A High-Field Small Animal MR Imager for Biomedical Research

描述（由申请人提供）：这笔拨款用于支持购买一台高视场小动物成像仪，以支持NIH资助的多个研究人员使用小动物进行生物医学研究。所选择的成像仪是7T布鲁克ClinScan系统，该系统结合了布鲁克磁铁，梯度线圈和射频线圈的优势以及西门子医疗解决方案的专业知识和成就，以生产射频电子和控制软件。新的成像仪将使用syngo软件进行操作，该软件与西门子TIM Trio所使用的软件相同，该软件也位于磁共振成像和光谱学中心（MRISC）中，这将有助于在实验动物和人类研究对象之间翻译成像协议，并有助于在复杂研究中获得最佳成像协议。该仪器将安装在MRISC中并由其管理，MRISC是一所大学的核心设施，致力于开发创新的临床前和实验动物和人类的MR成像。成像仪将由一组经验丰富的磁共振研究人员操作和维护。成像仪将被安置在动物群落设施旁边，该设施容纳非人类灵长类动物，以及用于各种研究的大鼠和小鼠。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This grant is to support the acquisition of a high-field small animal imager to support multiple NIH- funded investigators using small animals for biomedical research. The imager selected is a 7T Bruker ClinScan system which incorporates the advantages of Bruker magnet, gradient coil and radiofrequency coil with the expertise and accomplishments of Siemens Medical Solutions to produce the RF electronics and controlling software. That the new imager will operate using syngo software which is the same as used on the Siemens TIM Trio also housed in the Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center (MRISC) will facilitate translation of imaging protocols between experimental animals and human research subjects and will aid in the acquisition of optimal imaging protocols on complex studies. The instrument will be installed in and administered by MRISC - a university core facility dedicated to the development of innovative preclinical and experimental MR imaging of experimental animals and humans. The imager will be operated and maintained by a group of experienced MR researchers. The imager will be sited next to the animal colony facility which houses non-human primates, as well as rats and mice used for a variety of research studies. PUBLIC HEALH RELEVANCE: This High End Instrumentation Grant will provide a high field, MR imager suitable for small animal in vivo imager to a multi-user group of productive, NIH-funded, biomedical researchers. This instrument will replace the current use of a clinical imager, ill suited for imaging rodents, with a state-of-the-art, high field imager suitable for research into traumatic injury, cancer, cardiovascular and several other areas of research currently underway at the University of Kentucky.