ShEEP Request for FUJIFILM VisualSonics Vevo 3100 Imaging System

在这项ShEEP补助金中，我们申请资金购买高频超声成像 系统（Vevo 3100），由FUJIFILMS VisualSonics制造，专门用于成像小 动物如小鼠、大鼠和兔。基于超声波的技术越来越多地被 用于临床前研究。Vevo 3100系统将配备线性相位 阵列超声探头专门用于小动物，也有几个升级的超声 技术包括：1）提高分辨率，2）减少伪影，3）真实的时间图像处理， 4)左心室描记，5）快速数据采集的改进工作流程，6）斑点跟踪 7）配备有注射座的成像站（用于回波引导的 组织注射），和8）高通量分析。这个新工具将被一些 研究人员在VALLHCS进行小动物高频超声成像工作。 Vevo 3100系统中可用的非侵入性成像模式将允许应用 包括软硬组织的成像，监测各种器官的发育缺陷， 包括心脏，大脑和肌肉，在小鼠中靶向破坏感兴趣的基因， 与血管生成和炎症相关的措施，以及治疗性痣的引导注射 在感兴趣的地方。Vevo 3100系统将允许重复的连续测量， 纵向研究，从而允许更强大的统计评估和限制 研究所需的动物数量。一些退伍军人事务部，国防部和国家卫生研究院资助的研究人员 包括Mohan、Lau、Rundle、Dong、Xing、Li和Edderkaoui博士在内的退伍军人医疗中心的工作人员将 受益于能够使用该设备进行与其资助赠款相关的研究 应用.目前，还没有针对小动物的超声成像系统可供研究 在VALLHCS使用。所要求的仪器将大大提高实验能力， 与骨质疏松症的发病机制和治疗相关的小动物研究， 骨关节炎和听力损失，这些疾病是VA研究使命的目标领域。

In this ShEEP grant, we request funds to purchase a high frequency ultrasound imaging system (Vevo 3100) manufactured by FUJIFILMS VisualSonics to specifically image small animals such as mice, rat and rabbits. The ultrasound-based techniques are increasingly being used for pre-clinical investigations. The Vevo 3100 system will be equipped with a linear phased array ultrasound probe specific for small animals and also has several upgrades in the ultrasound technology including; 1) improved resolution, 2) reduced artifact, 3) real time image processing, 4) left ventricular tracing, 5) improved workflow for rapid data acquisition, 6) speckle tracking analysis (for strain analysis), 7) an imaging station equipped with injection mount (for echo guided tissue injections), and 8) a high throughput analysis. This new instrument will be used by a number of investigators at the VALLHCS to perform small animal high frequency ultrasound imaging work. The non-invasive imaging modalities available in the Vevo 3100 system will allow applications that include imaging of soft and hard tissues, monitoring developmental defects in various organs including heart, brain and muscle in mice with targeted disruption of genes of interest, perform measures related to angiogenesis and inflammation, and guided injections of therapeutic moles at sites of interest. The Vevo 3100 system will permit repeated serial measurements in longitudinal studies, thereby permitting more robust statistical assessment and limiting the number of animals needed for the studies. A number of VA, DOD and NIH funded investigators at this VA Medical Center including Drs. Mohan, Lau, Rundle, Dong, Xing, Li and Edderkaoui will benefit from being able to use this equipment to perform studies related to their funded grant applications. Currently, no ultrasound imaging system for small animals is available for research use at VALLHCS. The requested instrument will greatly enhance experimental capabilities of small animal research that are relevant to the pathogenesis and treatment of osteoporosis, osteoarthritis and hearing loss, diseases that are target areas of the VA research mission.