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A Look Inside the A160 Shielded Drinking Valve
 This video shows how the A160 Shielded Drinking Valve works.
In the normal closed position, the head of the stem is held securely against the o-ring by the elastic diaphragm, preventing water from flowing under the stem head and out of the valve. Water is released when the animal moves the stem in any direction by biting or licking. One side of the stem head lifts off the o-ring, allowing water to flow under it and out to the animal's mouth. When the animal releases the end of the stem, the elasticity of the silicone rubber diaphragm located behind the stem head, pushes the head back to the closed position, stopping the flow of water.
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Important Benefits of Automated Watering
 The A160 Shielded Drinking Valve provides all the benefits associated with automated watering in traditional housing systems:
 Animal models get clean, fresh water on demand
 Save costs associated with cleaning and filling water bottles
 Reduces micro-environment intrusions because no water bottles need to be filled
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Innovations in the A160
The cutaway below shows the internal components of the new A160 Shielded Drinking Valve. There are several key innovations and features that make this valve ideal for inside-the-cage watering.
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Guard:
Designed to protect the stem from incidental actuation by animals perching on top of the valve. The recessed opening also helps prevent bedding from entering the valve.
Shield:
Just behind the guard, the silicone rubber shield surrounds the stem, creating a flexible barrier that prevents bedding from lodging in the barrel of the valve. A very small gap remains for water to come through. When animals move the stem, the shield moves with it, maintaining the gap so that water can come through.
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Stem, Diaphragm, O-ring:
A flat headed stem allows for more closing force as the diaphragm presses the stem head against the o-ring. This is the same leak-proof design that has been the heart of the Edstrom valves for years. The eight-hole diaphragm captures the head of the stem to keep it centered.
Materials:
The A160 and Easy Connect Docking System components are made from autoclavable 316 stainless steel and silicone rubber. Both materials are noted for their resistance to the chlorinated or acidified water commonly found in animal watering systems.
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A160 Connection Method
Easy Connect System:
 The Easy Connect Coupler is a quick disconnect that is permanently attached to the water supply manifold. When a cage is pushed into position, the drinking valve plug enters the coupler, allowing water to flow from the manifold into the valve. The Easy Connect Coupler features the unique double seal which prevents water spillage when the valve is connected or disconnected from the coupler.
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Affixed Installation on Manifold:
 In applications where cages have open grommets for valve entry, the A160 may be affixed directly to the manifold. As the cage slides into place, the valve goes through the grommet and into the cage. The grommet has a flap door which is closed by a spring when the cage is removed from the rack. |
Locking QD on Manifold:
 Another option for open grommet applications is the Locking QD. Pulling back on the QD collar allows the valve to be quickly removed from the manifold for sanitization purposes. |
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Easy Connect Latch
The Easy Connect Latch automatically locks the cage in place when it is fully docked. The Latch also has a very visible red flag indicator to show cages that are not fully engaged. On today's ventilated racks there may be over 100 cages, but with Easy Connect you would readily see any improperly docked cage. |
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Mice Adaptability Studies
Evaluation of the adaptability of various strains of naive*
Weanling mice to the A160 Drinking Valve** |
| Strain |
Sex |
# of Animals |
Average Weight on Arrival |
Average Weight Day 3 |
Average Weight Day 7 |
| C57BL/6 |
M |
57 |
10.76 |
13.14 |
19.21 |
| CD-1 |
M/F |
60 |
12.61 |
16.22 |
21.21 |
| B6C3F1 |
M/F |
57 |
12.47 |
14.51 |
17.09 |
| DBA/2 |
M/F |
49 |
10.89 |
13.11 |
14.10 |
| C3H |
M/F |
55 |
10.07 |
12.07 |
14.20 |
| NU/NUCD1 |
M |
27 |
14.46 |
17.31 |
19.30 |
| SJL/J |
M/F |
56 |
9.12 |
10.45 |
12.91 |
* Naive animals were purchased from suppliers' barrier rooms not currently utilizing automated watering systems.
** Animal models were group housed in a ventilated cage rack, 4 animals per micro-environment cage. |
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