Key Benefits
- Reduced infection risk — subcutaneous button design minimises exposed catheter length and bacterial migration compared to exteriorised systems
- Freely-moving animals — tether and swivel systems allow unrestricted movement within the home cage, reducing stress and improving data quality
- Multi-channel access — up to 4 channels in a single button for simultaneous infusion and sampling through separate vascular sites
- Quick connect/disconnect — PinPort-based connections enable fast, aseptic access without anaesthesia
Overview
Instech Vascular Access Buttons (VABs) are subcutaneous ports implanted on the dorsal surface of the animal, providing reliable external access to indwelling vascular catheters. The button design eliminates the need for backpack-mounted exteriorisation, reducing infection risk and improving animal comfort.
The complete system includes VABs, harnesses, spring tethers, and fluid swivels that allow animals to move freely within their home cage during continuous infusion or serial blood sampling. Mouse, rat, and pig configurations are available with single- and multi-channel options.
Key Features
- Mouse VABs: 1-channel, 1-channel with mesh, 2-channel, Murine Ommaya Port
- Rat VABs: 1-channel, 2-channel, 3-channel, and 4-channel configurations
- Pig VABs: 2-channel for large animal studies
- Spring tethers with protective coil for catheter lines
- Fluid swivels: single and multi-channel for continuous infusion
- Harnesses: adjustable for secure tether attachment
- Compatible with all Instech pre-made catheters and PinPort connectors
- Implantable subcutaneously on the dorsal surface
Typical Applications
- Chronic intravenous infusion studies
- Serial blood sampling for pharmacokinetic profiling
- Simultaneous infusion and sampling (dual-channel)
- Continuous glucose monitoring and clamp studies
- GLP toxicology with freely-moving animals
- Long-term dosing studies requiring repeated vascular access
Specifications
| Species | Mice, rats, pigs |
|---|---|
| Channels (Mouse) | 1 or 2 |
| Channels (Rat) | 1, 2, 3, or 4 |
| Channels (Pig) | 2 |
| Button Material | Medical-grade plastic with silicone septum |
| Tether Type | Spring coil with swivel mount |
| Swivel Options | Single-channel and multi-channel fluid swivels |
| Sterilisation | Autoclavable components; EtO sterile packaging available |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of a VAB over an exteriorised catheter?
Vascular Access Buttons are implanted subcutaneously, reducing the length of catheter exposed to the environment. This significantly lowers infection rates and improves catheter longevity compared to traditional backpack-mounted exteriorisation.
Can animals move freely with a tether system?
Yes. The spring tether and fluid swivel combination allows animals to move, groom, eat, and drink normally within their home cage. The swivel prevents tubing from tangling during movement.
How many channels can I have in a single button?
Rat VABs are available with up to 4 channels, allowing access to multiple vascular sites through a single subcutaneous port. Mouse VABs support up to 2 channels.
What is the Murine Ommaya Port?
The Murine Ommaya Port is a specialised mouse VAB designed for intracerebroventricular (ICV) access, enabling direct delivery of compounds to the central nervous system in mouse models.
Are VABs compatible with Instech catheters?
Yes, all Instech VABs are designed to work seamlessly with Instech pre-made vascular catheters and PinPort connectors, providing a fully integrated vascular access system.