Development of the 3D volumetric micro-CT scanner for preclinical animals

Abstract

A high resolution micro computed tomography (micro-CT) system for live small animal imaging has been developed. The system consists of an x-ray source with micro focus spot and high brightness, rotating gantry with a x-ray tube and flat panel detector pair and a stationary and a horizontally positioned small animal bed to achieve a conebeam mode scan. The system is optimized for in vivo small animal imaging and the capability of administering respiratory anesthesia during scanning. The Feldkamp algorithm was adopted in image reconstruction with graphic processing unit (GPU). We evaluated the spatial resolution, image contrast, and uniformity of system using phantom. As the result, the spatial resolution of the system was the 56lp/mm at 10% of the MTF curve, and the radiation dose to the sample was 98mGy. The minimal resolving contrast was found to be less than 46 CT numbers on low-contrast phantom. We present the image test results of the bone and lung, and heart of the live mice.