Nodestruction Multi-Scale Micro-CT Imaging System

描述（由申请人提供）：这是一份共享仪器资助提案，要求提供一种无损、多尺度微型CT系统，即Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa系统。在过去的几年里，包括微型CT在内的微型成像技术的发展出现了爆炸性增长。我们计划购买的系统是根据研究人员多样化和复杂的要求专门挑选的。该系统由一家领先的微型CT公司商业化制造。扫描仪功能包括：（1）可变的空间分辨率（0.7 - 100微米）和视场（高达300 mm），以适应各种样品和数据分辨率水平。(2)独特的光学变焦功能，允许识别大样本内的目标区域，并以高分辨率进行识别和扫描。这种以多尺度分辨率对样品进行无损成像的能力是Zeiss Xradia Versa系统所独有的。(3)通过先进的闪烁体技术和双能量扫描对比度可视化技术优化的图像对比度突出了通常在单次扫描中无法区分的特征。所要求的系统非常独特，目前在美利坚合众国境内只安装了两个。这项技术为本提案中列出的主要用户群提供了更有效地回答受资助研究问题的机会。该系统的非破坏性多尺度微CT成像能力以任何其他技术不可能的方式扩展了理解和表征三维微结构和架构的能力。通过这样做，获得这项技术将使我们的主要用户能够推进肺技术，图像处理，计算机建模，骨骼和材料科学研究。除了促进主要用户群体的科学发展外，将该器械纳入爱荷华州大学爱荷华州生物医学成像研究所（IIBI）的多学科环境将促进技术的广泛使用，促进多模态成像研究， 并为学生和学员提供宝贵的学术和教育机会。获得这一技术还将促进显微CT成像领域的进一步发展，其目标和专业知识将在IIBI内扩展自动图像处理技术，用于这些数据集的量化。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This is a shared instrumentation grant proposal requesting a nondestructive, multi-scale micro-CT system, the Zeiss Xradia 520 Versa system. Over the past several years there has been an explosive growth in the development of micro-imaging technologies, including micro-CT. The system we plan to purchase has been specifically selected based upon the diversified and sophisticated requirements of researchers. The system is commercially built by a leading micro-CT company. The scanner features include: (1) a variable spatial resolution (0.7 - 100 microns) and field of view (up to 300mm) to accommodate a wide variety of samples and data resolution levels. (2) Unique optical zoom capabilities which allow the identification of target regions within a large specimen to be identified and scanned at high resolution. This ability to nondestructively image samples at multi-scale resolutions is unique to the Zeiss Xradia Versa systems. (3) Optimized image contrast via advanced scintillator technology and dual energy scan contrast visualization technology highlights features normally indistinguishable in a single scan. The requested system is highly unique, with only two currently installed within the United States of America. This technology presents the major user groups listed within this proposal, opportunities to more effectively answer funded research questions. The nondestructive multi-scale micro-CT imaging capabilities of this system expand the ability to understand and characterize three dimensional micro- structure and architecture in a manner not possible with any other technology. In so doing, access to this technology will allow our major users to advance pulmonary, technology, image processing, computer modeling, bone and material science research. In addition to advancing the science of the major user groups, the incorporation of this device within the multidisciplinary environment of the Iowa Institute of Biomedical Imaging (IIBI) at the University of Iowa would facilitate broad access to the technology, facilitate multi-modality imaging studies, and present valuable academic and educational opportunities for students and trainees. Access to this technology will also foster further development of the field of micro-CT imaging with aims and expertise within the IIBI to expand automated image processing techniques for quantification in these datasets.