Device and method for inducing brain injury in animal test subjects

A laboratory rodent sensor helmet wherein said helmet protects said rodent against skull fracture, comprising:

• a flexible substrate configured to fit a head shape of the rodent, said substrate having a first side and a second side;
• sensor films mounted on said first and said second sides of said substrate configured for measuring projectile impact;
• wherein the sensor film mounted on the first side of the substrate reveals a pressure distribution profile, contact area and/or pressure and force magnitudes that occurred between the helmet and the rodent's head and the sensor film mounted on the second side of the substrate reveals the pressure distribution profile, contact area and/or pressure and force magnitudes that occurred between helmet and the projectile;
• wherein said substrate is about 0.91 mm thick and the sensor films are about 0.18 mm thick.

A method of measuring projectile impact to a laboratory rodent's head comprising;

• a) providing a sensor helmet wherein said helmet protects said rodent against skull fracture, said helmet comprising a flexible substrate molded to fit and conform to a head shape of the rodent, said substrate having a first side and a second side;
• sensor films mounted on said first and said second sides of said substrate, wherein said sensor films measure pressure distribution and magnitude on an outer surface and on an inner surface of the helmet;
• b) placing the helmet on the head of said rodent;
• c) impacting the sensor helmet on the rodent;
• d) measuring pressure magnitude and distribution of the impact;
• wherein said substrate is about 0.91 mm thick and the sensor films are about 0.18 mm thick.