Improved Sensitivity MR Microscopy for Cancer Imaging

描述（由申请人提供）： 小鼠的高分辨率体内成像是临床前癌症研究的关键工具。总体目标是使用一个简单的系统，使在实验室中的常规使用，以提高分辨率可从体内MR显微镜的三个或更多的因素。该SBIR资助申请的具体目标是提高小鼠大脑和全身体内成像的空间分辨率，整合先进的生理监测和控制技术，并使用小鼠癌症模型进行验证。该方法是开发紧密耦合到活体动物的超导成像线圈。第一阶段的测试、分析和设计将通过实现与提高空间分辨率和体内成像要求相关的定量里程碑来证明这种方法的可行性。第二阶段将生产超导表面探针和体积线圈，并通过从两种具有良好特征和挑战性的癌症小鼠模型中获得图像来验证探针：A系小鼠中的脑胶质瘤和肺肿瘤。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): High-resolution, in vivo imaging of mice is a critical tool for pre-clinical cancer research. The overall objective is to improve the resolution available from in vivo MR microscopy by a factor of three or more using a simple system that enables routine use in the laboratory. The specific aims of this SBIR grant application are improved spatial resolution for in vivo imaging of the mouse brain and whole body, integration with advanced technology for physiologic monitoring and control, and validation using mouse models of cancer. The approach is to develop superconducting imaging coils closely coupled to a live animal. Testing, analysis, and design in Phase I will prove the feasibility of this approach by achieving quantitative milestones related to improved spatial resolution and the requirements of in vivo imaging. Phase II will produce a superconducting surface probe and volume coil and validate the probes by obtaining images from two well-characterized and challenging mouse models of cancer: glioma in the brain and lung tumors in the strain A mouse.