GE Analytical Instruments ©2006 9-4 DLM 14291 Rev. A
Chamber Sampling
Chamber sampling can be used to measure exhaled NO from small animals such as
mice, rats and guinea pigs. The setup for chamber sampling is shown in Figure 9-3
and consists of:
• A head-out, double chamber plethysmograph
• A supply of low NO air
• Two three-way Luer stopcocks
• 1/8” Teflon tubing with male Luer fittings
A tee is installed on the zero air inlet to the chamber. The flow rate of zero air is
adjusted so that a small excess of gas exits the open leg of the tee and the
vacuum pump on the NOA draws the gas through the chamber.
The a head-out, double chamber plethysmograph is preferred to a single chamber
system as the head-out configuration helps to minimize NO from urine and feces.
The measurement consists of four steps:
• The animal is placed in the chamber.
• The stopcocks are positioned to flush the head-out chamber with low NO air.