SMALL ANIMAL IMAGING CAPSULE AND BED SYSTEM

• US 20100198047A1
• Filed: 05/06/2008
• Published: 08/05/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/24/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Original Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Latto, Antonio T., Jean, Eric, Zagorchev, Lyubomir, Buckler, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,660,633 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/411
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2503/40 Animals
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4821 Determining level or depth of anaesthesia A61B5/1106 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/04 Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like operating tables A61G13/00; operating chairs A61G15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/0421 with immobilising means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/045 with heating or cooling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/508 for non-human patients
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/5235 combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/541 involving acquisition triggered by a physiological signal
• CPC Class Codes: A61D 7/04 Devices for anaesthetising animals by gases or vapours; Inhaling devices

Abstract

In a small animal imaging system (10) at least one modality (12) and a docking station (36) are provided. The docking station (36) provides a workspace (47) and docking ports (48) for preparation and holding of anesthetized animals that are awaiting imaging. For the duplication of positions, a subject mold (26) is provided that holds the subject in a reproducible position on a subject bed (16). Vital signs monitoring is also provided for subjects awaiting scans. The bed (16) includes fiducials (28) to aid in registration of like modality images and different modality images. A capsule (14) can encapsulate a single bed (16), or for tandem imaging, the capsule can encapsulate multiple-bed configurations, such as two, three, or four beds (16). For better positioning and ease of user access, a positioner (34) positions the capsule (14) from the rear of the modality (12).

Claims

1. An imaging system comprising:

at least one imaging module for acquiring diagnostic imaging data of a subject in an imaging region of the module, the module having at least a first docking interface;

a docking station where subjects are prepared for imaging in the imaging module, the docking station having at least a second docking interface;

at least one animal capsule that encloses one or more subjects and interfaces with the first and second docking interfaces.

2. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the at least one imaging module includes a small animal PET scanner, CT scanner, SPECT scanner, MRI scanner, and a hybrid scanner containing at least two imaging modalities.

3. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes an induction chamber for anesthetizing an animal before securing the animal in the capsule.

4. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a post-anesthesia chamber into which an anesthetized animal is placed after an imaging session to allow the animal to recover from anesthesia.

5. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the docking station includes a workspace that allows a user to prepare an anesthetized animal for imaging.

6. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the capsule includes a docking interface that mates with the docking interface of the imaging module or the docking station.

7. The imaging system as set forth in claim 6, wherein the docking interface of the capsule includes electrical connections and fluid connections.

8. The imaging system as set forth in claim 7, wherein the capsule includes a nosecone that is supplied by the fluid connections to keep an animal in an anesthetized state during imaging, and holding in anticipation of imaging.

9. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, wherein the capsule includes a subject support upon which an anesthetized animal rests during imaging and preparation.

10. The imaging system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the subject support is a contoured support that assists in positioning and registration of an animal.

11. The imaging system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the subject support includes at least one sensor device that measures at least one biological process of the animal while it is mounted to the support.

12. The imaging system as set forth in claim 11, further including:

an alarm system that alerts a user when at least one abnormal biological process is detected.

13. The imaging system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the support includes electrical leads connected to the sensors that supply the sensors with power and enable communication.

14. The imaging system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the subject support includes a heating element for controlling the environment within the capsule.

15. The imaging system as set forth in claim 14, wherein the heating element includes a tail warming portion that specifically warms the tail of the animal mounted to the support.

16. The imaging system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the subject support includes fiducials imagable by the imaging module to aid in registration of images.

17. The imaging system as set forth in claim 16, wherein the fiducials are imageable in at least two imaging modalities.

18. The imaging system as set forth in claim 9, wherein the capsule a removable cover that encloses the support.

19. The imaging system as set forth in claim 9, further including:

a mold contoured to the size and shape of the subject for securing the subject in place and reproducing subject positions, aiding in inter-subject and intra-subject registrations.

20. The imaging system as set forth in claim 1, further including:

a positioner connected to the first docking interface for positioning the capsule in the imaging modality.

21. The imaging system as set forth in claim 20, wherein the positioner positions the capsule from behind the modality, relative to where a user attaches the capsule to the docking interface.

22. A docking system comprising:

an animal monitoring and anesthesia device for providing anesthesia to subject animals and monitoring subject vital signs;

an induction chamber that interfaces with the monitoring and anesthesia device for providing coarse sedation to subject animals;

at least one docking interface having electrical connections and pneumatic connections, for receiving an animal capsule.

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. (canceled)

27. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

29. (canceled)

30. (canceled)

31. A capsule for use in an imaging apparatus comprising:

at least two subject beds, each bed supporting a sedated subject for simultaneous imaging in the imaging apparatus;

a cover that encapsulates the at least two subject beds.

32. The capsule as set forth in claim 31, wherein the capsule includes at least three subject beds.

33. (canceled)

34. A capsule for use in an imaging apparatus comprising:

at least one subject bed for supporting a sedated subject during an imaging scan;

at least one sensor integrated into the subject bed for monitoring at least one biological function of the subject located on the subject bed;

a docking interface that includes electrical connections for facilitating communication of the at least one sensor.

35. The capsule as set forth in claim 34, wherein the bed includes a registration system for aiding in image registrations.

36. The capsule as set forth in claim 35, wherein the registration system includes a contoured bed that conforms to a natural disposition of the subject, substantially reproducing subject position across imaging scans.

37. The capsule as set forth in claim 35, wherein the registration system includes a plurality of fiducials associated with the bed arranged in a non-linear fashion that are imagable by the imaging apparatus.

38. (canceled)

39. A method of imaging comprising:

anesthetizing at least one subject;

affixing the at least one subject to an imaging bed;

encapsulating the subject and the bed with a cover forming a capsule;

connecting the capsule to a docking port of a docking station;

providing vital signs monitoring of the subject, continued anesthesia, and waste gas removal while the capsule is docked to the docking station;

removing the capsule from the docking station and connecting the capsule to a docking port of an imaging modality;

positioning the capsule within an imaging region of the modality;

performing an imaging scan of the subject within the capsule;

providing vital signs monitoring of the subject, continued anesthesia, and waste gas removal while the capsule is docked to the modality.

40. The method as set forth in claim 39, wherein continued anesthesia and waste gas removal are provided through pneumatic connections located in a docking interface of the capsule, and vital signs monitoring is provided via electrical connections in the docking interface of the capsule.

41. (canceled)