Note: This procedure is easier to perform with two people.

1. Withdraw vinyl shipper from the plastic shipping carton. Use care to keep cages and oval filter upright.
2. Open end of connecting sleeve:
   • Unfold sleeve and remove yellow vinyl tape that was folded and sealed prior to shipment.
   • When open, the sleeve is compatible with a standard 12" diameter isolator port.
3. Swab inside of sleeve and the face of the Mylar diaphragm with a sterilant (using caution not to apply too much pressure to Mylar diaphragm).
4. Pull sleeve partway onto the swabbed port of the destination isolator. Secure the shipper sleeve to the port with tape, making a complete tape seal of the shipper to the destination isolator port. Ensure that half of the tape is on the shipper sleeve and half of the tape is on the port.
5. Remove plug from nipple on germ-free shipper sleeve. Place nozzle of sterilant atomizer against nipple and spray sleeve portion of shipper with sterilant to give a balloon-like effect until the sleeve is inflated. Quickly replace plug into nipple, maintaining sterilant positive pressure.
6. After the appropriate contact time for the sterilant, ensure that isolator port cap remains bubbled in toward isolator interior, ensuring that sleeve-port connection is not breached. Next remove the exterior yellow tape from the circumference of the Mylar diaphragm.
7. Carefully work the Mylar diaphragm within the germ-free shipper to a horizontal position (using external manipulation).
8. From within isolator, remove isolator port cap. Pull the Mylar diaphragm through the port and into the isolator.
9. Rotate the cages within the shipper and slide toward the isolator port (using external pressure).
10. Pull in cages and remove the bands that are securing the cages lids.
11. Have a sterile vial with a small amount (1-2 ml) of sterile water in it ready for sample collection. Dip a sterile swab into the vial and dampen it with water. Swab several of the animals' coats and the interior of the cage; place the swab into the vial. Collect feces and a small amount of bedding from the cage and place it in the vial with the swab and water. Transport the vial to your laboratory and test for all aerobic and anaerobic growth according to standard procedures.
12. Remove the animals and place in isolator caging.
13. Replace isolator port cap. Remove germ-free shipper from exterior port.

Watch the Taconic video "Flexible Film Isolator Demonstration" to see a detailed demonstration on how to work with a germ-free isolator and pack a germ-free shipper.

The Taconic Transit Cage™ (TTC™) provides the optimal shipping environment for today's sophisticated rats and mice. Taconic uses the TTC™ cage for its own commercial animal shipments and makes it available to you for your own shipment needs. The TTC™ is washable and autoclavable for animal storage and maintenance.

Features of the TTC™:

• The top rim of the lid is recessed, allowing for easier removal.
• Ribs are extended making it easier to insert and remove dividers.
• A bar below the tie holes makes it easier to access for cutting.
• The Taconic Transit Cage™ (TTC™) is designed and constructed to afford the utmost safety and security for delivery of animals. Field tests have proven that the TTC™ is capable of protecting its contents from contamination by murine viruses. The cage and lid are constructed of a variety of molded plastic for high durability and resistance to gnawing by rodents. Slight variations in TTC™ color may occur.
• Sloped sides, stacking mounts and air vents on the sides and lid allow sufficient air flow around the cage for proper ventilation. The filter material is a spun-bonded polypropylene media which provides optimum strength; the continuous filaments in the media prevent tearing and slipping. All materials are autoclavable and washable in high temperature cage washers.
• The TTC™ is easily opened by lifting the lid upward from the front handle. Since there are no staples and wire to contend with it eliminates cuts and scrapes to your employees. Security ties ensure that the cage is not opened during transit.
• The TTC™ is International Air Transport Association (IATA) compliant.

Taconic Transit Cage™ Pricing

TTC-CLR-HIGH and TTC-CLR-LOW include a TTC bottom, high or low TTC lid, one gel pack, one "live animal" label, and two security ties.

Taconic Transit Cage™ Parts

Dividers

Dividers are available and can be used to easily divide the TTC™ into 2, 3, or 4 compartments. The outside dimensions of the TTC™ are 22″ (long) by 16″ (wide) by 7″ (deep).

Taconic ships its mice and rats in sterilized TTCs™. This includes packing the animals within their respective barrier colonies thereby minimizing the risk that a pathogenic contamination may occur between the animal's barrier environment and your receiving area. Commercial mice and rats are packed in TTC™s in accordance with prescribed densities.