​​     ​Computed Tomography (CT) is a widely used imaging modality in the clinical setting. A CT scan makes use of computer-processed combinations of many X-ray images taken from different angles to produce cross-sectional (tomographic) images of specific areas of a scanned object, allowing the user to see inside the object without cutting.

     Digital geometry processing is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the inside of the object from a large series of two-dimensional radiographic images taken around a single axis of rotation. Cross-sectional images are used for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes in various medical disciplines. Many different investigators in multiple disciplines can benefit from the use of CT images.

      The Columbia University Medical Center is proud to have the Perkin-Elmer Quantum FX micro- CT imaging system for preclinical small animal imaging.

Fluoroscopy mode

     Real-time imaging enables precise animal positioning Enables fast, high throughput workflow

Purpose-built for small animal imaging

• Integrated animal handling animal transfer bed for IVIS Spectrum

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Application: Anatomical Imaging

The Quantum FX is the first stand-alone micro-CT to deliver high quality images at an X-Ray doses low enough to enable TRUE longitudinal micro-CT in preclinical studies. An investigator can monitor and characterize disease progression throughout their complete study with ease. By thresholding for different signal intensities, it is possible to visualize different types of tissues, and create surface maps of various anatomical structures.

 

 

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Application: Contrast Imaging

 

     The Columbia University OPTIC is proud to provide detailed vascular and contrast imaging via micro CT. Iodinated and nanoparticle contrast agents can provide detailed 3D representation of tissues of interest as well as provide great clarity to the vascularity of any area of interest.  Feel free to contact us to see how these contrast agents can help the imaging of your research.

 

 

 

 

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​​     In addition to high contrast vascular imaging, Exitron 6000 nanoparticles by Miltenyi Biosciences can be used to longitudinally show the growth of tumor metastases throughout the length of a study.

Please feel free to contact us to discuss how we can assist in the identification and size of liver metastases in your research.

 

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Application: Bone Microarchitecture Imaging & Analysis

     OPTIC has the ability to provide automatic and user-guided isolation of bone from non-bone tissue by means of threshold-based segmentation and a novel segmentation algorithm that separately identifies the cortical and trabecular bone in whole-bone specimens. Our analysis suite uses the segmented regions to automatically drive the calculation of common bone morphometric indices that provide researchers with a quantitative description of bone microarchitecture.

 

     

 

 

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Application: Lung Volumes

 

     The Quantum FX micro CT allows for the quantification and characterization of lung pneumonitis and fibrosis, as well as lung capacity longitudinally using our custom built lung imaging platform to allow for repeated accurate measurements of small animal lungs. Our analysis program allows for lung volumes to be quantified throughout the course of a study.

 

 

 

 

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THE ABILITY TO CALCULATE LUNG CAPACITY AND CHARACTERIZE THE HEALTH OF THE TISSUE CAN BE A VALUABLE ASSET TO YOUR RESERCH NEEDS!

 

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Application: Fat Mass and Muscle Mass Imaging

     Columbia University OPTIC is also pleased to offer to its investigators research teams the ability to perform longitudinal quantitative imaging of visceral and subcutaneous fat volumes as well as the lean whole body muscle mass of small animals using our sensitive micro-CT imager.

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Longitudinal studies in the quantitative loss of muscle tissue is particularly useful with cancer associated cachexia disease states. With this method a researcher can follow muscle wasting throughout cancer progression.

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Application: Co-registration with Perkin-Elmer IVIS Optical Imaging System

The Living Image software system provides the ability to co-register images with both our Quantum FX micro-CT and the IVIS Spectrum to allow for anatomical localization of optical image data.

 

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Living Image Software allows for volumetric reconstruction, color- opacity mapping, and Gradient illumination throughout the registered CT and IVIS image.

 

 

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