Digital X-Ray Device for Molecular Imaging Center

描述(申请人提供)：医学成像仪器的最新进展已经产生了微型版本的X射线、光学、放射性核磁共振扫描仪，用于小型实验动物的研究。这一点，加上日益复杂的转基因小鼠模型，正在推动在整个动物水平上研究体内疾病和发育过程的一场革命。这项提案要求为高通量、高分辨率的数字X射线设备提供资金，以促进和改进利用小动物进行的跨学科研究。在过去的几年里，在NCRR和其他NIH研究所的多个奖项的支持下，南加州大学建立了一个分子成像中心。申请的设备将被安置在该中心的分子成像实验室并进行操作，在那里它将补充其他从NCRR购买的共享设备，包括小动物PET、CT和光学成像系统。所选的仪器具有许多有利于高效操作的特点，包括数字采集和DICOM兼容性(对我们开发的动物PACS系统的同化至关重要)，可同时容纳小型和大型(例如。动物检查、快速处理、在实验室内的便携性(移动手推车)，以及骨密度评估分析软件(将由供应商4/09发布)。所要求的数字X射线设备将由医学、外科、病理学、生物化学/分子生物学和牙科领域的研究人员使用。所要求的仪器的增加将提高聚集在一起的小灵通资助的研究人员的生产力，他们在不同的医学领域工作。这些研究人员的发现和进步最终将对公共卫生产生直接的积极影响。 与公共卫生相关：我们正在要求一种数字放射成像系统，用于对小动物和切除的组织标本进行定量的2D X射线成像。由于我们用户群体的不同需求，需要一种成像单元，能够提供高速成像、广泛的图像分辨率，用于非终端动物实验的体内成像，并具有适当的体外样品高分辨率成像能力。使用该仪器进行的动物研究可能会转化为临床研究试验，对公共卫生产生重大影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent advances in the instrumentation for medical imaging have produced miniaturized versions of x-ray, optical, radionuclear and magnetic resonance scanners for studies in small laboratory animals. This, coupled with increasingly sophisticated transgenic mouse models, is driving a revolution in the investigation of disease and developmental processes in vivo at the whole-animal level. This proposal requests funding for a high-throughput, high-resolution digital x-ray device to facilitate and improve interdisciplinary research using small animals. During the last several years, a Molecular Imaging Center has been established at USC with support over the last year from multiple awards from the NCRR and other NIH Institutes. The requested device will be housed and operated in the Center's Molecular Imaging Laboratory, where it will complement other shared-use devices purchased with previous awards from the NCRR, including small-animal PET, CT and optical imaging systems. The instrument chosen has numerous features conducive to efficient operation, including, digital acquisition and DICOM compatibility (essential for assimilation into our developing animals PACS system), accommodation of both small and large (eg. rabbit) animal examinations, rapid throughput, portability within the laboratory (mobile cart), and analytical software for bone density assessment (to be released by vendor 4/09). The requested digital x-ray device will be used by investigators in the fields of medicine, surgery, pathology, biochemistry/molecular biology, and dentistry. Addition of the requested instrument will increase the productivity of assembled PHS-funded investigators who are working in various areas of medicine. The discoveries and advancements made by these investigators will ultimately have a direct positive impact on public health. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: We are requesting a digital radiography system for quantitative 2D x-ray imaging of small animals and excised tissue specimens. Because of the diverse needs of our user group, an imaging unit that offers high speed imaging, a wide range of image resolution for in vivo imaging in non-terminal animal experiments, and appropriate capabilities for high resolution imaging of in vitro samples is required. Animal research conducted with this instrument may translate into clinical research trials, with great public health implications.