TRANSPARENT ACCESS CHAMBER FOR THE RAT DORSAL SKIN FOLD

The design and surgical implantation procedure of a new aluminum chamber with a transparent window for the rat dorsal skin fold are described. The chamber combines strength, low weight, and high optical transparency, and provides access to the subcutaneous tissue. The latter permits transplantation of different tissue, application of chemical substances, or micromanipulation. In the present work, a mammary adenocarcinoma was transplanted into the subcutaneous tissue within the chamber for observation of tumor growth and microcirculation. © 1979.