As a widely adopted imaging modality for pre-clinical research, micro-CT is constantly facing the need of providing
better temporal as well as spatial resolution for a variety of imaging applications. Faster CT scanning speed is also
preferred for higher imaging throughput. We recently proposed a gantry-free multi-beam micro-CT (MBμCT) design
which has the potential to overcome some of the intrinsic limitations of current rotating-gantry CT technology. To
demonstrate its feasibility, we have constructed a testing system with a multi-beam field emission x-ray (MBFEX)
source array with a linear array of 20 individually controllable x-ray emitting pixels. Based on simulations of the electron
optics and preliminary experimental measurements the design of the MBFEX source has been further optimized. The
newly designed imaging system has been characterized and commissioned following our standard imaging protocol. It
has clearly shown improved system stability and enhanced imaging capability. As a result of reduced mechanical
rotation during imaging acquisition, we are expecting to achieve higher CT scanning speed without significantly
sacrificing imaging quality. This prototype MBμCT system, although still in its early development phase, has been
proved to be an ideal testing platform for the proposed gantry-free micro-CT scanner.
In this paper we report the development of a high resolution dynamic micro-computed tomography (CT) scanner
with a stationary mouse bed using a compact carbon nanotube (CNT)
x-ray tube. The scanner comprises a
rotating x-ray tube and detector pair and a stationary and a horizontally positioned small animal bed. The system
is optimized for in vivo mouse cardiac imaging. Its performance is evaluated with CT scans of phantoms and
free-breathing mice. The modulation transfer function (MTF) at 10% is 5 lp/mm. At single frame acquisition,
mouse cardiac micro-CT at 20msec temporal resolution has been demonstrated by prospectively gating the
imaging acquisitions to both respiration and cardiac signals.
A prototype physiologically gated micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) system based on a field emission
micro-focus x-ray source has been developed for in vivo imaging of small animal models. The novel x-ray
source can generate radiation with a programmable waveform that can be readily synchronized and gated with
non-periodic physiological signals. The system performance is evaluated using phantoms and sacrificed and
anesthetized mouse models. Prospective respiratory-gated CT images of anesthetized free-breathing mice are
collected using this scanner at 100msec temporal resolution and 10 lp/mm of 10% system MTF.
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