Mice persistently removing protective silicone from headcap between lens implantation and baseplating

[Gavin Scott]

Hi everyone,

I'm having a frequent issue with the protective silicone coming off my headcaps while mice are in between lens implantation and baseplating. This has unfortunately led to some lenses becoming damaged (e.g. chips in the lens face) before I am able to add baseplates.

After some experimentation, I am fairly sure that the issue stems from group-housed mice removing the silicone from one another's head caps, as this doesn't happen when I single-house mice. However, I would like to avoid having to isolate my animals if at all possible.

Does anyone have any experience with similar issues?

For reference, I am using Smooth-On Body Double "Fast Set" silicone rubber as an inexpensive alternative to Kwik-Sil and I am led to believe that it is essentially the same thing. As per the standard protocol, I first cover the top of the lens with parafilm and then cover the lens with silicone. 

I have also tried building headcaps of different shapes to better protect the lens and hold onto the silicone, the cross sections of which I have (amateurishly) illustrated in the attached image, but the problem seems to occur irrespective of how I build the headcap.

Thanks very much!

Gavin

[Zachary Zeidler]

Hi Gavin,

I have the exact same issue. The silicone (I use Kwik-Sil) comes off in group-housed mice but not individually housed mice.

My solution is based off a twitter thread from years ago discussing this...I think original credit goes to Cody Siciliano. But my approach has been to glue/cement a small tube (I use a PCR tube) around the lens. I've found that just three points of contact are generally sufficient, rather than needing to glue down the entire base. Then when I go to baseplate, I drill off the glue and remove the tube. If you have trouble with the animals chewing into the tube (I generally don't), you can also cover the tube with cement.

Hope this helps. If it's a little unclear I can draw out a diagram and share it

- Zach

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[Tristan Shuman]

Hi Gavin, this is a very common problem. We do something similar to your second drawing and put an additional thin layer of dental cement over the kwik-sil (or body double) to keep it in place. Then when you go to baseplate you can just drill it off.  Should protect the lens and not come off.

Tristan

[Gavin Scott]

Thanks for the responses!! Looks like I've got multiple solutions to pilot out now.