- #1
Janet Hoff
- 2
- 0
Good day,
I work in medical research with mice and rats. My work often involves anesthetizing rodents with isoflurane (the same type of gas anesthetic that is used in human medicine). The animal is placed in a small box and isoflurane and oxygen is introduced to the box. In a short time the box is filled with enough gas to put the animal to sleep. The animal is removed from the box and his nose placed in a cone where isoflurane and oxygen are delivered at a controlled rate. The problem lies in opening the box. Each time the box it opened, isoflurane escapes into the room. Typically, animals are anesthetized in groups, so the exposure can become dangerous.
At this time, there is nothing on the market that removes the gas actively from the box before opening the lid. I would like to come up with something, for myself and others who are in this situation.
The box is either 4 x 4 x 4 for mice or 8 x 4 x 4 for rats, has two one inch openings, one where the gas and oxygen is introduced and the other where the gas (passively) is removed and collected into a canister containing activated charcoal. I have purchased a 1 inch (computer) fan and placed it in line between the box and the canister to provide some suction, but it's not quite strong enough.
I have ordered a larger, 4 inch fan, that is used in duct work.
Do you think a larger fan will provide the force needed to help remove the gas from the box?
Will it add pressure to the flow when I change the dimention of the line (starting at the 1 inch connection on the box, building to the 4 inch fan, then narrowing again to the other 1 inch connection (to the charcold filter).
Do you anticipate any fire hazards when working around oxygen this closely?
Thanks in advance.
jhLVT
I work in medical research with mice and rats. My work often involves anesthetizing rodents with isoflurane (the same type of gas anesthetic that is used in human medicine). The animal is placed in a small box and isoflurane and oxygen is introduced to the box. In a short time the box is filled with enough gas to put the animal to sleep. The animal is removed from the box and his nose placed in a cone where isoflurane and oxygen are delivered at a controlled rate. The problem lies in opening the box. Each time the box it opened, isoflurane escapes into the room. Typically, animals are anesthetized in groups, so the exposure can become dangerous.
At this time, there is nothing on the market that removes the gas actively from the box before opening the lid. I would like to come up with something, for myself and others who are in this situation.
The box is either 4 x 4 x 4 for mice or 8 x 4 x 4 for rats, has two one inch openings, one where the gas and oxygen is introduced and the other where the gas (passively) is removed and collected into a canister containing activated charcoal. I have purchased a 1 inch (computer) fan and placed it in line between the box and the canister to provide some suction, but it's not quite strong enough.
I have ordered a larger, 4 inch fan, that is used in duct work.
Do you think a larger fan will provide the force needed to help remove the gas from the box?
Will it add pressure to the flow when I change the dimention of the line (starting at the 1 inch connection on the box, building to the 4 inch fan, then narrowing again to the other 1 inch connection (to the charcold filter).
Do you anticipate any fire hazards when working around oxygen this closely?
Thanks in advance.
jhLVT