Enclosure for small animals during awake animal imaging
Inventors
Assignees
US Department of Energy • UT Battelle LLC
Publication Number
US-8590487-B1
Publication Date
2013-11-26
Expiration Date
2032-11-14
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Abstract
An enclosure or burrow restrains an awake animal during an imaging procedure. A tubular body, made from a radiolucent material that does not attenuate x-rays or gamma rays, accepts an awake animal. A proximal end of the body includes an attachment surface that corresponds to an attachment surface of an optically transparent and optically uniform window. An anti-reflective coating may be applied to an inner surface, an outer surface, or both surfaces of the window. Since the window is a separate element of the enclosure and it is not integrally formed as part of the body, it can be made with optically uniform thickness properties for improved motion tracking of markers on the animal with a camera during the imaging procedure. The motion tracking information is then used to compensate for animal movement in the image.
Core Innovation
The invention provides an enclosure or burrow designed to restrain an awake animal during a medical imaging procedure. The enclosure comprises a tubular body made from a radiolucent material that allows the passage of x-rays or gamma rays with minimal attenuation, and a separate, detachable window made from an optically clear and uniform material affixed to the body. The window permits an undistorted view of the animal, through which optical markers affixed to the animal can be viewed for motion tracking during imaging.
The problem addressed by the invention relates to the challenges caused by motion artifacts during medical imaging of awake small animals. Unrestrained animals move rapidly, which impairs image quality and diagnostic value. While sedation or physical restraint can limit movement, these may alter physiological processes under study. Previous enclosures integrated the window and body, making it difficult to achieve optical uniformity necessary for accurate motion tracking. Thus, the invention solves the problem by providing a two-part enclosure with a separately manufactured window for improved optical properties and motion compensation.
Claims Coverage
The patent claims include one independent claim covering the enclosure comprising a tubular radiolucent body and a separate optically transparent window with defined thickness and uniformity parameters. The main inventive features focus on the structure and optical properties of the enclosure components.
Tubular radiolucent body with proximal and distal ends
The enclosure has a tubular body made of a radiolucent material forming a proximal end and a distal end, designed to accept an awake animal during imaging while allowing radiation to pass with little attenuation.
Optically transparent window affixed to proximal end providing undistorted view
A separate window made of optically transparent material is affixed to the proximal end of the body, providing an undistorted view of the restrained animal to allow viewing of artificial markers for image motion correction.
Window thickness and uniformity specifications
The window has a thickness of 2 mm (0.079 inch) or less and an optical thickness uniformity of +/−0.1 mm (0.004 inch) or less to minimize optical distortion and improve motion tracking accuracy.
These inventive features collectively allow improved optical clarity and reduced distortion for motion tracking markers on an awake animal during medical imaging, enhancing the accuracy of motion correction.
Stated Advantages
Improved optical transparency and low optical distortion due to the separate window element with uniform thickness.
More accurate motion tracking of the animal's movements through the optically uniform window, enabling better image correction for motion artifacts.
Reduced reflections interfering with motion tracking by applying anti-reflective coatings to the window surfaces.
Flexibility in manufacturing and maintenance since the window is detachable for cleaning, coating, polishing, or replacement.
Documented Applications
Restraining awake small animals such as rats or mice during medical imaging procedures including X-ray, computed tomography (CT), and positron emission tomography (PET).
Use in pharmaceutical research for high-resolution imaging of small animals to study disease models and monitor physiological effects of drugs without sedation.
Allowing motion tracking of optical markers adhered to awake animals to generate motion corrected tomographic images.
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