Figure 1.

Alginate molding procedure. (A) Equipment needed for the procedure includes a Fogarty catheter and flexible silicone filling tube attached to a luer-lock adapter. (B) After the rat is anesthetized, a Fogarty catheter is placed inside the colon, secured to the tail with tape, and the balloon inflated and secured by taping down the syringe plunger. (C) The syringe is attached to the luer-lock adapter on the filling tube inside the rat. (D) As the alginate is pushed through the filling tube into the colon, the tube is slowly removed from the colon. A paper towel is held at the anus for several minutes to ensure the alginate does not leak out. The alginate is left to set for 8 to 12 min before removal.