Share thisEmerging trends, techniques, and processes for the imaging field include optical and digital imaging.
In laboratory animal science, the tools and technologies used for imaging are constantly changing. Researchers are no longer forced to work around bulky imaging machines—and the technology has become more user-friendly.
Imaging specifically refers to the techniques and processes that are used to create images of a body cavity (or parts) for clinical reasons, such as procedures that reveal, diagnose, or examine disease, or the study of normal anatomy and physiology.
Small facility, "Small budget," No problem.
A current priority for manufacturers is developing imaging systems that work for facilities with small physical spaces or small budgets.
MinXray has developed a line of portable units for use in facilities where a conventional 300mA stationary unit won’t fit, according to Jeanne Stapleton who works in the company’s marketing and sales department. Their SA100+HF small animal radiology system consists of the HF100+ x-ray unit and a compact table that requires ten square feet of floor space. Additionally, the x-ray unit is portable for use in remote locations.
Cabinet x-ray units are another way to go. Dedicated cabinet x-ray units can “be located directly in the vivarium to protect the integrity of the colony,” says Brad Jackson, Vice President of sales and marketing at Faxitron X-Ray.
Stephen Oldfield, Senior Director of imaging marketing at Caliper Life Sciences, recommends optical imaging, a technique that involves inference from the deflection of light emitted from a laser or infrared source to anatomic or chemical processes of a material, such as cell tissue. He knows of some facilities that use bench-top optical imaging systems that pre-screen animals to non-invasively image cells before injecting reagents like PET tracers. Also, he noted that optical imaging systems can typically be run by bench scientists, reducing the cost of training imaging specialists.
Visen Medical Inc. offers two very different solutions for laboratories with small budgets or small facilities. Rob Sandler, Senior Vice President of marketing, says that either individual researchers/projects can select project- or application-specific agents for use on core instrumentation or researchers can pool resources to secure a state-of-the-art tool.
By having researchers/projects purchase their own agents, it “allows a core imaging facility to increase the utility of one’s instrumentation and therefore increase demand, usage, and ROI on the existing imaging equipment,” according to Sandler. On the other hand, pooling resources for a single state-of-the-art tool allows researchers to benefit by the increased insights and quantifiable imaging data offered by that tool.