What is alzet pump?

ALZET Osmotic Pumps are small, implantable pumps for research in mice, rats, and other laboratory animals. These minipumps deliver drugs, hormones, and other test agents at continuous and controlled rates, for durations ranging from one day to six weeks, without the need for external connections or frequent handling.

How does an alzet pump work?

ALZET pumps operate because of an osmotic pressure difference between a compartment within the pump, called the osmotic layer, and the tissue environment in which the pump is implanted.

Can alzet pumps be reused?

Previous research using ALZET Pumps have had infusion durations for as long as 32 weeks in mice. However, this is only possible with serial reimplantation of pumps. Without the option of reimplantation, the maximum infusion possible in a mammalian species is six weeks.

What is an osmotic pump?

Osmotic pumps are most promising systems for controlled drug delivery. These systems are used for both oral administration and implantation. Osmotic pumps consist of an inner core containing drug and osmogens, coated with a semipermeable membrane.

What are osmotic agents?

Osmotic agents are osmotically active ions or molecules that are poorly absorbed by the intestine and thereby obligate water retention intralumenally to maintain isotonicity with plasma.

What is the purpose of osmosis?

Both diffusion and osmosis aim to equalize forces inside cells and organisms as a whole, spreading water, nutrients and necessary chemicals from areas that contain a high concentration to areas that contain a low concentration.

What is osmosis process?

osmosis, the spontaneous passage or diffusion of water or other solvents through a semipermeable membrane (one that blocks the passage of dissolved substances—i.e., solutes). The process, important in biology, was first thoroughly studied in 1877 by a German plant physiologist, Wilhelm Pfeffer.

What is the strongest diuretic?

Loop diuretics are the most potent diuretics as they increase the elimination of sodium and chloride by primarily preventing reabsorption of sodium and chloride.