RWD 68614 Small Animal Tapered Anesthesia Mask

Overview

The RWD 68614 Small Animal Tapered Anesthesia Mask is an ergonomically engineered accessory designed for precise, stable, and non-restrictive delivery of inhalational anesthetics—primarily isoflurane or sevoflurane—to laboratory rats during acute surgical, imaging, or physiological procedures. Unlike conventional flat or dome-style masks, this device employs a conical taper geometry that conforms to the natural craniofacial contour of the rat, ensuring consistent airway alignment and minimizing dead space while maintaining unobstructed access to the animal’s head and neck region. The mask is intended for use with standard small animal anesthesia systems equipped with calibrated vaporizers and precision flow regulators. Its passive, non-ventilated design relies on laminar carrier gas flow (typically 0.5–2 L/min O₂ or medical air) to maintain target anesthetic concentration at the nasal interface, without active humidification or CO₂ scrubbing—making it suitable for short-duration (<90 min), investigator-managed protocols under institutional IACUC oversight.

Key Features

• Conical tapered aperture precisely sized for adult rat (200–500 g), reducing ambient air entrainment and improving anesthetic concentration fidelity at the nares.
• Benchtop-compatible mounting interface allows secure clamping to stereotaxic frames, MRI-compatible positioning tables, or procedure carts without adhesive or tape-based fixation.
• Chemically resistant polycarbonate construction withstands repeated exposure to isoflurane, ethanol, and 70% isopropyl alcohol for routine decontamination between uses.
• Neutral head positioning support: enables seamless transition between prone (e.g., for dorsal surgery or spinal imaging) and supine (e.g., for tracheal intubation or abdominal access) orientations without mask dislodgement or flow interruption.
• Modular compatibility: pairs directly with RWD anesthesia machines (e.g., AE100 series), as well as third-party systems via standardized 1/4″ barbed or Luer-lock inlet connections.

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The RWD 68614 mask is validated for use with Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, and Long-Evans rats within the weight range of 200–500 g. It is not intended for neonatal, geriatric, or transgenic models exhibiting craniofacial anomalies. While the device itself carries no CE marking or FDA 510(k) clearance—as it is classified as a Class I ancillary component under ISO 13485-aligned quality management systems—the design adheres to widely adopted laboratory best practices referenced in the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (NRC, 2011) and AAALAC International standards for anesthetic delivery. Institutions conducting GLP-compliant toxicology studies may document mask usage within SOPs governing anesthetic administration consistency and operator training verification.

Software & Data Management

As a passive mechanical interface, the RWD 68614 mask does not incorporate embedded electronics, sensors, or firmware. Therefore, it requires no driver installation, calibration software, or data logging integration. All operational parameters—including carrier gas flow rate, vaporizer setting, and duration of exposure—are managed externally via the connected anesthesia workstation. Users are advised to record mask usage per session in electronic lab notebooks (ELNs) compliant with 21 CFR Part 11 requirements when used in regulated preclinical studies. Batch-specific traceability is maintained through RWD’s serial-numbered packaging and Certificate of Conformance (CoC), available upon request for audit readiness.

Applications

• Intraoperative maintenance of surgical anesthesia during craniotomy, thoracotomy, or orthopedic implantation procedures.
• Stable anesthetic support during high-resolution in vivo imaging—including MRI, micro-CT, and fluorescence molecular tomography—where head immobilization and minimal interference are critical.
• Electrophysiological recordings requiring long-term, motion-stable respiratory management without endotracheal intubation.
• Behavioral pharmacology assays involving brief anesthetic induction prior to drug administration or stimulus presentation.
• Training platform for veterinary and biomedical students learning principles of inhalational anesthetic delivery and airway management in rodent models.

FAQ

Is the 68614 mask compatible with mice?
No—this model is specifically dimensioned for rats. For murine applications, use the RWD 68618 Tapered Anesthesia Mask, which features a reduced conical aperture diameter and shallower taper depth.
Can this mask be autoclaved?
No. Polycarbonate components are not autoclave-stable. Sterilization is limited to surface disinfection using 70% ethanol or isopropyl alcohol; extended exposure to sodium hypochlorite or hydrogen peroxide vapor is not recommended.
Does the mask include a built-in CO₂ absorber or humidity control?
No. It is a passive delivery interface only. Humidification and CO₂ scrubbing must be provided upstream via integrated anesthesia machine modules or external inline humidifiers.
What clamping mechanism is required for benchtop mounting?
A standard universal lab clamp (e.g., 12.7 mm jaw width) fitted to a rigid support rod or stereotaxic frame is sufficient. No proprietary fixtures are needed.
Is technical documentation available in English?
Yes—RWD provides bilingual (EN/CN) user instructions, dimensional drawings, and material safety data summaries upon product registration via authorized distributors.