Engineering Papers⌕ Search

Engineering topics

Grimard, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Grimard, M..

An atmospheric exposure chamber for small animals

The purpose of this project was to design a long-term environmental exposure chamber for small animals. This chamber is capable of producing hypoxic, normoxic and hyperoxic atmospheres which are closely regulated. The chamber, which is of the recycling type, is fashioned after clear plastic germ-free isolators. Oxygen concentration is set and controlled by a paramagnetic O2 analyzer and a 3-way solenoid valve. In this way either O2 or N2 may be provided to the system by way of negative O2 feedback. Relative humidity is maintained at 40-50 percent by a refrigeration type dryer. Carbon dioxide is absorbed by indicating soda lime. A diaphragm pump continuously circulates chamber gas at a high enough flow rate to prevent buildup of CO2 and humidity. This chamber has been used for numerous studies which involve prolonged exposure of small animals to various O2 concentrations.

Glaser, R. M.↗

Inert gas effects on embryonic development.

It had been found in previous investigations that hatchability of fertile chicken eggs is reduced to 50% or less of controls if incubation takes place in a low nitrogen atmosphere containing He. Although these results suggest some role for nitrogen in embryogenesis, it is possible that a requirement exists for an inert molecule closer in physical characteristics to nitrogen than is He. An investigation is conducted involving incubation at ground level pressure in a gas mixture in which the 79% inert component was either neon or argon. The effect of varying combinations of nitrogen, helium, and oxygen was also studied.

Weiss, H. S.↗

Embryogenesis in 100% O2 at reduced pressure.

Fertile chicken eggs were incubated in an altitude chamber in a near 100% O2 atmosphere at 225 torr. Both N2 and CO2 were kept under 0.5%. Temperature was a standard 37.5 C but a high relative humidity of 90% was required to prevent dehydration. In ten trials involving 382 eggs, hatchability averaged 21% of controls and weight of chicks was 11% less than controls, but embryo mortality was distributed similarly. Low pressure per se and small differences in O2 tension may have affected the results, but similarities to incubation in 21% O2-79% He call attention to absence of nitrogen as a possible explanation.

Weiss, H. S.↗