STEREOTAXIC DEVICE FOR SURGICAL IMMOBILIZATION OF ANIMALS AT SPINAL INJURY
Advantages of stereotaxic device designed for surgical immobilization of animals with spinal injury are described in the article. The device includes two guide bars, spine holder, pelvis holder, vertebra holders, brackets, docking pins, and fxing screws. The guide bars have symmetrically located longitudinal wedge-shaped grooves for positioning the spine holders and aiming blocks for the stereotaxic electrodes, frmly attaching them to the main frame of the stereotaxic apparatus via the docking pins and fxing screws. The upper edges of the guide bars of the apparatus with the attaching groove correspond to the rhomboid frame of the stereotaxic apparatus and serve as runners for the free movement along and fxing of the electrode aiming blocks on the main stereotaxic frame and guide bars of the device. The lower edges of the guide bars with the attaching groove function as runners for the independent movement and fxing of the spine and pelvis holders in the necessary positions. The vertebra holders move to the necessary position by means of the grooved brackets, which are attached to the body of the spine and pelvis holders by screws. The device has a supporting window-shaped base with movable bars for protruding outsides the animal’s limbs. Device developed provides surgical fxation of animal’s spine and head in unifed system of stereotaxic coordinates, free access to abdominal area and limbs of animals resulting to optimal conditions for complex surgical treatment, rehabilitation and care of spinal animals.