Microscope for Microstructural Characterization of Orthopaedic Tissues

描述(由申请人提供)：本仪器建议书适用于配备Osteo 2009骨生物学研究系统软件(BioQuant Image Analysis Corporation，Nashville，TN，USA)以及Dell T3400工作站和显示器的Eclipse 90i电动高级研究显微镜(尼康仪器，NY，NY，美国)。尼康Eclipse 90i显微镜是一种最先进的研究系统。它有别于我们广大用户群可用的其他显微镜，因为它集成了电动z轴，用于自动捕获图像堆栈，这将用于表征骨和软骨厚片中的组织结构，并产生三维重建。该显微镜包括一个带有编码器的电动x-y工作台，用于执行高精度、自动化和重复性的任务。这将使自动捕获和重建大组织切片的高倍率马赛克图像成为可能。它包括一个带有EPI荧光的数字成像头，用于检查荧光标记的组织结构(例如，对注射的荧光骨标记进行成像，以量化重建率)。该显微镜还包括用于DIC、相位和亮场成像的先进光学系统以及高分辨率成像系统。为了提供对骨骼的定量分析，该系统包括Osteo 2009骨生物学研究系统软件。该软件包专为骨的复杂形态测量分析而设计，包括与骨形成、重塑和矿物质沉积相关的结构和细胞参数。戴尔工作站将与这些系统交互并运行它们。该仪器将位于宾夕法尼亚大学肌肉骨骼疾病中心的结构-功能生物力学核心，并由NIH/NIAMS通过P30赠款提供支持。对于宾夕法尼亚大学的大量NIH资助和非NIH资助的研究人员来说，这个核心一直是一个关键的资源设施。该系统将极大地提高结构-功能生物力学核心的能力。我们目前描述正常、疾病、损伤或修复状态下肌肉骨骼组织微结构的能力不足以满足我们的用户群的需求。随着我们核心的结构组件变得越来越定量，这个显微镜是绝对必要的。2009年美国复苏和再投资法案：宾夕法尼亚大学医学院为当地经济做出了重大贡献。医学院在2008年为区域经济活动贡献了37,000个工作岗位和54亿美元。目前的提案将影响每个用户的研究计划，以保留或创造大费城地区的就业机会，并在全国范围内促进科学和健康。此外，它将在与此次仪器购买相关的小企业创造或保留就业机会。光学仪器公司是显微镜供应商，位于宾夕法尼亚州阿德莫尔，是一家由女性拥有的少数族裔小型企业，有8名员工；软件供应商BioQuant Image Analyst Corp，位于田纳西州纳什维尔，是一家拥有6名员工的小型生物技术公司；此次仪器购买将对这些公司的就业创造产生重大影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This instrumentation proposal is for the Eclipse 90i Motorized Advanced Research Microscope (Nikon Instruments, Melville, NY, USA) with OSTEO 2009 Bone Biology Research System Software (BIOQUANT Image Analysis Corporation, Nashville, TN, USA) and with a Dell T3400 workstation and monitor (Dell Corporation). The Nikon Eclipse 90i microscope is a state-of-the art research system. It is distinguished from other microscopes available to our large user base by the integrated motorized z-axis for automated capture of image stacks, which will be used to characterize tissue structures in thick sections of bone and cartilage and produce three dimensional reconstructions. The microscope includes a motorized x-y stage with encoders for performing precision, automated and repetitive tasks with high accuracy. This will enable automated capture and reconstruction of high magnification mosaic images of large tissue sections. It includes a digital imaging head with epi fluorescence for examination of fluorochrome labeled tissue structures (e.g., imaging of injected fluorescent bone markers to quantify remodeling rates). The microscope also includes advanced optics for DIC, phase, and bright field imaging and a high resolution imaging system. To provide quantitative analysis of bone, the system includes OSTEO 2009 Bone Biology Research System Software. This software package is designed for complex morphometric analysis of bone, including structural and cellular parameters relating to bone formation, remodeling, and mineral apposition. A Dell workstation will interface and run these systems. This instrument will be located in and managed by the Structure-Function Biomechanics Core of the Penn Center for Musculoskeletal Disorders which is supported by NIH/NIAMS through a P30 grant. This Core has been a critical resource facility for a large number of NIH-funded and non-NIH funded investigators at the University of Pennsylvania. The proposed system will greatly enhance the capabilities of the Structure- Function Biomechanics Core. Our current ability to characterize the microstructure of musculoskeletal tissues under normal, diseased, injured, or repaired states is not sufficient for the needs of our user base. As the structural component of our Core is becoming increasingly quantitative, this microscope is absolutely necessary. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009: The University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine contributes substantially to the local economy. The School of Medicine contributed 37,000 jobs and $5.4 billion in regional economic activity in 2008. The current proposal will impact the research program of each user to preserve or create jobs within the greater Philadelphia area and advance science and health across the nation. Further, it will create or preserve jobs at the small businesses associated with this instrument purchase. Optical Apparatus Co, the vendor for the microscope, in Ardmore, PA is a small woman-owned minority business with eight employees and Bioquant Image Analysis Corp, the vendor for the software, in Nashville, TN is a small biotechnology company with six employees; this instrument purchase will significantly impact job creation at these companies.