle
The Innovive Closed-Loop Recycling Service allows you to easily recycle your used disposable caging with bedding still intact. The recycling service not only helps to eliminate the burden of cage dumping and processing, but also helps to significantly reduce your environmental impact.
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Learn More at Innocycle