Transcardial perfusion fixation of the CNS by means of a compressed-air-driven device

In the present report we describe the construction of a systemic vascular perfusion device designed to perfuse small mammals with fixatives under a constant, controlled hydrostatic pressure. The device is powered by compressed-air. The construction of the device allows the interchange of vessels containing various perfusates during the perfusion, without having to interrupt the flow or alter the hydrostatic pressure. Large volumes of fixatives can be perfused in a relatively short time, leading to good preservation of brain tissue, both for light and electron microscopical purposes.