Animal tray, multi-imaged-animal fixing apparatus, and animal imaging system and method

Abstract

An animal tray (200), a multi-imaged-animal fixing apparatus (110), and an animal imaging system (100) and method. The method comprises: scanning an imaged animal by using an imaging device (150), so as to collect scanning data of the imaged animal; and on the basis of the scanning data, reconstructing a target medical image of the imaged animal, wherein during the scanning, the imaged animal is placed on an animal tray (200) in a preset positioning posture, and is separately placed in an imaging device (150) by means of the animal tray (200), and the animal tray (200) comprises body-part fixing portions (201), which are provided at fixed positions on the animal tray (200) and are configured to fix the imaged animal in the preset positioning posture.

Description

Animal tray, multi-imaging animal fixation device, animal imaging system and method Cross-references

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese applications with application numbers 202411226565.1, 202411223932.2 and 202411223881.3 filed on September 2, 2024, Chinese applications with application numbers 202410586308.2 and 202421025620.6 filed on May 11, 2024, and Chinese application number 202311813876.3 filed on December 26, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of animal imaging, and in particular to an animal tray, a multi-imaging animal fixation device, an animal imaging system and a method. Background Art

[0003] Animal experiments refer to scientific research using animals (for example, mice) in order to gain new knowledge about biology, medicine, etc. or to solve specific problems. In some animal experiments, animals need to be scanned and imaged. In order to ensure image quality (for example, to reduce motion artifacts), the imaging animals need to be fixed. However, existing imaging animal fixation schemes cannot achieve standardized positioning of imaging animals, and the placement efficiency is low. For example, experimenters use tape to fix mice on a plane in random positions. In addition, existing animal imaging methods generally fix the animals directly in the animal cabin, which has high requirements for the animal cabin itself and cannot meet the use requirements of animal experiments. Existing animal cabins are basically customized products based on scanning equipment, which cannot meet the diverse experimental needs, and the animal cabin structure and its animal fixation devices are all provided by manufacturers, which cannot adapt to the different experimental needs of different users, resulting in low experimental efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, an animal imaging system and method are provided to improve the efficiency of animal experiments. Summary of the Invention

[0005] One embodiment of the present specification provides a tray for placing an imaged animal, the tray comprising: a body part fixing portion, disposed at a fixed position on the tray, configured to fix a body part of the imaged animal placed on the tray, thereby fixing the position of the imaged animal; and a marker accommodating portion, configured to accommodate a marker, wherein the marker is developable under at least one imaging modality.

[0006] In some embodiments, the body part fixing part includes: a head fixing part configured to fix the head of the imaged animal; a forelimb fixing part configured to fix the forelimbs of the imaged animal; and a hindlimb fixing part configured to fix the hindlimbs of the imaged animal.

[0007] In some embodiments, the forelimb fixing portion and the hindlimb fixing portion are groove structures or hole structures.

[0008] In some embodiments, the head fixing portion includes a tooth bar for the teeth of the imaged animal to bite into so as to fix the teeth of the imaged animal.

[0009] In some embodiments, the head fixing part further comprises: a head cover configured to accommodate the head of the imaging animal.

[0010] In some embodiments, the body fixing portion further includes a tail fixing portion configured to fix the tail of the imaged animal.

[0011] In some embodiments, the tail fixing portion is a groove structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the forelimb fixing portion includes a first hole structure passing through the tray, which is configured to allow the forelimbs of the imaged animal to pass through, and the hind limb fixing portion includes a second hole structure passing through the tray, which is configured to allow the hind limbs of the imaged animal to pass through, and the first hole structure and the second hole structure are waist-shaped holes.

[0013] In some embodiments, the imaged animal has multiple forelimbs, and the first hole structure includes a first hole structure corresponding to each forelimb; the imaged animal has multiple hind limbs, and the second hole structure includes a second hole structure corresponding to each hind limb.

[0014] In some embodiments, the first marker accommodating portion is disposed on the tray at a first position close to the forelimb fixing portion, and the second marker accommodating portion is disposed on the tray at a second position close to the hindlimb fixing portion.

[0015] In some embodiments, the marker accommodating portion includes a first accommodating channel, a second accommodating channel and a marker accommodating cavity, the first accommodating channel is configured to inject the marker, the second accommodating channel is configured to discharge gas when the marker is injected, and the marker accommodating cavity is connected to the first accommodating channel and the second accommodating channel respectively, and is configured to accommodate the marker.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first accommodating channel and the second accommodating channel are cylindrical with hollow interiors, the marker accommodating cavity is spherical, and the center of the marker accommodating cavity is located on the central axis of the first accommodating channel and the second accommodating channel.

[0017] In some embodiments, the diameter of the first accommodating channel is larger than that of the second accommodating channel.

[0018] In some embodiments, a fixing structure is provided on the tray, and each of the marker receptacles is detachably mounted on the tray via one of the fixing structures.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fixing structure is a snap ring structure, which includes an elastic snap ring arm configured to fix the marker receiving portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, the marker is developable under at least one first imaging modality, and the marker receptacle is developable under at least one second imaging modality, wherein the first imaging modality includes at least one of positron emission imaging, single photon emission imaging, or magnetic resonance imaging, and the second imaging modality includes X-ray imaging.

[0021] In some embodiments, at least one of the marker receiving portions is configured to receive a marker that can be developed under a magnetic resonance imaging modality, and the at least one marker receiving portion is integrally formed with the tray.

[0022] In some embodiments, the markers are visualized under multiple imaging modalities.

[0023] In some embodiments, an anesthesia interface is provided on the first end of the tray for placing the head of the imaging animal, and is configured to deliver anesthetic gas to the imaging animal.

[0024] In some embodiments, the anesthesia interface includes a first anesthesia channel and a second anesthesia channel, the first anesthesia channel includes a first end and a second end, the second anesthesia channel includes a third end and a fourth end, the first end is the inlet of the anesthetic gas, the third end is the outlet of the anesthetic gas and is placed close to the nose of the imaging animal, the second end is connected to the fourth end, and at the connection point, there is a preset angle between the second end and the fourth end.

[0025] In some embodiments, the tray further comprises: a physiological signal acquisition device configured to acquire physiological signals of the imaged animal.

[0026] In some embodiments, the tray further comprises a receiving coil embedded in a bottom portion of the tray and configured to acquire magnetic resonance data during a magnetic resonance scan of the imaging animal.

[0027] In some embodiments, the receiving coil surrounds an air bag disposed around the respiratory signal acquisition device.

[0028] One of the embodiments of the present specification provides a multi-imaging animal fixation device, comprising: a plurality of trays and a support portion, the support portion being configured to support the plurality of trays, wherein: each of the trays comprises a first end and a second end, the first end being configured to place the head of the imaged animal, the second end being arranged opposite to the first end, the support portion comprising a first part and a second part being arranged opposite to each other, the first part being configured to support the first ends of the plurality of trays, the second part being configured to support the second ends of the plurality of trays; the support portion further comprises a third part being configured to connect the first part and the second part.

[0029] In some embodiments, the number of the plurality of trays is 2-4.

[0030] In some embodiments, the third part includes: a supporting beam suspended between the first part and the second part and connected to the first part and the second part; a supporting base disposed at the bottom of the multi-imaging animal fixture and configured to support the first part, the second part and the supporting beam.

[0031] In some embodiments, a hollow portion is provided on the third portion.

[0032] In some embodiments, a mark is provided on the first portion for indicating the placement position of the first end portions of the plurality of trays.

[0033] In some embodiments, an anesthesia interface is further provided on the first end of each tray, which is configured to deliver anesthetic gas to the imaging animal, and an inwardly recessed snap structure is provided on the anesthesia interface. A plurality of snap structures corresponding to the plurality of trays are provided on the first part of the support portion, and each of the snap structures includes an outwardly protruding snap boss, and the snap boss of each snap structure is configured to be embedded in the snap structure of the corresponding tray to achieve snap connection between the anesthesia interface of the tray and the snap structure.

[0034] In some embodiments, the plurality of trays in the multi-imaging animal fixture are arranged in at least two layers, and the trays in different layers are connected together by the support portion.

[0035] In some embodiments, the first portion, the second portion, and the third portion are separate parts that can be assembled into the support portion.

[0036] In some embodiments, the support portion further comprises: a connecting member, provided on the first portion and / or the second portion, configured to connect the multi-imaging animal fixing device and another imaging animal fixing device.

[0037] One embodiment of the present specification provides an animal cabin, comprising a cabin body; and the above-mentioned tray or multi-imaging animal fixing device, wherein the tray or the multi-imaging animal fixing device is detachably placed in the cabin body.

[0038] In some embodiments, an indicator mark for indicating the center of the magnetic resonance coil is provided on the cabin to assist in placing and moving the tray in the cabin so that the imaging part of the imaged animal is aligned with the center of the magnetic resonance coil.

[0039] In some embodiments, a scale indicator device is provided on the tray, and the scale indicator device and the indicator mark cooperate to assist in placing and moving the tray in the animal cabin.

[0040] In some embodiments, the cabin is provided with a slide rail extending along its long axis; the tray is provided with a sliding member; the tray and the cabin are slidably connected through the slide rail and the sliding member, so that the tray can move along the long axis in the cabin.

[0041] One embodiment of the present specification provides an animal imaging system, comprising an imaging device having a scanning cavity; and the above-mentioned animal cabin, wherein the animal cabin is movable into the scanning cavity, and the imaging device is configured to scan the imaging animal in the animal cabin.

[0042] In some embodiments, the imaging device is one of an electronic computed tomography device, a magnetic resonance device, a positron emission tomography device, a single photon emission tomography device, or a multimodal imaging device composed of a combination of multiple electronic computed tomography devices, magnetic resonance devices, positron emission tomography devices, and single photon emission tomography devices.

[0043] One of the embodiments of the present specification provides a method for scanning an imaging animal, the method comprising: scanning the imaging animal using an imaging device to acquire scanning data of the imaging animal; and reconstructing a target medical image of the imaging animal based on the scanning data, wherein, during the scanning, the imaging animal is placed on a tray in a preset posture and is placed in the imaging device respectively through the tray, and the tray includes a body part fixing portion, which is arranged at a fixed position on the tray and is configured to fix the preset posture of the imaging animal.

[0044] In some embodiments, the tray includes an anesthesia interface, which is arranged at a first end of the tray, and the first end is used to place the head of the imaging animal. During the scan, anesthetic gas is delivered to the imaging animal through the anesthesia interface to put the imaging animal into an anesthetized state.

[0045] In some embodiments, the imaging animals include multiple animals, each of which is placed on one of the trays, and multiple trays corresponding to the multiple imaging animals are placed on the support part of a multiple imaging animal fixing device, and the multiple imaging animals are placed in the imaging device through the multiple imaging animal fixing device.

[0046] In some embodiments, the scan is a static emission computed tomography scan, and before the scan, the method further includes: injecting a tracer into the multiple imaging animals; placing the multiple imaging animals in an induction box and performing pre-anesthesia treatment on the multiple imaging animals after a preset time period of the tracer injection; and placing the multiple imaging animals after pre-anesthesia treatment on the multiple trays in the preset positioning posture.

[0047] In some embodiments, the scan is a dynamic emission computed tomography scan. Prior to the scan, the method further comprises: placing the plurality of imaging animals in an induction box and performing pre-anesthesia on the plurality of imaging animals; fixing the plurality of imaging animals after pre-anesthesia with indwelling needles; placing the plurality of imaging animals after pre-anesthesia and indwelling needle fixation on the plurality of trays in the preset positioning posture; and injecting tracers into the plurality of imaging animals using the indwelling needles.

[0048] In some embodiments, the imaging device includes a first imaging device and a second imaging device, the scanning data includes first scanning data acquired by the first imaging device and second scanning data acquired by the second imaging device, and the reconstructing the target medical image of the imaged animal based on the scanning data includes: reconstructing the first medical image of the imaged animal based on the first scanning data; reconstructing the second medical image of the imaged animal based on the second scanning data; and registering and fusing the first medical image and the second medical image to generate the target medical image, wherein a marker accommodating portion is provided on the tray, which is configured to accommodate markers that can be developed in the first medical image and the second medical image, and the registration and fusion is performed based on the markers in the first medical image and the second medical image.

[0049] In some embodiments, one of the first imaging device and the second imaging device is an emission computed tomography device, and the other is a magnetic resonance imaging device.

[0050] In some embodiments, the imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, and the scan is an enhanced magnetic resonance scan. Prior to the scan, the method further comprises: placing the imaging animal in an induction box, and performing pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the imaging animal; placing the imaging animal after pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the tray in the preset positioning posture, and placing the imaging animal in the magnetic resonance imaging device through the tray; and injecting a contrast agent into the imaging device through the indwelling needle.

[0051] In some embodiments, the imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, the scan is an enhanced magnetic resonance scan, and the method further includes: before the scan, placing the imaging animal in an induction box, and performing pre-anesthesia and indwelling needle fixation on the imaging animal; placing the imaging animal after pre-anesthesia and indwelling needle fixation on the tray in the preset positioning posture, and placing the imaging animal in the magnetic resonance imaging device through the tray; connecting the indwelling needle and an external injection device; during the scan, injecting a contrast agent into the imaging animal through the external injection device and the indwelling needle.

[0052] In some embodiments, the method further comprises: before injecting the contrast agent into the imaging animal, performing a magnetic resonance scan on the imaging animal using the magnetic resonance scanning device to obtain an initial magnetic resonance image; and performing comparative analysis on the initial magnetic resonance image and the enhanced magnetic resonance image.

[0053] In some embodiments, the imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, and the use of the imaging device to scan the imaging animal to collect scanning data of the imaging animal includes: placing the tray at an initial position in the animal cabin, and placing the animal cabin in the imaging area of ​​the magnetic resonance device so that the first part of the imaging animal is located in the imaging area; using the magnetic resonance device to perform a first scan on the first part of the imaging animal to collect first magnetic resonance data; moving the position of the tray in the animal cabin, and repositioning the animal cabin in the imaging area so that the second part of the imaging animal is located in the imaging area, and there is a partial overlapping area between the first part and the second part; using the magnetic resonance device to perform a second scan on the second part of the imaging animal to collect second magnetic resonance data.

[0054] In some embodiments, reconstructing the target medical image of the imaged animal based on the scan data includes: reconstructing a first magnetic resonance image based on the first magnetic resonance data; reconstructing a second magnetic resonance image based on the second magnetic resonance data; and stitching the first magnetic resonance image and the second magnetic resonance image to obtain a stitched magnetic resonance image as the target medical image.

[0055] In some embodiments, one or more marker accommodating portions are provided on the tray, each of the marker accommodating portions is used to accommodate a marker that can be developed under magnetic resonance imaging mode, at least one of the one or more marker accommodating portions is located in the imaging area in both the first scan and the second scan, and the stitching is performed based on the at least one marker accommodating portion in the first magnetic resonance image and the at least one marker accommodating portion in the second magnetic resonance image.

[0056] In some embodiments, before placing the animal cabin in the imaging area, the method further includes: installing a magnetic resonance coil outside the animal cabin; before moving the position of the tray in the animal cabin, the method further includes: moving the animal cabin outside the imaging area and removing the magnetic resonance coil; before repositioning the animal cabin in the imaging area, the method further includes: reinstalling the magnetic resonance coil outside the animal cabin.

[0057] In some embodiments, the tray includes a physiological signal acquisition device configured to acquire physiological signals of the imaged animal, and reconstructing a target medical image of the imaged animal based on the scan data includes: performing gated reconstruction on the scan data based on the physiological signals to generate the target medical image.

[0058] In some embodiments, the imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, each of the trays includes a receiving coil embedded in the bottom of the tray, the scanning data includes magnetic resonance data of the imaging animal placed on the tray acquired by the receiving coil of each tray, and reconstructing the target medical image of the imaging animal based on the scanning data includes: for each tray, based on the magnetic resonance data acquired by the receiving coil of the tray, generating a target medical image of the imaging animal placed on the tray. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] This specification will be further described in the form of exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not limiting, and in these embodiments, like numbers represent like structures, wherein:

[0060] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an animal imaging system according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0061] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an animal tray according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0062] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of another animal tray according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0063] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of a marker receiving portion according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0064] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of an enlarged area I in FIG3 according to some embodiments of this specification;

[0065] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of an anesthesia interface according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0066] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another animal tray according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0067] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a multi-imaging animal fixation device according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0068] FIG9A is a schematic diagram of a support portion of a multi-imaging animal fixation device according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0069] FIG9B is a schematic diagram of an enlarged area II in FIG9A according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0070] FIG9C is a schematic diagram of a disassembled support portion according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0071] FIG10A is a schematic diagram of another multi-imaging animal fixation device according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0072] FIG10B is a schematic diagram of an enlarged area III in FIG10A according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0073] FIG11 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multi-imaging animal fixation device according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0074] FIG12 is a schematic diagram of an animal cabin according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0075] FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another animal cabin according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0076] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another animal cabin according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0077] FIG15 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for scanning an imaging animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0078] FIG16 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for performing emission computed tomography on an animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0079] FIG17 is an exemplary flowchart of a static ECT scanning process according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0080] FIG18 is an exemplary flow chart of a dynamic ECT scanning process according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0081] FIG19 is an exemplary image obtained by registering and fusion of first modality scan data and second modality scan data according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0082] FIG20 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for generating a target medical image according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0083] FIG21 is an exemplary flow chart of a PET scan and an MR scan process according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0084] FIG22 is an exemplary image obtained by fusing a PET scan image and an MR scan image according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0085] FIG23A is an exemplary flow chart of a method for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of an animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0086] FIG23B is an exemplary flow chart of a process of performing magnetic resonance scanning and enhanced magnetic resonance scanning on an imaging animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0087] FIG24A is an exemplary flow chart of another method for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of an animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0088] FIG24B is an exemplary flow chart of a process of performing magnetic resonance scanning and enhanced magnetic resonance scanning on another pair of imaging animals according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0089] FIG25A is an enhanced magnetic resonance image of a brain tumor in an imaged animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0090] FIG25B is a graph of intercellular gadolinium concentration in an imaged animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0091] FIG25C is a graph showing the volume transfer rate of gadolinium in an imaged animal according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0092] FIG26 is an exemplary image of enhanced magnetic resonance images at different time periods according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0093] FIG27 is an exemplary flow chart of an animal magnetic resonance imaging method according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0094] FIG28 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a stitched magnetic resonance image of a mouse according to some embodiments of the present specification;

[0095] FIG. 29 is an exemplary flowchart of another animal magnetic resonance imaging method according to some embodiments of the present specification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0096] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this specification, the following briefly describes the drawings required for describing the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely examples or embodiments of this specification. Those skilled in the art can apply this specification to other similar scenarios based on these drawings without inventive effort. Unless otherwise apparent from the context or otherwise noted, the same reference numerals in the figures represent the same structure or operation.

[0097] It should be understood that the terms "system," "device," "unit," and / or "module" used herein are a method for distinguishing different components, elements, parts, portions, or assemblies at different levels. However, if other terms can achieve the same purpose, the terms may be replaced by other expressions.

[0098] Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not refer to the singular but include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "include" and "comprise" only indicate the inclusion of the steps and elements specifically identified, and these steps and elements do not constitute an exclusive list. A method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0099] Flowcharts are used throughout this specification to illustrate the operations performed by systems according to embodiments of this specification. It should be understood that preceding or following operations do not necessarily need to be performed in exact order. Instead, the steps may be processed in reverse order or simultaneously. Furthermore, other operations may be added to these processes, or one or more operations may be removed from these processes.

[0100] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an animal imaging system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG1 , the animal imaging system 100 includes an animal fixing device 110 , an animal cabin 130 , an imaging device 150 , and a processing device 170 .

[0101] The animal securing device 110 can be used to secure an animal for imaging. The imaging animals include, but are not limited to, guinea pigs, hamsters, bamboo rats, weasels, rabbits, and other small mammals. The imaging animals in the embodiments of this specification will primarily be described using mice (e.g., mice and rats) as an example.

[0102] In some embodiments, the animal fixture 110 includes an animal tray for placing a single imaging animal, which may also be referred to as a single imaging animal fixture. For more information about the animal tray, please refer to Figures 2-7 and their related descriptions.

[0103] In some embodiments, the animal securing device 110 comprises a multi-imaging animal securing device for simultaneously placing multiple imaging animals. The multi-imaging animal securing device comprises multiple animal trays and a support portion configured to support the multiple animal trays. For more information about the multi-imaging animal securing device, see Figures 8-11 and the related descriptions.

[0104] The animal compartment 130 can be used to accommodate one or more animal restraint devices 110 (e.g., an animal tray or a multi-image animal restraint device). In some embodiments, the animal restraint device 110 is removably connected to the compartment body of the animal compartment 130. By way of example only, the multi-image animal restraint device can be removably secured to the inner wall of the compartment body using a snap-fit ​​connection, a strap, or adhesive tape. The multi-image animal restraint device can also be placed directly on the inner wall of the compartment body. For more information about the animal compartment, please refer to Figures 12-14 and the related descriptions.

[0105] The imaging device 150 has a scanning chamber into which the animal restraint device 110 and / or the animal chamber 130 can be moved. The imaging device 150 is configured to scan the imaging animal in the animal restraint device and / or the animal chamber 130. In some embodiments, the animal chamber 130 can be removably mounted on the scanning bed of the imaging device 150, and the animal chamber 130 can be moved into the scanning chamber of the imaging device 150 by moving the scanning bed. In some embodiments, the animal chamber 130 can be integrally formed with the scanning bed of the imaging device 150. For example, the scanning bed can be directly provided as a chamber body to serve as the animal chamber 130.

[0106] The imaging device 150 may include a single-modality imaging device, such as a computed tomography (CT) device, a magnetic resonance (MR) device, a positron emission computed tomography (PET) device, or a single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) device. The imaging device 150 may include a multi-modality imaging device, such as a multi-modality imaging device that is a combination of a CT device, an MR device, a PET device, or a SPECT device (e.g., a PET-CT device, a PET-MR device, etc.). In some embodiments, the imaging device 150 includes an emission computed tomography (ECT) device. The emission computed tomography in this specification may include positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), multimodal emission computed tomography (such as positron emission tomography / electronic computed tomography (PET-CT)), single-photon emission computed tomography / electronic computed tomography, etc.

[0107] Processing device 170 can obtain scan data from imaging device 150 and process the scan data. For example, processing device 170 can reconstruct medical images of each imaged animal based on the scan data. For another example, if imaging device 150 is a multimodal scanner, processing device 170 can reconstruct images from different modalities and perform registration and fusion of these images. In some embodiments, processing device 170 can be a single server or a server group. The server group can be centralized or distributed.

[0108] In some embodiments, the processing device 170 may be integrated with the imaging device 150. In other embodiments, the processing device 170 may be independently configured. For example, the processing device 170 may be local or remote, and may be implemented on a cloud platform (e.g., a private cloud, a public cloud, a hybrid cloud, a community cloud, etc.).

[0109] It should be noted that the animal imaging system 100 is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this application. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and variations can be made based on the description herein. For example, the animal imaging system 100 may further include a storage device for storing data and / or information obtained from other system components. However, such variations and modifications do not deviate from the scope of this application.

[0110] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an animal tray according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0111] As shown in Figure 2, the animal tray 200 includes a body part fixing portion 201 and a marker receiving portion 202. The body part fixing portion 201 is set at a fixed position on the animal tray and is configured to fix the body part of the imaged animal placed on the animal tray, thereby fixing the position of the imaged animal. In some embodiments, the animal tray 200 includes a body part fixing portion 201, a marker receiving portion 202 and a tray body 203. The tray body 203 is configured to place or accommodate the imaged animal, and the body part fixing portion 201 is set at a fixed position on the tray body 203. In some embodiments, the tray body 203 and the body fixing portion 201 of the tray 200 are integrally formed. For example, they are integrally formed by 3D printing or injection molding.

[0112] In some embodiments, the body part fixing portion 201 includes a head fixing portion 210, a forelimb fixing portion 220, a hindlimb fixing portion 230, and a tail fixing portion 240. In some embodiments, the end of the animal tray 200 where the head fixing portion 210 is located is referred to as the first end (such as end E1 in FIG. 2 ), and the end where the tail fixing portion 240 is located is referred to as the second end (such as end E2 in FIG. 2 ).

[0113] The head fixing portion 210 is configured to fix the head of the imaging animal. In some embodiments, the head fixing portion 210 includes a head cover 211 and a tooth bar 212. The head cover 211 is a sleeve-shaped structure for accommodating the head of the imaging animal. The tooth bar 212 is used for the teeth of the imaging animal (for example, rodents such as mice and rabbits) to bite and fix the teeth of the imaging animal. The tooth bar 212 has an opening (for example, a circular or other shaped opening) to hook the teeth of the imaging animal. In some embodiments, the head fixing portion 210 includes an ear rod (not shown), which is a rod-shaped structure. By extending the ear rod into the ear canal of the imaging animal and against the skull of the imaging animal, the head of the imaging animal can be fixed. The head fixing portion 210 may include two ear rods, wherein one ear rod is used to extend into the left ear canal of the imaging animal, and the other ear rod is used to extend into the right ear canal of the imaging animal.

[0114] The forelimb fixing portion 220 is used to fix the forelimbs of the imaging animal. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2 , the forelimb fixing portion 220 is designed as a groove structure. The groove structure provides ample operating space, making it convenient for an operator (e.g., an experimenter) to fix or remove the forelimbs of the imaging animal to the forelimb fixing portion 220.

[0115] In some embodiments, the forelimb fixing portion 220 can be designed as a hole structure (as shown in FIG3 ). The hole structure has a cavity that runs through the forelimb fixing portion. After the forelimb of the imaged animal is inserted into the cavity of the forelimb fixing portion, the forelimb of the imaged animal can be effectively fixed within the confines of the cavity. The hole structure is simple and easy to manufacture and process, which not only makes it easier to fix the animal's forelimb, but also does not put pressure on the animal's forelimb, making it easier to distinguish the subsequent imaging area and achieving better imaging effects.

[0116] The hind limb fixing portion 230 is used to fix the hind limbs of the imaging animal. Similar to the forelimb fixing portion 220, the hind limb fixing portion 230 can be designed as a groove structure or a hole structure.

[0117] The animals used in animal experiments are usually four-limbed animals. Accordingly, the animal tray 200 is provided with two forelimb fixing parts 220 and two hindlimb fixing parts 230 to fix the four limbs (ie, two forelimbs and two hindlimbs) of the imaging animal.

[0118] Tail mount 240 is configured to secure the tail of the imaging animal. It should be noted that for some imaging animals without tails (e.g., guinea pigs) or for imaging animals with relatively short tails (e.g., weasels, where tail movement has negligible impact on imaging), tail mount 240 can be omitted. For some imaging animals with longer tails (e.g., mice), tail mount 240 is necessary.

[0119] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG2 , the tail fixing portion 240 is designed as a groove structure. The groove structure provides ample operating space, making it convenient for the operator to fix the tail of the imaged animal to the tail fixing portion 240 or remove it from the tail fixing portion 240. The tail fixing portion 240 can also be designed as other structures (not shown). For example, the tail fixing portion 240 can also be designed as a hole structure (i.e., a structure with a cavity). After the tail of the imaged animal is inserted into the cavity of the tail fixing portion 240, the tail of the imaged animal can be effectively fixed under the constraints of the cavity.

[0120] It is worth noting that in some scenarios, it is necessary to place an indwelling needle in the tail of the imaged animal. Due to the fixing effect of the tail fixing portion 240, the indwelling needle in the tail of the imaged animal is also fixed. In this way, the indwelling needle can be prevented from becoming ineffective due to changes in position.

[0121] In some embodiments, the shape of the animal tray 200 is consistent with the shape of the animal being imaged. Specifically, the dimensions of the surface of the animal tray 200 that contacts the animal can be designed based on the animal's body size. For example, using a mouse as an example, the mouse's body ergonomic design allows the mouse to fit more closely to the tray when placed in the animal tray 200, facilitating rapid fixation of various mouse parts, tail vein injection, positioning, and subsequent imaging.

[0122] In some embodiments, other auxiliary means can be used to enhance the fixation of the imaged animal. For example, adhesive tape can be used to adhere the limbs and tail of the imaged animal to corresponding fixing parts to prevent the limbs and tail of the imaged animal from separating from the corresponding fixing parts during the imaging process. In another example, adhesive tape can be used to adhere the body or a portion of the imaged animal to the tray to ensure that the body part of the imaged animal is fully fixed during the imaging process.

[0123] The marker receptacle 202 is configured to accommodate a marker (sometimes also referred to as a tracer), which is developable in at least one imaging modality. The marker can be a solid or a liquid (e.g., water, positron-labeled glucose solution, etc.). The marker being developable in at least one imaging modality means that it is developable in medical images acquired by the at least one imaging modality. Medical images include one or more of magnetic resonance images, positron emission tomography (PET) images, computed tomography (CT) images, and single-photon emission CT images. In some embodiments, the marker is developable in at least one first imaging modality, the first modality including at least one of positron emission tomography (PET), single-photon emission PET, or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In some embodiments, the marker receptacle 202 is developable in at least one second imaging modality, the second imaging modality including X-ray imaging. For example, the marker receptacle 202 can be made of plastic. X-ray imaging includes, but is not limited to, digital radiography (DR) and CT imaging.

[0124] In some embodiments, the marker receptacle 202 includes a first marker receptacle 250 and a second marker receptacle 260. The first marker receptacle 250 is located at a first position on the animal tray 200 near the forelimb attachment portion 220, and the second marker receptacle 260 is located at a second position on the animal tray 200 near the hindlimb attachment portion 230. In some embodiments, the first marker receptacle 250 is located at a first position on the tray body 203 near the forelimb attachment portion 220, and the second marker receptacle 260 is located at a second position on the tray body 203 near the hindlimb attachment portion 230. It will be appreciated that the tray body 203 of the tray 200 can be integrally formed with the body attachment portion 201 and the marker receptacle 202, or they can be detachably or assembleable. In some embodiments, the tray body 203 is separate from the radioactive marker receptacle 202 and is detachably or assembleable.

[0125] Because the markers are visible in medical images, the first and second marker receptacles 250, 260, and the provision of multiple markers can improve the fusion accuracy of multimodal images, enabling rapid positioning and registration. This addresses the existing pain point where image fusion accuracy is limited by mechanical motion accuracy and imaging animal positioning. Furthermore, since the first and second marker receptacles 250, 260 are located at the four corners of the animal tray 200, this not only fully utilizes the spatial distribution of the animal tray 200 but also prevents interference between the first and second marker receptacles 250, 260 and the body of the imaged animal, making the markers more visible in the medical image and facilitating positioning.

[0126] In some embodiments, first marker accommodating portion 250 and second marker accommodating portion 260 may be fixedly mounted on animal tray 200 or may be detachably mounted on animal tray 200. In some embodiments, the structure of first marker accommodating portion 250 and / or second marker accommodating portion 260 is the same as or similar to the structure of marker accommodating portion 400 shown in Figures 4A and 4B, and the markers therein may be replaced.

[0127] In some embodiments, the marker receptacle 202 includes a third marker receptacle 270 disposed at a third location near the center of the animal tray 200. As shown in FIG2 , a third marker receptacle 270 is disposed on either side of the center of the animal tray 200. In some embodiments, the third marker receptacle 270 can be removably connected to the animal tray 200. In some embodiments, the third marker receptacle 270 can be fixedly mounted on the animal tray 200 or integrally formed with the animal tray 200.

[0128] In some embodiments, the structure of the third marker accommodating portion 270 is similar to the marker accommodating portion 400 shown in Figures 4A and 4B. In some embodiments, the third marker accommodating portion 270 can be configured as a sphere, cylinder, or other regular or irregular closed cube with a hollow interior, in which the markers accommodated can be pre-placed. For example, a solid or liquid (such as water) that can be developed and does not decay in a magnetic resonance image can be pre-placed in the third marker accommodating portion 270. In some embodiments of the present specification, by integrally forming or fixedly connecting the third marker accommodating portion with the animal tray, the complexity of the overall structure of the animal tray can be reduced and the cost can be reduced. By pre-placing the markers, the work of replacing the markers can be eliminated, thereby improving scanning efficiency.

[0129] It should be noted that the placement of the marker receptacles can be determined based on actual needs. For example, when an animal tray is used to perform multiple MRI scans of multiple body parts of an animal, the placement of the marker receptacles can be determined based on the imaging region of the MRI scans, the area covered by each of the multiple scans performed on the animal, and other factors. For example, when only two scans are required, namely, the upper and lower body parts of the animal, the first marker receptacles 250 and the second marker receptacles 260 in Figure 2 can be omitted. For another example, multiple third marker receptacles 270 can be provided on both sides of the animal tray 200, with the third marker receptacles 270 on each side arranged at predetermined intervals. Since different portions of the animal tray 200 may be located within the imaging region of the MRI device during different scans, the placement of the third marker receptacles within the imaging region may also vary. By providing multiple third marker receptacles, a third marker receptacle can be ensured to be located within the imaging region for each scan, providing more basis for subsequent image registration and stitching, thereby improving registration and stitching accuracy.

[0130] 3 is a schematic diagram of another animal tray according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Animal tray 300 is similar to animal tray 200, but has some different features.

[0131] As shown in Figure 3, the first end E1 of the animal tray 300 is provided with a tooth rod 212, the second end E2 is provided with a tail fixing portion 240, and third marker receptacles 270 are provided on both sides. The animal tray 300 is provided with a first hole structure 330 and a second hole structure 340 that extend through the animal tray 300. The first hole structure 330 is a forelimb fixing portion. The second hole structure 340 is a hindlimb fixing portion. In some embodiments, the first hole structure 330 and the second hole structure 340 may be waist-shaped holes. Waist-shaped holes have a simple structure and can accommodate imaging of a variety of animals with limb sizes within a certain size range.

[0132] In some embodiments of the present specification, the forelimbs and hind limbs of the imaged animal are fixed by a hole structure, which not only makes it easier to fix the forelimbs and hind limbs of the animal, and helps the animal to present a preset position (such as orientation) or posture, but also does not put pressure on the forelimbs and hind limbs of the imaged animal, and reduces the contact between different parts (such as due to the movement of the forelimbs and / or hind limbs overlapping with the body part). In addition, it avoids the influence of the movement of the limbs of the imaged animal (such as the forelimbs and hind limbs of the animal) on the body parts during the imaging process to produce image artifacts, and also facilitates the separate imaging and structural analysis of the limbs or body parts of the imaged animal.

[0133] In some embodiments, the second end portion E2 further includes a slot 260 configured to engage with the slot structure of the support portion. For more information about the support portion, see FIG. 9A and its description.

[0134] The first end E1 of the animal tray 300 for placing the head of the imaging animal is also provided with an anesthesia interface 311, which is configured to deliver anesthetic gas to the imaging animal for anesthesia. For more information about the anesthesia interface 311, please refer to Figures 5 and 6.

[0135] The animal tray 300 is also provided with a fixing structure 350, and each marker receptacle is removably mounted to the animal tray 300 via a fixing structure 350. The marker receptacle can be connected to the fixing structure 350 via a threaded connection, a snap-on connection, or other means. Multiple fixing structures 350 may be provided. For example, as shown in FIG3 , the animal tray 300 may be provided with two fixing structures 350, one near the first end E1 and one near the second end E2.

[0136] In some embodiments, the fixing structure 350 is a snap ring structure, which includes a snap ring arm with elasticity and is configured to fix the marker accommodating portion. In conjunction with the enlarged schematic diagram of area I in Figure 5, the snap ring structure includes a snap ring arm 551 with elasticity, and the snap ring arm 551 is configured to fix the marker accommodating portion. The structure of the marker accommodating portion matches the snap ring structure. During installation, the marker accommodating portion can be inserted into the snap ring structure through the opening of the snap ring arm 551, and the snap ring arm 551 clamps the marker accommodating portion, thereby achieving fixation of the marker accommodating portion. The fixing method of the snap ring structure makes it easy to disassemble and install the marker accommodating portion. The marker accommodating portion can be temporarily configured according to experimental needs and set to be disposable or reusable, while the main structure of the animal tray itself can be used all the time.

[0137] 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams of a marker receiving portion according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0138] As shown in Figures 4A and 4B, the marker accommodating portion 400 includes a first accommodating channel 410, a second accommodating channel 430, and a marker accommodating cavity 420. The first accommodating channel 410 is configured to inject the marker; the second accommodating channel 430 is configured to exhaust gas during marker injection; and the marker accommodating cavity 420 communicates with the first accommodating channel 410 and the second accommodating channel 430, respectively, and is configured to accommodate the marker.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first accommodating channel 410 and the second accommodating channel 430 are cylindrical and hollow inside. In some embodiments, the first accommodating channel 410 and the second accommodating channel 430 may also include other shapes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a triangular prism with a hollow interior. In some embodiments, the shapes of the first accommodating channel 410 and the second accommodating channel 430 may be the same or different. In some embodiments, the marker accommodating cavity 520 may be spherical and hollow inside. For example, a spherical shape with a diameter of 4 mm. In some embodiments, the marker accommodating cavity 420 may also include other shapes, such as a rectangular parallelepiped or a cube with a hollow interior.

[0140] In some embodiments, the center of the marker accommodating chamber 420 is located on the central axis of the first accommodating channel 410 and / or the second accommodating channel 420. As shown in Figure 4B, the central axis of the first accommodating channel 410 and the second accommodating channel 420 is axis 440, and the center of the marker accommodating chamber 420 is also located on axis 440. By arranging that the center of the marker accommodating chamber 420 is located on the central axis of the first accommodating channel 410, it is possible to facilitate registration during multimodal imaging and improve registration efficiency and accuracy. In some embodiments of the present specification, the first accommodating channel, the second accommodating channel and the marker accommodating chamber are coaxially arranged so that the markers and the marker accommodating portion displayed in medical images of different modalities have the same central axis, thereby enabling the precise fusion of multimodal images to be achieved with the help of the markers and the marker accommodating portion.

[0141] In some embodiments, the marker accommodating portion 400 is formed by 3D printing. In some embodiments, the marker accommodating portion 400 can also be formed by other methods, such as injection molding.

[0142] In some embodiments, the length of the first accommodating channel 410 is greater than that of the second accommodating channel 430, and the diameter of the first accommodating channel 410 is greater than that of the second accommodating channel 430. The diameter of an accommodating channel refers to the diameter of the hollow portion thereof. For example, the length of the first accommodating channel 410 may be 7.5 mm and the diameter may be 1.6 mm; the diameter of the second accommodating channel 430 may be 0.6 mm.

[0143] In some embodiments of this specification, the length of the first receiving channel is set to be greater than that of the second receiving channel. Extending the length of the first receiving channel can help experimenters more precisely control the injection of the marker and prevent marker overflow during the injection process. Furthermore, by setting the diameter of the second receiving channel to be smaller than that of the first receiving channel, the diameter of the second receiving channel is reduced. This allows the marker solution to be prevented from flowing out of the second receiving channel due to surface tension at the outlet of the second receiving channel after the gas is successfully discharged during the marker injection process.

[0144] FIG6 is a schematic diagram of an anesthesia interface according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0145] As shown in FIG6 , the anesthesia interface 311 includes a first anesthesia channel 311-1 and a second anesthesia channel 311-2. The first anesthesia channel 311-1 includes a first end 311-1A and a second end 311-1B, and the second anesthesia channel 311-2 includes a third end 311-2A and a fourth end 311-2B. The first end 311-1A is the inlet for the anesthetic gas, and the third end 311-2A is the outlet for the anesthetic gas and is positioned near the nose of the imaging animal. By positioning the third end near the nose of the imaging animal, the anesthetic gas can be absorbed by the imaging animal at the outlet, which helps to improve the anesthesia effect.

[0146] In some embodiments, the second end 311-1B is connected to the fourth end 311-2B, and at the connection point, there is a preset angle between the second end 311-1B and the fourth end 311-2B. For example, the preset angle can be 30°. In some embodiments, the preset angle can also be other angles, for example, 25°, 35°, etc. As an example only, as shown in Figure 6, anesthetic gas can be injected into the anesthesia interface 311 through the first end 311-1A, pass through the first anesthesia channel 311-1 and the second anesthesia channel 311-2, and flow out from the third end 311-2A to anesthetize the imaging animal.

[0147] In some embodiments of the present specification, by providing an anesthesia interface and setting a preset angle between the second end and the fourth end, the anesthetic gas can be directly aimed at the nose of the imaging animal after passing through the first anesthesia channel and the second anesthesia channel, without the need for additional pipes or accessories, making the anesthesia device more concise and improving the anesthesia effect.

[0148] FIG7 is a schematic diagram of another animal tray according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Animal tray 700 is similar to animal trays 200 and 300, but differs in several features. As shown in FIG7 , animal tray 700 has a tooth bar 212 disposed on a first end E1, a tail fixing portion 240 disposed on a second end E2, and a main body provided with a first hole structure 330, a second hole structure 340, and a fixing device 350.

[0149] The animal tray 700 further includes a physiological signal acquisition device configured to acquire physiological signals of the imaged animal, including but not limited to heartbeat signals, pulse signals, etc.

[0150] In some embodiments, the physiological signal acquisition device includes the respiratory signal acquisition device 710 shown in FIG7 . The respiratory signal acquisition device 710 includes a trachea (not shown), one end of which is disposed at the first end E1 of the animal tray 700 where the head of the imaging animal is placed, and is configured to conduct the exhaled gas of the imaging animal; an airbag 711, disposed at the bottom of the animal tray 700 and connected to the other end of the trachea; and a pressure sensor (not shown) configured to detect pressure changes in the airbag 711 and convert the pressure changes into a respiratory signal. The respiratory signal is used to reflect the respiratory state of the imaging animal (e.g., exhalation, inhalation).

[0151] In some embodiments, the trachea and / or airbag can be omitted. For example, the physiological signal acquisition device includes a pressure sensor, wherein the pressure sensor is fixedly contacted (e.g., attached) to one side of the chest / abdomen of the imaging animal. The heartbeat and / or respiratory status of the imaging animal can be determined by changes in the pressure signal from the pressure sensor.

[0152] In some embodiments of this specification, a respiratory signal acquisition device can monitor the respiratory state of the imaged animal during scanning, thereby enabling gated reconstruction of subsequent scan data and reducing artifacts caused by respiratory motion. Furthermore, gated scanning can be performed based on the imaged animal's respiratory status, thereby reducing radiation dose to the imaged animal and / or the operator.

[0153] The animal tray 700 also includes a receiving coil 720 embedded in the bottom of the animal tray 700 and configured to collect magnetic resonance data during an MRI scan of the imaged animal. In some embodiments, the bottom of the animal tray 700 is provided with a mounting channel to allow the receiving coil 720 to be embedded within the animal tray 700. The receiving coil 720 can be configured as a single-loop coil or as an array coil. In some embodiments, the receiving coil 720 surrounds the airbag 711 of the respiratory signal acquisition device 710, thereby better capturing magnetic resonance data of the abdomen or heart of the imaged animal. In some embodiments, multiple animal trays 700 equipped with receiving coils 720 can be placed on a multi-animal imaging fixture, with each receiving coil 720 separately capturing magnetic resonance data for a corresponding animal. In prior art, receiving coils are typically mounted outside the animal compartment (similar to that shown in FIG. 14 ), making simultaneous MRI imaging of multiple animals impossible. The animal tray 700 disclosed herein can enable simultaneous MRI imaging of multiple animals, improving imaging efficiency.

[0154] In some embodiments of this specification, the receiving coil is embedded in the bottom of the animal tray, eliminating the need for receiving coil installation and improving scanning efficiency. Furthermore, combining a respiratory signal acquisition device with the receiving coil enables respiratory gating during MRI scanning, helping to eliminate the impact of respiratory motion on MRI image quality (e.g., reducing respiratory artifacts).

[0155] It should be understood that the animal trays in Figures 2, 3, and 7 and the related descriptions are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to be limiting. The features of animal trays 200, 300, and 700 may be arbitrarily combined according to practical needs. For example, animal tray 200 may include the fixing structure 350 shown in Figure 3, and the forelimb and hindlimb fixing portions of animal tray 300 may be configured as the groove structure shown in Figure 2. For another example, animal trays 200 and 300 may further include the respiratory signal acquisition device 710 and receiving coil 720 shown in Figure 7.

[0156] FIG8 is a schematic diagram of a multi-imaging animal fixation device according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0157] As shown in FIG8 , a multi-animal imaging fixture 800 includes multiple animal trays 200 and a support portion 801 configured to support the multiple animal trays 200. Each animal tray 200 includes a first end E1 and a second end E2. The first end E1 is configured to accommodate the head of the imaging animal, and the second end E2 is disposed opposite the first end E1. The support portion 801 includes a first portion 810 and a second portion 820 disposed opposite each other. The first portion 810 is configured to support the first ends E1 of the multiple animal trays 200, and the second portion 820 is configured to support the second ends E2 of the multiple animal trays 200. The support portion 801 also includes a third portion 830 configured to connect the first portion 810 and the second portion 820.

[0158] In some embodiments, multiple animal trays in a multi-imaging animal restraint system are arranged in at least two layers, with the animal trays in different layers connected by a support. As shown in FIG8 , a multi-imaging animal restraint system 800 includes four animal trays 200 connected by a support 801. The four animal trays 200 are arranged in two layers, with two animal trays 200 in each layer. In some embodiments, the number of animal trays 200 connected to the support 801 can range from 2 to 4. In some embodiments, the support 801 and the animal trays 200 are detachably connected, for example, using a snap-fit ​​connection or a slot connection.

[0159] In some embodiments, the bottom of the head fixing portion 210 defines a first groove, into which the edge of the first portion 810 engages, thereby providing support for the animal tray 200. In some embodiments, the bottom of the tail fixing portion 240 defines a second groove, into which the edge of the second portion 820 engages, thereby providing support for the animal tray 200. In some embodiments, the edge of the first portion 810 defines a first groove, into which the head fixing portion 210 engages, thereby providing support for the first portion 810. Similarly, the edge of the second portion 820 defines a second groove, into which the tail fixing portion 240 engages, thereby providing support for the second portion 820.

[0160] By combining different support structures, different usage requirements can be met. For example, referring to FIG8 , only the lower halves of the first and second portions 810, 820 are retained (e.g., the upper T-shaped structure is omitted) to achieve a single-layer arrangement of two animal trays 200. For another example, referring to FIG8 , if the second layer is modified to have only one animal tray, the upper ends of the first and second portions 810, 820 can be designed to be shorter (e.g., the T-shaped structure can be simplified to a handle-like structure).

[0161] 8 , the support portion further includes a third portion 830 between the first portion 810 and the second portion 820. Relying on the third portion 830, multiple animal trays 200 can be more stably combined together, and the overall movement of the multi-imaging animal fixing device 800 is facilitated.

[0162] It should be understood that the multi-imaging animal fixture 800 may also be used to support other animal trays disclosed herein, such as the animal tray 300 shown in FIG. 3 .

[0163] Figure 9A is a schematic diagram of a support portion of a multi-imaging animal restraint device according to some embodiments of the present specification. Figure 9B is an enlarged schematic diagram of Region II of the support portion. Figure 9C is a schematic diagram of a disassembled support portion according to some embodiments of the present specification. Figure 10A is a schematic diagram of the multi-imaging animal restraint device after an animal tray is mounted on the support portion. Figure 10B is an enlarged schematic diagram of Region III in Figure 10A according to some embodiments of the present specification. Figure 11 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of a multi-imaging animal restraint device according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0164] As shown in Figures 9A and 10A, a multi-imaging animal fixture 900 includes a support portion 90 configured to support a plurality of animal trays 200. The support portion 90 includes a first portion 910 and a second portion 920 disposed opposite each other. The first portion 910 is configured to support a first end portion of the animal tray 200, while the second portion 920 is configured to support a second end portion of the animal tray 200.

[0165] In some embodiments, a marker 911 is provided on the first portion 910 to indicate the placement of the first ends of the plurality of animal trays, making it easier for the user to quickly locate the location for installing the first ends of the animal trays. The marker 911 can be represented in various ways, such as by color, character, or pattern. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A , the marker 911 is the character "H."

[0166] In some embodiments, as shown in Figures 9A and 10A, the first portion 910 is provided with a snap-fit ​​structure 912, which is configured to snap-fit ​​with the first end E1 of the animal tray 200. In some embodiments, the second portion 920 is provided with a slot structure 921, which is configured to snap-fit ​​with the second end E2 of the animal tray 200. For example, the slot structure 921 of the second portion 920 snaps into a slot (e.g., slot 260) of the animal tray. The slot structure 921 and the slot can have various shapes, as long as their shapes match and enable snap-fit.

[0167] In some embodiments, referring to FIG9B and FIG5 , the snap-fit ​​structure 912 includes an outwardly protruding snap-fit ​​boss 912-1. The anesthesia interface 311 is provided with an inwardly recessed snap-fit ​​structure 311-3. The snap-fit ​​boss 912-1 is configured to be embedded in the snap-fit ​​structure 311-3 to achieve a snap-fit ​​connection between the anesthesia interface 311 and the snap-fit ​​structure 912. The snap-fit ​​structure 912 has a certain degree of elasticity, and the anesthesia interface 311 can be inserted into the snap-fit ​​structure 912 through an opening in the snap-fit ​​structure 912. When the snap-fit ​​boss 912-1 is embedded in the snap-fit ​​structure 311-3, the installation is completed.

[0168] As shown in Figure 10B , when the snap-fit ​​boss 912-1 is inserted into the snap-fit ​​structure 311-3, it abuts the anesthesia port 311, and its protruding portion restricts movement of the anesthesia port 311, thereby securing the anesthesia port 311 and ensuring stable installation of the animal tray. The snap-fit ​​boss 912-1 and the snap-fit ​​structure 311-3 can have various shapes, as long as they match and provide a secure snap-fit ​​connection.

[0169] In some embodiments of the present specification, by providing a snap boss on the snap-fit ​​structure and a snap structure on the anesthesia interface, the snap boss and the snap structure cooperate to enable the animal tray to be quickly and conveniently installed on the support portion, and to improve the installation stability of the animal tray.

[0170] In some embodiments, the support portion 90 further includes a third portion 930 positioned between the first portion 910 and the second portion 920, with a hollow portion provided on the third portion 930. The hollow portion can include a variety of shapes, such as square, circular, etc. As an example only, as shown in FIG9A , the third portion 930 is provided with multiple hollow portions. Providing hollow portions on the third portion of the support portion helps reduce the weight of the support portion, thereby reducing the weight of the multi-animal imaging fixture. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG11 , the bottom of the bottommost animal tray 200 is spaced a certain distance from the third portion 930 of the support portion to ensure that the limbs of the imaged animal are not squeezed and can stretch naturally.

[0171] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG9C , the third portion 930 includes a support base 931 and a support beam 932. The support beam 932 is suspended between the first portion 910 and the second portion 920 and connects the first portion 910 and the second portion 920. The support base 931 is disposed at the bottom of the multi-imaging animal fixture 900 and is configured to support the first portion 910, the second portion 920, and the support beam 932.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first portion 910, the second portion 920, and the third portion 930 are independent parts that can be assembled into a support portion. The first portion 910, the second portion 920, and the third portion 930 can be assembled into a whole by splicing them together like building blocks.

[0173] In some embodiments, the support portion 90 further includes a connector 940, which is provided on the first part and / or the second part (such as connector 941 and / or connector 942), and is configured to connect the multi-imaging animal fixture and another imaging animal fixture. Through the connector of the support portion, it is possible to achieve a combination of splicing of multiple different imaging animal fixtures in the vertical direction and / or the anterior-posterior axis direction, thereby meeting the experimental needs of more imaging animals. As an example only, the multi-imaging animal fixture and the other imaging animal fixture are respectively provided with a first connector and a second connector, wherein the first connector and the second connector are structurally matched with each other to achieve connection, such as snap connection, threaded connection, plug-in connection, etc. Through the first connector and the second connector, two multi-imaging animal fixtures can be spliced ​​together.

[0174] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of an animal cabin according to some embodiments of the present specification. As shown in Figure 12, the animal cabin 1200 includes a cabin body 1210 and a multi-imaging animal fixing device 800. Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another animal cabin according to some embodiments of the present specification. As shown in Figure 13, the animal cabin 1300 includes a cabin body 1310 and a multi-imaging animal fixing device 900. The multi-imaging animal fixing device 900 and the multi-imaging animal fixing device 800 shown in the figure can accommodate 4 animal trays at the same time. In some embodiments, for larger imaging animals (for example, guinea pigs), a multi-imaging animal fixing device that can accommodate 2 animal trays can be provided, and the 2 animal trays are arranged one above the other.

[0175] In some embodiments, the third portion of the support portion has a curved bottom surface that mates with the inner wall of the cabin. In some embodiments, the radius of the curved bottom surface of the support portion is the same as the radius of the inner wall of the cabin. The multi-imaging animal restraint device, comprising the support portion and the animal tray, can be placed directly within the cabin, eliminating the need for additional fixing structures to secure the multi-imaging animal restraint device. This arrangement further improves assembly efficiency and enhances applicability.

[0176] Traditional animal chambers have slots on their inner walls for securing the animals being imaged. Firstly, these slots cannot be removed from the chamber to secure the animals being imaged, making it impossible to prepare the animals for experiments (e.g., secure them) while the chamber is in use. Furthermore, due to the large size of the chamber, it takes up considerable space during scanning. Secondly, the fixed slot design of a single chamber hinders flexible support for multiple simultaneous scanning methods (especially multi-layer simultaneous scanning).

[0177] The animal tray and multi-imaging animal fixation device provided in the embodiments of this specification separate the centralized storage function and auxiliary imaging function of the traditional animal cabin, which saves more space in the scanning scene and supports more synchronous scanning methods (especially multi-layer synchronous scanning methods). In addition, relying on the flexible and changeable multi-imaging animal fixation device (especially the multi-imaging animal fixation device with a multi-layer structure), the animal cabin provided in the embodiments of this specification can centrally store more fixed imaged animals. Moreover, the single / multi-imaging animal fixation device of this specification itself has a fixing function and a positioning function, and has a simple structure and is easy to manufacture. It can be easily placed in the cabin of an existing animal cabin. It is not only suitable for various types of animal cabin cabins and scanning equipment, but also can be configured with multiple and / or multiple different models of multi-imaging animal fixation devices for a set of animal imaging systems to meet the different usage needs of users.

[0178] In some embodiments, an animal cabin includes one or more multi-imaging animal fixtures. Each multi-imaging animal fixture can be configured with multiple animal trays. Of course, multiple multi-imaging animal fixtures can be all the same, partially the same, or all different models. Multiple animal trays can be all the same, partially the same, or all different models. When multiple multi-imaging animal fixtures are placed in an animal cabin, the multiple multi-imaging animal fixtures can be arranged along the axial direction (i.e., longitudinal direction) of the animal cabin and placed in the animal cabin. This can further increase the number of imaging animals scanned simultaneously. For example, a multi-imaging animal fixture has 4 animal tray positions, and 2 multi-imaging animal fixtures can be placed in each animal cabin at the same time, so 8 imaging animals can be scanned at a time.

[0179] FIG14 is a schematic diagram of another animal chamber according to some embodiments of the present specification. The animal chamber shown in FIG14 can be used for magnetic resonance imaging. As shown in FIG14 , the animal chamber 1400 includes a chamber body 1410, which can accommodate the animal tray 200, and a magnetic resonance coil 1470 is installed on the outside of the chamber body 1410. The magnetic resonance coil 1470 refers to a receiving coil used for magnetic resonance imaging, which can be a volume coil, an array coil, a surface coil, or other coils. For example, the magnetic resonance coil 1470 can be a 42 mm volume coil, which can be installed around the outside of the animal chamber 1400.

[0180] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14 , an indicator mark 1430 is provided on the animal chamber 1400 to indicate the center of the magnetic resonance coil 1470. This serves to facilitate placement and movement of the animal tray 200 within the animal chamber 1400, thereby aligning the imaging portion of the animal with the center of the magnetic resonance coil 1470 prior to scanning. For example, when scanning a first portion of the animal, the first portion needs to be aligned with the indicator mark 1430, thereby achieving alignment between the first portion and the center of the magnetic resonance coil 1470. When scanning a second portion of the animal, the second portion needs to be aligned with the indicator mark 1430, thereby achieving alignment between the second portion and the center of the magnetic resonance coil 1470.

[0181] The indicator mark 1430 can be any visual marker, for example, a symbol (e.g., a colored arrow, dot, etc.) or a marker engraved at a predetermined location in the animal chamber 1400. In some embodiments, the indicator mark 1430 can be located at a predetermined location outside the animal chamber 1400 (e.g., the center of the longitudinal axis or at another location). In some embodiments, the indicator mark 1430 can be located on the coil mounting structure. The coil mounting structure (not shown) is used to mount and secure the magnetic resonance coil 1470, enabling the magnetic resonance apparatus to scan the desired area of ​​the animal within the animal chamber 1400. The coil mounting structure can be pre-configured based on information about the magnetic resonance coil 1470 used in the experiment (e.g., type, size, etc.), so that the coil mounting structure can be connected and / or mounted to the magnetic resonance coil 1470. In some embodiments, the coil mounting structure can be located at one or more different locations in the animal chamber 1400 based on the requirements for the animal scan (e.g., one or more segments, the coverage area for a full or partial scan of the animal, etc.).

[0182] 14 , the animal tray 200 is provided with a scale indicator 1440. The scale indicator 1440 and the indicator mark 1430 can be used to assist in placing and moving the animal tray 200 in the animal compartment 1400. In some embodiments, the scale indicator 1440 can be provided on both sides of the animal tray 200.

[0183] The scale indicator 1440 can be in the form of a ruler with scale readings, with different scale readings corresponding to different parts of the animal being imaged. For example, the scale may gradually increase from the first end of the animal tray 200, with smaller scale readings closer to the head of the animal being imaged. When the animal being imaged is placed on the animal tray 200, the relative position of the part to be imaged and / or multiple points within the part to be imaged on the animal tray 200 can be determined based on the scale indicator 1440. Furthermore, as the animal tray 200 is moved within the animal compartment 1400, the relative position of the part to be imaged and / or multiple points within the part to be imaged and the center point of the magnetic resonance coil 1470 can be determined based on the scale reading of the scale indicator 1440 to which the indicator mark 1430 points (hereinafter referred to as the current scale reading). For example, the scale indicator 1440 includes a scale reading from 0 to 10. When the scale reading 5 aligns with the indicator mark 1430, it indicates that the center point of the animal being imaged is aligned with the center point of the magnetic resonance coil 1470. For another example, when the scale reading 2.5 is aligned with the indicator mark, it means that the center point of the upper body of the imaged animal (such as the center point of the chest) is aligned with the center point of the magnetic resonance coil 1470 .

[0184] It should be noted that the length of the animal compartment 1400 is greater than the length of the animal tray 200. For example, the length of the animal compartment 1400 is a preset multiple (e.g., 1.5 times, 2 times, etc.) of the length of the animal tray 200, so that the animal tray 200 has sufficient space to be placed therein and can be moved along its long axis within a preset distance range (e.g., 0.5 times, 1 times the length of the animal tray).

[0185] In some embodiments, the operator can determine whether the area to be imaged is within the scanning area or imaging area of ​​the magnetic resonance apparatus using the indicator mark 1430 in the animal compartment 1400 and the scale indicator device 1440 on the animal tray 200, thereby assisting in determining the direction and / or range of movement of the animal tray 200 in the animal compartment. For example, when it is necessary to scan the first part of the animal to be imaged (e.g., the upper body), the operator can move the animal tray 200 so that the center of the magnetic resonance coil 1470 is aligned with the center position of the first part of the animal to be imaged. For example, the operator can move the animal tray 200 so that the scale reading 2.5 is aligned with the indicator mark 1430, thereby enabling subsequent scanning operations of the magnetic resonance apparatus.

[0186] In some embodiments of the present specification, the scale indicator device on the animal tray and the indicator marks on the animal cabin can enable the operator to move the animal tray more accurately, thereby making subsequent magnetic resonance scanning of different parts of the imaged animal more targeted.

[0187] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG14 , a slide rail 1420 extending along the long axis of the animal cabin 1400 is provided in the animal cabin 1400, and a sliding member 1450 capable of sliding in the slide rail 1420 is provided on the animal tray 200. The animal tray 200 and the animal cabin 1400 are slidably connected via the slide rail 1420 and the sliding member 1450, so that the animal tray 200 can move in the animal cabin 1400 along the long axis of the animal cabin 1400.

[0188] The slide rail 1420 can be used to guide the animal tray 200 to slide or move within the animal compartment 1400. The slide rail 1420 can be in the form of various guide devices, such as a guide rail, track, or guide groove. By way of example only, as shown in FIG14 , the slide rail 1420 can be disposed at the bottom of the compartment body 1410 and extend along the longitudinal axis of the animal compartment 1400. The longitudinal centerline of the slide rail 1420 can coincide with the longitudinal centerline of the animal compartment 20.

[0189] The sliding member 1450 of the animal tray 200 can be disposed at the bottom of the animal tray 200 and slidably connected to the slide rail 1420. The number of sliding members 1450 can be one or more (e.g., two, four, etc.) depending on the length of the animal tray. The animal tray 200 can slide or move on the slide rail 1420 under the influence of various external forces (e.g., pushing or pulling force by an operator).

[0190] The sliding connection between the animal tray 200 and the animal chamber 1400 can also be achieved through other means. For example, two slide rails can be provided at predetermined locations on either side of the inner wall of the chamber 1410, and two sliders can be provided on either side of the animal tray 200, respectively, for sliding connection with the two slide rails. This approach can improve the stability of the connection and placement of the animal tray 200 within the animal chamber 1400, as well as the stability of the animal tray during movement. For another example, a slide rail can be provided at the bottom of the animal tray 200, and a slider that can move within the slide rails can be provided at the bottom of the chamber 1410.

[0191] In some embodiments of the present specification, by providing a slide rail in the animal cabin, the animal tray can be stably moved along a preset direction. At the same time, the imaged animal on the animal tray can maintain a fixed posture during the movement, thereby improving the efficiency and accuracy of subsequent magnetic resonance image stitching and avoiding the reduction in stitching accuracy due to changes in the posture of the imaged animal caused by multiple movements of the animal tray.

[0192] FIG15 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for scanning an animal for imaging according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more steps in process 1500 may be performed by processing device 170 .

[0193] As shown in FIG. 15 , process 1500 may include one or more of the following steps 1511 to 1516 , which are performed during the scan preparation phase.

[0194] Step 1511 , pre-anesthetize the imaging animal.

[0195] In some embodiments, the imaging animal may be pre-anesthetized before being placed on the animal tray to facilitate subsequent placement and securing of the imaging animal on the animal tray. In some embodiments, pre-anesthesia may be performed using an induction box. For example, the imaging animal may be placed in an induction box filled with anesthetic gas to achieve pre-anesthesia of the imaging animal.

[0196] In step 1512, the imaging animal is placed on the animal tray.

[0197] In some embodiments, the imaged animal may be placed on an animal tray in a preset posture, wherein the tray is provided with a body part fixing portion for fixing the preset posture of the imaged animal.

[0198] In some embodiments, the operator can select an appropriate animal tray based on the type and size of the animal being imaged, and secure the animal using the tray's body part securing components (e.g., head securing components, forelimb securing components, hindlimb securing components, and tail securing components). The animal, secured to the tray, assumes a preset pose. More information about the tray and its body part securing components can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., FIG2 ).

[0199] In some embodiments, in multi-animal experiments, each imaging animal can be placed individually on a tray, and then multiple trays can be placed on the support portion of the multi-animal imaging fixture. The multiple trays can be placed on the support portion using a detachable connection (e.g., a snap-fit ​​connection or a slot connection). More information about the support portion can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., Figures 9A-9C).

[0200] In some embodiments of the present specification, by placing the imaging animal in a preset posture on the animal tray, the posture of the imaging animal during scanning can be fixed, which is beneficial to reducing motion artifacts and improving the quality of the scanned image.

[0201] Step 1513 , placing the animal tray or multi-imaging animal fixture into the animal chamber.

[0202] When only one animal is being imaged, it can be placed in the animal chamber using an animal tray. When multiple animals are being imaged, multiple animals can be placed in the animal chamber using a multi-animal imaging fixture. In some embodiments of this specification, the animal tray is placed in the multi-animal imaging fixture, which is then placed in the animal chamber for scanning and imaging, making experimental operations more convenient and improving experimental efficiency.

[0203] In step 1514, the imaging animal is placed in the imaging device.

[0204] In some embodiments, an imaging animal can be placed in an imaging device using one of an animal tray, a multi-imaging animal fixture, or an animal compartment, enabling the imaging device to scan the imaging animal. For example, the animal tray and the imaging animal can be placed on a scanning bed and then transported into a scanning chamber via the scanning bed. In some embodiments, the animal compartment can be attached to or part of the scanning bed. After the animal tray or the multi-imaging animal fixture is placed in the animal compartment in step 1513, the imaging animal can be transported into the scanning chamber by moving the scanning bed.

[0205] Step 1515, fix the indwelling needle.

[0206] In some scenarios, it is necessary to place an indwelling needle in the tail of the imaging animal. In some embodiments, the indwelling needle can be secured using methods such as tape or an external fixator. In some embodiments, the indwelling needle can be secured using a tail fixing portion. Due to the fixing action of the tail fixing portion, the indwelling needle in the imaging animal's tail is also fixed. This prevents the indwelling needle from becoming inoperable due to a change in position.

[0207] Step 1516, inject tracer / contrast agent.

[0208] Tracers are typically radioactive substances used in scans such as PET or SPECT to help visualize metabolic activity or physiological processes. For example, tracers can include fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Contrast agents are used to enhance contrast in X-ray, CT, or MRI images. They are typically substances containing iodine or barium and are primarily used to visualize anatomical structures. Examples of contrast agents include gadolinium diethylenetriamine pentaacetate and gadopentetate dimeglumine.

[0209] The injection of the tracer or contrast agent can be performed in a variety of ways. For example, the user can use an external injection device (such as an intravenous fixed syringe) to inject the tracer or contrast agent into the imaging animal. In some embodiments, a plurality of imaging animals can be injected with tracers or contrast agents using an indwelling needle. In other embodiments, the indwelling needle and the external injection device can be connected by an injection tube, and the contrast agent or tracer is injected into the imaging animal through the external injection device, the injection tube and the indwelling needle. More information about tracers or contrast agents can also be found elsewhere in this specification (for example, Figure 20, etc.).

[0210] It should be noted that the above steps 1511 to 1516 are not intended to limit the above steps, and one or more of the above steps can be combined or deleted according to actual circumstances. For example, step 1511, step 1513, step 1515, and step 1516 are optional.

[0211] Process 1500 may further include steps 1521 and 1522 , which are performed during the scanning phase.

[0212] In step 1521, processing device 170 may control imaging device 150 to scan the imaging animal to collect scan data of the imaging animal. During the scan, the imaging animal is placed on an animal tray in a preset position and is placed in the imaging device via the animal tray. The animal tray includes a body part securing portion disposed at a fixed position on the animal tray and configured to secure the imaging animal in the preset position.

[0213] The scan may be single-modal or multi-modal. When multi-modal, the scan data includes scan data corresponding to each modality. In a multi-animal animal experiment, the scan data includes scan data for each of the multiple imaged animals.

[0214] In step 1522, the imaging animal is anesthetized.

[0215] In some embodiments, the animal tray includes an anesthesia interface, which is arranged at the first end of the animal tray. During scanning, anesthetic gas is delivered to the imaging animal through the anesthesia interface to put the imaging animal into an anesthesia state. Specifically, the anesthesia interface of the animal tray is connected to the anesthesia pipeline, and the anesthetic gas is delivered to the mouth and nose of the imaging animal through the anesthesia pipeline and the anesthesia interface to achieve anesthesia of the imaging animal. The anesthetic gas may include ether, chloroform, isoflurane, etc. More information about the anesthesia interface can be found elsewhere in this specification (for example, Figure 5).

[0216] Step 1531 : reconstruct a target medical image of the imaged animal based on the scan data.

[0217] After the scan is complete, processing device 170 can utilize an image reconstruction algorithm to reconstruct the scan data to obtain a target medical image. In some embodiments, when multiple animals are imaged, processing device 170 can reconstruct a target medical image for each animal based on the scan data. For another example, when imaging device 150 is a multimodal scanning device, processing device 170 can reconstruct images from different modalities and perform registration and fusion of these images to generate the target medical image. For more information, see Figures 16-29 and their descriptions.

[0218] In some embodiments, the animal tray includes a physiological signal acquisition device configured to acquire physiological signals from the imaged animal. The processing device 170 can perform gated reconstruction on the scan data based on the physiological signals to generate a target medical image. Gated reconstruction includes respiratory-gated reconstruction and / or cardiac-gated reconstruction, which can be performed based on various gated reconstruction algorithms. More information about the physiological signal acquisition device can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., FIG7 ).

[0219] In some embodiments, when the imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device and each animal tray includes a receiving coil embedded in the bottom of the animal tray, the scan data includes magnetic resonance data of the imaged animal placed on the animal tray, acquired by the receiving coil of each animal tray. For each animal tray, the processing device 170 can generate a magnetic resonance image (i.e., a target medical image) of the imaged animal placed on the animal tray based on the magnetic resonance data acquired by the receiving coil of the animal tray. When multiple animals are being imaged, the processing device 170 can generate multiple magnetic resonance images corresponding to the multiple animals being imaged.

[0220] FIG. 16 is an exemplary flow chart of a method for performing emission computed tomography on an animal according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0221] Step 1610 : Place multiple imaging animals on multiple animal trays in preset positions.

[0222] In some embodiments, the imaging process includes multiple animals, each of which is placed on an animal tray. A preset positioning pose refers to the positioning pose of the imaged animal during scanning. In some embodiments, the positioning of the imaged animal can be fixed using a body part securing portion of the animal tray, so that the imaged animal is placed on the animal tray in the preset positioning pose. Further description of the body part securing portion can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., FIG. 2 ).

[0223] Step 1620 , placing multiple animal trays on a support portion of a multi-imaging animal fixture.

[0224] In some embodiments, multiple animal trays corresponding to multiple imaging animals can be placed on the support portion of the multi-imaging animal fixture. The multiple animal trays can be placed on the support portion via a detachable connection (e.g., a snap-fit ​​connection or a slot connection). For more information on the connection between the animal trays and the support portion, see Figures 9A-10B and the related descriptions.

[0225] Step 1630: Place the multiple imaging animals in an ECT scanning device through a multiple imaging animal fixing device, and perform emission computed tomography scanning on the multiple imaging animals simultaneously.

[0226] In some embodiments, a multi-imaging animal restraint device can be used to position multiple imaging animals within an imaging device. For example, the multi-imaging animal restraint device can be removably attached to an animal compartment and then placed into an ECT scanner via the compartment. For more information on the connection between the multi-imaging animal restraint device and the compartment, see Figures 12 and 13 and their associated descriptions.

[0227] In some embodiments, process 1600 may further include generating scan images of multiple imaged animals based on scan data acquired during an emission computed tomography scan. For example, PET images of multiple imaged animals may be generated based on PET scan data acquired during a PET scan. In some embodiments, when ECT is a multimodal scan, the multimodal scan data may be registered and fused to generate multimodal fused images of the multiple imaged animals. For example, when a PET / CT scan is performed on multiple imaged animals, PET images of the multiple imaged animals may be generated based on the PET scan data, and CT images of the multiple imaged animals may be generated based on the CT scan data. The PET images and CT images of the multiple imaged animals may be registered and fused to obtain PET / CT images of the multiple imaged animals.

[0228] In some embodiments, during the emission computed tomography process, an anesthesia interface can be used to deliver anesthetic gas to multiple imaging animals respectively, so as to perform anesthesia treatment on the multiple imaging animals.

[0229] It is understandable that, in animal experiments, due to different experimental requirements, the ECT scanning imaging of the imaging animal may include static ECT scanning and dynamic ECT scanning.

[0230] FIG17 is an exemplary flow chart of a static ECT scanning process according to some embodiments of the present specification. As shown in FIG17 , when performing a static ECT scan on an imaging animal, the following operations need to be performed on each imaging animal: injecting a tracer into the imaging animal; pre-anesthetizing the imaging animal after a preset time period (e.g., 2 hours, 5 hours, 7 hours, etc.) of the tracer injection; placing the pre-anesthetized imaging animal on an animal tray in a preset position; and placing the animal tray on a multi-imaging animal fixture. After placing multiple animal trays carrying imaging animals on the multi-imaging animal fixture, the multi-imaging animal fixture can be placed in the animal cabin, and anesthesia and ECT scans can be performed on multiple imaging animals. More information about pre-anesthesia and anesthesia can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., FIG16 ).

[0231] In some embodiments, the tracer can include any marker that can be visualized in ECT. If the user is not experienced in administering tracer injections to imaging animals, prior to tracer injection, multiple imaging animals can be placed in an induction box and pre-anesthetized; then, the tracer injection can be performed on the pre-anesthetized animals.

[0232] In some embodiments of the present specification, the imaging animal is pre-anesthetized before the tracer is injected, making the injection of the tracer more convenient. This is beneficial for improving experimental efficiency for users who are not skilled in the operation.

[0233] FIG18 is an exemplary flowchart of a dynamic ECT scanning process according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0234] As shown in FIG18 , when performing dynamic ECT scanning on an imaging animal, the following operations are required for each imaging animal: pre-anesthetizing the imaging animal; fixing the pre-anesthetized imaging animal with an indwelling needle; placing the pre-anesthetized and indwelling needle-fixed imaging animal on an animal tray in a preset position; and placing the animal tray on a multi-imaging animal fixture. After placing multiple animal trays carrying imaging animals on the multi-imaging animal fixture, the multi-imaging animal fixture can be placed in the animal cabin; using the indwelling needle, tracer injections are performed on each of the multiple imaging animals, and anesthesia and ECT scanning are performed on the multiple imaging animals. In some embodiments, after the tracer injection, the imaging animal can be immediately anesthetized and scanned.

[0235] In some embodiments, a scanning device can simultaneously perform emission computed tomography (CT) scans on multiple imaging animals to acquire first modality scan data. CT scans or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans can then be performed on the multiple imaging animals to acquire second modality scan data. Furthermore, the second modality scan data can be registered and fused with the first modality scan data. The first modality scan data refers to image data obtained based on emission CT scans. The second modality scan data refers to image data obtained based on CT scans or MRI scans.

[0236] In some embodiments, the processing device can register and fuse the second modality scan data and the first modality scan data using any suitable image fusion algorithm. In some embodiments, the registration and fusion can be performed based on a marker receptacle provided on the animal tray. As an example only, FIG19 is an exemplary image after registration and fusion based on the first modality scan data and the second modality scan data, as shown in some embodiments of this specification. As shown in FIG19 , it can be seen from the image that the registered and fused image not only accurately displays the tissue structure and metabolic activity of the imaged animal's organs, but also has fewer motion artifacts and higher image quality.

[0237] In some embodiments of the present specification, multimodal scanning imaging of the imaged animal is performed by a scanning device, and the scanning data under different imaging modalities are aligned and fused to obtain a fused image that can simultaneously display the anatomical structure and metabolic activities of the organs of the imaged animal, which can provide more data support for experimental analysis.

[0238] FIG20 is an exemplary flowchart for generating a target medical image according to some embodiments of this specification. In some embodiments, the imaging device in step 1522 includes a first imaging device and a second imaging device, and the scan data acquired includes first scan data acquired by the first imaging device and second scan data acquired by the second imaging device. In this case, the target medical image can be generated using process 2000 shown in FIG20 .

[0239] Step 2010: reconstruct a first medical image of the imaged animal based on the first scan data.

[0240] The first scan data is scan data of the imaged animal acquired by the first scanning device in a first scan.

[0241] Step 2020: reconstruct a second medical image of the imaged animal based on the second scan data.

[0242] The second scan data is scan data of the imaged animal acquired by the second scanning device in a second scan.

[0243] In some embodiments, the first scan and the second scan are scans of different modalities. In some embodiments, one of the first scan and the second scan is ECT. In some embodiments, the other of the first scan and the second scan is a magnetic resonance (MR) scan. It is understandable that since the imaging modalities of the first scan and the second scan are different, the modalities of the first scanning device and the second scanning device are also different. For example, if the first scan is an ECT scan, the first scanning device may include a PET scanning device, a SPECT scanning device, a PET / CT scanning device, a PET / MR scanning device, a SPECT / CT scanning device, a SPECT / MR scanning device, etc.; if the second scan is an MR scan, the second scanning device may include an MR scanning device. In some embodiments, the first scanning device and the second scanning device may be two independent scanning devices with different modalities.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first scan and the second scan may be scans of the same modality, but the first scanning device and the second scanning device may be two different, independent scanning devices. For example, the first scan and the second scan may both be PET scans, but the first scanning device and the second scanning device may be two different PET scanning devices. By way of example only, the first medical image and the second medical image may be PET images acquired by two different PET scanning devices at two different times of the imaging animal.

[0245] During the first and second scans, the imaging animal is placed on an animal tray in a preset position and is then placed in the first and second scanning devices, respectively, via the animal tray. The preset position refers to the position of the imaging animal during scanning. In some embodiments, the imaging animal's position can be fixed using a body part fixing portion of the animal tray so that the imaging animal maintains the same preset position during the first and second scans.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first scanning device may include a first animal compartment. During the first scan, an animal tray containing an animal to be imaged may be placed in the first animal compartment. The second scanning device may include a second animal compartment. During the second scan, an animal tray containing an animal to be imaged may be placed in the second animal compartment. The first and second animal compartments are similar to the animal compartment 130 described in FIG. 1 and are not described in detail here. In some embodiments, the same animal compartment may be used to sequentially place the animal tray containing the animal to be imaged into the scanning chambers of the first and second scanning devices. The animal compartment may be mounted to the scanning beds of the first and second scanning devices, respectively.

[0247] In some embodiments, during the first scan and the second scan, an anesthetic gas may be delivered to the imaging animal using an anesthesia interface to anesthetize the imaging animal. In some embodiments, the imaging animal may be pre-anesthetized before being placed on the animal tray. Further description of anesthesia and pre-anesthesia can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., FIG15 ).

[0248] In some embodiments, if one of the first and second scans is ECT, a tracer can be injected into the imaging animal before ECT is performed. By way of example only, the imaging animal can be injected with a tracer; after a predetermined time period (e.g., 2 hours, 5 hours, 7 hours, etc.) following the tracer injection, the imaging animal can be pre-anesthetized (e.g., using an induction box); and the imaging animal can then be placed on an animal tray. Further information regarding tracers and pre-anesthesia can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., Figures 16 and 17).

[0249] For illustrative purposes, the following description will be based on an example in which the first scan is a PET scan and the second scan is an MR scan. Figure 21 is an exemplary flow chart of a PET scan and an MR scan process according to some embodiments of the present specification. As shown in Figure 21, when performing a PET scan and an MR scan on an animal, the following operations are required: a tracer is injected into the animal; after a preset time period (e.g., 2 hours, 5 hours, 7 hours, etc.) following the tracer injection, the animal is pre-anesthetized; the pre-anesthetized animal is placed on an animal tray in a preset positioning position; the animal tray is placed in the PET scanner (e.g., in the animal compartment of the PET scanner), anesthetized, and the PET scan is performed on the animal; the animal tray is then placed in the MR scanner (e.g., in the animal compartment of the MR scanner), anesthetized, and the MR scan is performed on the animal. In some embodiments, before performing the MR scan, a receiving coil is installed outside the animal compartment of the MR scanner. In some embodiments, the animal tray has a built-in receiving coil (e.g., receiving coil 720), eliminating the need for receiving coil installation.

[0250] It should be understood that the process shown in Figure 21 is only for illustrative purposes. In some embodiments, an MR scan may be performed first, followed by a PET scan. In some embodiments, the first scan and the second scan may be any other type of scan.

[0251] In some embodiments, a marker receptacle is provided on the animal tray and is configured to accommodate a marker that can be developed in the first medical image and the second medical image for subsequent registration and fusion. The marker receptacle can be fixedly mounted or detachably mounted on the animal tray. For example, before placing the imaged animal on the animal tray, a marker can be injected into the marker receptacle and the marker receptacle can be mounted on the animal tray. In some embodiments, the marker receptacle can be detachably mounted to the animal tray via a fixed structure on the animal tray. For more information about the fixed structure, see Figure 3 and its related description. For more information about the marker receptacle, see Figure 2, Figures 4A-4B and their related description.

[0252] Step 2030: register and fuse the first medical image and the second medical image to generate a target medical image of the imaged animal.

[0253] The target medical image refers to a medical image that has undergone registration and fusion. For example, the target medical image may be a PET / MR image. In some embodiments, the first medical image and the second medical image may be registered and fused using any suitable image registration algorithm and image fusion algorithm to generate the target medical image. In some embodiments, the registration and fusion may be performed based on markers in a marker receptacle provided on the animal tray. For example, image registration may be performed based on markers in the first and second medical images to generate a registered first medical image and a registered second medical image, and the registered first medical image and the registered second medical image may be fused to obtain the target medical image.

[0254] As an example only, Figure 22 illustrates an exemplary image obtained by fusion of PET and MR scan images, according to some embodiments of this specification. As shown in Figure 22, images A, B, and C are fused transverse, coronal, and sagittal views of the imaged animal, respectively. As can be seen from the images, the fused, registered images not only accurately display the tissue structure and metabolic activity of the imaged animal's organs, but also exhibit minimal motion artifacts and high image quality.

[0255] In some embodiments of this specification, by placing the imaging animal in a preset position on an animal tray, the imaging animal's posture during scanning can be fixed, ensuring that its body position remains consistent when scanned by different scanning devices, which helps reduce motion artifacts and improves the quality of the scanned images. Multimodal scanning of the imaging animal using a first scanning device and a second scanning device, and registering and fusing the scan data from different imaging modalities using markers in the marker receptacle, not only improves the speed and accuracy of the registration and fusion, but also produces a fused image that simultaneously displays the imaging animal's anatomical structure and the metabolic activity of its organs, providing more data support for experimental analysis.

[0256] FIG23A is an exemplary flow chart of a method for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of an animal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more steps in the process 2300 may be executed by the processing device 170 .

[0257] Step 2310: Place the imaging animal on the animal tray in a preset posture.

[0258] In some embodiments, the body part fixing portion of the animal tray can be used to fix the posture of the imaged animal so that the imaged animal is placed on the animal tray in a preset posture. For more description of the body part fixing portion, please refer to Figure 3 and its related description.

[0259] In some embodiments, the imaging animal may be pre-anesthetized before being placed on the animal tray. Furthermore, the pre-anesthetized imaging animal may be fixed with an IV. The pre-anesthetized and IV-fixed imaging animal may then be placed on the animal tray in a preset position. In some embodiments, the pre-anesthetized imaging animal may be placed on the animal tray in a preset position, and then the IV may be fixed on the animal tray.

[0260] In step 2320 , the imaging animal is placed in the magnetic resonance imaging device via the animal tray, and a contrast agent is injected into the imaging animal.

[0261] In some embodiments, the contrast agent can be injected into the imaging animal through an indwelling needle. In some embodiments, the magnetic resonance imaging device includes an animal cabin. During the magnetic resonance imaging process, an animal tray with the imaging animal can be placed in the animal cabin.

[0262] In step 2330 , a magnetic resonance scanning device is used to perform a magnetic resonance scanning on the imaging animal injected with the contrast agent to obtain an enhanced magnetic resonance image.

[0263] An enhanced MRI image is one that utilizes a contrast agent to enhance observation. As an example, Figure 25A shows an enhanced MRI image of a brain tumor in an animal, as described in some embodiments of this specification. As shown in Figure 25A , the enhanced MRI image exhibits high tissue contrast, clearly reflecting the structures of the brain tumor region and its margins.

[0264] In some embodiments, the processing device 170 can obtain scan data collected during magnetic resonance scanning and reconstruct an enhanced magnetic resonance image of the imaged animal based on the scan data. In some embodiments, the magnetic resonance scanning device can perform magnetic resonance scanning imaging on the imaged animal once every time period (for example, 1 minute) to obtain multiple enhanced magnetic resonance images of multiple time periods. In some embodiments, the processing device 170 can also perform data analysis on the enhanced magnetic resonance images of different time periods. As an example only, Figure 25B is a diagram of the intercellular gadolinium concentration of the imaged animal shown in some embodiments of the present specification. Figure 25C is a diagram of the gadolinium volume transfer rate of the imaged animal shown in some embodiments of the present specification. The intercellular gadolinium concentration distribution and the gadolinium volume transfer rate can be analyzed from Figures 25B and 25C, which can provide more data support for subsequent experiments.

[0265] In some embodiments, during an MRI scan, an anesthetic gas can be delivered to the imaging animal using an anesthesia interface to anesthetize the imaging animal. In some embodiments, before a contrast agent is injected into the imaging animal, an MRI scan can be performed on the imaging animal using an MRI scanner to obtain an initial MRI image. The initial MRI image refers to an image obtained by scanning without the injection of a contrast agent. In some embodiments, the initial MRI image and the enhanced MRI image can be compared and analyzed.

[0266] For illustrative purposes, the following description will be made by first performing an MRI scan on an imaging animal without contrast agent injection (also referred to as a first MRI scan) and then performing an enhanced MRI scan with contrast agent injection (also referred to as a second MRI scan).

[0267] FIG23B is an exemplary flow chart of a process of performing magnetic resonance scanning and enhanced magnetic resonance scanning on an imaging animal according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0268] As shown in FIG23B , when performing an MRI scan and an enhanced MRI scan on an animal, the following operations are required: The animal is pre-anesthetized and secured with an indwelling needle. After pre-anesthesia and with an indwelling needle, the animal is placed on an animal tray in a preset position. The animal is placed in the MRI scanner via the animal tray, for example, on the animal compartment or scanning bed of the MRI scanner. The animal is anesthetized and subjected to a first MRI scan to obtain an initial MRI image. Specifically, the animal tray and the animal placed on it are moved into the scanning chamber of the MRI scanner via a mobile scanning bed. The animal is anesthetized using the anesthesia port on the animal tray, and the MRI scanner is controlled to perform the first MRI scan. A contrast agent is injected into the animal. The animal is anesthetized and subjected to a second MRI scan to obtain an enhanced MRI image. Specifically, the animal tray and the animal placed on it are again moved into the scanning chamber of the MRI scanner via the mobile scanning bed, and the animal is anesthetized and subjected to a second MRI scan.

[0269] In some embodiments of the present specification, contrast agents are injected into imaging animals and magnetic resonance scanning is performed to obtain enhanced magnetic resonance images, which can improve the tissue contrast in the image, more clearly display the structure of the tumor area and the tumor edge area, and provide more data support for animal experiments.

[0270] FIG24A is an exemplary flow chart of another method for enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of an animal according to some embodiments of the present specification. As shown in FIG24A , process 2400 may include the following steps.

[0271] Step 2410: Place the imaging animal in a preset position on the animal tray. Step 2410 is similar to step 2310. In some embodiments, the imaging animal can be placed in an induction box for pre-anesthesia, and then secured with an IV. The pre-anesthetized and secured imaging animal is then placed in a preset position on the animal tray. For more information on the aforementioned embodiments, see step 2310 and its related description.

[0272] In step 2420 , the imaging animal is placed in the magnetic resonance imaging device via the animal tray. For more details on placing the imaging animal in the magnetic resonance imaging device via the animal tray, please refer to step 2320 .

[0273] Step 2430: Perform a magnetic resonance scan on the imaging animal using a magnetic resonance scanning device, and inject a contrast agent into the imaging animal during the magnetic resonance scanning process to obtain an enhanced magnetic resonance image.

[0274] In some embodiments, prior to the MRI scan, an indwelling needle and an external injection device may be connected. During the MRI scan, a contrast agent is injected into the imaging animal via the external injection device and the indwelling needle. In some embodiments, prior to the contrast agent injection, an MRI scan may be performed on the imaging animal using an MRI scanner to obtain an initial MRI image. In some embodiments, the initial MRI image and the enhanced MRI image may be compared and analyzed. For more information on the aforementioned embodiments, please refer to step 2330 and its related description.

[0275] For illustrative purposes, the following description will be based on an example of first performing an MRI scan on an imaging animal without contrast agent injection, followed by an enhanced MRI scan with contrast agent injection. FIG24B is an exemplary flow chart illustrating another process of performing an MRI scan and an enhanced MRI scan on an imaging animal, according to some embodiments of the present specification. As shown in FIG24B , when performing an MRI scan and an enhanced MRI scan on an imaging animal, the following operations are required. The imaging animal is pre-anesthetized and secured with an indwelling needle. The pre-anesthetized and indwelling needle-secured imaging animal is placed on an animal tray in a preset positioning position. The imaging animal is placed in the MRI scanning device via the animal tray, for example, on the animal compartment or scanning bed of the MRI scanning device. The indwelling needle is connected to an external injection device. The imaging animal is anesthetized and subjected to an MRI scan to obtain an initial MRI image. A contrast agent is then injected into the imaging animal during the scan to obtain an enhanced MRI scan image. Specifically, the external injection device is turned on, and the contrast agent is injected into the imaging animal during the MRI scan.

[0276] As an example only, FIG26 illustrates exemplary enhanced MRI images at different time periods according to some embodiments of this specification. FIG26 clearly illustrates that, over different time periods (e.g., periods 1 to 4 and periods 13 to 25), as the amount of contrast agent injected increases and the contrast agent diffuses within the imaging animal, the tissue contrast and structural clarity in the enhanced MRI images gradually improve.

[0277] In some embodiments of the present specification, the indwelling needle is connected to an external injection device to enable contrast agent injection into the imaging animal during magnetic resonance scanning, which is beneficial for simplifying the operation of animal experiments and can also meet different experimental needs.

[0278] FIG27 is an exemplary flowchart of a method for performing magnetic resonance imaging of an animal according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more steps in the process 2700 may be performed by the processing device 170 .

[0279] Step 2710: Place the imaged animal on an animal tray in a preset posture. The animal tray includes a body part fixing portion for fixing the preset posture of the imaged animal.

[0280] In step 2720 , the animal tray is placed in an initial position in the animal compartment, and the animal compartment is placed in an imaging region of the magnetic resonance imaging device such that a first portion of the imaged animal is located in the imaging region.

[0281] The first portion refers to a predetermined body part of the animal being imaged, and can be used to represent the body part corresponding to the first scan segment of a multi-segment scan of the animal being imaged using a magnetic resonance imaging device. For example, the first portion can be the head, chest, abdomen, or buttocks of the animal being imaged. In some embodiments, the first portion can be the upper body of the animal being imaged in a full-body scan.

[0282] The initial position can be defined as the position in the animal chamber where the first portion of the imaged animal can be imaged by the magnetic resonance imaging device. When the animal tray is placed in the initial position in the animal chamber, the entire animal tray is located within the chamber. Exemplarily, the initial position refers to the position where the entire animal tray is placed in the chamber, the center of the animal tray coincides with the center of the chamber, or the distance between the first end of the animal tray and one end of the chamber reaches a preset distance threshold (e.g., 5 cm).

[0283] In some embodiments, before placing the animal cabin in the initial position, the operator may install the magnetic resonance coil outside the animal cabin, wherein the magnetic resonance coil may be fixed by a coil mounting structure provided in the animal cabin.

[0284] In some embodiments, the initial position can also be determined based on the installation position of the magnetic resonance coil. For example, the initial position indicates that the center point of the first portion (e.g., the location of the chest) is aligned with the installation position of the magnetic resonance coil. The operator can determine whether the animal tray is in the initial position by determining the current scale reading corresponding to the indicator mark on the animal compartment and the scale indicator device on the animal tray. The imaging area refers to the scanning area of ​​the magnetic resonance device.

[0285] More information about the animal tray can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., Figures 2, 3, etc.), and more information about the animal compartment, indicator marks and scale indicator devices can be found in Figure 14 and its description.

[0286] In step 2730 , a first scan is performed on a first part of the imaging animal using a magnetic resonance device to acquire a first magnetic resonance image.

[0287] In some embodiments, in response to a first portion of the imaging animal being located in the imaging region, the processing device may control the magnetic resonance imaging device to scan the imaging animal. This scanning process may be referred to as a first scan. The processing device 170 may control the magnetic resonance imaging device to perform the first scan on the first portion of the imaging animal according to a preset scanning protocol (e.g., a scanning duration, etc.).

[0288] The first magnetic resonance image refers to a scanned image acquired after the first scan, and may be one or more magnetic resonance images used to present the internal structure corresponding to the first portion. In some embodiments, the processing device may perform image processing on the first magnetic resonance image, for example, performing denoising processing, recognition processing, etc. on the first magnetic resonance image according to a preset algorithm (e.g., an image denoising algorithm, an image recognition algorithm, etc.).

[0289] In some embodiments, before the first scan, the processing device may also utilize an anesthesia interface to deliver anesthetic gas to the imaging animal to anesthetize the imaging animal. This ensures that the imaging animal maintains a preset positioning posture during the first scan. For example, the anesthesia interface may be connected to an external anesthesia channel or anesthesia catheter, which allows for continuous delivery of anesthetic gas to the imaging animal through the anesthesia channel or anesthesia catheter and the anesthesia interface.

[0290] At step 2740 , the animal tray is moved in the animal bay and the animal bay is repositioned in the imaging area so that the second portion of the imaged animal is in the imaging area.

[0291] The position of the animal tray after being moved can be referred to as the moved position. The second part is another body part that partially overlaps with the first part. In some embodiments, the second part can be the lower body part of the imaged animal in a whole-body scan.

[0292] In some embodiments, the operator can determine whether the animal tray is currently in the desired position based on the scale indicator on the animal tray and the indicator markings in the animal compartment. For example, after performing the first scan, the operator can move the animal tray, sliding it along its longitudinal axis on the slide rails in the animal compartment, so that after the animal tray is moved, the second portion of the imaged animal is located in the imaging area. In some embodiments, the operator can observe the real-time scale readings on the scale indicator to determine whether the second portion is aligned with the center of the magnetic resonance coil. If so, a second scan can be performed.

[0293] In some embodiments, after any scan (such as the first scan, the second scan, etc.) is completed, before moving the animal tray in the animal cabin, the operator can move the animal cabin outside the imaging area and remove the magnetic resonance coil; and before placing the animal cabin back into the imaging area, reinstall the magnetic resonance coil outside the animal cabin.

[0294] It should be noted that when the animal chamber is within the imaging area and the MRI coil is installed outside the chamber, the operator cannot accurately move the animal tray due to the limitations of the MRI scanning channel and the MRI coil. Therefore, it is necessary to move the animal chamber outside the imaging area and remove the MRI coil. This will facilitate the operator's movement of the animal tray and improve the accuracy of the animal tray movement.

[0295] In step 2750 , a second scan is performed on a second part of the imaging animal using the magnetic resonance device to acquire a second magnetic resonance image.

[0296] In some embodiments, in response to the second portion of the imaged animal being located in the imaging region, the processing device may control the magnetic resonance imaging device to scan the imaged animal. This scanning process may be referred to as a second scan. The processing device may control the magnetic resonance imaging device to perform the second scan on the second portion of the imaged animal according to a preset scanning protocol.

[0297] The second magnetic resonance image refers to a scanned image corresponding to the second portion of the imaged animal acquired after the second scan, and may be one or more magnetic resonance images used to present the internal structure corresponding to the second portion. In some embodiments, the processing device may perform image processing on the second magnetic resonance image, such as performing denoising processing, image recognition processing, etc., on the second magnetic resonance image according to a preset algorithm (e.g., an image denoising algorithm, an image recognition algorithm, etc.).

[0298] In some embodiments, the animal tray is provided with one or more marker receptacles, each of which is configured to accommodate a marker that can be developed in magnetic resonance imaging mode. At least one of the one or more marker receptacles is located within the imaging area during both the first scan and the second scan. In other words, at least one marker receptacle is displayed in both the first and second magnetic resonance images. More information regarding marker receptacles and markers can be found elsewhere in this specification (e.g., Figures 2 and 4A-4B).

[0299] Step 2760: stitch the first magnetic resonance image and the second magnetic resonance image to obtain a stitched magnetic resonance image.

[0300] The stitched MRI image can be represented as a registered or aligned MRI image of a first portion and a second portion of the imaged animal. It can present information about the internal structure of the first portion and the second portion of the imaged animal. In some embodiments, the stitching can be performed based on an overlapping region of the first portion and the second portion. For example, the first MRI image and the second MRI image can be stitched based on an overlapping region displayed in the first MRI image and an overlapping region displayed in the second MRI image.

[0301] In some embodiments, as described above, at least one marker receiving portion is displayed in both the first magnetic resonance image and the second magnetic resonance image. Stitching can be performed based on the at least one marker receiving portion displayed in the first magnetic resonance image and the at least one marker receiving portion displayed in the second magnetic resonance image. For example, portions of the two images corresponding to the same scan area can be aligned based on the at least one marker receiving portion displayed in the first magnetic resonance image and the at least one marker receiving portion displayed in the second magnetic resonance image, thereby achieving image stitching.

[0302] It should be noted that the first part and the second part are only examples, and similar steps 2740 and 2750 can be repeatedly performed to perform the nth scan (such as the third scan, the fourth scan) of other parts of the imaged animal (such as the third part, the fourth part, etc.), so as to obtain the corresponding nth magnetic resonance image (such as the third magnetic resonance image, the fourth magnetic resonance image), and based on the development image of the marker, the first magnetic resonance image, the second magnetic resonance image, and the nth magnetic resonance image are gradually spliced ​​to obtain a spliced ​​magnetic resonance image.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first part of the imaged animal is one of the upper and lower body of the imaged animal, the second part is the other of the upper and lower body of the imaged animal, and the stitched magnetic resonance image is a full-body image of the imaged animal.

[0304] FIG28 is an exemplary schematic diagram of a stitched magnetic resonance image of a mouse according to some embodiments of the present specification.

[0305] As shown in FIG28 , a first magnetic resonance image 2810 is a magnetic resonance image corresponding to the upper torso of a mouse, showing the internal structure of the mouse's upper torso. A second magnetic resonance image 2820 is a magnetic resonance image corresponding to the lower torso of the mouse, showing the internal structure of the mouse's lower torso. A spliced ​​magnetic resonance image 2830 is a spliced ​​result of the first magnetic resonance image 2810 and the second magnetic resonance image 2820, showing the internal structures of the mouse's upper and lower torso, i.e., the entire internal structure of the mouse.

[0306] In some embodiments of the present specification, by providing a marker accommodating portion, it is possible to provide an accurate position reference for the stitching of magnetic resonance images (such as the first magnetic resonance image and the second magnetic resonance image) corresponding to various parts (such as the first part and the second part) of the imaged animal, thereby making the obtained stitched magnetic resonance image more accurate and avoiding errors or image misalignment that may be caused by performing stitching by identifying the parts of the imaged animal.

[0307] FIG29 is an exemplary flowchart of another method for magnetic resonance imaging of an animal according to some embodiments of the present specification. In some embodiments, one or more steps in the process 2900 may be performed by the processing device 170 .

[0308] In step 2910, the imaging animal is pre-anesthetized.

[0309] In some embodiments, the operator pre-anesthetizes the imaging animal to facilitate subsequent placement and fixation of the imaging animal on the animal tray.

[0310] In step 2920 , the imaging animal is placed on an animal tray, and the animal tray is placed in an initial position in the animal cabin.

[0311] In step 2930 , the magnetic resonance coil is installed outside the animal chamber.

[0312] The animal chamber may include one or more pre-set coil mounting structures for mounting the magnetic resonance coil.

[0313] In step 2940 , the animal cabin is placed in the imaging area of ​​the magnetic resonance imaging device.

[0314] Before the animal cabin enters the scanning cavity of the magnetic resonance apparatus, the animal cabin may be placed on a scanning bed of the magnetic resonance apparatus, and the scanning bed is moved to place the animal cabin in the imaging area.

[0315] In step 2950, ​​anesthetize the imaging animal using an anesthesia interface.

[0316] In some embodiments, step 2950 is performed continuously throughout the scanning process. In some embodiments, step 2950 can be performed before step 2940.

[0317] In step 2960, the portion of the imaging animal in the imaging area is scanned.

[0318] Step 2970: Move the animal cabin out of the magnetic resonance equipment and remove the magnetic resonance coil.

[0319] Step 2980, determine whether the whole body scan is completed.

[0320] When it is determined that the whole body scan is not completed, step 2990 may be performed. When it is determined that the whole body scan is completed, step 2995 may be performed.

[0321] Step 2990: Move the animal tray to the position in the animal cabin. After step 2990 is executed, steps 2930 to 2980 may be repeated.

[0322] Step 2995 , stitching the magnetic resonance images of the various body parts of the imaged animal to obtain a stitched magnetic resonance image.

[0323] While the basic concepts have been described above, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the detailed disclosure is merely illustrative and does not limit this specification. Although not explicitly stated herein, various modifications, improvements, and revisions to this specification may be made by those skilled in the art. Such modifications, improvements, and revisions are suggested in this specification and remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments of this specification.

[0324] This specification also uses specific terms to describe the embodiments of this specification. For example, "one embodiment," "an embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of this specification. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that references to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" two or more times in different locations in this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, certain features, structures, or characteristics of one or more embodiments of this specification may be appropriately combined.

[0325] In addition, unless expressly stated in the claims, the order of the processing elements and sequences, the use of alphanumeric characters, or the use of other names described in this specification are not intended to limit the order of the processes and methods of this specification. Although the above disclosure discusses some of the invention embodiments currently considered useful through various examples, it should be understood that such details are for illustrative purposes only, and the appended claims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the claims are intended to cover all modifications and equivalent combinations that are consistent with the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this specification. For example, although the system components described above can be implemented by hardware devices, they can also be implemented only by software solutions, such as installing the described system on an existing server or mobile device.

[0326] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the presentation of this specification and thus facilitate understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments of this specification sometimes combine multiple features into a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof. However, this disclosure method does not imply that the subject matter of this specification requires more features than those recited in the claims. In fact, an embodiment may have fewer features than all of the features of a single disclosed embodiment.

[0327] In some embodiments, numbers are used to describe the quantity of components and attributes. It should be understood that such numbers used in the description of the embodiments are modified by the modifiers "about", "approximately" or "substantially" in some examples. Unless otherwise stated, "about", "approximately" or "substantially" indicate that the numbers are allowed to vary by ±20%. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters used in the description and claims are approximate values, which may change according to the required characteristics of individual embodiments. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should take into account the specified significant digits and adopt the general method of retaining digits. Although the numerical domains and parameters used to confirm the breadth of their range in some embodiments of this specification are approximate values, in specific embodiments, the settings of such numerical values ​​are as accurate as possible within the feasible range.

[0328] Each patent, patent application, patent application publication, and other materials, such as articles, books, specifications, publications, and documents, cited in this specification is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. This includes application history documents that are inconsistent with or conflict with the content of this specification, as well as documents (currently or subsequently attached to this specification) that limit the broadest scope of the claims of this specification. It should be noted that if the descriptions, definitions, and / or terminology used in the accompanying materials are inconsistent or conflicting with the content of this specification, the descriptions, definitions, and / or terminology used in this specification will control.

[0329] Finally, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification are intended only to illustrate the principles of the embodiments of this specification. Other variations may also fall within the scope of this specification. Therefore, by way of example and not limitation, alternative configurations of the embodiments of this specification may be considered consistent with the teachings of this specification. Accordingly, the embodiments of this specification are not limited to the embodiments explicitly described and illustrated in this specification.

Claims

1. A tray for placing an imaging animal, characterized in that, The tray includes: A body part fixing portion, which is arranged at a fixed position on the tray and is configured to fix the body part of the imaging animal placed on the tray, so as to fix the positioning of the imaging animal. A marker accommodating portion, which is configured to accommodate markers that can be developed in at least one imaging modality.

2. The tray according to claim 1, wherein The body part fixing portion includes: A head fixing portion, which is configured to fix the head of the imaging animal. A front limb fixing portion, which is configured to fix the front limbs of the imaging animal. A hind limb fixing portion, which is configured to fix the hind limbs of the imaging animal.

3. The tray according to claim 2, wherein, The front limb fixing portion and the hind limb fixing portion are in a groove structure or a hole structure.

4. The tray according to claim 2, characterized in that, The head fixing portion includes: A dental rod for the teeth of the imaging animal to bite to fix the teeth of the imaging animal.

5. The tray according to claim 2, wherein The body fixing portion further includes: A tail fixing portion, which is configured to fix the tail of the imaging animal.

6. The tray according to claim 2, wherein The front limb fixing portion includes a first hole structure penetrating through the tray and is configured to allow the front limbs of the imaging animal to pass through. The hind limb fixing portion includes a second hole structure penetrating through the tray and is configured to allow the hind limbs of the imaging animal to pass through. The first hole structure and the second hole structure are waist-shaped holes.

7. The tray according to claim 6, wherein The imaging animal has multiple front limbs, and the first hole structure includes a first hole structure corresponding to each front limb. The imaging animal has multiple hind limbs, and the second hole structure includes a second hole structure corresponding to each hind limb.

8. The tray according to claim 2, wherein, The marker accommodating portion includes a first marker accommodating portion and a second marker accommodating portion. The first marker accommodating portion is arranged at a first position on the tray close to the front limb fixing portion. The second marker accommodating portion is arranged at a second position on the tray close to the hind limb fixing portion.

9. The tray according to claim 1, wherein The marker accommodating portion includes a first accommodating channel, a second accommodating channel and a marker accommodating cavity. The first accommodating channel is configured to inject the marker. The second accommodating channel is configured to discharge gas when injecting the marker. The marker accommodating cavity is respectively communicated with the first accommodating channel and the second accommodating channel and is configured to accommodate the marker.

10. The tray according to claim 9, wherein The first accommodating channel and the second accommodating channel are internally hollow cylinders. The marker accommodating cavity is spherical. The center of the marker accommodating cavity is located on the central axis of the first accommodating channel and the second accommodating channel.

11. The tray according to claim 9, characterized in that, The diameter of the first accommodating channel is larger than that of the second accommodating channel.

12. The tray according to claim 1, wherein A fixing structure is arranged on the tray, and each marker accommodating portion is detachably mounted on the tray through one of the fixing structures.

13. The tray according to claim 12, wherein, The fixing structure is a snap ring structure, and the snap ring structure includes an elastic snap ring arm configured to fix the marker accommodating portion.

14. The tray according to claim 1, characterized in that, The marker can be developed in at least one first imaging modality, and the marker accommodating portion can be developed in at least one second imaging modality. The first imaging modality includes at least one of positron emission imaging, single photon emission imaging, or magnetic resonance imaging, and the second imaging modality includes X-ray imaging.

15. The tray according to claim 1, wherein an anesthesia interface is provided on a first end of the tray for placing the head of the imaging animal, and is configured to deliver anesthetic gas to the imaging animal.

16. The tray according to claim 15, wherein, The anesthesia interface includes a first anesthesia channel and a second anesthesia channel. The first anesthesia channel includes a first end and a second end, and the second anesthesia channel includes a third end and a fourth end. The first end is an inlet for the anesthetic gas, and the third end is an outlet for the anesthetic gas and is close to the placement position of the nose of the imaging animal. The second end is communicated with the fourth end, and a preset angle is provided between the second end and the fourth end at the communication position.

17. The tray according to claim 1, wherein, Further included is: a physiological signal acquisition device configured to acquire physiological signals of the imaging animal.

18. The tray according to claim 1, wherein, Further included is: a receiving coil, which is embedded in the bottom of the tray and is configured to acquire magnetic resonance data during magnetic resonance scanning of the imaging animal.

19. A multi-imaging animal fixing device, characterized in that, Including: a plurality of trays as described in claim 1, a support portion configured to support the plurality of trays, wherein: each tray includes a first end and a second end. The first end is configured to place the head of the imaging animal, and the second end is disposed opposite to the first end. The support portion includes a first part and a second part disposed opposite to each other. The first part is configured to support the first ends of the plurality of trays, and the second part is configured to support the second ends of the plurality of trays; The support portion further includes a third part configured to connect the first part and the second part.

20. The multi-imaging animal fixation device according to claim 19, wherein, An identifier is provided on the first part for indicating the placement position of the first ends of the plurality of trays.

21. The multi-imaging animal fixing device according to claim 19, wherein an anesthesia interface is further provided on the first end of each tray and is configured to deliver anesthetic gas to the imaging animal. A snap structure that is recessed inward is provided on the anesthesia interface. A plurality of snap structures corresponding to the plurality of trays are provided on the first part of the support portion. Each snap structure includes a snap boss protruding outward. The snap boss of each snap structure is configured to be embedded in the snap structure of the corresponding tray to achieve snap connection between the anesthesia interface of the tray and the snap structure.

22. The multi-imaging animal fixing device according to claim 19, wherein the plurality of trays in the multi-imaging animal fixing device are arranged in at least two layers, and the trays in different layers are connected together by the support portion.

23. The multi-imaging animal fixation device according to claim 19, characterized in that, The first part, the second part, and the third part are independent parts that can be assembled into the support portion.

24. The multi-imaging animal fixation device according to claim 19, wherein, The support portion further includes: a connecting member provided on the first part and / or the second part and configured to connect the multi-imaging animal fixing device and another imaging animal fixing device.

25. An animal cabin, characterized in that, Including: a cabin body; and The tray according to any one of claims 1 to 18 or the multi-imaging animal fixing device according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the tray or the multi-imaging animal fixing device is removably placed in the cabin.

26. An animal imaging system, comprising: An imaging device having a scanning chamber; And The animal cabin according to claim 25, wherein The animal cabin is movable into the scanning chamber, The imaging device is configured to scan the imaging animal in the animal cabin.

27. The animal imaging system according to claim 26, wherein The imaging device is one of an X-ray computed tomography device, a magnetic resonance device, a positron emission tomography device, a single photon emission computed tomography device, or a multi-modal imaging device formed by a combination of two or more of an X-ray computed tomography device, a magnetic resonance device, a positron emission tomography device, and a single photon emission computed tomography device.

28. A method for scanning an imaging animal, characterized in that, The method includes: Scanning the imaging animal using an imaging device to acquire scan data of the imaging animal; Reconstructing a target medical image of the imaging animal based on the scan data, wherein, During the scan, the imaging animal is placed on a tray in a preset positioning posture and is placed in the imaging device through the tray, The tray includes a body part fixing portion disposed at a fixed position on the tray and configured to fix the preset positioning posture of the imaging animal.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein The tray includes an anesthesia interface disposed at a first end of the tray, and the first end is for placing the head of the imaging animal, During the scan, anesthesia gas is delivered to the imaging animal through the anesthesia interface to make the imaging animal in an anesthetized state.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein There are multiple imaging animals, and each imaging animal is placed on one of the trays, The multiple trays corresponding to the multiple imaging animals are placed on the support portion of the multi-imaging animal fixing device, The multi-imaging animal fixing device places the multiple imaging animals in the imaging device.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that, The scan is a static emission computed tomography scan, Before the scan, the method further includes: Injecting a tracer into the multiple imaging animals; After a preset time period of the tracer injection, placing the multiple imaging animals in an induction box and performing pre-anesthesia treatment on the multiple imaging animals; Placing the multiple imaging animals after pre-anesthesia treatment on the multiple trays in the preset positioning posture.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein The scan is a dynamic emission computed tomography scan, Before the scan, the method further includes: Placing the multiple imaging animals in an induction box and performing pre-anesthesia treatment on the multiple imaging animals; Fixing indwelling needles for the multiple imaging animals after pre-anesthesia treatment; Placing the multiple imaging animals after pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the multiple trays in the preset positioning posture; Injecting a tracer into the multiple imaging animals using the indwelling needles.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein The imaging device includes a first imaging device and a second imaging device, and the scan data includes first scan data acquired by the first imaging device and second scan data acquired by the second imaging device. Based on the scan data, reconstructing the target medical image of the imaged animal includes: Reconstructing a first medical image of the imaged animal based on the first scan data; Reconstructing a second medical image of the imaged animal based on the second scan data; and Performing registration and fusion on the first medical image and the second medical image to generate the target medical image, wherein a marker accommodating portion is provided on the tray and is configured to accommodate markers that can be developed in the first medical image and the second medical image. The registration and fusion are performed based on the markers in the first medical image and the second medical image.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that, One of the first imaging device and the second imaging device is an emission computed tomography device, and the other is a magnetic resonance imaging device.

35. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, and the scan is an enhanced magnetic resonance scan. Before the scan, the method further includes: Placing the imaged animal in an induction box, and performing pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the imaged animal; Placing the imaged animal after pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the tray in the preset positioning posture, and placing the imaged animal in the magnetic resonance imaging device through the tray; Injecting a contrast agent into the imaging device through the indwelling needle.

36. The method according to claim 28, wherein The imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device, and the scan is an enhanced magnetic resonance scan. The method further includes: Before the scan, Placing the imaged animal in an induction box, and performing pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the imaged animal; Placing the imaged animal after pre-anesthesia treatment and indwelling needle fixation on the tray in the preset positioning posture, and placing the imaged animal in the magnetic resonance imaging device through the tray; Connecting the indwelling needle to an external injection device; During the scan, injecting a contrast agent into the body of the imaged animal through the external injection device and the indwelling needle.

37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The method further includes: Before injecting the contrast agent into the imaged animal, performing a magnetic resonance scan on the imaged animal using the magnetic resonance scanning device to obtain an initial magnetic resonance image; Performing comparative analysis on the initial magnetic resonance image and the enhanced magnetic resonance image.

38. The method according to claim 28, wherein The tray includes a physiological signal acquisition device configured to acquire the physiological signals of the imaged animal. Based on the scan data, reconstructing the target medical image of the imaged animal includes: performing gated reconstruction on the scan data based on the physiological signals to generate the target medical image.

39. According to the method of claim 30, wherein The imaging device is a magnetic resonance imaging device. Each tray includes a receiving coil embedded in the bottom of the tray. The scan data includes magnetic resonance data of the imaged animal placed on each tray acquired by the receiving coil of each tray. Reconstructing the target medical image of the imaged animal based on the scanning data includes: for each of the trays, generating a target medical image of the imaged animal placed on the tray based on the magnetic resonance data collected by the receiving coil of the tray.

Images