Hybrid MicroSPECT/MicroCT for Quantitative Imaging

描述（由申请人提供）：我们建议获得高性能混合microCT/microSPECT成像系统，以建立用于结构和功能成像的动物成像设施。有了这台仪器，我们将在芝加哥大学建立一个常规的SPECT和CT成像能力，用于定量测量动物研究中的重要解剖和生理参数，从而大大促进和加强了一些NIH资助的研究人员的研究，并为许多其他人提供试点研究的机会。在芝加哥大学，我们目前拥有NIH资助的癌症研究中心MRI/MRS和光学成像的核心设施，EPRI（电子顺磁共振成像）的独特资源中心，也由NIH资助，以及成像物理和仪器实验室，这些实验室设计和建造了几个单光子，PET和CT成像的原型系统。我们正在建立一个核心设施的商业系统，可以放置在一个用户友好的环境中的常规应用，在体内小动物成像的集合。这次提议购买混合microCT/microSPECT成像系统将是实现这一目标的重要一步。主要用户包括来自以下NIH资助研究的研究人员：1。用于评估组织损伤和细胞修复的定量成像; 2. SPECT/CT成像用于研究选择性雌激素受体调节剂（SERM）; 3.新的重建方法，用于改善定量测量和图像质量; 4.骨形成和骨肿瘤发生的分子基础5. SPECT/CT成像用于评价放射/化学诱导基因治疗; 6.将SPECT/CT与乳腺X线摄影、MRI和超声相关联的多模态乳腺成像。7.通过MRI/EPRI测量的肿瘤氧合与通过SPECT/CT成像的灌注的相关性; 8.评估急性肺损伤的严重程度和对治疗的反应拟议的收购将在芝加哥大学独特的SPECT/PET/CT、MRI/MRS、EPRI和光学成像/超声集成产品中建立一个新的支柱，用于生物医学研究中的功能和分子成像。我们创新的图像重建和处理方法将显著改善SPECT和CT图像质量和定量准确性，从而使新系统得到新的应用。在组织损伤和修复、基因治疗、SERM、骨癌、乳腺癌、肺损伤以及其他应用的研究中使用SPECT/CT成像将展示SPECT/CT如何改善疾病诊断、治疗监测以及新药和疗法的开发。在放射学系、院长办公室、癌症研究中心以及生物科学部和普利兹克医学院其他单位的初步补充支持下，这种混合microCT/microSPECT设施预计将在不久的将来在其常规操作中自给自足。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): We propose to acquire a high-performance hybrid microCT/microSPECT imaging system to setup an animal imaging facility for both structural and functional imaging. With this instrument, we will establish at The University of Chicago a routine SPECT and CT imaging capabilities for quantitative measurements of important anatomic and physiological parameters in animal studies, and thus greatly enable and enhance the research of a number of NIH funded investigators, and offer pilot study opportunities to many others. At The University of Chicago, we currently have NIH funded Cancer Research Center Core Facilities of MRI/MRS and optical imaging, a unique resource center of EPRI (electron paramagnetic resonance imaging), also funded by NIH, and imaging physics and instrumentation laboratories that have designed and built several prototype systems for single-photon, PET, and CT imaging. We are establishing a collection of core facilities with commercial systems that can be placed in a user-friendly environment for routine applications to in vivo small animal imaging. This proposed purchase of a hybrid microCT/microSPECT imaging system will be an essential step toward that goal. Major users include investigators from the following NIH-funded research: 1. Quantitative imaging for assessing tissue injuries and cell repairs; 2. SPECT/CT imaging for investigation of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs); 3. Novel reconstruction methods for improving quantitative measurements and image quality; 4. Molecular bases of bone formation and bone tumor development 5. SPECT/CT imaging for evaluation of radio-/chemo-inducible gene therapy; 6. Multi-modality of breast imaging correlating SPECT/CT to mammography, MRI, and ultrasound. 7. Correlation of tumor oxygenation measured by MRI/EPRI and perfusion imaged by SPECT/CT; 8. Assessing the severity and response to treatment of acute lung injury The proposed acquisition will establish a new pillar in the unique integrated offering of SPECT/PET/CT, MRI/MRS, EPRI, and optical imaging/ultrasound for functional and molecular imaging in biomedical research at The University of Chicago. Our innovative methods for image reconstruction and processing will provide significant improvements in SPECT and CT image quality and quantitative accuracy, which can lead to novel use of the new system. Employing SPECT/CT imaging in investigation of tissue injuries and repairs, gene therapy, SERMs, bone cancer, breast cancer, lung injury, as well as other applications, will demonstrate how SPECT/CT can improve diagnosis of diseases, monitoring of treatment, and development of new drugs and therapies. With initial supplemental support from the Department of Radiology, the Dean's Office, the Cancer Research Center, and other units from the Biological Sciences Division and Pritzker School of Medicine, this hybrid microCT/microSPECT facility is expected to be self-sufficient in its routine operation in the near future.