SUMMARY
UCLA researchers in the Department of Neurology have developed an innovative injury cap for rodents that improves the efficacy and reproducibility of fluid percussion injuries.
BACKGROUND
Studies on the effects of brain injuries require the use of rodents to mimic traumatic brain injury. Current methods require pressure to be applied to a precise and localized area with injury caps to contain the fluid and enclose the area of interest. These caps are traditionally made by cutting a plastic needle hub to size where it is adhered to the rodent brain. However, this process tedious, hazardous, and the hard plastic used on needle hubs can damage delicate brain tissue. Therefore, there is a need for standardized rodent injury caps that are optimized for use with fluid percussion injury devices.
INNOVATION
Researchers in the Department of Neurology developed a brain injury cap for rodents that improved the efficacy and reproducibility of fluid percussion injury devices. The improved cap not only eliminated the tediousness of the procedure, but also reduces the risk of inducing accidental trauma. The cap delicately conforms to the brain’s surface and seals the targeted area without damaging brain tissue. Moreover, the surface of the cap has features that allowed for a secure grip during handling and limiting accidental damage. Finally, the developed cap can be manufactured in a variety of different sizes for rodents of varying sizes and can potentially be a standardized brain injury cap for rodents.
POTENTIAL APPLICATIONS
ADVANTAGES
Development-To-Date: First successful demonstration of prototype to practice in a laboratory setting