Digital X-Ray Device for Molecular Imaging Center

描述（由申请人提供）：医学成像仪器的最新进展已经产生了用于小型实验室动物研究的小型化X射线、光学、放射性和磁共振扫描仪。这一点，加上日益复杂的转基因小鼠模型，正在推动一场革命的疾病和发育过程的调查在体内在整个动物的水平。该提案要求为高通量，高分辨率的数字X射线设备提供资金，以促进和改善使用小动物的跨学科研究。在过去的几年里，在USC建立了一个分子成像中心，去年得到了NCRR和其他NIH研究所的多个奖项的支持。所要求的设备将在该中心的分子成像实验室中安置和运行，在那里它将补充从NCRR购买的其他共享使用设备，包括小动物PET，CT和光学成像系统。所选仪器具有许多有助于有效操作的功能，包括数字采集和DICOM兼容性（对于同化到我们开发的动物PACS系统中至关重要），小型和大型（例如，兔）动物检查、快速通量、实验室内的便携性（移动的推车）和骨密度评估分析软件（将由供应商于4/09发布）。所要求的数字X射线设备将由医学、外科、病理学、生物化学/分子生物学和牙科领域的研究者使用。增加所要求的仪器将提高在医学各个领域工作的由公共卫生系统资助的调查人员的生产力。这些研究人员的发现和进步最终将对公共卫生产生直接的积极影响。 公共卫生相关性：我们正在请求一种数字射线照相系统，用于对小动物和切除组织标本进行定量2D X射线成像。由于我们的用户群的不同需求，需要一种成像单元，该成像单元提供高速成像、用于非终末动物实验中的体内成像的宽范围图像分辨率以及用于体外样品的高分辨率成像的适当能力。用这种仪器进行的动物研究可能会转化为临床研究试验，对公共卫生有很大的影响。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent advances in the instrumentation for medical imaging have produced miniaturized versions of x-ray, optical, radionuclear and magnetic resonance scanners for studies in small laboratory animals. This, coupled with increasingly sophisticated transgenic mouse models, is driving a revolution in the investigation of disease and developmental processes in vivo at the whole-animal level. This proposal requests funding for a high-throughput, high-resolution digital x-ray device to facilitate and improve interdisciplinary research using small animals. During the last several years, a Molecular Imaging Center has been established at USC with support over the last year from multiple awards from the NCRR and other NIH Institutes. The requested device will be housed and operated in the Center's Molecular Imaging Laboratory, where it will complement other shared-use devices purchased with previous awards from the NCRR, including small-animal PET, CT and optical imaging systems. The instrument chosen has numerous features conducive to efficient operation, including, digital acquisition and DICOM compatibility (essential for assimilation into our developing animals PACS system), accommodation of both small and large (eg. rabbit) animal examinations, rapid throughput, portability within the laboratory (mobile cart), and analytical software for bone density assessment (to be released by vendor 4/09). The requested digital x-ray device will be used by investigators in the fields of medicine, surgery, pathology, biochemistry/molecular biology, and dentistry. Addition of the requested instrument will increase the productivity of assembled PHS-funded investigators who are working in various areas of medicine. The discoveries and advancements made by these investigators will ultimately have a direct positive impact on public health. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: We are requesting a digital radiography system for quantitative 2D x-ray imaging of small animals and excised tissue specimens. Because of the diverse needs of our user group, an imaging unit that offers high speed imaging, a wide range of image resolution for in vivo imaging in non-terminal animal experiments, and appropriate capabilities for high resolution imaging of in vitro samples is required. Animal research conducted with this instrument may translate into clinical research trials, with great public health implications.