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Figure 1 | BMC Pulmonary Medicine

Figure 1

From: Immune targeting of the pleural space by intercostal approach

Figure 1

The “InterCostal Approach of the Pleural Space” (ICAPS) model. (A) Shown is a 0.3 ml syringe connected to a 10 cm long polyethylene catheter with a sharpened tip which is the tool to approach the pleural space of rodents. (B) Illustration of the ICAPS model: (1) Mouse under isoflurane anesthesia and fixated with tape. (2) 4 cm long right antero-lateral thoracic incision. (3) Illustration of lung and liver seen through the thorax. (4) Insertion of the polyethylene catheter into the pleural space in a low angle to avoid damaging the lung or causing a pneumothorax. (5) Injection of the blue dye reveals the correct position of the catheter. After removal of the catheter, the skin is closed by 5/0 Ethilon suture and the mouse recovers quickly. Buprenorphin is administered i.p.. (6) To reveal the accuracy of this procedure the mouse diaphragm was explored via an abdominal incision after the procedure was performed. The blue dye can be seen through the diaphragm. (7) The mouse recovers quickly after the procedure. (8) No lung damage is observed. (9) The blue dye was recovered by flushing the pleural space revealing the correct position of the catheter.

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