APPARATUS FOR SIMULATING TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND METHOD FOR INDUCING SPINAL CORD INJURY

摘要

This invention is an apparatus (20) for simulating human traumatic brain injury in an animal, said apparatus (20) comprising a support (21) having an aperture (22) having end walls (24), and side walls (26) disposed therein; a sliding element (28) sliding engaged with said side walls (26) of said aperture (22), said sliding element (28) having a retainer (30) disposed thereon for receiving an animal holder (32) therein; and a crank arm (34) operatively connected to both said sliding element (28), and an actuator mechanism (36). A method of simulating human spinal cord injury in an animal, said method comprising the steps of providing a vertebrate animal having an invertebral space, and a spinal cord; causing an opening in the animal at the invertebral space to the anterior surface of the spinal cord; inserting a deflated balloon embolectomy catheter into the opening; and rapidly inflating the balloon catheter to cause the balloon catheter to expand, and contact the spinal cord whereby the contact causes injury to the spinal cord.