MINIATURE INFUSION PUMPS FOR MICE
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dzet OSMOTIC PUMPS MINIATURE INFUSION PUMPS FOR MICE ALZET® Osmotic Pumps are available in small sizes to enable continuous delivery of bioactive compounds to mice. With many inbred strains available, and new transgenic and knockout strains emerging rapidly, scientists have adopted the mouse as the premier mammalian model for in vivo research. To keep pace with this trend, laboratory equipment and research tools, including infusion devices, must be compatible for use in mice. ALZET pumps are a practical and cost-effective method for administering test agents to unrestrained lab animals, including mice. Since the pumps are fully implantable (no need for external connections), mice are untethered and unrestrained during the entire dosing period. The lack of external connections minimizes infection and enables group housing of animals. Furthermore, ALZET pumps provide continuous infusion for prolonged periods of time, thereby reducing stress-related responses resulting from frequent handling and repeated dosing. The use of ALZET pumps in mice has been documented since 1976 in over 4,200 published studies. Nine ALZET pump models, in a range of release rates and durations, are appropriate for use in mice. Continuous delivery for up to 6 weeks is feasible with a single pump, and even longer durations can be achieved through serial implantation. ALZET pumps can be implanted SC or IP to enable systemic delivery of experimental agents to mice. They can easily be connected to a catheter for targeted delivery of compounds into vessels, brain tissues, cerebral ventricles, tumors, or other organs and tissues. Their automatic operation and small size make ALZET pumps an ideal infusion system for chronic dosing studies in immunodeficient mouse models, including nude and SCID mice. No researcher intervention is required during infusion, and animal handling is minimized to reduce the risk of infection and stress. ALZET pumps have been used in immunodeficient mice since 1980, and over 380 publications are available as evidence of their research value in these species. Additional information, including surgical implantation guidelines, is available upon request. HIGHLIGHTS • The only implantable, infusion pump available for mice • 9 pump models available for use in mice • Delivery rates ranging from 0.11 pl/hr to 8 pl/hr • Delivery durations ranging from 1 day to 6 weeks BENEFITS IN MOUSE RESEARCH • Convenient and cost-effective method for chronic dosing • Continuous and controlled delivery of test agents • Minimize side effects and experimental variables • Reduce animal handling and stress during dosing OPTIMUM MOUSE SIZES ALZET pumps are suitable for subcutaneous (SC) and intraperitoneal (IP) implantation in mice according to the animal size guidelines described below. Implantation ALZET 100 pl ALZET 200 pl Route Models Models SC 10+ gram mice 20+ gram mice IP 20+ gram mice Possible via catheter Although the 200 pl pumps seem large, they are suitable for SC implantation in mice weighing at least 20 grams. This is supported by our studies in Swiss Webster mice which showed that pump implantation caused no additional stress or deviation from their normal weight gains. The 200 pl pumps are widely used in mouse studies, as evidenced by 1,700+ publications in the scientific literature (publications and supportive quotes available upon request).

MOUSE JUGULAR CATHETERS DURECT developed a line of catheters designed to facilitate use of ALZET pumps for IV infusion in mice via the external jugular vein. These catheters will fit any ALZET pump model. INTRAVENOUS INFUSION Compared to conventional infusion methods where external catheters and swivels restrict animal movement and pose an infection risk, intravenous (IV) infusion with ALZET pumps present a significant advantage in terms of animal welfare and experimental convenience. For IV infusion, the pump is fully implanted SC with the attached catheter leading into the target vessel....