Ultra-High Resolution CT Specimen Scanner for In Vitro Applications

描述（由申请人提供）：医学成像仪器的最新进展已经生产出用于小型实验动物研究的小型化x射线、光学、放射性核、超声和磁共振扫描仪。这一点，再加上日益复杂的转基因小鼠模型，正在推动一场在全动物水平上对疾病和发育过程进行体内研究的革命。高分辨率体外扫描能力补充了这些进步，例如，允许评估致密器官（如骨骼和软组织）的结构细节。在这份提案中，我们正在申请资助一台超高分辨率（0.5-10微米）CT标本扫描仪，以扩大我们在南加州大学的体外成像能力。在过去的几年里，在NCRR和其他NIH研究所的多个奖项的支持下，南加州大学建立了一个分子成像中心。所要求的设备是SCANCO u50CT，将在中心的分子成像实验室中安装和操作，在那里它将补充NCRR以前购买的共享使用设备，包括小动物PET、CT、超声波和光学成像系统。该设备具有超高分辨率成像和广泛的软件支持的优越功能，这将使其适用于广泛的学科。所选择的仪器还具有许多有助于高效操作的功能，包括DICOM兼容性（对于融入我们正在开发的动物PACS系统至关重要），实验室内的可移植性，以及允许快速多样本数据采集的旋转影像站。USC已经拥有软件包的许可证，减少了NCRR要求的支持。所要求的设备将被医学、外科、病理学、生物化学/分子生物学、牙科和材料科学领域的研究人员使用。增加所要求的仪器将提高公共卫生系统资助的在医学、牙科和发育生物学各个领域工作的研究人员的生产力。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。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Recent advances in the instrumentation for medical imaging have produced miniaturized versions of x-ray, optical, radio nuclear, ultrasound, 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. High resolution in vitro scanning capabilities complement these advances, allowing, for example, assessment of structural detail of dense organs such as bone as well as soft tissues. In this proposal, we are requesting funding for an ultra-high resolution (0.5-10 micron) CT specimen scanner to expand our in vitro imaging capabilities at the USC. During the last several years, a Molecular Imaging Center has been established at USC with support from multiple awards from the NCRR and other NIH Institutes. The requested device, a SCANCO u50CT, 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, ultrasound, and optical imaging systems. The device has superior features for ultra-high resolution imaging and extensive software support, which will make it applicable to a broad range of disciplines. The instrument chosen also has numerous features conducive to efficient operation, including, DICOM compatibility (essential for assimilation into our developing animals PACS system), portability within the laboratory, and a carousel imaging station that allows rapid multi-sample data acquisition. USC already owns a license for the software package, reducing the requested support from NCRR. The requested device will be used by investigators in the fields of medicine, surgery, pathology, biochemistry/molecular biology, dentistry and material sciences. Addition of the requested instrument will increase the productivity of assembled PHS-funded investigators who are working in various areas of medicine, dentistry and developmental biology. 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 high-resolution micro-computed tomography (microCT) scanner for quantitative x-ray of in vitro specimens. It is an essential imaging unit that will satisfy all of the required research imaging objectives because of the diverse needs of the user group. Research conducted using this instrument, may move forward into clinical research trials with great potential public health implications.