A miniaturized cryoprobe for functional neuronal blockade in freely moving animals.
We have developed a miniature cryoprobe for blockade of neuronal structures. The cryoprobe uses Freon as a cooling medium and consists of concentric double stainless steel cannulae, a shaft heater coil and a tip thermocouple. The cryoprobe tip temperature is controlled by adjusting Freon flow supplying the cryoprobe by an automobile fuel injector and electronic control circuit, and is displayed on a temperature monitor. Tissue temperatures, determined by thermocouples, ranged from 8.5 degrees C near the cryoprobe tip to 20 degrees C 2.5 mm distal to the tip. The cryoprobe shaft is maintained at body temperature by means of a shaft heater coil and a heater control circuit. The cryoprobe offers advantages of ease of construction, and allows cooling of neuronal structures in freely moving animal preparations.
Zhang
J X
JX
Ni
H
H
Harper
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002404:Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000295:instrumentation; D005615:Freezing; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation; D009407:Nerve Block / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology*
D005617:Chlorofluorocarbons, Methane