Encyclopedia of Experiments: Immunology
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Transcript
Secure an anesthetized mouse that has a cranial midline incision to a stereotactic frame.
Detect the bregma, a reference point on the skull, and determine the injection location.
Create a burr hole at the location, avoiding damage to the dura mater covering the brain.
Take a step catheter loaded with antibodies, mounted on a stereotactic robot, and connected to an infusion pump.
The catheter comprises a fused silica capillary protruding from a metal needle, creating a stepped outer diameter at the fusion point.
Insert the catheter into the brain parenchyma. Start the infusion pump to create a pressure gradient at the catheter opening and deliver the antibodies at a controlled rate, a technique known as convection-enhanced delivery.
The stepped diameter compresses the tissue, creating a seal.
The seal prevents fluid reflux and enables the distribution of large antibody volumes while lowering the risk of tissue damage.
