SBIR Phase I: X-ray Microscope for In-vivo Biological Imaging

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目提出开发一种X射线显微镜，能够提供从小鼠到细菌的标本的实时体内图像。所提出的技术结合了可见光和X射线光学概念，以开发一种全新的放射成像系统，能够记录X射线成像分辨率。这种显微镜将使用市售的特征线x射线管和高分辨率成像探测器沿着与该公司以前开发的x射线镜头和光学系统，使其成为一个廉价的，桌面工具。第一阶段的工作将提供一个商业原型的设计，以建立在第二阶段项目的后续，并将回答关键的技术问题，包括什么样的窄带x射线通量可以提供给标本和什么样的图像质量可以预期的各种生物样品。此外，实验工作将演示使用X射线管源的成像，既作为原理证明，又确认设计计算的准确性。该项目的商业应用是在生物和医学研究中。拟议中的X射线显微镜将成为科学家，生物技术和医学研究公司和机构的宝贵研究工具。通过允许高分辨率，生物体和小至10 nm的结构的体内成像，显微镜有望成为分子和细胞研究的宝贵工具。在更大的分辨率下，显微镜将允许对小动物，特别是小鼠进行成像，允许跟踪生物过程，如血管生成，而不会伤害小鼠。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to develop an x-ray microscope capable of providing real-time, in-vivo images of specimens ranging from from mice to bacteria. The proposed technology combines visible and x-ray optics concepts to develop a completely new radiological imaging system capable of record x-ray-imaging resolutions. This microscope will be built using commercially available characteristic line x-ray tubes and high-resolution imaging detectors along with the company's previously developed x-ray lenses and optical system, making it an inexpensive, table-top tool. The Phase I work will provide a design for a commercial prototype to be built in the follow on Phase II project, and will answer critical technical questions including what narrowband x-ray flux can be delivered to the specimen and what image quality can be expected for a variety of biological samples. In addition, experimental work will demonstrate imaging using an x-ray tube source, both as a proof-of-principle and to confirm the accuracy of design calculations.The commercial application of this project is in biological and medical research. The proposed x-ray microscope will be a valuable research tool for scientists, biotechnology and medical research companies and institutions. By allowing high resolution, in-vivo imaging of organisms and structures as small as 10 nm, the microscope is expected to be a valuable tool for molecular and cellular research. At larger resolutions, the microscope would allow imaging in small animals, particularly mice, allowing the tracking of biological processes, such as angiogenesis, without harming the mouse.