VisualSonics Vevo LAZR Photoacoustic Imaging System

描述(由申请人提供)：本提案的目标是获得资金，用于购买最先进的Visualsonics Vevo LAZR成像平台，高分辨率高频超声增强激光系统，供附属于维克森林医学院(WFSM)的NIH资助的新研究人员使用。Visualsonics Vevo LAZR光声成像系统允许在体内对低至30微米的解剖结构进行非侵入性高分辨率成像，同时获得动态的生理和分子成像。这将使研究人员能够对个别受试者的疾病进展和消退进行纵向研究。此外，Vevo LAZR允许在单次成像过程中同时测量多个不同的参数，从而提供更全面和更丰富的数据。因此，该设备将优化科学产出，最大限度地减少所需动物的数量，从而节省成本。该系统将由两个中心管理--高血压和血管研究中心(HVRC)和生物分子成像中心(CBI)。HVRC将提供小动物生理测量方面的专业知识，CBI将提供必要的空间、监督和额外的技术专业知识，以促进该仪器的即时和持续效益。这一伙伴关系延续了HVRC和CBI之间正在进行的合作关系，并将通过结合这两个单位的优势和经验来提高效率。两名HVRC调查人员拥有Vevo LAZR光声装置和Vevo 2100超声波平台的运行证书，并参加了在温斯顿-塞勒姆和加拿大多伦多举行的研讨会，因此将立即向用户提供现场专业知识。Visualsonics仪器将提高WFSM研究人员的能力和生产率，他们资金雄厚，在不同学科，包括高血压、动脉粥样硬化、癌症生物学和血管生成，他们使用转基因动物模型来探索疾病的遗传基础。该系统将通过提供一种能够提供动态、实时、非侵入性成像的快速、非电离辐射方式，来补充CBI中的其他共用成像设备(MRI、microPET、microCT)。我们预计，在人类疾病的临床前啮齿动物模型中使用Vevo LAZR进行成像将推动我们在治疗和根除高血压、动脉粥样硬化和癌症等复杂慢性疾病方面的努力。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The goal of this proposal is to obtain funds for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art VisualSonics Vevo LAZR imaging platform, high-resolution high-frequency, ultrasound enhanced laser system for the use of new and NIH-funded investigators affiliated with Wake Forest School of Medicine (WFSM). The VisualSonics Vevo LAZR Photoacoustic imaging system allows non-invasive, in vivo high resolution of anatomical structures down to 30 microns while obtaining dynamic physiological and molecular imaging. This will allow investigators to perform longitudinal studies of disease progression and regression in individual subjects. In addition, the Vevo LAZR allows for simultaneous measurement of a number of different parameters during a single imaging session, thereby providing more comprehensive and informative data. Thus this device will optimize scientific output and minimize numbers of animals needed, resulting in cost savings. This system will be administered by two Centers--The Hypertension and Vascular Research Center (HVRC) and the Center for Biomolecular Imaging (CBI). The HVRC will provide expertise in small animal physiological measurements and the CBI will provide the necessary space, supervision, and additional technical expertise to facilitate immediate and ongoing benefit of the instrument. This partnership continues the ongoing cooperative relationship between the HVRC and the CBI, and will create efficiencies by combining the strengths and experience of these two units. Two HVRC investigators have certificates in operation of the Vevo LAZR Photoacoustic unit with the Vevo 2100 ultrasound platform and attended workshops in Winston-Salem and in Toronto, Canada, so that there will be on-site expertise immediately available to users. The VisualSonics instrument will enhance the capabilities and productivity of a large well-funded group of WFSM investigators in diverse disciplines including hypertension, atherosclerosis, cancer biology and angiogenesis who use transgenic animal models to probe the genetic underpinnings of disease. This system will complement other shared-use imaging devices (MRI, microPET, microCT) in the CBI by providing a rapid, non-ionizing radiation modality that can provide dynamic, real-time non-invasive imaging. We expect that use of the Vevo LAZR for imaging in preclinical rodent models of human disease will advance our efforts in the treatment and eradication of complex chronic diseases such as hypertension, atherosclerosis and cancer.