Use of the flexible film isolator as a single circuit hypoxic chamber for small animals

Abstract

PVC isolators are now widely used for housing animals and provide a readily available pretested air-tight chamber (Pendry, 1984; Trexler, 1984). We have adapted a flexible film isolator for use as a hypoxic chamber for small animals. The environment within the chamber can be easily and continuously monitored with indwelling probes, obviating the need for a separate circuit for gas analysis. This design has been used for long-term studies of chronic hypoxia.