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A low cost organ bath system for cannulated resistance arteries
Author(s) -
Sweeney Terrence E.,
Rao Sheila
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a273-c
Subject(s) - peristaltic pump , cannula , petri dish , silastic , biomedical engineering , immersion (mathematics) , materials science , composite material , surgery , mechanical engineering , engineering , medicine , mathematics , biology , pure mathematics , genetics
We have developed a low cost system for incubation, manipulation and observation of resistance arteries that utilizes equipment and materials typically found in microcirculatory laboratories. The system allows for simple installation of resistance vessel cannulae in a straight‐through or angled configuration (necessary for our use with uterine arteries), individual manipulation of cannula pressure via water manometers, and vessel observation using a standard upright video microscope equipped with a water immersion objective. The elements of the cannulation chamber are constructed from Sylgard (Dow Corning) silicone elastomer, which is poured into plastic Petri dishes. Cannula glass is laid in the bottom of one Petri dish before the Sylgard is poured to provide channels for the cannulae. The chamber is reversibly assembled from concentric rings of cured Sylgard after the cannulae are positioned. Bath fluid is warmed and circulated via a peristaltic pump and constant temperature circulator bath. Immersion objective temperature is controlled by a water jacket constructed from tubing manifolds (Small Parts) and silastic tubing attached to a circulator bath. The immersion objective eliminates optical issues such as fogging that often occur in organ bath systems. Use of a long working distance dry objective as substage condenser enables proper Koehler illumination. (Supported by The University of Scranton and Colgate University.)