Base Units & Exposure Systems

• inExpose systems include a base unit, one or more exposure subsystems, and a variety of other components selected according to your specific research application.


• The standard inExpose base unit features full computer control of virtually all aspects of your experimental protocol, such pump speeds and nebulization rates.


• The wide selection of exposure subsystems includes nose-only exposure towers, whole-body exposure chambers, masks for larger animals, and custom attachments for connection to other delivery systems such as in-vitro cell culture exposure chambers.

Aerosols, Cigarette Smoke & Other Toxins

• The inExpose permits a wide range of gases, airborne substances and pollutants to be delivered to the subjects via the exposure systems.


• For applications requiring aerosolized drugs and compounds, up to four nebulizers may be integrated with each inExpose base unit. Nebulization rate and timing can be individually controlled for each nebulizer.


• For applications involving cigarette smoke both a single cigarette smoking chamber and a programmable cigarette smoking robot are available. Main stream and side stream smoke can be harvested from both systems.


• Solutions for a variety of other toxins can be achieved through integration with third party hardware. Information about these applications is available from our Customer Service team.

Monitoring & Control

• With its full computer control and integrated data acquisition, the inExpose permits precise and efficient control of the exposure process, as well as extensive possibilities for monitoring this process.


• Using up to four computer-controlled pump modules, it is possible to program a wide range of time-varying exposure profiles.


• Quality control information about exposure parameters such as particulate matter and/or gas temperature, as well as vital signs of the subjects being exposed, can be collected and displayed in real-time.

Nose-only exposure towers

• The inExpose nose-only inhalation towers are specifically designed to have low internal volume, minimizing unintentional dilution and dramatically reducing ramp-up and wash-out times.


• The low-volume construction also permits rapid alternation between gas mixtures or concentration levels, e.g. to rapidly alternate between cigarette smoke and air in order to mimic the human smoking process, or for a short, well delimited drug bolus.


• Standard inExpose nose-only towers and restraints are currently available for mice and rats, permitting exposure of up to 48 mice or 16 rats with a single base unit. We also offer plethysmograph restraints permitting vital sign monitoring during exposure. Towers for other species and larger numbers of subjects are currently under development.


• Our unique, comparatively gentle SoftRestraints for mice are constructed of flexible coated wire that conforms to the animal's body shape, avoiding excessive restriction and body overheating. All components are easily disassembled for decontamination.

Whole-body exposure chambers

• Our Octagon whole body exposure chambers are designed to achieve a uniform distribution of gases and particulates throughout the entire chamber.


• As for our nose-only towers, chamber volume was kept small for high efficiency and rapid ramp-up and wash-out.


• The Octagon chambers feature a large opening that facilitates access to subjects as well as cleaning and decontamination.


• Octagon chambers are currently available in two sizes. The 5 L low-profile model is suitable for 12-24 mice, while the higher 10 L chamber can be used, for example, with 3-6 rats. Up to four chambers can be interfaced with a single inExpose base unit.

Masks & Third-party setups

• The inExpose can also be interfaced with face masks for experimentation with larger animals or other third party exposure devices. We will be happy to assist with such third party integration and offer attachments and adaptors as needed. Please contact Customer Service for details.

in-vitro Cell Cultures Exposure

• Exposure of cell cultures in-vitro to suspended particulate or toxins is an interesting and exciting alternative to in-vivo exposure. Due to the typically compact size of in-vitro exposure setups and the high sensitivity of cells to toxins, the inExpose is ideally suited for this application.


• The inExpose system can be interfaced with state-of-the-art Cultex trans-well exposure chambers. Alternatively, disposable well plates can also be used. The application specialists of our Customer Service department will be happy to assist you select the right chamber for your application.

Pump Modules

• Accurately controlling the consistency and concentration of a gas/toxin mixture over time is the core functionality of the inExpose system. This is achieved by mixing and buffering time-varying flows from up to four servo-controlled pump modules.


• Every inExpose system includes up to four microprocessor-controlled pump modules per base unit. Each individual module maintains its individual factory calibration to ensure that all pump modules behave identically.


• Each pump module can be programmed either to produce a constant flow or to follow application-specific, time-varying flow profiles. A closed-loop servo-control algorithm ensures that the actual flow closely reproduces the desired flow profile.


• During an experiment, users can rapidly and instantaneously change pump flow profiles by selecting the desired new profile from a list. A selection of default profiles is provided for each application, and custom profiles can be generated as needed.


• The inExpose pumps can be disassembled within seconds and are designed for easy, rapid cleaning and decontamination. Field service kits to replace all wetted parts of the pumps are also provided.

Manifolds & Buffer chambers

• inExpose systems commonly include a selection of manifolds and/or buffer chambers that are designed to ensure reliable mixing of the fluid components and provide additional control over the delivery timing and dilution of the toxin.


• For example, an adjustable buffer chamber may be used to spread out a short cigarette puff over an extended period of time to ensure sufficient delivery into the subjects' lungs.


• Tubing kits are provided with each inExpose system to permit a variety of different layouts depending on the requirements of a particular application. Tubing kits are available in a variety of different materials.

Compatibility & Safety

• All wettable inExpose system components can be easily cleaned and/or replaced. A wide range of materials can be provided for compatibility with a variety of toxins, compounds and suspensions, including corrosive gases. For specific compatibility questions, please contact our Customer Service department.


• Although inExpose systems in general are self-contained and do permit adequate evacuation of exhaust gases, they should always be operated inside a fume hood. Depending on the level of toxicity, additional safety measures may be required to ensure adequate safety of personnel.


• The inExpose is not intended for research with highly toxic substances or chemical weapons. Please contact our Customer Support for more information.

UnitWise architecture

• The inExpose base unit includes a powerful data acquisition subsystem that can be used to record exposure parameters and measure vital signs monitoring, as well as control various exposure parameters.


• The inExpose's data acquisition subsystem is based on our highly integrated UnitWise data acquisition technology. A wide range of UNIT transducers are readily available for use with the inExpose.


• The standard base unit features eight auxiliary channels and four digital I/O ports. The latter can be used to software-control external devices such as nebulizers and valves or issue synchronization signals to external accessory devices.


• The inExpose is fully computer controlled from our powerful flexiWare. Using the flexiWare's GLP extension, it is possible to operate the inExpose in strict compliance with 21 CFR Part 11.

Exposure Monitoring

• The total suspended particulate matter that the subjects are exposed to throughout an experiment can be measured using a sampling filter, or a cascade impactor when the particulate size distribution is important.


• To monitor the time course of the particulate concentration throughout an experiment, we offer two choices. Our cost-effective opacity transducer provides a quasi-quantitative estimate of the density of the suspended particulate matter. Alternatively, the MicroDust Pro can be integrated to obtain the most accurate real-time TPM measurements currently available.

Vital Signs

• Because the inExpose is 100% UnitWise-compatible, you can select from a wide range of transducers to measure vital signs such as respiratory rate, tidal volume, EKG, blood pressure or body temperature.


• The transducer selection is complemented by a variety of software analyzers that are available for the flexiWare software that controls and operates the inExpose.