GETTING STARTED WITH THE CULEX®
We want to set you up for success, here are the things you’ll need to decide as you get started using your Culex®
Catheterized Animals
OPTION 1
WHAT: In-house
WHY: It gives you full control of the process and the ability to develop new models
WHY NOT: This is an investment in both people and resources. Staff turnover can make it difficult to maintain this important skill.
HOW: BASi can provide surgical training and guides to help you be as successful as possible.
OPTION 2
WHAT: External Vendors
WHY: They are experts. Envigo, Charles River, Jackson Labs, Taconic and Hilltop Lab Animals all have dedicated staff who do this all day every day.
WHY NOT: You work on their timeline, and with their offerings. Also, in some parts of the world, this service isn’t available.
HOW: BASi can provide surgical training and guides to help you be as successful as possible.Where available, you can either 1) purchase the animals with BASi catheters implanted (but make sure you are explicit about what you need) or 2) purchase the animals with the “standard” catheter from the vendor, then use a 22Ga Culex® Tubing Set and the custom volume settings on your Culex® program.
Animal Tether
OPTION 1
WHAT: Collar
WHY: Simple, effective, inexpensive
WHY NOT: For long studies, it can have issues with rubbing/hair loss. It can only adjust one way; if you make it too tight, you need to clip it and start over.
HOW: Your system will come with a startup kit of supplies which include these collars.
OPTION 2
WHAT: Harness
WHY: Some people find the harness to be more comfortable for long-term studies, and it’s easily adjusted both tighter and looser.
WHY NOT: The ties go around the body and are soft which means they can get chewed up. Fitting is usually only possible on an anesthetized animal.
HOW: Work with a harness provider or ask us for help.
OPTION 3
WHAT: Catheter Access Button
WHY: These handy tools are connected to the catheter and embedded under the skin. They increase catheter patency and longevity, make it fast and easy to connect and disconnect. And they seem to minimize infection rates.
WHY NOT: They cost more than a standard catheter, so for short term studies, it may not make sense.
HOW: Some clients are already using these. They have found their own way to integrate it into the system. BASi is working on a better connection to the Raturn and testing to optimize the blood sampling parameters – stay tuned!
Tubing Sets
OPTION 1
WHAT: One Piece Tubing Set
WHY: With a single part number, you get a complete
sampling piece. Everything gets replaced at the end of
each study/animal. Our CRO clients prefer this option.
WHY NOT: Saving money. Read on to learn about the Two
Piece option.
HOW: We offer one piece tubing sets for Culex® and
Culex® NxT systems, and for mice and rats. There are
standard options for connection, as well as customizable
options for 22ga pins, 25 ga pins, and soon for Catheter
Access Ports and Catheter Access Buttons (let us know if
you need these now).
OPTION 2
WHAT: Two-Piece Tubing Set- We break the tubing set into lower (comes in contact with blood) and upper (has no blood contact). You can purchase as many of each that you need.
WHY: This option makes it easy to save money. The upper portion can be reused for multiple animals/studies. The lower portion can be replaced with each study so that there isn’t cross contamination.
WHY NOT: There is no evidence that the Two-Piece Tubing Set has issues with contamination or carry-over, but for those folks who want to be extra careful, then the Two-Piece is not for you. CROs are one good example where the risk is typically not worthwhile. The other reason to not use these is if your Culex® use is sporadic; if the upper won’t get used right away, you’ll need to clean and flush it to keep it in working order.
HOW: We offer Two-Piece tubing sets for Culex® and Culex® NxT systems, and for mice and rats. There are standard options for connection, as well as customizable options for 22ga pins, 25 ga pins, and soon for Catheter Access Ports and Catheter Access Buttons (let us know if you need these now).
Blood Collection Tubes
OPTION 1
WHAT: Large Volume Carousel with Sarstedt Tubes
WHY: The large carousel will hold a variety of vials, but BASi has tested Sarstedt Tubes to make sure that the needle can puncture the cap without causing any issues. There are two options, one for sample volumes below 300uL and one for volumes up to 1.3mL.
WHY NOT: There are several additives available, but we may not have the exact one that you need. In that case you might want to try glass tubes with your own additive.
HOW: We offer the Sarstedt vials from BASi for the same price as you can get them from the original supplier. See all the options here.
OPTION 2
WHAT: Small Volume Carousel with BASi vials.
WHY: The small carousel works with 6 x 32 mm chromacol vials, which have been used in the system since the first release. There are two options, one with dried heparin and one that is blank so that you can collect serum or add the vial treatment of your choice.
WHY NOT: With the limited treatments, this may not suit your study needs. Let us know if you want something custom.
HOW: You can shop online from our website. See all the blood sampling vial options here.