In Vivo Support System for Brain Imaging in Live Mice

In order to image the brain of live animals, a system is required to position an animal's head under the microscope while keeping it anesthetized and warm. Most available heating systems are thick and uneven, limiting the number of microscopes they can be used with. Most available stereotaxic devices are bulky and have difficulty aligning mice across imaging sessions. We have developed an in vivo imaging support system that provides secure head fixation, gas anesthesia delivery, and warmth. The system is built around a low-profile, heated plate with a serpentine water channel connected to a heated water reservoir. Integrated into the plate are two posts for securing a head plate. The head plate is permanently glued to the skull of the mouse. This system aligns the head consistently over multiple imaging sessions. An anesthesia nose cone with an elastomeric shroud minimizes the release of anesthetic gas into the room. It securely attaches to the plate so that the whole system can be easily moved from a table top to the microscope and back again. This system is more compact than a comparable system consisting of discrete components with an immobilization frame and a traditional heated pad. Its small size allows it to be used with more microscope systems. We have used our novel system for over 40 imaging sessions. This integrated system prevents hyperthermia while securely positioning the head, and keeping them anesthetized for the duration of each 2-hr imaging session.