9 Procedure | Labstamp User Guide | PN: 1202.D
3.3. DETERMINING THE CORRECT RESTRAINT AND NEEDLE CARTRIDGE COMBINATION
IMPORTANT: The Labstamp Tail Gauge is used to determine the appropriate Restraint
Cartridge and Needle Cartridge combination that is to be used for each mouse. The proper
use of this tool will ensure that the best quality and most durable tattoo is produced.
Relying on the age or weight of a mouse to determine the appropriate Restraint Cartridge or
Needle Cartridge will not result in a quality tattoo.
The Tail Gauge is comprised of 5 slots of increasing widths. See Figure 3-5 Tail Gauge.
Two of the 5 slots fall within a red coloured zone, and two fall within a blue coloured zone.
These coloured zones correspond to the SMALL and LARGE Restraint Cartridges, respectively.
Above each of the 4 slots on the Tail Gauge is a yellow or green coloured dot. These coloured
dots correspond to the yellow and green coloured Needle Cartridges used in the Applicator
Machine.
The 5th slot on the far left of the Tail Gauge has the international circle-slash symbol above it.
It identifies mice that are too small to be used in the Labstamp System at this time.
3.3.1 To measure the tail, position the mouse tail across the
v-groove of the rubber tail bed. If necessary, gently hold the
tail in place. See Figure 3-6 Positioning the Tail Gauge.
3.3.2 Hold the Tail Gauge as close as practical to the tail grippers,
i.e. where the tail exits the red dome,
NOTE: Ensure the Tail Gauge is held vertically and square with
respect to the tail.
3.3.3 Measure from the largest slot on the right, to the smallest slot
on the left, until you find the appropriate fit.
3.3.4. The appropriate slot on the Tail Gauge should drop under its own weight over the tail. A
snug fit is permissible but do not force the gauge over the tail. See Figure 3-6 Positioning the
Tail Gauge.
3.3.5. Once the slot that best fits the mouse tail is determined, identify the correct Restraint Cartridge
size and Needle Cartridge colour that corresponds to that slot.
In some cases, you may need to change the mouse to the other Restraint Cartridge than what
you first selected to measure the tail.
NOTE: Any time that a mouse is placed or repositioned, either on the same Restraint Cartridge or
on a different Restraint Cartridge, it is important to use the Tail Gauge to confirm the appropriate
combination of Restraint Cartridge and Needle Cartridge is being used.
IMPORTANT: If the tail is too large for any of the slots, the animal is too large to be tattooed.
Figure 3-5 Tail Gauge
Figure 3-6 Positioning the Tail Gauge
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