Development of a Positioner for Taking an MRI of an Experimental Mouse’s Lumbar Spine

Abstract

A new jig design for taking an MRI of an experimental mouse’s lumbar spine, which is called “positioner”, is proposed and manufactured in this paper. Generally, the MRI is not suite for various movements during imaging. Hence, the positioner must fix an anesthetized mouse with consideration of the mouse shape with keeping alive and reduce some disturbances of the taken images. Some detailed specifications for the positioner is revealed in advance. Based on the revealed specifications, the positioner is designed by a 3D-CAD (Computer Aided Design) system. The positioner is also manufactured by a 3D printer with using ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) . The MRI test is carried out by using the proposed positioner and some clear lumber spine images can be obtained. A feasibility of the new designed positioner is demonstrated through a case study.