Development of a Stereotactic Device for Gamma Knife Irradiation of Small Animals

A robotic assistant for stereotactic neurosurgery on small animals

“…(8)], which was well covered by the positioning performance of the SASSU. Compared to the existing stereotactic device presented by Chung et al (17), which features a mechanical positioning accuracy of 500 µm, the SASSU showed a more accurate positioning performance. To our knowledge, no other studies investigate the mechanical positioning accuracy of small animal stereotactic frames.…”

“…The system essentially enhances the microdexterity of the surgeon which was tested by manipulating vessels in the rat brain. In the context of small animal radiosurgery, Chung et al (17) reported a stereotactic device for -knife irradiation of small animals. To the authors' knowledge, no automated system for the precise placement of implants in the rat brain exists to date.…”

Pre-clinical research in small animals using radiotherapy technology – a bidirectional translational approach

“…The Régis-Valliccioni stereotactic frame (DIXI Microtechniques, Besançon, France) additionally includes a hammock-like construction to fix the body [75] and has therefore also been used to examine radiation-induced effects on injured peripheral nerves in rats [76]. An alternative to the incisor bar is a combined nose and tooth bar (David Kopf Instruments, Tujunga, CA, USA) [77]. To avoid beam distortion and to accomplish MRI and CT compatibility, respective parts are commonly made from aluminium and designed as small as possible.…”

Applications of Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Experimental Investigations in Small Animal Models

“…No surviving essay was reported in their article but they mentioned a significant decrease in tumor volume in rats bearing C6/LacZ glioma treated with the combination of GKRS and THD. Two other different groups (Chung et al, 2008;Im et al, 2006) published a new stereotactic frame for GKRS in small animals bearing a glioma tumor in their brain. Both groups mentioned that the biological data will be discussed in another articles in preparation.…”

“…This new device appear in few publications (Hirano et al, 2009;Tokumaru et al, 2007a). In the series of devices equipped with earplugs and incisor bar, the most recent one from Chung et al in 2008(Chung et al, 2008) is a combination of a Leksell G-frame and KOPF rat adaptor. No publication that uses this tool has been found in the literature at the time of writing this chapter.…”