Double-lumen flow-through swivel for chronic experiments with unrestrained monkeys

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Animal Physiology
• Surgical Devices

Background:

• Chronic catheterization is essential for physiological monitoring in large animals.
• Existing swivel technology may present limitations for prolonged, complex procedures.
• Unrestrained animal models require specialized equipment for safe and effective interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe novel modifications to a flow-through swivel system.
• To facilitate prolonged infusions and simultaneous blood sampling in large, unrestrained animals.
• To improve accessibility of implanted catheters and associated tubing.

Main Methods:

• Development and implementation of two distinct flow-through swivel modifications.
• Integration of modified swivels with chronically implanted catheters in large animal models (e.g., rhesus monkeys).
• Evaluation of device functionality for infusion and blood sampling capabilities.

Main Results:

• The modified swivels successfully supported prolonged infusions.
• Simultaneous blood sampling was achieved without compromising animal welfare.
• Enhanced accessibility to the catheter and tubing lumen was confirmed.

Conclusions:

• The described swivel modifications offer a practical solution for advanced research in large, unrestrained animals.
• These improvements enhance the capabilities for physiological studies requiring chronic catheterization.
• The design facilitates easier maintenance and monitoring during long-term experiments.