Imaging Facilities

GE Signa HDX 3.0T

The Signa HDx MRI system is a whole body magnetic resonance scanner designed to support high resolution, high signal to noise ratio, and short scan times. Signa HDx 3.0T offers ultra-fast image reconstruction through the new XVRE recon engine, advancements in parallel imaging algorithms and a broad range of premium applications.

Bruker 7.0T Animal Preclinical MRI System

A multipurpose research system for high-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging in selected volumes and 2- or 3-dimensional image reconstruction based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance.

BioSpec 70/30 USR properties:

• Magnetic field strength of 7 T
• 30 cm bore diameter
• 4 parallel receivers
• High performance actively shielded gradient system with integrated shims
• Numerous ready to use MRI methods and sequences available
• State of the art software interface and tools
• Easy routine operation
• Powerful research environment

MR software

ParaVision® 6.0 software package provides a framework for multi-dimensional MRI/MRS data acquisition, reconstruction, analysis and visualization.

This basic software package is supplemented by several extension packages which offer additional experimental techniques or sophisticated post-processing algorithms.

• Standard acquisition, reconstruction, data analysis and visualization
• State-of-the-art 2D and 3D MR imaging techniques
• Easy set-up with auto-adjustments and localizer scans
• Predefined application oriented protocols
• Real-time display of acquired and reconstructed data
• Ready-to-use protocols for ultra-fast imaging sequences including echo-planar imaging (EPI) techniques, fMRI, perfusion imaging, UTE, ZTE, DTI, SWI, Spiral imaging, Cardiac imaging
• On-line, off-line, reconstruction, including baseline correction, window multiplication and phase correction capabilities

MRI Coils

• Single tuned 1H circularly polarized, transmit/receive volume RF coil
  • Outer/inner diameter: 198mm/154mm
• Single tuned 1H circularly polarized, transmit/receive volume RF coil
  • Outer/inner diameter: 112mm/72mm
• Single tuned 1H circularly polarized, transmit/receive volume RF coil
  • Outer/inner diameter: 75mm/40mm
• Single tuned 1H circularly polarized, transmit only volume RF coil
  • Outer/inner diameter: 112mm/86mm
• Single tuned 1H 2x2 4 element mouse brain array surface receive coil
• Single tuned 1H 2x2 4 element rat brain array surface receive coil
• Single tuned 10mm ID 1H only surface coil with flexible wire mounting
• Single tuned 20mm ID 1H only surface coil with flexible wire mounting
• Single tuned 30mm ID 1H only surface coil with flexible wire mounting
• Double tuned 1H/31P circularly polarized, transmit/receive volume RF coil
  • Outer/inner diameter: 75mm/40mm
• Double tuned 30 mm 1H/31P linearly polarized, receive surface RF coil

Two gradient sets:

• 20 cm ID, 300 mT/m gradient strength, 1080 T/m/s max linear slew rate
• 11.4 cm ID, 660 mT/m gradient strength, 4570 T/m/s max linear slew rate

Bruker 9.4T

A multipurpose research system for high-resolution magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging in selected volumes and 2- or 3-dimensional image reconstruction based on the principles of nuclear magnetic resonance. The electronics that is used in the BioSpec® series is the same high quality electronics as found in BRUKER analytical spectrometers (AVANCE). Due to their identical hardware it is possible to exchange investigative protocols between individual BRUKER systems.

eXplore Locus Micro CT Scanner

Resolution:  27 µm for in vitro specimens; 45 µm or 90 µm for whole-body small animal applications
Technology Type:  volumetric conebeam CT
Analysis Software:  eXplore MicroView

Version:  2.2

Features:
2D & 3D image viewing

• Multiple format import & export
• Volume reorientation & alignment
• Histogram plotting
• Analysis data export
• Volume rendering
• Line profiling & measurement
• Quantitative Analysis (BMD, BVF)
• Stereological Parameters (trabecular number, spacing, thickness, connectivity, isotropy)

X-ray source:  Fixed tungsten anode
Maximum tube potential:  80 kVp
Maximum tube current:  0.5 mA
Maximum transverse FOV:  40 mm
Maximum radiation exposure level 5 cm from any accessible exterior surface:  less than or equal to 0.5 mR/h
Detector design:  scintillator and CCD camera, connected with fiber optics
Detector type:  Camelia M1 CL 8M
Frame grabber type:  Coreco Sapera
Frame grabber model:  X64-CL Express 1
Scanner type:  RS80
Scanner subtype:  2
Tube type:  SRI