Balloon device for experimental graded spinal cord compression in the rat

We have developed a balloon device that creates reproducible graded compres sion of the rat spinal cord. It uses a modified Camino intracranial pressur e monitor bolt with a small latex balloon attached to the tip. The device i s affixed to the spinous processes of two cervicothoracic vertebrae and pos itioned directly over an exposed segment of spinal cord. Ten compression ba lloons were tested and revealed reproducible pressure transmission at expan sion volumes from 0.12 to 0.34 cc. Reversible graded spinal cord compressio n was verified by monitoring cortical somatosensory and motor evoked potent ials before, during, and after cord compression. The pathophysiologic chang es occurring with graded compression and the effect of therapeutic interven tions can be studied in a rat model.