Person setting up a stereotaxic frame

How to Set up a Rat/Mouse Steretoaxic Frame

By Brittany Crafton

Let’s take a look at how to set up a Digital Rat/Mouse, Neonatal Rat Stereotaxic frame. In a few steps you will be up and running.

  1. First, plug in the power cable to the digital display.
  2. Next, take your manipulator and make sure the fastening screw closest to the base is loosened. Place it on the anterior-posterior knob fitting.
    NOTE:     Make sure the manipulator is fully seated, and secure with the vertical screw aligned, according to the scale at the base of the manipulator.
  3. Take the cables attached to your anterior-posterior, dorsal-ventral, and medial-lateral axes and plug them into the corresponding ports on the digital display.

Your stereotaxic manipulators are now integrated with your digital display.

NOTE: Be sure all coordinates on your digital display are zeroed prior to surgeries to ensure accuracy in your starting position.

Surgical Applications Using a Rat

  1. For surgical applications using a rat, attach the metal ear bars. Do not overtighten them, as these will require adjusting to situate the animal properly. Only fully tighten them once the animal is in position.
  2. Attach the rat anesthesia mask onto the nosecone clamp, and make sure it is fitted securely using the fastening screw.
  3. Connect your anesthesia system of choice to the connection port seated at the back of the mask block.

Surgical Applications Using a Mouse

  1. Alternatively, for use with a mouse, you must attach the warming base to the u-frame. To do so, loosen the screw located in the center of the u-frame.
  2. Place the warming base accordingly, with the base centered. Fasten the screw on the u-frame to secure the mouse warming plate.
  3. Be sure to adjust the warming plate footing to be in contact with the stereotaxic base. To do so, turn the pegs counterclockwise. Make sure the base is level once you complete this step.
  4. Next, take the mouse ear bars and secure them in the corresponding brackets.
  5. Then, secure the mouse anesthesia mask with the integrated adaptor to the base accordingly.
  6. Connect your anesthesia line to the back of the mask block.
  7. The manipulators should come with the probe holder already attached. If you need to remove it, loosen the screw and it set aside.

Your digital Rat/Mouse and Neonatal Rat frame is now ready to use!  If you have an questions, just give us a call at (866) 606-1974  or email us at [email protected].

 

 

See Stereotaxic Frame Selection