Implantable Rat and Mouse Blood Pressure Transducer

Long term objective is to develop pressure transducer preparations for chronic implantation inrats and mice. Our specific aims include developing a 1.3 mm dia implantable transducer for rats;implantable mating dome/cannula/flushing system for mice; and accessory electronics for interfacingwith monitoring systems. Rats and mice are replacing larger mammals in cardiac research for budgetaryand societal reasons. No suitable chronic implantable pressure preparations are now available.Implantable transducers have been shown to substantially reduce mortality and morbidity in experimentalanimals, permitting longer surveillance time, better quality data. Methodology for achieving goals:design/procure .23 x .30 mm strain gages; design/fabricate 1.3 mm dia transducers; develop newmetal/semiconductor interface to reduce baseline drift. The 1.3 mm implantable prototype transducercan be produced in Phase I. Success will justify feasibility of Phase II goals: economic productiondesign; implantable low compliance dome/cannula systems for mice; support electronics. Experiencewith larger-sized implantable transducers has shown extension of such technology to innovativeconfigurations in other species/organs applications.