• Ideal for very small animals, perinatal mice, birds
• Stroke volume range from 0 to 130 µl
• Ventilation rate from 60 to 400 breaths/minute
• Simple adjustment of stroke volume while running
• Valveless piston pump, no valves to clog
• Very small instrument/circuit dead space volume
• Compact construction, place close to animal
• No vibrations, very low noise
The MicroVent Ventilator is a constant-volume respiration pump operating on the Starling principle. Unlike conventional units for larger animals, this ventilator employs a rotary plunger and has no valves. During each ventilation cycle, the plunger performs a synchronized forward and rotating movement. Cleverly arranged bores and channels in the cylinder and plunger control inspiration and expiration during each stroke of the plunger. The extremely light weight and compact construction, in addition to the convenient rod clamp, allow the MicroVent ventilator to be positioned directly next to the animal. Typical setups with larger ventilators produce large tubing and instrument dead space volumes. These larger volumes introduce greater system compliance which can affect the accuracy with which the full tidal volume is introduced into the animal?s lungs. With the MicroVent, the tidal volume error due to system compliance is reduced to less than 3 µl. Tidal volume and respiration rate can be set exactly to the values required for animal ventilation. The level of precision and control available to the investigator minimizes the danger of hyperventilation or hypoventilation. The tidal volume can be varied continuously from 0 to 130 µl during operation without having to interrupt ventilation. The respiration rate is also continuously adjustable from 60 to 400 strokes/min. The expired air can be recovered at the collection port for sampling, recycling or for the generation of a positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP). Room air or any non-explosive gas mixture can be used to feed the pump intake. A multi-gas inlet adapter is available for the MicroVent so that alternate gas mixtures and nebulized substances are delivered to the MicroVent inlet port at atmospheric pressure. The adapter provides ports for multiple selectable gas mixtures (hypoxic, anesthetic...) and a port for the Aerosol Nebulizer.