IMAGE ANALYSIS OF VASCULAR CASTS

本研究的目标是开发快速，自动化的仪器程序，详细分析完整的动脉网络的心脏。测量参数包括动脉直径、动脉分支频率、分支长度和分支角度。本研究基于以下工作假设：在对血管网络中含有荧光Microfil的组织块进行连续切片期间，可以从新鲜暴露表面的数字荧光图像中获得用于快速重建详细血管图的数据。该项目将调整组织切片和视频成像的仪器，用于血管网络绘图。在第一阶段，将修改视频成像系统，以在连续切片期间从组织块获得Microfil荧光图像。将确定组织以及图像采集和储存的最佳条件。将开发一种分析方法，以将图像数据转换为适合网络分析的数据库。1期研究将证明工作假设的可行性，并为II期期间测量大型动物心脏提供设计参数。该项目将为生理学和微循环研究人员提供一个改进的和负担得起的工具，用于血管网络映射和生物系统中血管，肺，神经和其他网络的网络分析。拟议的商业应用：该技术将自动化Microfil方法用于评估血管网络。目前需要数月至数年的程序将缩短为数小时和数天。潜在的市场包括目前正在研究血管分支的研究实验室和大量其他研究人员，他们现在可以评估以前由于数据采集和分析的时间消耗和成本而无法回答的血管生理学问题。

The goal of this research is to develop rapid, automated instrumentation procedures for detailed analysis of complete arterial networks in hearts. Measured parameters will include arterial diameter, frequency of arterial branching, branch lengths, and branching angle. This research is based on the working hypothesis that data for rapid reconstruction of detailed vascular maps can be obtained from digital fluorescence images of freshly- exposed surfaces during serial sectioning of tissue blocks containing fluorescent Microfil in the vascular network. The project will adapt instrumentation for tissue sectioning and videoimaging for use in vascular network mapping. During Phase I a videoimaging system will be modified to obtain Microfil fluorescence images from tissue blocks during serial sectioning. Optimal conditions for tissues and for image collection and storage will be determined. An analysis method 'will be developed to convert image data into databases suitable for network analysis. Phase 1 studies will demonstrate the feasibility of the working hypothesis and provide design parameters for measurements of large animal hearts during Phase II. This project will provide physiology and microcirculation researchers with an improved and affordable tool for vascular network mapping and for network analysis of vascular, pulmonary, neural and other networks in biological systems. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: This technology would automate Microfil methods for evaluating vascular networks. Procedures that currently take months to years will be shortened to hours and days. Potential markets include research laboratories currently studying vascular branching and a large number of additional researchers who could now evaluate questions of vascular physiology that could not previously be answered due to time-consumption and cost of data acquisition and analysis.