IMAGE ANALYSIS OF VASCULAR CASTS

本研究的目标是开发快速、自动化的仪器程序，以详细分析心脏的完整动脉网络。测量参数包括动脉直径、动脉分支频率、分支长度和角度。本研究基于这样一个工作假设，即在对血管网络中含有荧光血管填充化合物的组织块进行连续切片时，可以从新鲜暴露表面的数字荧光图像中获得快速重建详细血管图的数据。在第一阶段，对成像冷冻组进行修改，在连续切片时获得大鼠心脏和肺部血管填充的复合荧光图像。探讨了动脉填充和图像采集的最佳条件。初步开发了分析软件。通过与华盛顿大学的分包商合作，二期研究将涉及心脏血管结构和血管流动的相关性，以及肺部血管结构和肺功能的相关性。在第二阶段，将集中精力开发软件，将图像数据转换为可用于生理网络分析的数据库。该项目将为生理学和微循环研究人员提供一种改进的、负担得起的工具，用于绘制血管网络，并对生物系统中的血管、肺、神经和其他网络进行网络分析。建议的商业应用：该技术将使血管网络评估方法自动化。目前需要数月至数年的程序将缩短至数小时或数天。潜在市场包括目前正在研究血管分支的研究实验室和大量额外的研究人员，他们现在可以评估以前由于时间消耗和数据采集和分析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 angles. 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 vascular filling compound in the vascular network. During Phase I, an imaging cryomicrotome was modified to obtain vascula filling compound fluorescence images from rat hearts and lungs during serial sectioning. Optimal conditions for arterial filling and for image collection were explored. Prelminary analysis sofiware was developed. Phase II studies will involve correlations of vascular structure and vascular flow in heart and vascular structure and pulmonary function in lungs through collaborations with subcontractors at the University of Washington. During Phase II, efforts will be concentrated on soflware development to convert image data into databases sultable for physiological network analysis. 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 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.