IMAGE ANALYSIS OF VASCULAR CASTS

这项研究的目标是开发快速、自动化的仪器程序，用于详细分析心脏中完整的动脉网络。测量的参数包括动脉直径、动脉分支频率、分支长度和分支角度。这项研究基于这样的工作假设：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。该项目将改造用于组织切片和视频成像的仪器，以用于血管网络绘图。在第一阶段，视频成像系统将被修改，以便在连续切片期间从组织块获取 Microfil 荧光图像。将确定组织以及图像采集和存储的最佳条件。将开发一种分析方法，将图像数据转换为适合网络分析的数据库。第一阶段研究将证明工作假设的可行性，并为第二阶段期间大型动物心脏的测量提供设计参数。该项目将为生理学和微循环研究人员提供一种改进且经济实惠的工具，用于血管网络绘图以及生物系统中血管、肺、神经和其他网络的网络分析。拟议的商业应用：该技术将使评估血管网络的 Microfil 方法自动化。目前需要数月至数年的程序将缩短至数小时和数天。潜在市场包括目前研究血管分支的研究实验室和大量其他研究人员，他们现在可以评估血管生理学问题，这些问题以前由于数据采集和分析的时间消耗和成本而无法回答。

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.