Prospect T1

High-frequency ultrasound system for preclinical imaging

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Features & Benefits

System Overview

The Prospect T1 has been specifically designed for preclinical imaging of small animals including mice and rats. These species require very high-resolution images (up to 30µm) to observe anatomical structures, and considerations to monitor changes in hemodynamics due to their high heart rates. This tablet based, high frequency, compact ultrasound system is a cost-effective alternative to other preclinical ultrasound systems on the market, allowing individual labs to harness the power of this real-time imaging modality.
The system is well equipped with standard ultrasound capabilities including B-mode, EKV mode, M-mode, Color and Power Doppler, Pulsed Wave Doppler, Tissue Doppler, and Contrast imaging (reference subtracted and harmonic options are available). In all modes, the RAW digital RF data can be saved for further analysis should this be desirable. Additionally, the system’s capabilities may be expanded to acquire 3D B-mode images, perform image guided injection, or to perform shear wave elastography.

The standard configuration and capabilities of the Prospect T1 allow for researchers with a wide variety of research interests to utilize the system; these applications include cardiovascular research, cancer biology, general abdominal/anatomical imaging, developmental biology, as well as ophthalmology applications.

The suite of analytical tools and measurement packages allow imagers to quickly generate quantitative results over the course of their longitudinal studies.Included with the system is the scanning platform which may be equipped with either a heated mouse or rat sized platform, which has integrated physiological monitoring. This animal handling apparatus has been ergonomically designed to allow for easy positioning of the ultrasound probe to acquire the desired images, while being easy to clean as needed between imaging subjects.
Currently there are three different single element probes available, the choice of which to use is dependent on the animal to be imaged and the anatomical targets, center frequencies range from 20-50MHz, with broadband frequencies up to 60MHz.
Offline data analysis is also available to ensure that the system time is reserved for image acquisition, while data can be transferred to an analysis station to perform measurements as needed. Images may be exported in standard formats, while data may be compiled into reports and exported into .csv files for compilation and statistical analysis.

Features & Benefits

The Prospect T1 is a cost effective high-frequency preclinical ultrasound system for mice, rats and other small animals, optimized to study the hemodynamics and vascular function at the laboratory benchtop instead of from inside a core imaging facility.

Standard Imaging Modes

B-Mode
M-Mode
Pulsed Wave, Tissue, Color, Power Doppler
Contrast Mode – linear and non-linear/harmonic

The standard system can be used by a wide variety of researchers, studying various disease models including cardiovascular disease, cancer research, developmental biology, etc. Movement of the excitation source over the entire FOV ensures consistent and reproducible results over the course of a longitudinal study.

System may be configured with up to 3 different probes:

20MHz
40MHz
50MHz

System has 2 available animal platforms:

Mouse table
Rat table

Available optional probes and animal platforms allow the systems to be configured to meet a specific research team’s need.

Additional probes and platforms may be added in the future to expand capabilities as needed.

ECG Gated Kilohertz Visualization (EKV) mode available on all systems

This mode allows users to acquire B-mode images of the heart with up to 400fps; these images provide exquisite detail of cardiac motion and may be used with any of the standard measurement tools.

RAW data, and corresponding import scripts are available in all modes.

Researchers who would like to look at the digital RF data from any mode can easily access the data off the system and import into third party software for further analysis.

System includes a tablet-based acquisition computer with compact scanning platform

Small system footprint which requires less space than conventional systems.

The system may be easily moved and does not need to reside in a core facility.

The system can fit within a biosafety cabinet if needed, to help researchers who may be working with immunocompromised animals, or those with other concerns.

Simplified image guided injection mount

With the probe and injection mount connected, once the needle and imaging plane are aligned, the user can move the probe/needle as needed to perform the injection.

Comprehensive measurement package is included on the system, with available optional offline analysis software license

Users can quickly perform the measurements they desire, compile data reports, and generate quantifiable outputs from images and spectrograms.

This analysis may be done on the system, or at an offline analysis workstation.

Add-on hardware/software options are available:

3D Motor including software for volume measurements
Image Guided Injection Mount, with software image guide
Shear Wave Elastography/ Acoustic Radiation Force push probe and software integration

These optional components are available to those researchers who have specific needs.

They are not included in all systems to keep costs as low as possible but can be easily added to any system when needed.

System has been designed with an intuitive workflow with touch screen user interface (keyboard and mouse also come with the system)

Preclinical researchers can quickly start their studies, acquire and store images from the various modes available, and quickly review their data and perform their required measurements.

Non-linear (first harmonic) contrast agent imaging is available using both the 20MHz and 40MHz probes

This allows for increased sensitivity to microbubble contrast agents, without the need for reference subtraction that is required for linear contrast agent imaging.
This improves signal sensitivity, and risk of motion artefact within the images.

Imaging Modes

B-Mode

B-mode (brightness mode) is a two-dimensional grey scale image which is displayed in real time once the probe is in contact with the ultrasound gel placed on the imaging target. Anatomical targets such as the beating heart, abdominal organs, tumors, muscles, developing embryos, etc. can be visualized and measured using this mode.

Mouse Left Ventricle in Long Axis – B-Mode

B-Mode

Mouse Carotid Artery – B-Mode

Mouse Carotid Artery – B-Mode

B-Mode

Mouse E15 Embryo – B-Mode

Mouse E15 Embryo – B-Mode

3D B-Mode

The 3D motor connects to the imaging platform to precisely move the animal bed with imaging subject under the probe. This type of 3D imaging is not ECG gated, and so is suitable for abdominal organs, tumors, etc. The acquisition software allows the user to select the distance the motor will travel and the step size. The acquired imaging slices are then reconstructed into a 3D image. The visualization and analysis software allows the user to move through the acquired image, view it as a 3D surface, and make volume measurements

Mouse Mammary Fat Pad Tumor – 3D B-Mode

ECG gated kilohertz visualization (EKV)

ECG gated kilohertz visualization (EKV) mode is a gated technique to allow for increased frame rates when imaging the heart with a single element transducer. The maximum framerate with this technique is 400fps. There are options to control how much of the artifact from respiratory movement is allowed into the image. In the image below all the respiratory artifacts can be seen, however this reduced the acquisition time.

Mouse Left Ventricle in Long Axis – B-Mode with 30fps

ECG gated kilohertz visualization (EKV)

Mouse Left Ventricle in Long Axis – EKV with 120fps, now possible up to 400fps

M-Mode

M-mode (motion mode) is a one-dimensional grey scale image which is used to assess motion of a specific target, i.e. the heart, along a single line. Dimensional changes, as the myocardium moves, can be made with this very high frame rate image. The sample volume is placed on a 2D B-mode image which can be live updated at any point during image optimization.

Mouse Left Ventricle in Short Axis – M-Mode

Color Doppler

Color Doppler is a technique used to overlay a heat map of blood flow over a 2D anatomical B-mode image. The directionality and velocity of the blood flow is displayed in varying colors of blue and red; blood traveling away from the probe appears in shades of blue, while the blood traveling towards the probe appears in shades of red. Color Doppler images can be used identify vasculature, and to aid in the sample volume placement for Pulsed Wave (PW) Doppler analysis.

Mouse Aortic Arch – Color Doppler

Power Doppler

Power Doppler is a technique used to overlay a map of blood flow over a 2D anatomical B-mode image. The Power Doppler signal does not provide information on directionality, but velocity is shown as shades of orange. This imaging mode is traditionally used to aid in the visualization of overall vascularity in specific anatomical targets, i.e., tumors.

Mouse Subcutaneous Tumor – Power Doppler

Pulsed Wave (PW) Doppler

PW Doppler is used to measure blood flow velocity as a function of time, and is displayed as a spectrogram. The sample volume for this mode is typically placed on a Color Doppler image, this image can be live updated at any point for image optimization and sample volume placement. In PW Doppler the user has the option to assign an angle correction to the spectrogram data to ensure accurate velocity values are displayed. This angle should be minimized where possible, by adjusting the angle of the probe, to ensure accurate and reproducible measurements.

Mouse Mitral Valve Inflow – PW Doppler

Tissue Doppler

Tissue Doppler, like PW Doppler, displays a spectrogram over time, however with Tissue Doppler the measurement is being made on the tissue velocity not blood. The sample volume is traditionally placed over the annulus of a valve leaflet, i.e., the mitral annulus, to measure the movement of the tissue in this area. The sample volume for this mode is placed on a 2D B-mode image which can be live updated at any point during image optimization

Mouse Mitral Valve Annulus – Tissue Doppler

Contrast Mode

Contrast mode is used to detect the presence of contrast agents, such as USphere microbubbles (include link to TrustBiosonics page) typically injected intravenously into the imaging subject. There are two acquisition techniques available: linear - reference subtracted, and non-linear – first harmonic imaging.

Mouse subcutaneous tumor – Non-linear contrast agent imaging with regions of interest drawn

Contrast Mode

Mouse subcutaneous tumor – Non-linear contrast agent imaging Time vs. Intensity plots for drawn regions of interest

Shear Eave Elastography

Shear wave elastography is a technique used to study and quantify the mechanical and elastic properties of various tissues including liver, breast, tendons, muscles, etc. An acoustic radiation force is generated by a secondary, non-imaging, element mounted on the side of the imaging probe. The software is used to program the pulse sequence to generate the shear wave; the wave will propagate faster through stiffer tissues, as well as along the axis of various musculoskeletal structures. The analysis software generates a colored elastogram which is overlaid upon a B-mode image. Tissues with focal or diffuse lesions may be identified using this technique.