An innovative new micro-CT system: Proof-of-principle in biomedical imaging of atherosclerosis

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Micro-computed-tomography (m-CT) scanners can take pictures inside the body non-invasively. Knowing**what changes happen in progressive disease conditions like obesity, cancer, and heart disease, and when and**how they start to become really dangerous to the body, is critical for effectively diagnosing people and**targeting treatments. Most of the research that leads to these discoveries is done in mice that have the same**organ systems as humans, and develop many of the same diseases. Having a tool that would allow scientists to**capture detailed images inside mice at different stages of disease development would provide a huge amount of**new information, and accelerate disease research in multiple fields. Currently, there are some tools that can do**this - but they aren't widely used, for several reasons: 1) They cost too much for most labs to afford. 2) They**use very high levels of radiation that damage DNA, causing mutations that disrupt the research. 3) They**produce low-resolution pictures, which don't provide enough detail for studying things like hardening of the**arteries, or cancer cell invasion. To solve these problems, engineers at the Canadian company KA Imaging**built an innovative new m-CT scanner that takes super-high-resolution pictures, uses only low-dose radiation,**and can be made in Canada for a fraction of the cost of current m-CT systems. However, before researchers,**and eventually doctors, will use it, it needs to be optimized and validated. However, Engineers don't have the**expertise to know what cells and tissues should look like. In this work, Engineers will work with Biomedical**researchers to take pictures and analyze artery plaques from mice in both traditional ways, and using the new**m-CT. This will help to operationalize the innovative new m-CT system, as a necessary step in**commercialization. Outcomes will benefit Canada's image as a leader in medical technology, and will help**provide a cost-effective tool that will be made-in-Canada, providing high-tech jobs, and revolutionizing**medical research and diagnostic capabilities globally.