Instrumentation

IVIS Spectrum bioluminescent and fluorescent imaging systems (Perkin Elmer)

Our three IVIS Spectrum instruments can perform both fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging. Typical applications include qualitative tumor burden tracking, high throughput in vivo and ex-vivo biodistribution and screening studies.

Typical features include:

Imaging throughputUp to 5 mice or 2 rats per imaging session
HeatingYes, heated platform
Physiological monitoringNo
Acquisition type2D (3D through surface topography)
Typical acquisition times1 sec – 1 min
Nominal spatial resolutionex-vivo: 20 um, in-vivo: mm depending on depth in tissue
Max field of view23 cm x 23 cm
Analysis softwareLiving Image

For the system specifications click here

For the acquisition software manual click here

Skyscan 1276 animal and specimen x-ray microtomograph (Bruker)

Our microCT instrument can perform high resolution x-ray tomography and is typically used for bone structure imaging, lung tumor imaging, implant tracking as well as contrast enhanced vascular imaging

Typical features include:

Imaging throughput1 mouse or rat, multiple specimens per imaging session
HeatingYes, heated airflow
Physiological monitoringYes (ECG, breathing, temperature)
Acquisition type2D, 3D, 4D, helical
Typical acquisition times1-40 mins
Nominal spatial resolutionex-vivo: 5 um, in-vivo: 20 um
Max field of viewContinuously adjustable (specimen-mouse-primate)
Analysis softwareCTan, CTVol

Vevo 3100 and LAZR-X ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging system (FujiFilm-VisualSonics)

Our ultrasound system is equipped with four transducers with frequencies from 18 to 70 MHz ideal for imaging of a wide variety of species from zebrafish to primates. Typical applications include blood flow and capillary perfusion measurements, cardiac imaging, tumor imaging, needle guidance and implant imaging.

Our photoacoustic system is equipped with a multi-wavelength pulsed laser source (680-970 nm and 1200-2000nm) that allows for spectral characterization of compounds such as gold and carbon nanostructures, as well as oxygen saturation measurements in blood.

Typical features include:

Imaging throughput1 mouse or rat per imaging session
HeatingYes, heated platform
Physiological monitoringYes (ECG, breathing, temperature)
Acquisition type2D, 3D, 4D
Typical acquisition timesreal time – 5 mins (for 3D)
Nominal spatial resolution30 um@70 MHz to 100 um@18 MHz
Max field of view9.7 mm x 12 mm @ 70 MHz to 23 mm x 36 mm @18 MHz
Analysis softwareVevoLab

Varian (magnet) / Bruker (console) 7T MRI system (A2B Bruker upgrade)

Our upgraded MRI system is capable of soft tissue anatomical imaging, cardiovascular anatomical and functional imaging, brain functional imaging, spectroscopy, microenvironment and multinuclear imaging. 

Imaging throughput1 mouse or rat per imaging session
HeatingYes, heated airflow
Physiological monitoringYes (ECG, breathing, temperature)
Acquisition type2D, 3D
Typical acquisition times2-30 mins
Nominal spatial resolution150 um
Max field of view40 mm
Analysis softwareParaVision

G8 PET/CT preclinical imaging system (Perkin Elmer)

Our PET system is capable of highly sensitive tumor detection and biodistribution and therapeutic targeting studies using radioisotopes such as 18F, 64Cu, 89Zr.  It is limited to full body mouse and rat head due to the small bore which allows for superb sensitivity comparatively to other PET machines. The system also includes a CT scanner that allows for co-registration of the PET image with the anatomy of the animal.

Typical features include:

Imaging throughput1 mouse or 1 rat brain per imaging session
HeatingYes
Physiological monitoringNo
Acquisition type2D, 3D
Typical acquisition times10 mins (PET) 5 mins (CT)
Nominal spatial resolution1.4 mm at the center of field of view
Max field of view4.7 cm x 9.5 cm
Analysis softwareVivoQuant

For the system specifications click here

2480 Wizard2 automatic gamma counter (Perkin Elmer)

Our gamma counter is well suited for quantitative measurements of PET tracer and a large library of gamma emitting radionuclides in excised tissues and comparison with image-based PET biodistribution data.

Typical features include:

Imaging throughput1000 samples per run
Acquisitioncounts
Types of radionuclideslibrary of 51 radionuclides
Sample volume3-20 ml
Energy window15-2000 keV
Analysis softwareStatLIA

For the system specifications click here

Xerra Cryofluorecence Tomography (CFT) imaging system (EMIT Imaging)

Our CFT system is well suited for ex-vivo, 3D, full body imaging of fluorescence (including GFP) at a high spatial resolution and sensitivity. This technique can complement end point IVIS fluorescence studies or co-register with other 3D imaging data.

Imaging throughputup to 5 mice per run, 15-30h per run depending on FoV
Acquisition Type3D
Filters (center line and bandpass)511/20, 586/15, 620/14, 680/13, 711/25, 794/32, 835/70
Lasers (center line and bandpass)(470) 465/5, (555) 555/1.5, (640) 638/5, (685) 685/3, (730)730/7, (780) 780/7
Spatial resolution 20-55 um depending on FoV
Analysis softwareImageJ