ALZET Pump Instruction Sheets
Helpful Information
- Use the lot specific data to calculate the required concentration of solution needed to achieve the desired dose. See our interactive concentration calculator.
- Select the solvent and verify its compatibility (list of compatible solvents) and that of the test compound with the ALZET pumps. Confirm with an ALZAID Chemical Compatibility Kit as needed.
- Ensure that the test compound is soluble and the solution is stable for the duration of the study at 37°C.
- Use aseptic technique
- Weigh each pump with flow moderator.
- Use the filling tube provided (extras may be purchased).
- Have more than enough solution in the syringe when filling.
- Fill the pumps with the curved end down.
- Fill with the flow moderator removed and then insert the flow moderator.
- A small amount of back pressure is normal. If you experience too much pressure, try:
- Tilting the filling tube at a slight angle to allow for air to escape
- Inserting and removing the flow moderator a few times to widen the exit port
- Fill the pump completely, insert the flow moderator, wipe off any excess solution, and weigh the pump again to determine the exact amount filled. This figure may be greater than the nominal fill volume. It should be greater or equal to 90% of the mean fill volume for your lot number (located on the instruction sheet). Complete Filling Instructions
- What is priming? Priming is submerging the filled pumps in sterile saline at 37°C for the specified amount of time to allow the pumps to hydrate, come up to temperature, and reach steady-state pumping ahead of implantation.
- Priming is mandatory for all catheter applications
- Priming is recommended if you desire the pump to start immediately upon implantation or if you are working with a viscous solution.
- Priming the pumps for the specified amount of time will not decrease your infusion duration.
- The time required for the pumps to achieve steady-state will depend upon the specific pump model. Priming Times and Procedures
- Use aseptic technique
- Make the subcutaneous pocket large enough to accommodate the pump.
- For complete implantation instructions, refer to the package insert.
- View our online surgical video.
- The ALZET pumps must be explanted by one additional half-life. (See explanting, when and why).
- Explanting the pumps enables them to be examined and verified for accurate delivery performance. (See verifying delivery)
Request a Bibliography
The ALZET Bibliography now contains over 22,000 publications that show the successful use of ALZET pumps in multiple research areas.
Contact Technical Support
Need help? Our Technical Support Team can answer questions that you have about using the pumps.
ALZET Pump Advantages
- Ensure around-the-clock exposure to test agents at predictable levels
- Continuous administration of short half-life proteins and peptides
- Convenient method for the chronic dosing of laboratory animals
- Minimize unwanted experimental variables
- Ensure reproducible, consistent results
- Eliminate the need for nighttime or weekend dosing
- Reduce handling and stress to laboratory animals
- Small sizes for use in mice or very young rats
- Targeted delivery of agents to virtually any tissue
- Cost-effective research tool
- Easy to use by lab personnel