Injection Cone with Light
Transparent acrylic restraint system with integrated bright light illumination for efficient tail vein injection procedures in mice and rats.
Louise Corscadden, PhD
Director of Science · ConductScience
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The Injection Cone with Light is a specialized restraint system designed for efficient tail vein injection procedures in laboratory rodents. This transparent acrylic apparatus combines a conical restraint chamber with an integrated bright light illumination system to provide optimal visualization during intravenous injection protocols. The system includes species-specific restrainers for both mice and rats, ensuring proper animal positioning while maintaining researcher access to the tail vein.
The system features an adjustable tail rod with variable speed control for secure rodent positioning, operated via a three-button control panel. The lower red button adjusts the tail rod downward to hold the rodent in place, the upper red button toggles the tail illumination light, and the green button raises the tail rod to release the rodent’s tail. A removable cone lid allows for easy animal loading and prevents escape during procedures.
The completely transparent design allows for continuous visual monitoring of the animal throughout the procedure, while the bright illumination system enhances visibility of tail vein anatomy. Four suction cup feet provide stable positioning on laboratory benchtops, and the 110V/220V compatibility ensures global laboratory use. Each unit ships with an injection apparatus, a species-specific rodent restrainer, and a power cable.
How It Works
The injection cone operates through physical restraint principles that immobilize the rodent while providing controlled access to the tail vein. The conical chamber design naturally positions the animal with its tail extended through the rear opening, preventing forward or backward movement that could compromise injection accuracy. The transparent acrylic construction allows for continuous visual assessment of animal stress indicators and injection site condition.
The integrated bright light illumination system enhances contrast between the tail vein and surrounding tissue, improving visualization of vascular landmarks. This optical enhancement is particularly critical for small caliber vessels in mice where vein identification can be challenging under standard laboratory lighting. The four suction cup mounting system creates a stable platform that absorbs minor vibrations and maintains consistent positioning throughout the procedure.
Features & Benefits
Species
- Mouse
- Rat
available_sizes
- Two sizes (for mice and rats)
illumination_system
- Bright light illumination system
mounting_system
- Four suction cup feet
design
- Completely transparent design
intended_use
- Tail vein injections
Automation Level
- manual
Material
- Acrylic
Color
- Transparent
Power/Voltage
- 110V and 220V compatible
Display Type
- None
Research Domain
- Behavioral Pharmacology
- Cancer Research
- Cardiovascular
- Cell Biology
- Immunology
- Pharmaceutical QC
- Toxicology
Weight
- 8.0 kg
Dimensions
- L: 31.0 mm
- W: 31.0 mm
- H: 17.0 mm
| Feature | This Product | Typical Alternative | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illumination System | Integrated bright light illumination system | External light sources or no illumination enhancement | Eliminates need for additional lighting equipment and provides consistent illumination positioning |
| Construction Material | Transparent acrylic design | Opaque plastic or metal restraint devices | Enables continuous visual monitoring of animal condition and stress indicators |
| Species Compatibility | Dedicated mouse and rat restrainer inserts | Single-size or adjustable restraint systems | Provides species-appropriate fit for optimal animal welfare and injection access |
| Mounting System | Four suction cup feet for stable positioning | Fixed base or clamp-on mounting | Allows flexible bench positioning while maintaining stability during procedures |
| Power Compatibility | 110V and 220V compatible | Single voltage operation | Supports use in international laboratories without additional power conversion |
This injection cone system combines transparent construction for animal monitoring with integrated bright illumination for enhanced vein visualization. The species-specific restrainer design and stable suction cup mounting provide practical advantages for routine tail vein injection procedures.
| Model | SKU | Listed price | Status | Dimensions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | CS-ICLRO | $740.00 | Available | 31 x 31.0 x 17.0 cm |
| Mouse | CS-ICLMO | $690.00 | Available | 31.0 x 31.0 x 17.0 cm |
Practical Tips
Pre-warm animals under a heat lamp for 2-3 minutes before restraint to dilate tail veins and improve injection success rates.
Why: Vasodilation makes vein identification easier and reduces the number of injection attempts needed
Monitor animal breathing and stress indicators continuously during restraint, and limit procedure time to minimize welfare impact.
Why: Prolonged restraint can cause physiological stress that may affect experimental results
Clean acrylic surfaces with alcohol-based disinfectants and dry thoroughly to prevent clouding that could impair visibility.
Why: Clear surfaces are essential for proper animal monitoring and vein visualization
If suction cups lose grip, clean both the cups and bench surface with alcohol to remove oils and debris.
Why: Clean surfaces ensure proper suction adhesion for stable apparatus positioning during procedures
Record injection success rates and time to completion to optimize your technique and identify potential equipment issues.
Why: Consistent performance metrics help maintain experimental reproducibility and animal welfare standards
Use the lateral tail veins rather than the dorsal vein for easier access and reduced risk of arterial injection.
Why: Lateral veins are more superficial and easier to visualize under the illumination system
Verify illumination system brightness periodically and replace bulbs when light output appears diminished.
Why: Consistent lighting is crucial for reliable vein identification and injection accuracy
Setup Guide
What’s in the Box
- Injection apparatus with integrated light system
- Rodent restrainer insert (mouse or rat size as specified)
- Power cable
- User manual (typical)
- Suction cup maintenance kit (typical)
Warranty
ConductScience provides a standard one-year manufacturer warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, with technical support for setup and operational questions.
Compliance
What needle gauge is recommended for tail vein injections using this system?
Typically 25-27 gauge needles for mice and 23-25 gauge for rats, though specific gauge selection should be based on injection volume and solution viscosity according to your institutional protocols.
How long can animals be safely restrained in the cone?
Restraint time should be minimized according to IACUC guidelines, typically not exceeding 5-10 minutes to prevent excessive stress. Monitor animals continuously for signs of distress.
Can the illumination system generate excessive heat that might affect animals?
The bright light system is designed for procedural use rather than extended illumination. Brief exposure during injection procedures should not generate significant heat, but monitor animal condition and room temperature.
Is the acrylic construction compatible with standard laboratory disinfectants?
Acrylic is generally compatible with alcohol-based disinfectants and mild detergents. Avoid harsh chemicals like acetone or strong acids that could cause surface damage or cracking.
What injection volumes are appropriate for this restraint system?
Tail vein injection volumes typically range from 100-200 μL for mice and 200-500 μL for rats, based on animal weight and experimental requirements. Follow institutional guidelines for maximum injection volumes.
How does this compare to manual restraint methods?
The cone system provides more consistent animal positioning and frees both hands for injection procedures, potentially reducing procedure time and improving injection accuracy compared to manual restraint techniques.
What components are included with the Injection Cone with Light?
Each unit includes one injection apparatus, one species-specific rodent restrainer (mouse or rat size), and one power cable. The apparatus connects directly to a standard power outlet and is compatible with both 110V and 220V sources.
How do I operate the tail rod and light controls?
The device features a three-button control panel. Press the lower red button to move the tail rod downward and secure the rodent in place — the tail rod speed is adjustable via a side-mounted knob. Press the upper red button to toggle the tail illumination light for vein visualization. After completing the injection, press the green button to raise the tail rod and release the animal.
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