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Multimodality Chamber for coregistered anatomical and molecular imaging of small animals

Abstract

Modern imaging methods are applied extensively in translational animal research, and combined analysis of anatomical and functional imaging results is of increasing importance. Many imaging centers handle multiple independent animal colonies and use several imaging modalities, often in combination. The authors have developed and successfully tested a two-piece acrylic Multimodality Chamber that enables investigators to coregister images from two or more modalities, including microMR, microCT, microPET and optical imaging.

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Figure 1: Computer-aided design machine drawings of the Multimodality Chamber.
Figure 2: Customized mouse bed.
Figure 3: The Multimodality Chamber is compatible with real-time monitoring of vital parameters such as electrocardiogram, respiratory rate and temperature.
Figure 4: Minimal attenuation of optical signal by the chamber lid.
Figure 5: Coregistration of microCT and optical images.

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Acknowledgements

This work was made possible in part by software from the NIH/NCRR Center for Integrative Biomedical Computing (grant number P41-RR12553). We thank David R. Rodriguez for assistance with the computer-aided design drawing of the Multimodality Chamber and Wayne Skloss for machining the Chamber. Animal care costs for this study were in part defrayed by a National Cancer Institute Center grant to the San Antonio Cancer Center (grant number P30 CA54174). This chamber design is being patented by UTHSCSA and is commercially available from Numira Biosciences Inc.

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Correspondence to Charles Keller.

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C.K. is a cofounder, stockholder and board member of Numira Biosciences, which will market the Multimodality Chamber described here. A.N.B. is a part-time employee of Numira Biosciences.

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Bahadur, A., Wu, I., Weinstein, D. et al. Multimodality Chamber for coregistered anatomical and molecular imaging of small animals. Lab Anim 36, 29–35 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/laban0907-29

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