MRI CONSOLE UPGRADE FOR SMALL-ANIMAL 12-T SCANNER

描述（由申请人提供）：小型实验室动物模型，如小鼠、大鼠和仓鼠广泛用于圣路易斯华盛顿大学和其他科学机构的整个生物医学研究界。随着分子生物学的发展，转基因实验动物模型，特别是小鼠，已经成为生物医学研究中不可或缺的一部分。识别和开发用于分析和评价动物模型中感兴趣特征的方法仍然是一个重大挑战。这对于纵向研究尤其如此，在纵向研究中，样本人群的成员被跟踪了很长一段时间。显然，侵入性和/或破坏性手术-特别是那些需要牺牲受试者的手术-与此类研究不相容。在这些情况下，非破坏性成像程序，如磁共振成像（MRI）提供的程序，是特别有价值的。 该申请来自华盛顿大学生物医学磁共振实验室（华盛顿大学小动物成像资源的所在地），申请资金从加利福尼亚州帕洛阿尔托的瓦里安NMR系统公司购买最先进的11.74特斯拉（500 MHz）MRI控制台。这台11.74特斯拉的小动物MRI扫描仪是在2002年获得NIH高端仪器奖时购买的，是世界上少数超高场扫描仪之一。它被大量用于各种跨学科的研究，从细胞培养系统的评估到啮齿动物，高信噪比和对比噪声比是至关重要的。要求的控制台是瓦里安的新一代DirectDrive”仪器模型，取代其长期运行的INOVA”线。目前的Varian INOVA控制台已经过时，无法充分支持经常挑战现代MRI科学极限的研究人员。Varian的DirectDrive控制台架构代表了MR工程技术、集成和仪器性能的重大飞跃。重要的是，DirectDrive系统以经济有效的方式支持并行成像。所要求的控制台配置包括四个发射器/接收器通道，以通过相控阵线圈实现并行成像。它还为fcMRI、qBOLD和其他要求严格的研究提供了明显上级的相位稳定性和事件定时精度，并可通过增加动态范围和消除正交不平衡来显著减少成像伪影。 公共卫生相关性：疾病、病理和损伤的小动物模型是一种重要的生物医学研究工具。磁共振成像提供了一种非侵入性和非破坏性的手段，将小动物模型的临床前发现转化为临床，直接影响医疗保健。该计划要求资金升级超高磁场小动物MRI扫描仪，以增强其功能，从而支持医疗保健研究人员。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Small laboratory animal models such as mice, rats and hamsters are widely used throughout the biomedical research community at Washington University in St. Louis and other scientific institutions. With the recent revolution in molecular biology, transgenic laboratory animal models - in particular mice - have become an indispensable part of the biomedical research armamentarium. The identification and development of methods for analyzing and evaluating the characteristics of interest within animal models remains a significant challenge. This is especially true for longitudinal studies, in which members of a sample population are followed over an extended period. Clearly, invasive and/or destructive procedures - especially those that require sacrifice of the subject - are incompatible with such studies. Under these circumstances, nondestructive imaging procedures, such as those offered by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are especially valuable. This application from the Washington University Biomedical Magnetic Resonance Laboratory, home to the Washington University Small-Animal Imaging Resource, requests funds to purchase a state-of-the-art 11.74 tesla (500 MHz) MRI console from Varian NMR Systems, Palo Alto, CA. The 11.74 tesla small-animal MRI scanner in question was purchased with a 2002 NIH High-End Instrumentation award and is one of a handful of ultra high field scanners world-wide. It is heavily used in a variety of cross-disciplinary research studies, ranging from evaluation of cell culture systems to rodents, for which high signal-to-noise and contrast- to-noise ratios are critical. The requested console is Varian's new generation DirectDrive" instrument model, which replaces its long running INOVA" line. The current Varian INOVA console is outdated and unable to adequately support researchers who often push the limits of modern MRI science. Varian's DirectDrive console architecture represents a major leap in MR engineering technology, integration, and instrument performance. Importantly, the DirectDrive system supports parallel imaging in a cost effective manner. The console configuration requested includes four transmitter/receiver channels to enable parallel imaging via phased array coils. It also provides markedly superior in phase stability and event timing accuracy for fcMRI, qBOLD, and other demanding studies and can significantly reduce imaging artifacts through increased dynamic range and by eliminating quadrature imbalance. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: Small-animal models of disease, pathology, and injury represent an important biomedical research tool. Magnetic resonance imaging provides a noninvasive and nondestructive means to translate preclinical findings from small-animal models to the clinic, directly impacting health care. This program requests funds to upgrade an ultra high magnetic field small-animal MRI scanner to enhance it capabilities, thereby supporting health care researchers.