Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

5 ARTICLES PUBLISHED IN JoVE

Bioengineering

Environmentally-controlled Microtensile Testing of Mechanically-adaptive Polymer Nanocomposites for ex vivo Characterization

Allison E. Hess¹, Kelsey A. Potter^1,2, Dustin J. Tyler^1,2, Christian A. Zorman^1,3, Jeffrey R. Capadona^1,2

¹Advanced Platform Technology Center, Rehabilitation Research and Development, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, ²Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, ³Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Case Western Reserve University

A method is discussed by which the in vivo mechanical behavior of stimuli-responsive materials is monitored as a function of time. Samples are tested ex vivo using a microtensile tester with environmental controls to simulate the physiological environment. This work further promotes understanding the in vivo behavior of our material.

Bioengineering

Rodent Behavioral Testing to Assess Functional Deficits Caused by Microelectrode Implantation in the Rat Motor Cortex

Monika Goss-Varley^1,2, Andrew J. Shoffstall^1,2, Keith R. Dona^1,2, Justin A. McMahon^1,2, Sydney C. Lindner^1,2, Evon S. Ereifej^1,2, Jeffrey R. Capadona^1,2

We have shown that a microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex of rats causes immediate and lasting motor deficits. The methods proposed herein outline a microelectrode implantation surgery and three rodent behavioral tasks to elucidate potential changes in the fine or gross motor function due to implantation-caused damage to the motor cortex.

Behavior

A Novel Single Animal Motor Function Tracking System Using Simple, Readily Available Software

Keith R. Dona^1,2, Monika Goss-Varley^1,2, Andrew J. Shoffstall^1,2, Jeffrey R. Capadona^1,2

The current study aimed to automate the quantification of motor deficits in rats. The initial evaluation model assesses motor loss resulting from an intracortical microelectrode implantation in the motor cortex. We report on the development and use of a tracking algorithm using easily adaptable, simple, and readily available coding software.

Bioengineering

Tools for Surface Treatment of Silicon Planar Intracortical Microelectrodes

Olivia K. Krebs^1,2, Gaurav Mittal^1,2, Shreya Ramani^1,2, Jichu Zhang^1,2, Andrew J. Shoffstall^1,2, Stuart F. Cogan³, Joseph J. Pancrazio³, Jeffrey R. Capadona^1,2

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, ²Advanced Platform Technology Center, Rehabilitation Research and Development, Louis Stokes Cleveland Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, ³Department of Bioengineering, The University of Texas at Dallas

The present protocol describes tools for handling silicon planar intracortical microelectrodes during treatments for surface modification via gas deposition and aqueous solution reactions. The assembly of the components used to handle the devices throughout the procedure is explained in detail.

Neuroscience

Assessment of Thermal Damage from Robot-Drilled Craniotomy for Cranial Window Surgery in Mice

George F. Hoeferlin^*1,2, Dhariyat M. Menendez^*1,2, Olivia K. Krebs^1,2, Jeffrey R. Capadona^1,2, Andrew J. Shoffstall^1,2

¹Department of Biomedical Engineering, Case Western Reserve University, ²Advanced Platform Technology Center, Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Cranial windows have become a ubiquitously implemented surgical technique to allow for intravital imaging in transgenic mice. This protocol describes the use of a surgical robot that performs semi-automated bone drilling of cranial windows and can help reduce surgeon-to-surgeon variability and partially mitigate thermal blood-brain barrier damage.