Photon Imager - Tunnel Option

The tunnel is an optional module that increases the volume inside the Photon Imager imaging chamber whilst retaining the light tight integrity of the system. The module comprises several sections and can easily be made larger or smaller by adding or removing sections. The assembled sections replace the door to the imaging chamber, and can easily be installed and removed in a matter of minutes.



Schematic side view of the Photon Imager with two sections of the Tunnel module in place




Picture of the tunnel module comprising 3 sections installed on a Photon Imager

Applications

The tunnel was developed to increase the available volume inside the imaging chamber of the Photon Imager for various purposes:
  • A Larger volume may be needed for the imaging of medium sized animals and the Tunnel makes it possible to accomodate small monkeys, rabbits, cats, etc.
  • Larger accessories may need to be accomodated inside the Photon Imager with the animal(s). For example, it may be necessary to accommodate an animal holder that is compatible with CT or with MRI imaging, so that the animals orientation is not changed when moving between the different imaging systems and so making the images easier to co-register.
Please note that the Tunnel Module does not alter the field of view of the Photon Imager. The maximum field of view remains 24 cm x 18 cm. It may therefore only be possible to image a part of a larger animal that can be positioned in the systems FOV within the imaging chamber.

Specifications

The tunnel has the following dimensions:

  • Width and Height: 27 cm x 40 cm
  • Length: the module can be configured in 3 different lengths using the segments provided: 10, 30 or 50 cm
The volume of the tunnel (largest configuration) is 50 dm3, and is in addition to the volume of the imaging chamber (approx. 25 x 25 x 40 cm3, that is 25 dm3)..

Image acquisitions made with the tunnel module are saved in standard files (bvr, cri, trp), and analyzed using the M3 Vision analysis software, as with any other type of image acquisition. Fusion of the signal image with the photographic image is automatic using M3 Vision.

Furthermore, M3 Vision also includes the functionality to register images acquired on the Photon Imager with any other image in a standard imaging format from other imaging systems (i.e. jpeg, bmp, tif, etc.).



Photon Imager - Optional modules

Optical Molecular Imaging is a fast evolving field. Biospace Lab’s philosophy when designing the Photon Imager was to allow easy access to the latest advances, by developing add-on modules for a common core imaging system. Below are the most recently developed add-on modules for the Photon Imager.

In Actio      MacroLens      4 View      Tunnel