title: Novel intrathecal and subcutaneous catheter delivery systems in the mouse.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Catheter systems that permit targeted delivery of genes, molecules, ligands, and other agents represent an investigative tool critical to the development of clinically relevant animal models that facilitate the study of neurological health and disease. The development of new sustained catheter delivery systems to spinal and peripheral sites will reduce the need for repeated injections, while ensuring constant levels of drug in plasma and tissues.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here, we introduce two novel catheter delivery systems in the mouse: the O'Buckley intrathecal catheter system for sustained delivery to the spinal region and a subcutaneous bifurcated catheter system for sustained drug delivery to both hindpaws.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The O'Buckley intrathecal catheter system consistently distributed Evans Blue throughout the spinal cord, with the greatest concentration at the thoracic region, and with an 85% surgery success rate. The subcutaneous catheter system consistently distributed Evans Blue to the hindlimbs, with a 100% surgery success rate.
  
  
  METHODS
  The O'Buckley intrathecal catheter system accomplishes sustained drug delivery to the spinal region, with a 2-fold increase in surgery success rate, as compared to the traditional method. Our subcutaneous bifurcated catheter system accomplishes sustained drug delivery to both hindpaws, eliminating the need for repeated intraplantar injections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have developed catheter systems that improve upon traditional methods in order to achieve sustained localized drug delivery to spinal tissues and to hindpaw tissues surrounding peripheral sciatic nerve terminals. These methods have a broad reach, and can be used to enhance behavioral, physiologic and mechanistic studies in mice.
authors.affiliation: Curriculum of Neurobiology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599 NC, USA. Electronic address: folabomi_oladosu@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Folabomi A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Oladosu
authors.affiliation: Curriculum of Oral Biology, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, 27599 NC, USA. Electronic address: brittney_ciszek@unc.edu.
authors.forename: Brittney P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Ciszek
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, ​905 South LaSalle Street, Durham, 27710 NC, USA. Electronic address: sandra.obuckley@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Sandra C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: O'Buckley
authors.affiliation: Center for Translational Pain Medicine, Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, ​905 South LaSalle Street, Durham, 27710 NC, USA. Electronic address: andrea.nackley@duke.edu.
authors.forename: Andrea G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Nackley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D057785:Catheters; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005121:Extremities; D005260:Female; D055104:Infusions, Subcutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D007278:Injections, Spinal / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D057507:Mice, 129 Strain; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
keywords: Bifurcated; Continuous infusion; Drug delivery; Hindpaw; Mouse; Osmotic pump; Peripheral; Routes of administration; Spinal cord; Surgical methods