The SKYSCAN 1176 is a high performance in vivo micro-CT scanner for preclinical research. The large format 11 megapixel x-ray camera gives an unrivalled combination of resolution, image field size and scan speed - everything that is required in a busy and demanding biomedical research laboratory.
Image field width up to 68 mm allows full body mouse and rat scanning. Selectable image resolutions of 9, 18 and 35 µm are available. Variable x-ray applied voltage and filters provide scanning flexibility to allow imaging of a wide range of samples from lung tissue to bone with titanium implants.
The full range of SKYSCAN software is available, including fast volumetric reconstruction, software for 2D / 3D quantitative analysis and for realistic 3D visualization.
This instrument is commonly used to image solid tissues such as bones and cartilages but can also be applied to soft tissues. The followings present various Micro-CT applications for preclinical research that will interest several CRCHUM research teams:
Cardiometabolic
- To evaluate congenital heart defects, cardiac function and infarct size in rodents.
- To visualize the 3D coronary circulation ex vivo & micro vascular alterations in progressive renal disease
Cancer
- To evaluate the effects of treatments on tumor growth.
- Cancer cell tracking in live animal.
- To evaluate the breast microcalcifications from human breast cancer biopsy samples.
Immunopathology
- To track immune cell during immune cell therapy
- To evaluate lung function in acute and chronic animal pulmonary disease models
- To monitor angiogenesis and anti-angiogenic therapy efficiency in liver fibrosis & lung fibrosis.
Neuroscience
- To track stem cell within the brain and mesenchymal stem cells therapy for retinal degeneration.
- Use of targeted gold nanoparticles can highlight specific brain regions.
- Serial quantitative visualization of post-stroke blood–brain barrier dysfunction in mice.