BD Insylte, Sparks, MD or Jelco Optiva, Carlsbad, CA
1-in.-long, 20-gauge intravenous (IV) catheter
Fiber-optic cable
Edmund Optics, Barrington, NJ
#NT02-542
Approximately 2-ft length of 0.5-mm optical fiber (Communication grade plastic fiber). The edge of the fiber end that is inserted into the trachea should be gently rounded by holding the fiber ≈2 cm from the end and then making small circles while dragging the tip for a few seconds on 1,000-grit emory paper.
Light Source
Volpi
NCL-150
Although we use a 150-W halogen light source, any equivalent light source, even with much lower wattage can be used.
Silicone rubber stopper
A #1 silicone rubber stopper fits the light source used in this demonstration. Different light sources may require a different size.
Small silicone rubber tube
Cole-Palmer
EW-96410-13
A ≈1.5 cm piece of silicone rubber tubing (0.8 inner diameter, 4 mm outer diameter)
Angled support stand
Ours is constucted from plexiglass, but any material to which a thread or wire can be affixed to hold the mouse at an almost vertical angle can be used.
Hastings, R. H., Summers-Torres, D. Direct Laryngoscopy in Mice.Contemporary Topics in Laboratory Animal Science / American Association for Laboratory Animal Science. 38, 33-35 (1999).