Apparatus for the skull attachment and head-fixation of behaving small animals

Abstract

An apparatus for the head-fixation of small animals for experimental purposes. Head-fixation immobilizes the head, enabling precise brain recordings while animals are able to move without further restriction on devices such as a treadmill. The apparatus aims to minimize the stress the animal undergoes from being restrained, in order to maximize the quality and relevance of brain recordings while monitoring the animal's physiological state during complex cognitive tasks. The apparatus for head-fixation of small animals comprises a frame, typically called headplate, that is permanently attached to the skull. The headplate encloses an open space over the skull, through which the brain can be accessed for recording. The apparatus also includes a one-hand actuated spring clamp and a docking frame. Head-fixation is achieved in 2 steps: 1) The headplate is grabbed using the spring clamp 2) the whole assembly is attached to the docking frame.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.