Key Benefits
- Supports 3Rs Replacement — practise without live animals — no ethics approval, no animal procurement, no scheduling constraints
- Authentic tactile and visual feedback — feel the correct 'pop' on vein entry; veins are visually detectable with simulated blood loaded — matches real procedure sensation
- 100+ uses per simulator — self-repairing silicone recovers from small punctures after cleaning and drying; varied injection sites extend usable life
- Beginner to advanced progression — white ICR model for initial training; black C57BL/6 model removes visual cues to develop tactile skill — plus rat model for species-specific training
Overview
The Humaneway Rodent Tail Vein Simulators are anatomically realistic silicone training devices that allow researchers and laboratory technicians to develop and maintain tail vein injection and blood collection skills without using live animals, directly supporting the 3R principle of Replacement. Each simulator contains two internal tail vein tubes and a simulated tailbone encased in silicone that replicates the texture, scale, and surface appearance of real rodent skin.
When loaded with simulated blood (red-coloured water, sold separately), the veins are visible from the exterior — providing visual feedback during needle insertion practice. The silicone construction produces authentic tactile resistance: users experience the subtle 'pop' and change in resistance when the needle correctly enters the vein, matching the sensation of live animal procedures. Incorrect insertion is equally distinguishable, accelerating technique development without animal welfare implications.
Three models are available: the White (ICR) Mouse Simulator for beginners — where pale skin colour makes veins more visible for initial training — the Black (C57BL/6) Mouse Simulator for advanced practitioners replicating the thin tail and dark pigmentation of this common inbred strain, and the Rat Tail Vein Simulator modelling a 10-week-old rat with a 180 mm tail and graduated vein diameter (1.0 mm at the base tapering to 0.5 mm at the tip) for realistic simulation of rat procedures. Each simulator withstands more than 100 punctures when injection sites are varied along the tail length.
Key Features
- Three models: White Mouse (ICR), Black Mouse (C57BL/6), Rat (10-week-old)
- Two internal tail vein tubes and simulated tailbone in each model
- Anatomically accurate silicone replicating skin texture, scale, and colour
- Visual vein feedback when loaded with simulated blood (sold separately)
- Authentic tactile feedback: correct needle entry produces a detectable 'pop'
- Rat model: 180 mm tail, graduated vein diameter 1.0 mm (base) → 0.5 mm (tip)
- Self-repairing silicone: small punctures close after cleaning and drying
- More than 100 uses per simulator (with varied injection sites)
- Kit includes 5 winged needles and 2 blunt needles
- Fully compatible with Humaneway Rodent Restraint Devices and Laboratory Needles
- No ethics approval or institutional approval required for training use
Typical Applications
- Staff onboarding and competency training in tail vein injection
- Blood sampling technique training for pharmacokinetic studies
- Institutional 3Rs training programs
- Ongoing competency assessment without animal use
- C57BL/6-specific technique training (black model)
- Rat tail vein procedure training
- Paired use with Humaneway Restraint Devices to simulate complete procedural workflow
Specifications
| Models | White Mouse (ICR), Black Mouse (C57BL/6), Rat |
|---|---|
| Internal veins | 2 per simulator |
| Rat tail length | 180 mm |
| Rat vein diameter | 1.0 mm (base) → 0.5 mm (tip) |
| Usable life | >100 punctures (varied injection sites) |
| Kit contents | 1 simulator, 5 winged needles, 2 blunt needles |
| Simulated blood | Sold separately (red food colouring water) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need animal ethics approval to use the tail vein simulators for training?
No. The Humaneway Tail Vein Simulators are inanimate silicone training tools — no ethics approval, institutional IACUC approval, or animal procurement is required. This is one of the primary advantages for supporting 3Rs Replacement in institutional training programs.
What is the difference between the white and black mouse simulators?
The White (ICR) model is designed for beginners: the pale skin colour makes the veins visually detectable when loaded with simulated blood, helping trainees develop confidence with visual guidance. The Black (C57BL/6) model is for advanced practitioners and replicates the thin tail and dark pigmentation of this common inbred strain, requiring trainees to rely on tactile feedback rather than visual cues — matching the challenge of working with real C57BL/6 mice.
How many times can the simulator be used?
Each simulator withstands more than 100 punctures when injection sites are varied along the tail length. The self-repairing silicone partially recovers from small holes after the device is cleaned and dried.
How do the simulators work with the Humaneway Restraint Devices?
The simulators and restraint devices are designed as a paired system. Technicians load the simulator into the appropriately sized restrainer and perform the full procedural sequence — restraint, tail access, needle insertion — before transitioning to live animals. This replicates the complete workflow including the physical handling components.
What needles are compatible with the simulators?
The kit includes 5 winged Humaneway needles and 2 blunt needles. The Humaneway HW-BI winged laboratory needles are the recommended pairing for training that most closely replicates the live procedure.
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