Continuous Drug Infusion System in Mouse Model: A Surgical Procedure to Implant Micro-osmotic Pump Infusion System in the Mouse Brain for Continuous Drug Delivery

Drug delivery into the brain through cerebrospinal fluid, or CSF, is limited by the blood-brain barrier, or BBB, which significantly reduces the drug concentration. A micro-osmotic pump-based brain infusion system is a small implantable device that overcomes BBB, enabling continuous drug delivery into the brain.

To begin, take a micro-osmotic pump coated with an artificial CSF or aCSF, a vehicle for drug delivery. Now, fill the pump with the desired drug solution. Next, take a brain infusion assembly comprising a catheter attached to an infusion needle. Fill the assembly with the drug. Finally, connect this assembly to the micro-osmotic pump to complete the brain infusion system.

Now, prep an anesthetized mouse on a stereotactic apparatus. Remove the outer skin of the head and disinfect the exposed skull. Using a microdrill, create a hole in the skull to form a passage for the infusion system. Open the skin behind the neck region and place the micro-osmotic pump underneath. Simultaneously, insert the infusion needle into the drilled hole.

The needle penetrates the meninges, and reaches the ventricles to infuse the drug into the brain. Now, apply a suitable adhesive gel to fix the needle. Then, detach the top of the needle. Allow the mouse to recover for further experiments.