OncoRay-National Center for Radiation Research in Oncology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Germany. Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden - Rossendorf, Dresden, Institute of Radiooncology-OncoRay, Germany.
Biomed Phys Eng Express. 2020 Apr 22;6(3):037003. doi: 10.1088/2057-1976/ab79f1.
Preclinical imaging and irradiation yields valuable insights into clinically relevant research topics. While complementary imaging methods such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and positron emission tomography (PET) can be combined within single devices, this is technically demanding and cost-intensive. Similarly, bedding and setup solutions are often specific to certain devices and research questions. We present a bedding platform for mice that is compatible with various preclinical imaging modalities (combined PET/MRI, cone beam CT) and irradiation with photons and protons. It consists of a 3D-printed bedding unit (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, ABS) holding the animal and features an inhalation anesthesia mask, jaw fixation, ear pins, and immobilization for the hind leg. It can be embedded on mounting adaptors for multi-modal imaging and into a transport box (polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA) for experiments outside dedicated animal facilities while maintaining the animal's hygiene status. A vital support unit provides heating, inhalation anesthesia, and a respiration monitor. We dosimetrically evaluated used materials in order to assess their interaction with incident irradiation. Proof-of-concept multi-modal imaging protocols were used on phantoms and mice. The measured attenuation of the bedding unit for 40/60/80/200 kV X-rays was less than 3%. The measured stopping-power-ratio of ABS was 0.951, the combined water-equivalent thickness of bedding unit and transport box was 4.2 mm for proton energies of 150 MeV and 200 MeV. Proof-of-concept imaging showed no loss of image quality. Imaging data of individual mice from different imaging modalities could be aligned rigidly. The presented bed aims to provide a platform for experiments related to both multi-modal imaging and irradiation, thus offering the possibility for image-guided irradiation which relies on precise imaging and positioning. The usage as a self-contained, stand-alone unit outside dedicated animal facilities represents an advantage over setups designed for specific devices.
临床前成像和辐照能为临床相关研究课题提供有价值的见解。虽然互补的成像方法，如计算机断层扫描（CT）、磁共振成像（MRI）和正电子发射断层扫描（PET）可以在单个设备中结合使用，但这在技术上要求很高，成本也很高。同样，卧床和设置解决方案通常特定于某些设备和研究问题。我们提出了一种适用于各种临床前成像模式（组合 PET/MRI、锥形束 CT）和光子和质子辐照的小鼠卧床平台。它由一个 3D 打印的卧床单元（丙烯腈丁二烯苯乙烯，ABS）组成，用于容纳动物，并具有吸入麻醉面罩、下颌固定、耳夹和后腿固定功能。它可以嵌入多模态成像的安装适配器中，也可以嵌入运输箱（聚甲基丙烯酸甲酯，PMMA）中，用于专门动物设施外的实验，同时保持动物的卫生状态。一个重要的支撑单元提供加热、吸入麻醉和呼吸监测。我们对使用的材料进行了剂量学评估，以评估它们与入射辐射的相互作用。在体模和小鼠上进行了概念验证的多模态成像方案。测量到的 40/60/80/200 kV X 射线对卧床单元的衰减小于 3%。ABS 的测量阻止本领比为 0.951，卧床单元和运输箱的组合水等效厚度为 4.2 毫米，对于 150 MeV 和 200 MeV 的质子能量。概念验证成像显示图像质量没有损失。来自不同成像模式的单个小鼠的成像数据可以刚性对齐。提出的床旨在为多模态成像和辐照相关的实验提供一个平台，从而为依赖精确成像和定位的图像引导辐照提供可能性。在专门的动物设施外作为独立的、独立的单元使用是其优于专为特定设备设计的设置的优势之一。
