title: An apparatus for quantitating experimental spinal cord trauma.
abstract: An apparatus is described for producing experimental contusion of the spinal cord and simultaneously monitoring the degree of trauma: velocity of spinal cord deformation, impulse and energy. This is accomplished by modifying an existing trauma apparatus by the addition of a displacement transducer, an induction coil triggering device and oscilloscope. With variability in the mechanics of the trauma apparatus and biological variations in each animal (i.e. differences in the visco-elastic properties of the spinal cord, etc.) and in different kinds of animals, this apparatus will more accurately quantitate the trauma delivered to each spinal cord and, thereby, form a better basis for correlation of amount of injury, degree of neurological dysfunction and efficacy of various methods of treatment.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002415:Cats; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004582:Electronics, Medical; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology