Adaptable three-pin skull clamp for large animal research

Area of Science:

• Neurosurgery
• Comparative Medicine
• Surgical Instrumentation

Background:

• Traditional stereotaxic frames for animal neurosurgery are bulky, costly, and restrictive.
• Existing systems limit surgical access and the ability to practice human-relevant surgical techniques.
• There is a need for more flexible and affordable head immobilization solutions in large animal research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a mobile, low-cost, and adjustable three-pin skull clamp for neurosurgical procedures in non-human primates.
• To overcome the limitations of conventional stereotaxic frames.
• To facilitate innovative surgical approaches and improve research capabilities.

Main Methods:

• A novel three-pin skull clamp was designed, inspired by human surgical clamps.
• The system features six degrees of freedom with adjustable skull pins for precise depth control.
• An integrated mounting bracket allows for easy attachment to standard operating room tables.

Main Results:

• The skull clamp successfully secured primate heads in supine and lateral positions.
• The system provides enhanced adjustability for small or irregular head geometries.
• It enables the practice of surgical approaches mirroring those used in human surgery.
• The clamp is compatible with image-guided robotic surgery techniques.

Conclusions:

• The developed three-pin skull clamp offers an adaptable, affordable, and robust platform for neurobiological research.
• It significantly improves surgical access and flexibility compared to traditional stereotaxic frames.
• This system can advance surgical training and research in large animal models.