LOIS 3D Pre-clinical Mouse Imaging System
LOIS 3D combines light and sound to produce a three dimensional image of tissue-simulating phantoms, small animals, and other types of tissue submerged in the imaging module.
LOIS-3D is the first system of its kind to produce comprehensive information based upon volumetric optoacoustic tomography depicting the absorbed optical energy (blood distribution and its oxygenation). This provides an extremely rich set of complementary anatomical and functional 3D images.
System Specifications
Highest contrast on the market
- Δμa = 0.03/cm at F = 20mJ/cm^2
- Noise effective pressure, NEP = 1 Pa
- Noise level 7 mV at gain = 64dB
Spatial resolution
- Better than 300μ through entire field of view
- Equal resolution in all three dimensions
Imaging Module
The imaging module of the system is designed to produce three dimensional scans, through 360 degree rotation of either an object of study (in preclinical research system) or the module itself (in the clinical breast imaging system)
The video rendering on the left shows imaging module designed for preclinical laser optoacoustic imaging system, LOIS-3D. It is optimized for rapid scanning without a probe alignment and provides easy placement and removal of an animal holder.
Imaging
Optoacoustic (OA) Tomography produces images of the absorbed optical energy in acoustic sources generated in the tissue volume by nanosecond laser pulses. OAT combines advantages of optical illumination (high contrast and molecular specificity) and ultrasound detection (high resolution and depth of imaging)
LOIS-3D implements the optoacoustic technology for imaging the small animals for imaging the vasculature, organs, skeletal system and the skin. The volumetric images give us:
(click to see animation)
(click to see animation)
(click to see animation)
3D Mouse Optoacoustic Imaging System
The system demonstrated its capability to display quantitatively accurate contrast of vasculature, bones and various organs based on variations in blood content. When combined with targeted contrast agents, LOIS-3D images of tissue can be obtained with molecular specificity. Thus, LOIS-3D system is useful in biomedical research involving animal models.
Functional Imaging
Functional optoacoustic imaging provides measurement of [Hb] and [HbO] (hematocrit) in tissues and blood vessels, assessment of heart function and blood flow. It allows for assessment of tumor angiogenesis, angiography, detection and characterization of stroke and traumatic injury of the brain.
Venous system of a live mouse at 757nm
(click to see animation)
Arterial system of a live mouse at 1064nm
(click to see animation)
(click to see animation)
Optoacoustic imaging of a live mouse brain, total hemoglobin map
Molecular Imaging
Molecular optoacoustic imaging can show distribution of cellular receptors with targeted nanoparticle agents. It is also useful for studies into kinetic and dynamic distribution of contrast agents.
The images to the right are molecular optoacoustic images of the tumor seen in the picture above.
Angio-Endogenous
GNR-PEG-Herceptin
Image 2D Projections: Mouse Injected with Contrast Agent
After intravenous injection of PEGylated gold nanorods as contrast agent, microvasculature as small as 50 micron in soft tissue and even bones (ribs and spine) was visualized even though the system spatial resolution is only 500 micron. Redistribution kinetics of gold nanorods (GNR) was observed in tissue showing presence of GNR in the vasculature shortly after injection, then gradual transfer of the contrast to the organs (such as liver and spleen) serving as filters for nanoparticles.
