Semi – Rigid Isolator Units
Charles River Laboratories
Consulting & Staffing Services
Terminology
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Flexible Film
SRI
HEPA
Port
Gasket
Magnahelic Gauge
Isolator History & Function
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Used since 1950’s
Flexible Film or Rigid
contruction
Biocontainment
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Negative Air Pressure
Bioexclusion
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Positive Air Pressure
“Biosecurity” at Charles
River
Features
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Typical forward
facing port
Gasket will change
color when sealed
properly
Hinge
Gasket
Clamp
Features
Flexible
Front
HEPA
Filter
External
Filter
Glove
Arm
Isolator Supplies
O-Rings
Nitrile Gloves
Electrical
Tape
Leak Detection
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Snoop®
Apply liquid to area
suspected of leak
and watch for
bubbles
Alternative
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Mild Soap solution
Air flow
Positive
Negative
Keeping it Clean
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Wescodyne®
Clidox
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Bleach Solution
Windex®/Cinch®
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Peracetic Acid
Chemical
Incompatibility
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Check MSDS
Ergonomics
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Your back should
always be as straight
as possible.
Hydraulic tables
allow the user to
adjust the height!
Filter Change
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Filters should be
checked daily
Filters need to be
changed when the
magnahelic gauge
increases by 0.05
(i.e. from 1.0 to 1.5)
Filter Pop Quiz
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Which filter assembly needs to be
replaced?
Testing for deterioration
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This rim should appear
green even when
stretched.
If small holes or cracks
are present glove must
be replaced.
Punctures from animal
bites or instruments
also warrant glove
replacement.
Semi-Rigid Isolator Daily Checks and
Inspections
Glove and flexible surface checks
•Check the magnahelic gauge
•Pull the gloves inside out, pulling on the cuff only
•Check for holes, punctures, tears, or stretched areas
•Then recheck the magnahelic for proper pressure
•Wipe down the outside of the flexible front surface
Magnahelic and Ball Valve
Magnahelic
Gauge
Ball Valve
Fan Motor
Semi-Rigid Isolator Daily Checks
and Inspections
Magnehelic gauge check
•Check gauge and record twice daily
•Gauge reads what the pressure is inside the isolator
(+.10 or -.10)
•Reads in Inches of Water
•Not reading proper pressure report immediately
•DO NOT adjust equipment unless properly trained
Filter Locations
HEPA filter
External
Filter
But how do you use it?
Introduction of supplies
Supplies always in unit
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Disinfectants
Sharps
Forceps
Scraper
Marking Pens
Absorbent Towels
Paper Bags
Hand Broom
Supplies introduced to unit
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Feed
Bedding
Cages
Water
Sterilized vs
Irradiated
Port Door
How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Loading the Isolator:
•Remove all jewelry, watches and especially rings
•Don protective glove liners
•Gather appropriate supplies
•Open the outside port door
•Place supplies into port –Spray down supplies with
disinfectant/sterilent
•Allow sufficient contact time
•20 – 40 minutes
•Secure outer door
How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Loading the Isolator: continued
•Push the sleeves into the isolator by holding onto cuff
•Over stretching the gloves will cause damage
•Open the port door
•Remove items from port into the isolator
•After all items have been removed, shut and lock port
door clamps
How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Unloading the Isolator:
•Once everything is ready to be removed from the
isolator spray the inside of the port completely
•Spray all items before placing them into port
•Once all items are sprayed down with Clidox the port
can be loaded
•After everything is loaded the port is then closed
•Set the timer according to SOP/Chemical Manufacturer
How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
Unloading the Isolator:
•When the timer goes off you may unload the port
•Contaminated items should be disposed/sanitized
appropriately.
How to Use the Semi-Rigid Isolator Units
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Label door with
time initials
Set exposure
timer
Document event
in log
Introducing/Removing Animals to Isolator
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Supplies
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Biosafety Cabinet
Plastic bottle/containers
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Nalgene®
Disinfectant
Forceps
Introducing/Removing Animals to Isolator
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Transfer into bottle/container inside BSC
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Leave lids unsealed until all containers are filled
Use same introduction procedures as supplies
Ensure animals are promptly removed from
bottle/container
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Air supply in sealed container must be established
Removing Animals from Isolator
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Return to plastic
bottles/containers
Double wrap in bag
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Paper or plastic? 
Use regular “spray
out” procedures
Air supply for
animals limited!
Semi-Rigid Isolator Daily Checks and
Inspections
Inside of the isolator check
•Shelving and all surfaces for cracks or cuts in the plastic
•Light bulb and casing
•Port and clamps to ensure that it seals inside and out
•If any one of these items are wrong or not working report
immediately
•DO NOT leave trash inside the isolator
•DO NOT leave the isolator dirty
Animal checks inside the isolators
•Check feed and water levels in each cage
•Observe the animals to ensure health status
•Check for and change any wet cages
Semi-Rigid Isolator weekly
Checks and Inspections
Cage changing
•Before cage changing begins ensure that all of the daily checks have been
completed
•Make sure all items for changing are inside the isolator before starting, this
will help with being efficient
•Change cages
•After the cages have been changed remove all trash and dirty bedding from
the isolator
•Make sure all animals are present and safely in their home cages
•Wash down the inside of the isolator, all surfaces including the inside of the
glove sleeves
•Once all trash is removed wipe down the port
Filter checks
•Check the outside filter for any dirt, debris, or damage
•Report to a supervisor if something is found
SRI Supply Checklist
Isolator #
Egg Timer
Thermo hygrometer
Brush
Scraper
Wescodyne (diluted)
Pen/Sharpie
Paper Bags
Forceps
Towels
Water Bottles/Sipper
Tops
Cage Bottoms
Wire bar lids
Card Holders/ Cage
Cards
TP Rolls and Nestlets
Sharps Container
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
ISOLATOR # _______
Date Animals
Enter
Investigator
Name
Date Animals
Removed
Date Isolator
Deconned
Initials