Non-invasive restrained whole body plethysmography for measurement of airway function in conscious mice

摘要

A restrained whole body plethysmography apparatus for measurement of airway hyper-responsiveness in conscious mice includes an outer chamber, a removable restraint chamber positioned in the outer chamber, a removable docking station in the outer chamber. The removable restraint chamber and the removable docking station interconnect to restrain a mouse in the outer chamber. The restrained whole body plethysmography further includes a first sensor for measuring a first parameter related to respiratory function in the mouse and a second sensor for measuring a second parameter related to respiratory function in the mouse. In a first mode, the outer chamber is substantially sealed such that the apparatus measures pressure, and in a second mode, the outer chamber has a leak such that the apparatus is used to measure flow.