Respiratory mechanics

Single-Chamber Plethysmograph for Anesthetized Rodents

Single-Chamber Plethysmograph for Anesthetized Rats and Guinea-pigs

Investigating resistance and compliance without surgical intervention just by intubating
Low dead space volume (no pneumotach in-line with the trachea)
Possibility of continuous gas anesthesia and aerosol application
Applications
- Toxicology
- Environmental studies
- Long term drug effects

The animal is investigated without surgical intervention. It
is anesthetized so that the esophageal and tracheal catheters can be inserted and the animal can recover after measurement. The esophageal pressure is taken as the pleural pressure and measured using a fluid or air filled catheter and a pressure transducer.
The respiratory flow is determined by plethysmography using a measuring screen (metallic-mesh) in the box wall and a differential pressure transducer.
Anesthesia is produced using a Halothane or other gas vaporizer. An aerosol nebulizer permits the administration of aerosols through the intu-bated tracheal tube.

Single-Chamber Plethysmograph for Mice

Investigating resistance and compliance without surgical intervention just by intubating
Compact and well designed for easy preparation of the animal
For use with spontaneously breathing or ventilated animals
Convenient for instrumenting the animal
Possibility of continuous gas anesthesia and aerosol application
Applications
- Toxicology
- Environmental studies
- Long term drug effects

The animal is investigated without surgical intervention. It is anesthetized so that the esophageal and tracheal catheters can be inserted, and the animal can recover after measurement. The basic arrangement of the apparatus consists of a compact Plexiglas chamber. It performs two functions: it acts as an operating table and has a cork plate fitted into its base; after the animal preparation it is closed and serves as a plethysmographic box. The chamber is jacketed with warm water (37°C) from a thermostatic circulator passing through the jacket and is closed by a jacketed cover; which is also thermostated so that heat losses from the chamber are kept small. An intubation or tracheal cannula is inserted in the animal and is connected to a pneumotachometer. The pneumotachometer has to be placed as close as possible to the cannula in order to ensure minimum dead space. Incorporating it into the thermostated chamber also prevents condensation of the moisture. The modular construction of the pneumotachometer, permits easy dismantling after the experiment, thus simplifying cleaning. There are only straight bores on the pneumotachometer which can easily be cleaned; in addition the transparent Plexiglas permits easy checking for cleanliness.
Other ports in the side walls allow connections to esophageal catheter, blood pressure transducer, ECG amplifier, etc.

HUGO SACHS ELEKTRONIK-HARVARD APPARATUS GmbH
Gruenstrasse 1 · D-79232 March-Hugstetten · GERMANY
Phone: +49 (0) 76 65 - 92 00-0 · Fax: +49 (0) 76 65 - 92 00-90

Single-Chamber Plethysmograph for Mice
	Investigating resistance and compliance without surgical intervention just by intubating Compact and well designed for easy preparation of the animal For use with spontaneously breathing or ventilated animals Convenient for instrumenting the animal Possibility of continuous gas anesthesia and aerosol application Applications - Toxicology - Environmental studies - Long term drug effects
The animal is investigated without surgical intervention. It is anesthetized so that the esophageal and tracheal catheters can be inserted, and the animal can recover after measurement. The basic arrangement of the apparatus consists of a compact Plexiglas chamber. It performs two functions: it acts as an operating table and has a cork plate fitted into its base; after the animal preparation it is closed and serves as a plethysmographic box. The chamber is jacketed with warm water (37°C) from a thermostatic circulator passing through the jacket and is closed by a jacketed cover; which is also thermostated so that heat losses from the chamber are kept small. An intubation or tracheal cannula is inserted in the animal and is connected to a pneumotachometer. The pneumotachometer has to be placed as close as possible to the cannula in order to ensure minimum dead space. Incorporating it into the thermostated chamber also prevents condensation of the moisture. The modular construction of the pneumotachometer, permits easy dismantling after the experiment, thus simplifying cleaning. There are only straight bores on the pneumotachometer which can easily be cleaned; in addition the transparent Plexiglas permits easy checking for cleanliness. Other ports in the side walls allow connections to esophageal catheter, blood pressure transducer, ECG amplifier, etc.