Small animal imaging capsule and bed system
First Claim
1. An imaging system comprising:
- a plurality of imagers, and each imager is configured to acquire diagnostic imaging data of subjects in one of a plurality of animal capsules located in an imaging region of one of the imagers, and each imager having at least a first docking interface which connects to a uniform capsule interface of the one of the plurality of animal capsules during imaging;
a docking station adapted to prepare subjects for imaging in at least one of the plurality of imagers, the docking station including;
at least a second docking interface which is adapted to connect to the uniform capsule interface of the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules and hold the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules while each subject is secured in the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules,an induction chamber adapted to hold and anesthetize the subjects before each subject is secured in the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules; and
wherein, each animal capsule of the plurality of animal capsules is adapted to enclose a plurality of subjects for simultaneous imaging in each of the plurality of imagers and includes;
at least two subject supports, each support adapted to support a sedated subject during preparation and imaging;
a removable cover adapted to encapsulate the at least two subject beds; and
the uniform capsule interface adapted to connect with the at least first docking interface of each imager and the at least second docking interface of the docking station.
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Accused Products
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).
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. An imaging system comprising:
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a plurality of imagers, and each imager is configured to acquire diagnostic imaging data of subjects in one of a plurality of animal capsules located in an imaging region of one of the imagers, and each imager having at least a first docking interface which connects to a uniform capsule interface of the one of the plurality of animal capsules during imaging; a docking station adapted to prepare subjects for imaging in at least one of the plurality of imagers, the docking station including; at least a second docking interface which is adapted to connect to the uniform capsule interface of the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules and hold the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules while each subject is secured in the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules, an induction chamber adapted to hold and anesthetize the subjects before each subject is secured in the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules; and wherein, each animal capsule of the plurality of animal capsules is adapted to enclose a plurality of subjects for simultaneous imaging in each of the plurality of imagers and includes; at least two subject supports, each support adapted to support a sedated subject during preparation and imaging; a removable cover adapted to encapsulate the at least two subject beds; and the uniform capsule interface adapted to connect with the at least first docking interface of each imager and the at least second docking interface of the docking station. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An imaging system comprising:
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at least one animal capsule which includes; a plurality of subject supports, each configured to support an anesthetized animal during imaging and preparation, each subject support including; at least one sensor device that is configured to measure at least one biological process of the animal while it is mounted to the support; electrical leads connected to the sensors and configured to supply the sensors with power and carry communication signals indicative of at least one biological process of each mounted animal; a removable cover configured to enclose the plurality of subjects and the subject supports; a uniform capsule interface configured to connect to the electrical leads and receive the communication signals indicative of the at least one biological process of each mounted animal; at least one imaging module which includes a small animal scanner configured to acquire diagnostic imaging data of the subjects in an imaging region of the scanner and in the at least one animal capsule, the scanner having at least a first docking interface configured to connect to the uniform docking interface during imaging and receive the electrical signals indicative of the at least one biological process of each mounted animal to a monitoring device; and a docking station configured to prepare the subjects for imaging in the imaging scanner, the docking station having at least a second docking interface configured to connect to the uniform docking interface during preparation and holding, and provide the communication signals indicative of the at least one biological process of each mounted animal to the monitoring device.
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22. An imaging system comprising:
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at least one imager configured to acquire diagnostic imaging data and generate diagnostic images of subjects simultaneously in an imaging region of the imager, the imager having at least a first docking interface; a docking station configured to prepare subjects for imaging in the imager, the docking station including at least a second docking interface and an induction chamber configured for anesthetizing the subject before securing the subject in an at least one animal capsule; and the at least one animal capsule being configured to enclose a plurality of subjects and interface with the first and second docking interfaces, and includes; a plurality of subject supports, each subject support configured to support an anesthetized animal during imaging and preparation, and each subject support being contoured to the size and shape of the type of subject for securing subjects in reproducible subject positions to aid in inter-subject and intra-subject registrations; and a removable cover configured to enclose the plurality of subject supports.
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23. A method of imaging comprising:
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anesthetizing a plurality of animal subjects; affixing each of the animal subjects to an imaging subject support; encapsulating the animal subjects and the bed with a cover forming an animal capsule with a uniform capsule interface; connecting the uniform capsule interface of the animal capsule to a docking interface of a docking station; providing vital signs monitoring of the animal subjects, anesthesia delivery, and waste gas removal while the animal capsule is docked to the docking station; disconnecting the uniform capsule interface of the animal capsule from the docking interface of the docking station and connecting the uniform capsule interface of the capsule to a docking interface of an imaging scanner; positioning the animal capsule within an imaging region of the scanner; performing an imaging scan of the animal subjects within the animal capsule; providing vital signs monitoring of the animal subjects, continued anesthesia delivery, and waste gas removal while the animal capsule is docked to the imaging scanner. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification