Instrumentation

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Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Bruker 7.0 T/30 cm Biospec MR Scanner - South

The 7T horizontal-bore MRI scanner with a 30 cm bore and Avance HD architecture is located in the SAIF imaging labs on the first floor of 3SCR to serve researchers with laboratories and animals housed on MD Anderson’s South Campus. Eight broadband receivers and a fully digital architecture support measurements with outstanding sensitivity and stability. This system also boasts significantly more powerful imaging gradients: the 20cm fixed gradients achieve Gmax of 300 mT/m; the 11.6cm insert can achieve Gmax of 660 mT/m; and the 60 mm insert can achieve Gmax of 1000 mT/m. Several commercially available single- and dual-tuned RF resonators were purchased with the system and coils are developed in-house for specialized applications. 

Bruker 7.0 T/30 cm Biospec MR Scanner — North

The 7T horizontal-bore MRI scanner with a 30 cm bore serves researchers with laboratories and animals housed on MD Anderson’s North Campus. The high field strength of this system provides an intrinsicly high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and spectral resolution, making this the instrument of choice for micro- and spectroscopic imaging applications. Three gradient sets optimized for various sample sizes are available for larger animals (20cm free bore with a maximum gradient amplitude of 200 mT/m), rats (11.6cm bore with 400 mT/m), and mice (60mm bore with 950 mT/m). Several commercially RF resonators were purchased with the system and custom coils can be developed in-house for specialized applications. 

Bruker 4.7T/40 cm Biospec MR scanner

The eight-channel, 4.7T Bruker Biospec magnetic resonance system is based on the fully digital Avance III architecture and supports both imaging and spectroscopic data acquisition. This system includes a state-of-the-art actively shielded magnet design that uses a cryorefrigerator and cold head to minimize the risk, time, and cost associated with cryogenic maintenance. Three gradient sets are available for larger animals and multiple animal experiments (26 cm free bore with maximum gradient amplitude of 100 mT/m), rats (11.6 cm bore with 400 mT/m) and mice (60 mm with 950 mT/m). An inventory of commercially manufactured RF resonators is available, with custom coils developed in house for specialized applications. In-plane resolution of less than 150 µm is routinely achievable with reasonable scan times (several minutes) in anatomic spin-echo images, as is a temporal resolution of less than one second per image using fast gradient-echo or echo-planar techniques. 

Polarean Xe29 Polarizer

The Xenon Hyperpolarizer provides a supply of high-purity, hyperpolarized xenon gas for MRI lung research. The hyperpolarizer is installed near the MRI/NMR suite and processes a custom mixture of unpolarized xenon, nitrogen, and helium, into a dose of pure hyperpolarized xenon that is available for MRI. The Xenon gas can then be inhaled by a patient or animal all while lung function is being monitored via MRI. This allows for interrogation of lung function in the presence of cancer as well as, pre and post cancer therapy treatments.

Dynamic Nuclear Polarization (DNP)

Oxford HyperSense for Dynamic Nuclear Polarization

The HyperSense dissolution DNP system supports preclinical work and is located adjacent to the 7T MRI scanner in SAIF 3SCR. This system also automates the DNP process. An aliquot of 13C-enriched substrate is placed in a small sample cup, loaded into the center of a 3.35T magnet, frozen to ~1.4K, and irradiated with microwave radiation. Upon suitable buildup of polarization, the mixture is combined with superheated diluant (180°C) to yield an injectable solution that is pH neutral, isotonic, and 37°C. The net polarization of HP [1-13C]-pyruvate routinely exceeds 20%, which translates into gain of more than 30,000-fold signal enhancement compared to thermal equilibrium. 

Optical

Caliper Life Sciences IVIS Spectrum System

This optical fluorescence/ bioluminescence imaging system features 10 narrow-band excitation filters (30nm bandwidth) and 18 narrow-band emission filters (20nm bandwidth) to reduce interference due to autofluorescence. Fluorescent samples can be illuminated from different sources to optimize sensitivity. Spectral un-mixing algorithms allow separation of response of various reporters from blue to near-infrared wavelengths. 3D diffuse tomography can be performed to improve source localization and estimation of reporter concentration.

 Bruker InVivo Xtreme

The state of the art Bruker InVivo Xtreme system offers researchers four modalities in one instrument. These modalities include: Bioluminescence, Fluorescence, X-Ray, and Radioisotopic. The system within SAIF has a back- thinned back- illuminated 4MP CCD detector with a luminescent sensitivity of <50 photons/sec/cm2/sr. There are 28 fluorescence excitation filters ranging from 410nm-760nm. It has eight built in emission filters ranging from 535nm-830nm.The X-Ray energies range from 25-45kVp with a max current of 500uA. The X-ray spot size is (Nominal μm): <60 μm. The Bruker InVivo Xtreme system also includes ports for gas anesthesia, and a warmed stage to keep animals vitals stable during imaging.

Caliper Life Sciences IVIS 200

This optical fluorescence/bioluminescence imaging system features five narrow-band excitation filters ranging from 445nm-760 and 10 narrow-band emission filters ranging from 515nm-875nm. FOVs range from 3.9x3.9cm up to 26cmx26cm. The 26cm FOV allows for up to five animals at a time for increased throughput. The IVIS 200 has a minimum resolution of 60uM at F/1. Spectral un-mixing algorithms allow separation of response of various reporters from blue to near-infrared wavelengths. 

Caliper Life Sciences IVIS Lumina XR

This optical fluorescence/ bioluminescence/ photographic/ planar x-ray imaging system also features the full complement of narrow-band excitation filters (420nm – 745nm, 30nm bandwidth) and narrow-band emission filters (500nm – 840nm, 20nm bandwidth) and spectral un-mixing capabilities. Data from fluorescence/ bioluminescence can be visualized against planar x-ray or photographic images to enhance signal localization.

Perkin Elmer IVIS Lumina X5

The IVIS X5 system combines high sensitivity bio luminescence and fluorescence imaging with high resolution XRay imaging. The X5 has a max field of view of 20x20cm which allows for imaging of up to five mice at one time for high throughput imaging. The Lumina X5 is equipped with 19 excitation filters and seven emission filters to allow for fluorescence imaging from green to near infrared up to 900nM. The X5 includes a micro focus XRay source with geometric magnification to increase overall resolution of 25lp/mm with a standard scan time around 10 seconds.

Ultrasound/Photoacoustic (US/PA)

Visualsonics Vevo 2100/LAZR Micro-ultrasound and Photoacoustic Scanner

The Visualsonics Vevo 2100 is a state-of-the-art high-resolution micro-ultrasound imaging system designed especially for small animal imaging research. The system has a broadband scanheads ranging from 15-40MHz. The system supports real-time B-mode imaging (30 frames per second) with spatial resolution down to 30 μm, facilitating completely non-invasive longitudinal imaging studies or imaging guidance for inoculations, biopsies, bioassays or therapeutic delivery in small animals. A 3D rendering and visualization package are available to aid in accurate measurement and visualization of volumes. The system has bench top positioning system for 3D imaging and is equipped with an image-guided needle injection system. The system also supports echocardiography, contrast enhanced US (CEUS), and photoacoustic imaging with respective modes representing each application.

Visualsonics Vevo 770 Micro-Ultrasound Imaging System

The Vevo 770 (Visualsonics Inc., Toronto, Canada) is a state-of-the-art high-resolution micro-ultrasound imaging system designed especially for small animal imaging research. The system has a broadband scanhead (RMV 704) centered at 40 MHz (20- to 60-MHz imaging band), a 17.9-mm lateral field of view, 6-mm focal length and an axial resolution of 40 µm; a cardiac scanhead (RMV707B) centered at 30 MHz (15- to 45-MHz imaging band), with a 20-mm lateral field of view, a 12.7-mm focal length and resolution of 55 µm; and a scanhead for rats larger than 350 grams total weight (RMV716) centered at 17.5 Mhz, with a 32-mm lateral field of view and 17.5-mm focal length providing 85-µm resolution. The system supports real-time B-mode imaging (30 frames per second) with spatial resolution down to 30 µm. The Vevo 770 has bench top positioning system for 3D imaging and is equipped with an image-guided needle injection system. The system also has Doppler capabilities which include Pulsed Wave Doppler, Tissue Doppler and Power Doppler imaging modes. The software includes a cardiac evaluation package EKV (or ECG-based kilohertz visualization) which uses line-based reconstruction allowing frame rates of up to 1,000 frames per second.

iThera Medical MSOT 256-TF Tomographic Photoacoustic Imaging Scanner

The iThera Medical inVision 256-TF MSOT system (Small Animal Imaging Facility at MDACC, SAIF) will be used for tomographic 3D PA imaging of nanoparticles biodistribution, blood clearance, tumor delivery and biodegradation kinetics. The MOST imaging system is composed of a laser and an acoustic system for reception. The laser system is comprised of an Nd:YAG pump laser coupled into an optical parametric oscillator (OPO) that provides tunability in 680-980 nm. The OPO maintains a tuning step size of one nm with a tuning speed of 10 ms, allowing for real-time multi-wavelength imaging. The MSOT’s acoustic system consists of 256 elements (5-MHz center frequency; >60% bandwidth) spanning 270 degrees through the integrated ring illuminator; all 256 channels are sampled simultaneously at 40 MS/s. Translation of the animal holder in the Z dimension affords volumetric data acquisition. The MSOT system allows for image presentation as full-view tomographic cross-sections or as volume renderings.

CT/Xray

MARS Bioimaging Micro Lab 5X120 Photon Counting CT

Photon counting computed tomography enables identification and quantification of various components of soft tissues, bones, cartilage, and exogenously administered contrast agents and pharmaceuticals in a single scan (up to six different materials simultaneously). The system is outfitted with a CdZnTe-Medipix3RX detector with 110 µm pixel pitch, up to eight energy bins per pixel. The XRay source has a range of up to 120 kVp and 350 µA. The field of view size is up to 125 mm in diameter and 450 mm in length. The system has a rotating gantry for helical scanning which helps decrease acquisitions times.

Faxitron X-RAY Corporation Ultrafocus 60 Cabinet X-Ray system

The Faxitron X-RAY Corp. Ultrafocus 60 is a self- contained high throughput digital cabinet XRAY that delivers ultra- high resolution images of small animals. It has an energy range of 10-60 kV and a tube current of .3 mA. The active imaging area is 10cm X 15cm and allows for up to 10X magnification. The resolution of the system is up to 5um at 10X magnification. In addition, the Ultrafocus 60 is equipped with automatic exposure control which selects the appropriate kV and exposure settings for a particular experiment. A typical x-ray takes only 10 seconds making this an ideal diagnostic tool for researchers.

Bruker SkyScan 1276 uCT

This micro CT system is capable of in vivo and ex vivo high resolution imaging. It has a maximum resolution of 2.8uM, and offers the shortest scan time of just 3.9 seconds. It comes equipped with an 11 Megapixel camera and a variable 20-100kV X-Ray source. This system also includes prospective or retrospective gating options to minimize motion artifacts during exposures. The max field of view is 300mm length by 80mm scanning diameter which allows for mouse and rat imaging in vivo. In addition the SkyScan offers step and shoot or continuous acquisition options to adjust scan times based on user needs. 

CT/XRT

XRAD SmART Irradiator System

The X-ray X-RAD 225 CX and XRAD SmART irradiator system from Precision enables image-guided delivery of radiation to preclinical models of human disease. The isocentric design and amorphous silicon flat-panel detector permit high-performance cone-beam CT imaging of the subject in situ prior to irradiation. CT images (from this unit or an outside CT scanner) or MRI images can be imported into custom-treatment planning software where the treatment is designed. This treatment can be designed to treat the target while minimizing dose to surround normal tissues using single, multiple, or arc-radiation beams down to 1mm diameter. The treatment plan can then be registered with localization images taken prior to treatment, and the target localized within ~0.2mm using 3D translation of the subject. Setup, imaging, planning, guidance and (single-focus) treatment is typically completed in ~15-20 minutes. The gantry is housed within a shielded assembly, facilitating the placement of this instrument nearby other equipment for efficient workflow.

Nuclear

Bruker Albira 3Ring PET/S108 SPECT/CT 

The Bruker Albira 3Ring PET/S108 SPECT/CT instrument combines PET, SPECT and CT imaging in a single system. PET/CT and SPECT/CT images are acquired automatically, yielding functional images that are aligned conveniently with anatomical landmarks provided by CT. The CT system utilizes a cone beam geometry with a 2400x2400 pixel digital flat panel detector and energies optimized for low dose small animal imaging. CT detectors supporting 70 mm2 field of view (axial and transaxial) provide <90 mm image resolution within three minutes, and the axial FOV can be extended to 210 mm by stitching views from multiple bed positions. The system operates with a 10-50 kV voltage, and has pre-calibrated, quantitative HU measurements, automatic detector calibration, low-dose acquisition for longitudinal studies, and automated image stitching. The PET component is utilizes monolithic LYSO crystal detectors coupled to PSPMTs for continuous readout of X, Y and depth of interaction, with scintillator dimensions of 10 mm x 6.3 mm x 25 mm. Three detector rings have eight modules per ring with 14% energy resolution and > 9% sensitivity, which provides a transaxial FOV of 80 mm and an axial FOV of 148 mm that can be extended to 300 mm by translation of the animal bed. PET reconstruction of list mode acquisition with attenuation correction from CT results in quantitative high-resolution (~1.1 mm) data from mice and rats. The S108 SPECT subsystem supports multiple detector positions and can be configured with multiplex multi-pinhole collimators for high sensitivity SPECT imaging >1000 cps/MBq, or with a single pinhole collimator for high resolution imaging <0.7 mm. The system has an energy range of 300-400 keV with an energy resolution < 14%. FOVs for SPECT acquisitions range from 30 mm / 22 mm transaxial/axial to 100 mm /83 mm, with axial extension up to 210 mm by stitching multiple views from translation of the animal bed. Data for both PET and SPECT are acquired in list mode. For cardiac or lung experiments, the Albira is configured for retrospective cardiac gating or pulmonary gating of PET and SPECT images. Sequential tri-modal scans can also be conducted on the system without removing the mouse. The albira 3.1 software suite is used for acquisition, reconstruction, data management and quality control. PMOD Data Analysis Software is used for viewing, analysis of the resulting static or kinetic images, and multimodal 3D image fusion. 

NuPETÔ PET

We have recently obtained a small animal NuPETÔ PET detection system from Cubresa, Inc. that can be inserted into our 7T MRI scanner to perform PET/MRI studies. This unique design allows us to perform simultaneous PET/MRI, rather than serial PET followed by MRI. Simultaneous hybrid imaging accelerates throughout and avoids the need for image registration between PET and MRI.

Cryo-Fluorescence Tomography (CFT)

EMIT Xerra

The EMIT Xerra Cryo-Fluorescence Tomography (CFT) system slices tissue at 20-50uM and follows up each slice with on the block fluorescence imaging. The result is a three-dimensional stack of fluorescent images overlayed onto a three-dimensional stack of anatomical images. The Xerra has laser excitation for deeper tissue penetration along with emission filters ranging from 500nM-840nM. This combination covers most commercially available fluorescent proteins and dyes. Applications for the Xerra include: bio-distribution of labeled pharmaceuticals, molecules and proteins, tumor perfusion, gene expression, cardiology, etc. The Xerra CFT system bridges the gap between histopathology and imaging.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)

Bruker 300MHz NMR

The Bruker 300MHz NMR is equipped with an Avance III HD Nano Bay spectrometer which incorporates two channels with a frequency range of 5-450MHz for each channel. The frequency resolution of the system is <.005Hz. The phase resolution is < 0.006º. Attenuation resolution / attenuation range of < 0.1 dB / 90 dB, Amplitude modulation > 90 dB, Event time for digital setting of frequency, phase and amplitude, either individually or simultaneously is 25 ns, Timing resolution / min. duration is 12.5 / 25 ns. The host computer runs Windows 7 OS.