Abstract:
Objective: To develop a new window chamber for microscopic observation of the microcirculation in living
bone, and to examine the utility of the chamber using rat femur in health and diseases. Methods: A stainless chamber (19 mm in diameter and 5 mm in height) with a circular window (7.5 mm in diameter)
for microscopic observation was developed. The chamber was put on rat femur which was exposed for direct
observation of the microvasculature. Intravital observation was made of bone blood flow and microvessels,
using fluorescence videomicroscopy and confocal laser microscopy. The utility of the chamber was examined
based on images of microcirculation (normal and abnormal) in the femur bone. Results and conclusions: Images of rat femur microvasculature were enhanced in the quality by use of the femur
window chamber. The new chamber provides a powerful tool for in vivo studies of the bone microcirculation in
health and diseases.
