Unique, light ear bars
Ear bars may be independently adjusted in height, a unique feature of this stereotaxic instrument, to level the skull. Laser engraved scales show the vertical positions of the ear bars. A tooth bar and nose clamp secures the nose. A well, carved in the thick aluminum body, may be filled with dry ice and alcohol for hypothermic anesthesia of neonatal animals. The 51625 Adaptor clamps securely on the right side of the "U" frame of the Lab Standard?.

Model organisms with soft skulls, such as the mouse and the neonatal rat, are difficult to secure firmly in a traditional stereotaxic instrument. The stainless steel ear bars used for adult rats are too heavy to provide a secure hold without compressing the sides of the skull inward (which closes the airways and impedes blood flow.) Further, the neonatal rat pup has no external opening of the auditory canal into which to insert the ear bar points.

Improved Design
New improvements to this popular stereotaxic instrument include an increased overall length to accommodate larger, more mature animals, and the addition of specialized jaw holder cuffs (51647), which securely clamp the zygomatic processes of the skull. The jaw holder cuffs fit over the ends of the ear bars, replacing the rubber pads, providing an alternative non-invasive means of securing the animal's head in the stereotaxic stage. These options for "triple point" securing of the animal's head in this adaptor make it the most versatile mouse stereotaxic available. Set of two jaw holder cuffs included.