Battelle Restrainer – Small Rat

The NORES rodent exposure restraint tubes (Battelle patent 6,651,587) are designed to comfortably restrain the rodent during nose-only exposure using the Cannon-type flow-past nose-only exposure chamber (Battelle patent 4,721,060). The tubes are constructed of polycarbonate plastic. A channel at the bottom of the tube helps clear urine. The rat tubes are ventilated by four slits at the top of tube (the mouse tube is not ventilated).

The animal is introduced into the tube and held in place by an adjustable pusher inserted from the back of the tube. The pusher is rounded to accommodate the rear of the rat and has a notch at the bottom to allow the tail to lie outside the tube. The pusher is constructed of liquid crystal polymer. The pusher slides in a slot in the top of the tube and is secured in place by a cam lever. The polycarbonate tube and the pusher will tolerate wash water temperatures in excess of 95°C (200°F).