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visualsonic Vevo LAZR成像平台，高分辨率高频超声增强激光系统，用于维克森林医学院（WFSM）的新nih资助的研究人员。VisualSonics Vevo LAZR光声成像系统可以在获得动态生理和分子成像的同时，对解剖结构进行低至30微米的非侵入性体内高分辨率成像。这将允许研究者对个体受试者的疾病进展和消退进行纵向研究。此外，Vevo LAZR允许在单个成像过程中同时测量多个不同的参数，从而提供更全面和信息丰富的数据。因此，该设备将优化科学产出，减少所需动物的数量，从而节省成本。该系统将由高血压和血管研究中心（HVRC）和生物分子成像中心（CBI）两个中心管理。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。这种伙伴关系延续了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调查员拥有Vevo LAZR光声单元与Vevo 2100超声平台的操作证书，并参加了在温斯顿-塞勒姆和加拿大多伦多举行的研讨会，因此用户可以立即获得现场专业知识。visualsonic仪器将提高WFSM研究人员在不同学科的能力和生产力，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。该系统将通过提供快速、非电离辐射模式，提供动态、实时、非侵入性成像，补充CBI中其他共享使用的成像设备（MRI、microPET、microCT）。我们期望使用Vevo LAZR在人类疾病的临床前啮齿动物模型中进行成像，将推进我们在治疗和根除复杂慢性疾病（如高血压、动脉粥样硬化和癌症）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.