Abstract: A novel functional imaging system for use in the imaging of unrestrained and non-anesthetized small animals or other subjects and a method for acquiring such images and further registering them with anatomical X-ray images previously or subsequently acquired. The apparatus comprises a combination of an IR laser profilometry system and gamma, PET and/or SPECT, imaging system, all mounted on a rotating gantry, that permits simultaneous acquisition of positional and orientational information and functional images of an unrestrained subject that are registered, i.e. integrated, using image processing software to produce a functional image of the subject without the use of restraints or anesthesia. The functional image thus obtained can be registered with a previously or subsequently obtained X-ray CT image of the subject.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
January 14, 2003
Date of Patent:
April 24, 2007
Assignee:
Jefferson Solence Ass. LLC
Inventors:
Andrew G. Weisenberger, Stanislaw Majewski, Michael J. Paulus, Shaun S. Gleason