ALZETÒ Osmotic Pump Implantation (IACUC Approval Form Guide):

A guide for filling out the Institutional Animal Care & Use Committee protocol approval form using ALZET® Osmotic Pumps.
 
 

Disclaimer
 
 

About the Pumps

Guide Description

Responsibility

Literature Search

Justification for Pump Use

Pre-Surgical

Anesthesia Induction

Injectable

Volatile

Volatile Induction

Surgical Preparation

Surgical Area

Subcutaneous Implantation

Intraperitoneal Implantation

IV

IV (mice)

CNS

CNS (mice)

Post Operative Care/Analgesics

Pump Specifications

Bibliography

Disclaimer  

The information listed in this document is based on published research articles and consultations with experienced veterinarians.  This information is intended to serve as a resource when filling out an IACUC protocol approval form for the use of ALZET Osmotic Pumps in your study.  This document should be considered a supplemental resource to your own institution’s policies, guidelines, protocols, and suggestions.  The information below is not “all inclusive” and may require additional information to be provided by the researcher. 

Title of Procedure

      Surgical Implantation of ALZET Osmotic Pumps in Rodents

About the Pumps
ALZET® Osmotic Pumps are miniature, infusion pumps for the continuous dosing of laboratory animals as small as mice and young rats. These minipumps provide researchers with a convenient and reliable method for controlled agent delivery in vivo, while avoiding the need to handle the animal during the dosing period.  The ALZET pumps allow for continuous delivery from one day to six weeks with a single pump, without the need for batteries or pre-programming.
 

Description of the procedures covered by this IACUC guide

This guide should help standardize the procedure by which an osmotic pump system, capable of controlled rate delivery of compounds, drugs and or agents, may be implanted in murine models. This document is intended to serve as a resource when preparing an IACUC approval form.  Information may be copied and pasted into your documents as needed.  If you need help choosing a pump, see our comprehensive checklist for use here: Checklist

Responsibility

The user should follow manufacturer’s guidelines for pump selection appropriate to animal size and desired application.  In addition, precautions for agent/vehicle compatibility with delivery device(s) must be considered and or tested.  

The user should adhere to aseptic principles when preparing the agent/vehicle and during filling and priming of delivery device(s).

The user should follow current guidelines for veterinary anesthesia and aseptic surgical procedures, as adapted to common laboratory rodents, when performing implantations. 

Literature Search

If references are required to help support your study, you can find over 10,000 citations available on our website under the “Research Applications” section or you can request a custom search here: Bibliography Request  

For citation purposes, please use the following format: 

ALZET® Osmotic Pumps

Durect Corporation

PO Box 530 Cupertino, CA 95015

Justification for Use of ALZET Pumps

ALZET pumps are commonly used as a humane alternative to dosing methods associated with higher stress levels, such as repeated injections or tethered infusion systems. Animal stress caused by these dosing methods can obscure research data and affect study reproducibility. ALZET pumps enable scientists to refine their animal treatment by eliminating the added stress of external connections and repetitive animal handling. Since ALZET pumps continuously deliver a precise dose, they ensure that all animals are properly dosed during the study period, thus allowing scientists to reduce the number of study animals needed to achieve statistical significance.  In addition, the ALZET pumps can be used for in vitro studies where animals need to be replaced and controlled delivery is still required. 

Humane Benefits

No external connections necessary for infusion
Risk of infection is minimized (compared to externalized infusion systems)
Minimizes animal handling and stress associated with other repetitive dosing methods (i.e., injections, gavage, tethered infusion systems)
Animals are unrestrained and able to move freely
Obviates need for frequent animal handling, which may interfere with animal behavior and other critical study parameters
Animals may be group housed
Eliminates the possibility of a missed or mistimed dose
Eliminates over dosing and under dosing caused by repeated injections (reduces variability of drug levels in blood and tissues)
No pre-programming, batteries, or complex software required
 

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