A modular and economical traumatic brain injury device for rodent models

A novel, modular device was designed to reproduce two traumatic brain injury models used in the rat and mouse: fluid percussion injury (FPI) and controlled cortical impact (CCI). Commercially available TBI devices are often unimethodical, expensive and sensitive to experimental variability. To achieve maximum control and sensitivity, we utilized a closed loop voice coil control device to more accurately and precisely generate the temporal force function delivered by the CCI and FPI methods. Modular FPI and CCI components were designed for use with this common voice coil system, thereby creating a device that is less expensive, better controlled, and more user friendly than current systems. Through in vitro bench testing with a pressure transducer, we have shown that the pressure generated by our voice coil-controlled simulation device is comparable to results obtained from literature where commercially available devices were utilized. Additionally, we are researching new craniotomy and mounting protocols to precisely control the placement and alignment of the device to the cranium for precise and reproducible injury to the brain.