A low-cost open-source 3D-printed mouse cradle suspension system for awake or anaesthetised 1H/31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Abstract

Awake mouse MRI and spectroscopy (MRS) are valuable techniques for studying biological questions without the confounding effects of anaesthesia. Currently, no off-the-shelf solution exists for awake mouse MRI/S. To address this, we present a Mouse Cradle Suspension System (MCSS) for awake mouse MRI/S. Our design is freely available and offers a low-cost 3D-printed setup compatible with a Bruker Biospec 94/20 scanner and commercially available ${}^1$H/³¹P surface- and volume-coils, such as coils from Bruker Biospin (T20025V3) and Rapid (O-XL-HL-094). While the focus here is measurements in awake mouse brain, the coils and the presented setup is suitable for both mouse and rat brain, and studies of mouse body organs. Moreover, the design is easily modifiable to suit other applications and hardware configurations. The MCSS reduces gradient-induced coil vibrations and supports cross-coil setups. It features an inner and outer rail system for easy insertion of the coil and customized mouse cradle into the scanner. The cradle is suitable for both anaesthetized and awake mouse scans and existing habituation protocols for awake mouse MRI/S. This MCSS design ensures a smooth workflow for awake mouse MRI/S. The cost is approximately 200€, achieved using 3D-printed and off-the-shelf components.