Tail tatooing system for mice - Labstamp®
Labstamp provides a permanent, visual ID on the tail of mice by applying a choice of up to 3 alpha-numeric characters as tattoos, automatically. Somark specially designed font ensures the IDs are consistent, quick and easy to read. The Labstamp system is so easy to learn, it only takes a few minutes to master and even novice technicians can productively apply the tattoos.
Labstamp was launched in 2012 and has since been used to identify over 2 million mice, across more than 300 pre-clinical research organisations in over 15 countries around the world.
The Labstamp system comes complete with the application system, which you program with your chosen ID value, the restrainer, which keeps the tail in place and ensures the mouse experiences minimal stress plus the tattoo needle and our special TriCell ink slide which contains the specially formulated, irradiated ink.
Somark unique, patented design ensures the tattoo ink is precisely applied to the middle of the dermal layer of the tail (225-275m microns / um). The tattoo ink can be black for albino colonies or UV green for non-albino colonies, ensuring the ID is readable for the lifetime of the mouse.
Labstamp tattoos each character in about 8 seconds, so the process is also very quick to complete.
Adventages of Labstamp tail - tatoo system for mice
Labstamp was developed to mitigate all the common problems with ear-based identification methods:
- No tissue trauma (torn ears)
- No more ear tags falling out
- No need to treat dermititis
- No worries about auricular chondritis
- Most of all, no errors in reading the mouse ID correctly and at least 25% quicker to read.
Labstamp is even better than using pen marks on the tail. Unlike Sharpie marks, which you have to re-apply every couple of days, Labstamp’s tattoo is permanent. Apply once and read forever.
If you are already a fan of tattoo identification, switch to using Labstamp rather than manually applied tattoos. Labstamp tattoos are easier to read and anyone in your team can learn to apply them. No more issues if your tattooist is on leave and no more worries about hard to read characters. The automated process used by Labstamp ensures high quality, legible tattoos that last.
Labstamp has gained universal IACUC / Ethics approval as a permanent visual ID that does not require anesthesia to apply.
How works Labstamp - tatooing system for mice
1. First, restrain the mouse using the unique Labstamp restraint. To ensure the ink is tattooed in the mid dermal layer, measure the girth of the tail with the tail gauge provided, and this will confirm which needle and restraint size to use. Lightly apply a little tail oil provided using a cotton swab.
2. Place the ink slide into the magnetic tail plate, slide holder and place this over the tail.
3. Program the choice of ID needed (alphanumeric and up to 3 characters, which will auto-increment too, if needed) and insert the mouse in the restraint into the portal and press Start.
4. After 24 seconds (for a 3 character tattoo), the sequence will stop and simply remove the mouse and tail plate, clean off the excess ink with a cotton swab and return the mouse to the cage.
