ALZET osmotic pumps are miniature, implantable pumps used for research in mice, rats, and other laboratory animals. These infusion pumps continuously deliver drugs, hormones, and other test agents at controlled rates from one day to six weeks without the need for external connections or frequent handling.

Their unattended operation eliminates the need for repeated nighttime or weekend dosing. ALZET pumps can be used for systemic administration when implanted subcutaneously or intraperitoneally. They can be attached to a catheter for intravenous, intracerebral, or intra-arterial infusion. ALZET pumps can also be used for targeted delivery, where the effects of a drug or test agent are localized in a particular tissue or organ, by means of a catheter. The pumps have been used to target delivery to a wide variety of sites including the spinal cord, spleen, liver, organ or tissue transplants, and wound healing sites.

ALZET pumps have been used in thousands of studies on the effects of controlled delivery of a wide range of experimental agents, including peptides, growth factors, cytokines, chemotherapeutic drugs, addictive drugs, hormones, steroids, and antibodies. Due to the unique mechanism by which ALZET pumps operate, compounds of any molecular conformation can be delivered predictably at controlled rates, independent of their physical and chemical properties. A bibliography of pump work which has been documented in the scientific literature is available, as is information on the osmotic delivery mechanism of ALZET pumps.

ALZET pumps are intended for use in experimental animals only. They are not to be placed into animals used for food products. They are not to be used in humans.

Pump Rates & Specifications

To meet different research needs, ALZET osmotic pumps are available in a variety of sizes, pumping rates, and durations. Shown below, a total of twelve different pump models are available in three sizes (corresponding to reservoir volumes of 100 µL, 200 µL and 2 mL) with delivery rates between 0.11 µL/hr and 10 µL/hr and durations between one day to six weeks.

All ALZET pumps are composed of Cellulose Ester Blend in the outer membrane and a drug resevoir of Thermoplastic Hydrocarbon Elastomer.

The tables below review the specifications, dimensions and materials of ALZET osmotic pumps.

ALZET Pump Model	1003D	1007D	1002	1004
Nominal Pumping Rate (µL/hr)	1.0	0.5	0.25	0.11
Nominal Duration	3 Days	7 Days	14 Days	28 Days
Nominal Reservoir Volume	100 µL	100 µL	100 µL	100 µL
Length (cm)	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Diameter (cm)	0.6	0.6	0.6	0.6
Weight (g)	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
Total Displaced Volume (ml)	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5

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ALZET Pump Model	2001D	2001	2002	2004	2006
Nominal Pumping Rate (µL/hr)	8.0	1.0	0.5	0.25	0.15
Nominal Duration	1 day	1 week	2 weeks	4 weeks	6 weeks
Nominal Reservoir Volume	200 µL	200 µL	200 µL	200 µL	200 µL
Length (cm)	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0	3.0
Diameter (cm)	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7
Weight (g)	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1	1.1
Total Displaced Volume (ml)	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0	1.0

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ALZET Pump Model	2ML1	2ML2	2ML4
Nominal Pumping Rate (µL/hr)	10.0	5.0	2.5
Nominal Duration	1 week	2 weeks	4 weeks
Nominal Reservoir Volume	2 mL	2 mL	2 mL
Length (cm)	5.1	5.1	5.1
Diameter (cm)	0.7	0.7	0.7
Weight (g)	1.1	1.1	1.1
Total Displaced Volume (ml)	1.0	1.0	1.0

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Note: Dimensions and specifications are for the complete osmotic pump assembly, including the flow moderator. The nominal performance is a target for all pumps manufactured. Individual lots of pumps may vary from this target within limits. Each lot of ALZET osmotic pumps is tested at DURECT to determine the exact pumping rate and reservoir volume and to ensure accurate compound delivery. These data are provided with each order.