System for vascular access in laboratory animals

摘要

A system, and a method for its use, provides for placement of a fluid delivery needle into the tail of a laboratory animal. The system includes an animal receiving portion, structure configured to receive, position and restrain a tail of the animal placed in the animal receiving portion and a hollow needle attached to a fluid transfer device. Positioning structure is provided to align the needle and fluid transfer chamber with the restrained tail for proper automated insertion of the needle into a blood vessel within the tail. A lateral actuator operatively connected to the fluid transfer device moves the hollow needle in a forward direction so that it is inserted into the blood vessel of the properly aligned tail. The system can include a computer programmed to automatically perform all of the functions and operate all the components of the system.

主权项

1. A system for placement of a needle into the tail of a laboratory animal comprising:
a cradle for holding the body of the laboratory animal; a tail grasping device comprising two parallel plates and a tail tensioner comprising two spring-biased wheels positioned adjacent to each other and defining a gap for receiving an end of the tail of the laboratory animal, wherein the tail grasping device is located between the cradle and the tail tensioner; a light source for illuminating the tail of the laboratory animal with near infra-red light and a camera for imaging the tail of the laboratory animal; a needle carrier assembly comprising a rotatable platform holding a syringe with a needle and a lateral translation device coupled to the rotatable platform; an automatic translational actuator configured to advance the needle and puncture the tail and enter a blood vessel; a pressure transducer connected by a tube to a proximal end of the needle, the needle and tube containing saline therein; and a computer programmed to advance the automatic translational actuator and needle, wherein the computer receives a feedback signal from the pressure transducer and stops the automatic translational actuator based on when a pressure measured by the pressure transducer exceeds a preset level or pressure.