Perfection in Every Injection — Precision Tail Vein Injection for Preclinical Research

PERFECTION

IN EVERY

INJECTION

INJ is a precision-engineered tail vein injection system designed for small animal research. It enables fast, accurate, and repeatable intravenous injections, particularly optimized for ECG imaging platforms.

INJ enhances accuracy by stabilizing the animal and tail, and using focused lighting to clearly see the tail vein. This minimizes user error and injection variability.

Yes. INJ is the first and only system specifically designed to integrate seamlessly with ECG imaging platforms such as the VisualSonics Vevo series.

The system is optimized for mice but can be adapted for small rats with minor adjustments.

No special training is needed. The intuitive design shortens the learning curve, allowing most users to achieve consistent results quickly.

Yes. Components are made from durable materials. The system is reusable after proper cleaning with Ethanol.

A narrow adjustable LED strip runs along the tail holder, illuminating the vein for precise needle guidance under both bright and dim lab conditions.

Absolutely. INJ works seamlessly with gas anesthesia systems in preclinical imaging setups.

Yes, the INJ system can be used as a standalone injection aid on any flat surface. However, it is optimized for ECG imaging plates.

INJ sets itself apart with precise alignment, adjustable lighting, tail stabilization, and full ECG platform compatibility — ensuring accurate injections during imaging.

C57BL/6 mice have dark skin pigmentation that reduces vein visibility under standard lighting. The key steps are: warm the tail for 5–10 minutes to dilate the veins, use low-angle or specialized LED illumination to create contrast between the vein and surrounding tissue, stabilize the tail firmly to prevent rotation, and insert a 27–30G needle bevel-up at a shallow angle. The INJ system's integrated narrow LED strip significantly improves vein visualization in black mice compared to overhead room lighting.

For mice, 27–30 gauge needles are standard. A 27G needle is appropriate for most injections and larger volumes. For smaller mice or when using minimal volumes, 28G–30G needles reduce tail trauma. Use a syringe of up to 1 mL. The INJ system is designed to support 27–30G needles and includes a dedicated catheter holder to stabilize the line after insertion.

Warming promotes vasodilation and makes the lateral tail veins easier to see and access. Options include: a heating pad set to 37–40°C, a warming box or lamp for 5–10 minutes pre-procedure, or warm water applied briefly to the tail. Avoid overheating — excessive temperatures cause stress and can harm the animal. Most ECG imaging platforms include built-in heating systems; ensure the animal is at maintenance anesthesia (1.5–2% isoflurane) before attempting injection, as high induction concentrations lower blood pressure and collapse the vein.

Both routes deliver compounds into systemic circulation, but they differ in precision and animal welfare. Retro-orbital (r.o.) injection targets the venous sinus behind the eye — a larger target, but highly operator-dependent, with risk of ocular damage and undetected extravasation. Tail vein injection allows direct visualization of the entry point and is well-suited for repeated injections with minimal tissue trauma. Studies show similar pharmacokinetic profiles between the two routes. For high-volume, repeated, or imaging-concurrent studies, tail vein injection with a proper restrainer and LED illumination is generally preferred for reproducibility and animal welfare.