Proceeding of Veterinary and Animal Science Days 2017, 6th- 8th June, Milan, Italy 

HAF © 2013 

Vol. IV, No. 1s   ISSN: 2283-3927 

   

 

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Keywords 

Animal model, Sheep, Imaging, 

Glioblastoma 

 

CORRESPONDING AUTHOR 

Marco Trovatelli  

marco.trovatelli@unimi.it 

 

JOURNAL HOME PAGE 

riviste.unimi.it/index.php/haf 

Sheep head frame validation for CT and  

MRI studies 

Marco Trovatelli1*, Fabio Acocella1, Stefano Brizzola1,  

Matteo Ghiringhelli1, Davide Zani2 

 

 

 

 

 

1University of Milan, Department of Health, Animal Science and Food Safety, Italy  

2University of Milan, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Italy  

 

 

Abstract 

Aim of EDEN 2020 (see references) project’s Milestone 5 is the development of a steerable catheter 

for CED system in glioblastoma therapy. The VET group is involved in realization and validation of the 

proper animal model.  

In this part of the study two fresh sheep’s head from the local slaughter were used.  

The heads were located into an ad hoc Frame system based on anatomical measures and CT images, 

producted by Renishaw plc partner in this project. The frame was adapted and every components 

were checked for the ex vivo validation tests. 

CT imaging was taken in Lodi at Università degli studi di Milano, Facoltà di Medicina Veterinaria, with 

CT scanner and MRI imaging was taken in La Cittadina, Cremona. 

System validation was approved by the ex vivo trial. 

The frame system doesn’t compromise the imaging acquisition in MRI and CT systems. 

Every system components are functional to their aims. 

The Frame system is adapted to the sheep head. It is composed by elements able to lock the head 

during the imaging acquisition. Frame system is characterized by a support base helping the animals 

to keep the head straight forward during imaging time, under general anesthesia. The design of these 

device supports the airways anatomy, avoiding damaging or obstruction to airflow during anesthesia 

period. 

The role of elements like mouth bar and ovine head pins is to lock the head in a stable position during 

imaging acquisition; fixing is guaranteed by V shape head pins that are arranged against the zygomatic 

arches. Lateral compression forces to the cranium, and the V shape pins avoid the vertical shifting of 

the head and any kind of rotations. (Fig. 1) 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en


Proceeding of Veterinary and Animal Science Days 2017, 6th- 8th June, Milan, Italy 

HAF © 2013 

Vol. IV, No. 1s   ISSN: 2283-3927 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fig.1: Sheep head during CT imaging acquisition. The role of the frame is to preserve a physiological position of the head, 
along its median axis, without inclinations and rotations. 

 

References 

http://www.eden2020.eu/ 

http://cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/200392_en.html 

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/deed.en