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Direct measurements of neurochemical substances in the brain from free moving non-human primates is significantly important for understanding complex brain function and developing treatment strategies for brain disorders in humans. Accordingly, our client has modified an existing microdialysis method for application to rhesus monkeys (Frost et al., in press). However, this method requires restraining monkeys in chairs for up to 12 hours while our client collect samples. Thus, the purpose of this project is to develop a device allowing monkeys to be free from chairing while experiments are conducted. Although a similar device is available for other studies involved in blood sampling in non-human primates, the development of the device for microdialysis experiments may require creativity and intellectual exercise.
From Left To Right: Grant Smith, Angwei Law, Kara Barnhart, & Paul Schildgen
Modifications were made to the cushion design to compensate for the size of the microdrive base. Exact dimensions were determined and the final design was approved by the client. The design has started being constructed by the head of the Primate Center Shop, Bruce Pape. The construction is currently on “hold” in order to obtain exact measurement of the monkey’s head. A "mock" cranial pedestal was constructed and tested on using a monkey skull, screws, dental cement and a cranial pedestal. A face casting/molding method was used to create an exact replica of the monkey’s head so that it could be used as an aid in the construction and modeling of our design. Lastly, a PVC prototype was constructed, completed, and tested on to model the final aluminum design. The final paper has been completed and the project is planned to resume next semester.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 25 | Decide team roles and met with our Client |
| 2 | February 1 | Created a problem statement, a timeline, and a preliminary PDS. Also met with Deb Hartley, the Training Coordinator of the National Primate Research Center regarding access to the animal barrier. |
| 3 | February 8 | Had a brainstorming session where we came up with ideas for both a protective device and methods for securing the device to the non-human primate. Also, completed the required readings and training in order to gain access to the animal barrier. |
| 4 | February 15 | Met with our client and got many of our questions answered. Also, we went over our PDS again and added more numbers so we have a better basis for evaluation. Lastly, we went over the ideas we had brainstormed and brainstormed a few new ideas. |
| 5 | February 22 | One team member was able to witness the beginning of the experiment and the experimental set up. However, the remainder of the team was unable to witness the experiment due to unforeseen complications that arose during the course of the experiment. Three preliminary designs were chosen and evaluated using a design matrix. |
| 6 | February 29 | The remainder of the team members were able to witness the experiment and a mid semester presentation was developed and finalized. Also, we began writing the mid semester paper. |
| 7 | March 7 | Met with the head of the Primate Center Shop, Bruce Pape, to discuss constructing a prototype for the Cushion Design. Also, we were able to obtain a rhesus skull and catalog of the various materials available. |
| 8 | March 14 | Presented our project to our classmates, advisors, and client, submitted the mid-semester report, and completed the peer and self evaluation forms. |
| 9 | March 21 | Met with Bruce Pape to determine the type of aluminum that should be used for the construction of our design. Once the type of aluminum was determined, the amount of material needed was decided based on the amount of aluminum already available to Bruce. |
| 10 | March 28 | Met to revise our design and determine final dimensions. Also, various ways of testing the forces the cranial pedestal can withstand were discussed. |
| 11 | April 4 | Met with our client and showed them the modified design. The new design was approved for construction so we met with the head of the Primate Center Shop, Bruce Pape, and gave him the design drawings and dimensions so work on the device could be started. We also met as a team to discuss the testing we want to do with the dog skull. |
| 12 | April 11 | Decided on using a combination of silicone and expanding foam to serve as the filler inside our device and discussed the ways in which our device can be tested. |
| 13 | April 18 | Met with our client and were able to get a monkey skull and then drill through the skull, put in the screws, and add the dental cement to hold the cranial pedestal in place. It is now ready for testing on Friday. |
| 14 | April 25 | A monkey’s head was molded using a casting material and Bruce Pape began machining an aluminum prototype. However, the aluminum prototype was not completed. Instead, it was postponed due to limitations in obtaining accurate measurements of the monkey’s head. Therefore, the remainder of the construction of the aluminum prototype will take place when the required resources are available. On the other hand, a PVC prototype was constructed, completed, and tested on. Lastly, the final poster was created, revised, and finalized for printing. |
| 15 | May 2 | Out team gave our final presentation summing up the accomplishments we have made this semester and met with our client to discuss the continuation of this project. Also, the final report was completed, revised, and turned in. |
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Midsemester Presentation (Mar 7 2008, 3040 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Mar 11 2008, 477 kb) |
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Final Poster (May 1 2008, 1998 kb) |
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Final Report (May 8 2008, 737 kb) |
