Acrylic Fixator for Mice and Rats
Adjustable acrylic restraint system for mice and rats, providing secure immobilization with visual monitoring during tail vein procedures, blood collection, and imaging applications.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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Key Specifications
Full details →- Model fit
- Mouse, Rat
- SKU family
- PTY-0026
- Sizing
- 31.7 x 15.6 x 40.0 cm
- Ordering
- Online checkout and quote request available
- Category
- Restrainers
- Build notes
- Acrylic (clear)
The Acrylic Fixator for Mice and Rats provides controlled restraint for laboratory rodents during procedures requiring precise positioning and vascular access. Constructed from clear acrylic material, the device enables continuous visual monitoring of animal welfare while maintaining secure immobilization. The adjustable design accommodates both mouse and rat body sizes, supporting multi-species research protocols in a single apparatus.
This restraint system is designed for procedures requiring tail vein access, blood collection, and imaging applications where animal movement must be minimized. The transparent construction allows researchers to assess proper positioning and animal condition throughout the procedure. The fixator supports standardized positioning protocols essential for reproducible data collection across behavioral pharmacology, toxicology, and cardiovascular research applications.
How It Works
The acrylic fixator operates through mechanical restraint principles, utilizing adjustable components to securely position rodents while maintaining access to target anatomical sites. The clear acrylic construction provides structural rigidity necessary for immobilization while enabling continuous visual assessment of animal positioning and welfare status.
The adjustable mechanism accommodates the anatomical differences between mice and rats through variable sizing components. This adaptability ensures proper restraint pressure distribution, minimizing stress while preventing movement that could compromise procedure accuracy. The transparent material allows researchers to monitor respiratory patterns, assess positioning accuracy, and detect any signs of distress during extended procedures.
The device's design facilitates standardized positioning protocols by providing consistent restraint geometry across experimental sessions. This reproducible positioning is critical for procedures requiring precise anatomical access, such as tail vein catheterization and imaging applications where movement artifacts must be eliminated.
Features & Benefits
Adjustable
- Yes — fits mice and rats
Applications
- Tail vein injection, blood collection, imaging
Automation Level
- manual
Brand
- ConductScience
Material
- Acrylic (clear)
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
Research Domain
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
- Cardiovascular Research
- Metabolic Research
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Weight
- 0.5 kg
Dimensions
- L: 31.7 mm
- W: 15.6 mm
- H: 40.0 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material Construction | Clear acrylic with full visual access | Opaque plastic or metal construction with limited visibility | Enables continuous monitoring of animal welfare and positioning accuracy throughout procedures. |
| Species Compatibility | Adjustable design fits both mice and rats | Species-specific sizing requiring multiple devices | Reduces equipment inventory needs and supports flexible experimental designs across species. |
| Restraint Access | Open design with tail vein access | Tube-style restraints with limited anatomical access | Facilitates diverse procedures including blood collection, imaging, and injection protocols. |
| Monitoring Capability | Transparent construction allows respiratory assessment | Opaque materials preventing welfare monitoring | Supports continuous welfare assessment without compromising restraint integrity. |
| Operation Method | Manual adjustment and positioning control | Fixed sizing with limited adjustment options | Allows customization of restraint parameters for individual animal comfort and procedural requirements. |
This fixator combines visual monitoring capabilities with adjustable sizing and secure restraint in a single device. The clear acrylic construction and manual operation provide flexibility for diverse research applications while maintaining animal welfare oversight.
Practical Tips
Acclimatize animals to the restraint environment through brief exposure sessions before actual procedures.
Why: Reduces procedure-related stress and improves animal cooperation during critical experimental phases.
Inspect the acrylic surface regularly for stress fractures or cloudiness that could impair visual monitoring.
Why: Maintains structural integrity and ensures clear visualization of animal welfare indicators.
Verify restraint fit and positioning with practice animals before beginning experimental procedures.
Why: Ensures proper sizing adjustment and identifies any modifications needed for specific research populations.
Monitor respiratory rate and pattern continuously through the transparent construction during restraint.
Why: Early detection of respiratory distress allows immediate intervention to prevent adverse events.
Standardize restraint positioning and duration across all experimental sessions within a study.
Why: Minimizes procedure-related variability that could confound experimental results and affect data interpretation.
If animal movement persists, verify proper sizing adjustment rather than increasing restraint pressure.
Why: Excessive pressure can compromise circulation and cause physiological stress affecting experimental outcomes.
Document restraint duration and animal response for each experimental session.
Why: Supports protocol refinement and provides data for IACUC reporting on animal welfare during procedures.
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Acrylic fixator main unit
- Adjustment mechanism components
- User manual with protocol guidelines (typical)
- Cleaning and maintenance instructions (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides standard manufacturer warranty coverage with technical support for proper use and maintenance procedures. Warranty typically covers manufacturing defects and material failures under normal laboratory use conditions.
Compliance
References
Background reading relevant to this product:
What is the maximum duration animals can be safely restrained in this fixator?
Restraint duration should follow institutional IACUC protocols, typically limited to the minimum time necessary for the procedure. Continuous monitoring is essential to assess animal welfare and adjust restraint as needed.
How do I adjust the fixator between mouse and rat subjects?
The adjustable mechanism allows sizing modification to accommodate different rodent species. Consult the user manual for specific adjustment procedures and verify proper fit before each use.
Can this fixator be used for anesthetized animals?
Yes, the device can restrain anesthetized subjects, though additional monitoring of respiratory function is critical. The transparent construction facilitates assessment of breathing patterns during procedures.
What cleaning protocols are recommended between subjects?
Clean all surfaces with appropriate laboratory disinfectants between uses. The smooth acrylic construction facilitates thorough decontamination to prevent cross-contamination between subjects.
Is the restraint suitable for imaging procedures requiring radiolucency?
The acrylic construction may provide some radiolucency compared to metal restraints, though specific imaging compatibility should be verified with your imaging system. Consult product datasheet for detailed material properties.
How does this compare to tube-style restraints for tail vein access?
This fixator provides more visual access and positioning flexibility compared to opaque tube restraints, while maintaining secure immobilization. The adjustable design accommodates a wider range of animal sizes in a single device.
What are the weight limitations for each species?
The adjustable design accommodates standard laboratory mouse and rat sizes. Consult product datasheet for specific weight and dimension limitations based on your research population.
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