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This project requires the design and fabrication of a stereotactic device used to minimize the movement of the heads of anesthetized animals whilst positioned within a 4.7 T magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scanner. The magnetic field within the scanner is approximately 100,000 times greater than the Earth’s magnetic field and therefore significantly restricts the choice of materials that may be used. Consequently, the entire system should be constructed of MR-compatible materials that are non-magnetic and non-conductive, to avoid artifacts and distortion of the MR images. The device should fit into a range of MR coils used specifically for imaging mice or rats and should also be able to support the positioning of additional MR coils so that images may be obtained from different anatomical regions. Further refinements might include the incorporation of a warming unit, using circulating water or air, within the base of the device. The unit construction may involve the use of 3D printing techniques. In addition, the stereotactic device should also be compatible with a dedicated uCT/PET system so that images may be more easily merged between the three different imaging modalities. In addition to the design and fabrication processes, this project would provide the opportunity to gain some experience with the use of both a 4.7 Tesla dedicated animal MRI and a uCT/PET systems.
Left to right: Jeremy Glynn, Adam Goon, Jeremy Schaefer, Mike Conrardy
An image of the final design
The left image shows the image that the client would get from the current restraining device. The right image is an image taken using our design which is much flatter and less distorted.
We are currently doing research on different ways for heating and current designs of stereotactic devices.
| Week | Reporting Period Beginning | Activities |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 25 | Assigned team roles, contacted client to set up meeting |
| 2 | February 1 | Preliminary research, met with client and talked about the basics of the device |
| 3 | February 8 | Went to UW hospital to meet with client and saw holders from Enzyme Research Facility |
| 4 | February 15 | Reaserch on current products and ways to heat the device, brainstorming on different designs for heating |
| 5 | February 22 | Met with 3D printing staff at the biotechnology center about using their rapid prototype printer |
| 6 | February 29 | Brainstormed ideas for design alternatives, starting creating solidworks of our designs, started midsemester presentation |
| 7 | March 7 | Decided on design alternatives, finished mid-semester presentation, continued research on ways to for heating systems |
| 8 | March 14 | Met with client to talk about design of constraint and changed design, finalized the heater we are going to order and probably going to order it in next week. Finished mid-semester report and notebooks and submitted for grading. |
| 9 | March 21 | Spring break- fixed some of the solidworks designs from what our client said he wanted from the meeting before break. We tried to figure what heating device to order. |
| 10 | March 28 | Made modifications of our restraint device from what our client suggested and update Solidworks designs. Our client ordered the heating device (HTP-1500) |
| 11 | April 4 | Ordered plastic pieces for restraint device, a block and cylinder of nylon plastic. |
| 12 | April 11 | We received the HTP 1500 heating device and used it to see how fast it would warm and cool. Discovered there are metal rings on the tubes that will have to be removed or the tubes can be extended so the metal rings aren’t inside the MRI. |
| 13 | April 18 | Ordered more plastic for the cradle and base of the restraining device. Constructed blocks for ear bars and block for the back of the base that restrains the toothbar. Created top block of anesthesia assembly with the hole for the anesthesia. |
| 14 | April 25 | Constructed the bottom piece of the anesthesia assembly which has the groove for the toothbar to slide. Did research on rat temperature and how it fluctuates in an MRI to see if regulating of temperature is needed |
| 15 | May 2 | Finished construction of the design and brought it to our client’s lab where we were able to test our design and take images of a rat. In images taken, rats head was clear, flat and not distorted like images taken with client’s current design. We made our poster for the final presentation. |
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Midsemester Presentation (Mar 7 2008, 2253 kb) |
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Midsemester Report (Mar 12 2008, 328 kb) |
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Project Design Specifications (Apr 18 2008, 20 kb) |
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FInal Poster (May 1 2008, 2083 kb) |
