title: In vivo cannulation of retinal vessels.
abstract: In vivo cannulation of retinal blood vessels has not been reported but would be useful in exploring local vascular parameters and new treatment modalities. We developed a microsurgical technique for cannulating rabbit and cat retinal vessels, using glass micropipettes with curved shanks made from standard capillary tubing. The micropipette was held by a micromanipulator, which was fitted with a fiberoptic sleeve for intraocular illumination and for micropipette tip protection during insertion through the sclera. Direct aspiration from and injection into retinal blood vessels were possible.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D002415:Cats; D004867:Equipment Design; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D011817:Rabbits; D012171:Retinal Vessels