Services
As part of the Structural and Compositional Assessment Core in the Michigan Integrative Musculoskeletal Health Core Center (MiMHC), the Orthopaedic Research Laboratories micro/nano-Computed Tomography facilities provide full 3-D reconstructed images of hard and soft biological tissues, as well as non-biological materials in conjunction with the MicroCT Core in the Dental School. The Orthopaedic Research Laboratories have the ex vivo GE phoenix nanotom m nanoCT scanners and an in vivo Bruker/Skyscan 1176 High Resolution micro-CT imaging system.
Imaging
ex vivo Scanning
nanotom m
The phoenix | nanotom m is an ex vivo nanofocus computed tomography system capable of achieving resolutions to 300nm (0.3um), depending on specimen size. It has a new open 180 kV / 15 W high-power nanofocus X-ray tube with down to 200 nm detail detectability, optimized for long-term stability. Unique temperature stabilized digital GE DXR detector (3,072 x 2,400 pixels) for a high dynamic range > 10,000 : 1 and up to 4 times faster data acquisition at the same high image quality level. The maximum specimen size is 250 mm in height and 250 mm in diameter. Two targets are available, and a wide selection of filters.
in vivo Scanning
Bruker/Skyscan 1176
The SkyScan 1176 is a high performance in vivo micro-CT scanner for preclinical research. Scanning volume up to 68mm diameter, 20mm single scan length, 200mm scannable length. Image field width up to 68 mm allows full body mouse and rat scanning and distal limb scanning for big animals, such as rabbits, at pixel sizes of 9, 18 and 35µm. Integrated physiological monitoring (breathing, movement detection, ECG), with 4D time-resolved micro-tomography.
Analysis
Standard morphological analyses of cortical and trabecular bone are available. These include measurements such as total volume, bone volume, trabecular thickness, trabecular separation, number of trabeculae, structural model index, cortical thickness, cortical inner and outer perimeter, marrow area, and many others. Standards are used to calibrate the CT reconstruction attenuation values to density (Hounsfield Units), thus allowing for bone mineral density measurements as well.
Services offered and Prices
Both ex vivo systems are available at the same cost of $55.00/hour for acquisition and $55.00/hour for analysis, the cost for acquisition on the in vivo system will depend on who does the scanning. For MiMHC P30 members, 20% of the cost is covered by the core center for the ex vivo systems. The total cost/sample for scanning and acquisition will depend on the protocol and expected outcome of the image volume. We have many protocols at the ready to achieve outstanding images and have adjusted the scan times while maximizing image quality to keep our costs reasonable. Please contact us for a quote.