Development of a Multimodal Apparatus to Generate Biomechanically Reproducible Spinal Cord Injuries in Large Animals
Peer reviewed, Journal article
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Date
2019Metadata
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Abstract
Rodents are widespread animal models in spinal cord injury (SCI) research. They have
contributed to obtaining important information. However, some treatments only tested
in rodents did not prove efficient in clinical trials. This is probably a result of significant
differences in the physiology, anatomy, and complexity between humans and rodents.
To bridge this gap in a better way, a few research groups use pig models for SCI. Here
we report the development of an apparatus to perform biomechanically reproducible
SCI in large animals, including pigs. We present the iterative process of engineering,
starting with a weight-drop system to ultimately produce a spring-load impactor. This
device allows a graded combination of a contusion and a compression injury. We
further engineered a device to entrap the spinal cord and prevent it from escaping
at the moment of the impact. In addition, it provides identical resistance around the
cord, thereby, optimizing the inter-animal reproducibility. We also present other tools
to straighten the vertebral column and to ease the surgery. Sensors mounted on the
impactor provide information to assess the inter-animal reproducibility of the impacts.
Further evaluation of the injury strength using neurophysiological recordings, MRI scans,
and histology shows consistency between impacts. We conclude that this apparatus
provides biomechanically reproducible spinal cord injuries in pigs.