The purpose of this project is to assemble a device that will accommodate an un-sedated cat for chest x-rays and/or a computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan. The device will maintain a stable environment of temperature, humidity and enriched oxygen, while removing carbon dioxide exhaled from the patient. The device will contain equipment for the continuous monitoring of the internal environment. A cat arriving at a veterinary hospital with labored breathing (caused by heart disease, lung disease, or other diseases of the chest) can be placed into the device immediately to avoid restraint, as well as provide oxygen and a quiet environment. The portability of the device will allow easy transport of the cat to radiology for chest x-rays or a CT scan without removing the cat from the tube. This lack of manual restraint during a severe respiratory crisis will improve patient survival, as handling these cats can result in their death. Efficient safe imaging should reduce patient suffering and guide the appropriate next test or treatment. A similar tube with no built-in monitoring equipment has already been designed and used for CT scans only (VetMouseTrap™). However, this tube is a less durable design and can safely house a cat for only a limited amount of time. The benefits of the proposed tube are a decrease in the amount of physical contact with a patient, allowing x-ray imaging without manual restraint, and providing a well- controlled environment that can accommodate a cat for prolonged periods of time.
Grants