Swivel Mounts for Animal Infusion Systems
| Origin | USA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | Swivel Mounts |
| Pricing | Upon Request |
Overview
Swivel Mounts are precision-engineered mechanical interfaces designed to integrate rotary swivels into chronic animal infusion and telemetry studies. These mounts serve a critical biomechanical function: they decouple rotational torque generated by freely moving rodents (rats or mice) from the infusion line, preventing catheter strain, line twist, and premature disconnection. Unlike generic mounting solutions, Instech’s Swivel Mounts employ counter-balanced lever arm architecture—based on validated principles of static equilibrium and low-friction rotational kinematics—to maintain consistent alignment between the animal’s movement plane and the swivel axis. This ensures stable, uninterrupted fluid delivery or signal transmission over multi-day experiments under standard vivarium conditions.
Key Features
- Single-axis and multi-axis counter-balanced lever arm configurations optimized for species-specific kinematics (rat vs. mouse)
- Modular design compatible with standard polycarbonate and acrylic rodent housing systems (e.g., Tecniplast, Allentown, and Lab Products cages)
- Stainless steel and medical-grade anodized aluminum construction for autoclavability and long-term corrosion resistance
- Low-torque, ceramic-bearing swivel interface rated for >10⁶ rotation cycles without performance degradation
- Tool-free height and angular adjustment via calibrated micrometer stops for repeatable positioning across study cohorts
- Integrated cable management channels to minimize tangling and reduce shear stress on tethered lines
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
Swivel Mounts support continuous intravenous, intracerebroventricular (ICV), intrathecal (IT), and subcutaneous infusions in conscious, freely moving rats (MCL-A model, 6-inch/15 cm lever arm) and mice (SMCL-A model, 3.5-inch/9 cm lever arm). The system complies with NIH Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals requirements for minimizing restraint-related artifacts and promoting behavioral normalcy. Mounting hardware meets ISO 13485–aligned mechanical tolerances and is compatible with GLP-compliant study documentation workflows. All components are non-pyrogenic and suitable for use in IACUC-approved protocols involving chronic catheterization.
Software & Data Management
While Swivel Mounts are inherently mechanical and do not incorporate embedded electronics or firmware, their design enables seamless integration with third-party data acquisition platforms—including Ponemah (DSI), DATAQUEST A.R.T. (ADInstruments), and Spike2 (CED)—via standardized tether routing paths. The consistent mechanical stability provided by the counter-balanced lever arms reduces motion-induced artifact in concurrent physiological recordings (e.g., EEG, ECG, BP). Audit trails for mount installation, calibration, and maintenance can be documented within laboratory information management systems (LIMS) supporting 21 CFR Part 11 compliance when paired with electronic lab notebooks (ELNs).
Applications
- Chronic pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) studies requiring sustained IV infusion over 72+ hours
- Neuropharmacology experiments involving intracerebral microdialysis or optogenetic fiber optic tethering
- Cardiovascular telemetry studies where catheter torque must be isolated from arterial pressure transducer signals
- Behavioral pharmacology assays (e.g., operant conditioning, open field) with simultaneous drug administration
- Metabolic studies using implanted mini-pumps combined with indwelling venous catheters
- Preclinical toxicology assessments requiring repeated dosing without handling-induced stress confounds
FAQ
What species and cage types are supported?
The MCL-A mount is validated for adult Sprague-Dawley or Wistar rats housed in standard 12″ × 18″ cages; the SMCL-A variant supports C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice in 7″ × 11″ enclosures. Both are adaptable to ventilated caging systems with minor bracket customization.
Can these mounts be sterilized between studies?
Yes—mount bodies and lever arms withstand steam autoclaving at 121°C for 20 minutes. Swivel cartridges require separate ethylene oxide (EtO) sterilization per manufacturer specifications.
Is technical support available for custom integration?
Instech provides application engineering consultation—including CAD-based mounting layout review and load-path analysis—for institutional core facilities and contract research organizations (CROs).
Do Swivel Mounts meet FDA or ISO regulatory requirements for GLP studies?
While the mounts themselves are Class I exempt devices under FDA 21 CFR 892.1000, their mechanical design conforms to ISO 14155:2020 principles for minimizing subject risk in biomedical research, and documentation packages support GLP audit readiness.
