RWD 68203 Cannula Holder

Overview

The RWD 68203 Cannula Holder is a precision-engineered stereotactic accessory designed for stable, repeatable fixation of cannulas, electrodes, and microinjection tubes during in vivo neuroscience and preclinical pharmacology experiments. Built on a wedge-type mechanical clamping principle, the device enables unobstructed lateral visual access to the cannula shaft and insertion site—critical for real-time alignment verification under surgical microscopy or stereotaxic guidance. Its front-end profile measures precisely 4.0 mm in thickness, minimizing interference with adjacent instruments or cranial windows while maintaining structural rigidity. The holder accommodates cylindrical implants with outer diameters ranging from 1.0 mm to 3.5 mm, making it compatible with standard RWD stainless-steel cannulas (e.g., 68101–68107 series), tungsten or platinum-iridium electrodes, and selected Alzet osmotic minipump delivery catheters. It integrates seamlessly with RWD’s 68100-series stereotaxic frames and dual-arm manipulators, supporting both acute and chronic implantation protocols under GLP-aligned laboratory practices.

Key Features

• Wedge-based clamping mechanism ensures uniform radial pressure distribution, reducing risk of cannula deformation or slippage during stereotaxic adjustment
• Optimized 4.0 mm frontal thickness permits clear optical access—enabling concurrent visualization of cannula tip position and dural surface during insertion
• Adjustable clamping range: 1.0–3.5 mm OD—covers most commercially available intracerebral cannulas, microelectrodes, and infusion catheters
• Machined from medical-grade anodized aluminum alloy for corrosion resistance, non-magnetic compatibility, and autoclavability (up to 134°C, 21 psi)
• Direct mounting interface compatible with RWD 68100-series stereotaxic frames and third-party adapters (e.g., David Kopf, Stoelting)

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The 68203 holder is validated for use with RWD-branded cannulas (models 68101–68107), custom-fabricated 3.5 mm OD stainless-steel guide cannulas, and Alzet model 1003D/1004D infusion catheters. It supports ISO 13485-aligned handling procedures and meets biocompatibility requirements per ISO 10993-5 (cytotoxicity) when used with sterilized components. While not a regulated medical device, its mechanical design adheres to ASTM F2104-20 guidelines for stereotactic instrument dimensional stability under repeated thermal cycling. Documentation includes material traceability certificates and RoHS/REACH compliance statements for all metallic components.

Software & Data Management

As a purely mechanical positioning accessory, the 68203 requires no embedded firmware or software integration. However, it supports full auditability within digital experimental workflows: clamping status (engaged/released), orientation angle, and depth setting can be logged manually or via RWD’s optional Digital Stereotaxic Log Software (v3.2+), which complies with FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements for electronic records—including user authentication, time-stamped entries, and immutable audit trails. Integration with LabArchives ELN or Quartzy enables automatic metadata tagging (e.g., “Cannula ID: RWD-68103”, “Clamp Model: 68203”, “Sterilization Batch: ALU-2024-087”) for longitudinal study traceability.

Applications

• Chronic intracerebral microinfusion studies using Alzet pumps or Hamilton syringe-driven systems
• Multi-site electrophysiological recording with bundled electrode-cannula assemblies
• Optogenetic fiber optic cannula stabilization in conjunction with 473 nm/589 nm laser delivery systems
• Validation of bilateral drug delivery symmetry in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease or depression
• High-resolution MRI-compatible stereotaxic surgery where low-profile hardware minimizes RF artifact

FAQ

Is the 68203 compatible with non-RWD cannulas?
Yes—provided the outer diameter falls within 1.0–3.5 mm and the surface finish is smooth (Ra ≤ 0.8 µm). Tapered or threaded cannulas may require verification of seating stability prior to use.
Can it be sterilized using ethylene oxide (EtO)?
Yes. All components are EtO-compatible; however, post-sterilization aeration per ISO 10993-7 is required to ensure residual gas levels remain below 4 ppm.
Does it support simultaneous dual-cannula alignment?
No—the 68203 is a single-axis holder. For dual-cannula applications with sub-millimeter inter-cannula spacing, RWD recommends the 68211 Dual-Cannula Holder (minimum center-to-center distance: 0.3 mm).
What torque specification is recommended for the clamping screw?
Maximum tightening torque: 0.35 N·m. Over-torquing may deform the wedge mechanism and compromise repeatability across repeated cycles.