A Low Cost Metal-Free Vascular Access Mini-Port for Artifact Free Imaging and Repeated Injections in Mice |
| |
| Authors: | Teresa Fiebig Giovanna Figueiredo Hanne Boll Hans Ulrich Kerl Ingo S Noelte Alex Forster Christoph Groden Martin Kramer Marc A Brockmann |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Department of Neuroradiology, University Medical Center Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany.; 2. Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Small Animal Clinic, Justus-Liebig-University, Giessen, Germany.; 3. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, University Hospital of the RWTH Aachen, Aachen, Germany.; Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, United States of America, |
| |
| Abstract: | PurposeSmall injection ports for mice are increasingly used for drug testing or when administering contrast agents. Commercially available mini-ports are expensive single-use items that cause imaging-artifacts. We developed and tested an artifact-free, low-cost, vascular access mini-port (VAMP) for mice.ProceduresLeakage testing of the VAMP was conducted with high speed bolus injections of different contrast agents. VAMP-induced artifacts were assessed using a micro-CT and a small animal MRI (9.4T) scanner ex vivo. Repeated contrast administration was performed in vivo.ResultsWith the VAMP there was no evidence of leakage with repeated punctures, high speed bolus contrast injections, and drawing of blood samples. In contrast to the tested commercially available ports, the VAMP did not cause artifacts with MRI or CT imaging.ConclusionsThe VAMP is an alternative to commercially available mini-ports and has useful applications in animal research involving imaging procedures and contrast agent testing. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
|
|
