US Patent:
20130042332, Feb 14, 2013
Inventors:
Zhiyong Chen - Gaithersburg MD, US
Zhilin Liao - Rockville MD, US
Frank C. Tortella - Columbia MD, US
Xi-Chun May Lu - Laurel MD, US
Jitendra R. Dave - Gaithersburg MD, US
Jay E. Bartlett - Adamstown MD, US
Mark F. Arnold - Shepherdstown WV, US
Mark P. Easterday - Jefferson MD, US
Mark W. Brown - Meyersville MD, US
Larry R. Holmes - Peach Bottom PA, US
Zachary J. Larimore - Elkton MD, US
Kara E. Schmid - Germantown MD, US
Deborah A. Shear - Ellicott City MD, US
Lai Yee Leung - Bethesda MD, US
Andrea Mountney - Silver Spring MD, US
International Classification:
A01K 67/00
F41B 11/32
A01K 29/00
F41B 11/00
US Classification:
800 9, 124 56, 124 70, 119850
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for inflicting brain injury on a laboratory animal that employs a platform for supporting the laboratory animal. The platform defines an opening for positioning the head of the laboratory animal over the opening. A projectile is launched from a projectile launching device orientated below the opening of the platform. The projectile launching device has a means for propelling the projectile directly at and/or through the opening of said platform, thereby inflicting brain injury on the animal via either a pressure wave or concussive impact of the projectile. Without helmet, direct impact of the projectile results in severe traumatic brain injury. Use of helmet protects animals from skull fracture, subdural hematoma, intracerebral hemorrhage and contusion yet produces mild concussion-like pathology.