Table 1 Common data elements for experimental blast exposure in preclinical studies

Animal characteristics

Species

Rattus norvegicus

Age range

7–8 weeks at mbTBI

Sex

Female and male

Animal vendor

Charles River

Strain

Sprague–Dawley

Weight range

200-240 g female; 240-280 g male

Animal History

Housing

Group housed; 12 h light/dark cycle; food and water ad libitum; AAALAC accredited animal care facility maintained to USDA standards

Anesthetic type

Isoflurane (4% for induction, 2.5% for maintenance)

Anesthetic route

Inhaled

Analgesia type

N/A

Injury severity

Mild (blast)

Number of injury exposures

Single

Euthanasia type

Fatal Plus followed by perfusion and decapitation

Injury model characteristics

Injury model

McMillan Blast Device

Device manufacturer

GLR Enterprises, Nicholasville, KY

Animal stabilization method

Rat is fully inside blast tube and laterally placed with respect to blast source. The thorax and lower body is shielded from direct blast forces while the head is unshielded and constrained inside a mesh netting to prevent head movement

Blast Elements

Blast-induced delivery device

McMillan Blast Device

Pressure wave type

Single blast waves (Friedlander-style over- and under-pressure waves)

Detonation type

Compressed helium driver and Mylar® membrane

Detonation material quantity

10 mil-thick Mylar sheet

Driver gas

Compressed helium

Pressure wave medium

Air

Blast tube cross-sectional area

113 square inches

Blast tube length

22.5 feet

Driven section length

20 feet

Membrane thickness

0.010 inches (0.254 mm/sheet)

Membrane burst method

Active puncture with pneumatic knife

Membrane burst pressure

 ~ 33 psi

Tube end configuration

Open end

Animal orientation to blast wave

Lateral

Overpressure peak

 ~ 11 psi

Positive overpressure duration

 ~ 6.7 ms

Impulse

 ~ 36 psi*ms

Pressure sensor type

Piezoresistive pressure transducers

Sampling frequency

500 kHz

Body exposure

Head fully exposed; body partially exposed

Protective shielding location

Thorax and lower body partially protected

Protective shielding type

Metal tubing

Primary blast effects

Various

Secondary blast effects

N/A

Tertiary blast effects

N/A

Quaternary blast effects

N/A

Systemic injuries

None

Extracranial injuries

None