Ultrasound

Description

The Ultrasound Sub-Core of the SAIFoffers an array of research services for clinical and pre-clinical research including quantitative image analysis and consultation.

Our state-of-the-art ultrasound scanners are available as a resource for conducting your research studies. This rich resource for ultrasound imaging is available at nominal hourly fees for various categories of study.

Ultrasound Research Services provides services to a host of groups working on diverse projects such as the measurement of angiogenesis, vascularity, tissue elasticity, the effects of various pharmaceuticals on these measures and more. Such research encompasses a variety of clinical areas including radiology, oncology, cardiology, gynecology, and hematology, among others.

Back to top ^

Instrumentation & Resources

The ultrasound section core has two ultrasound scanners for research.

Vevo 770™ from VisualSonics

A high frequency scanner designed to scan small. The new state-of-the-art scanner provides exquisite high resolution images at ultrasound frequencies of 30-50 MHz. The scanner enables in-vivo assessment of anatomical structures and hemodynamic functions in longitudinal studies.

The scanner has pulsed-wave Doppler for quantitative blood flow velocity and waveform measurements. The ECG of the animal can be monitored on screen. The M-mode of the scanner monitors tissue motion, which is useful for characterizing blood vessels, heart dynamics and wall thickening. The scanner is equipped with 3D and power Doppler imaging for visualizing blood vessel branching and blood flow patterns spatially and temporally. The scanner's Mouse Handling Platform maintains animal core temperature, and monitors the ECG and other physiological measurements.

Philips HDI-5000

This scanner operates at clinical ultrasound frequencies 4-15 MHz. and provides imaging in various modes including fundamental and harmonic gray scale aiming, Color Doppler, power Doppler and spectral Doppler; and, M-mode. The scan-heads available for imaging are: C8-5, CL10-5, L12-5, C5-2, L7-4, C8-9, C9-5, C7-4, PQ3, and P4-2. This scanner is most suited to contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Ultrasound Image Analysis Software

Through collaboration with the Ultrasound Research Laboratory, the core members can access image analysis software for quantifying tissue structure, tissue vascularity and tissue blood flow. The software has comprehensive tools for evaluating large sets of sonographic and Doppler images. These tools are of special interest to those involved in evaluating the kinetic response of various treatments including drugs and pharmaceuticals.

Contrast enhanced sonography

The use of micro-bubble based contrast agents for enhancing ultrasound images is now FDA approved for cardiac imaging, and being evaluated for other clinical applications. Ultrasound Research Services has the resources necessary for performing this type of imaging in both fundamental and harmonic modes. The capability for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of such images also exists within Ultrasound Research Services.

Quantitative analysis of images

All the ultrasound images used for research purposes are recorded on videotapes. There is a facility for labeling individual frames on the tape and digitizing them frame by frame for computer analysis. An extensive software package has been developed in-house that allows semi-automated analysis of large data sets (up to 10,000 images per set) of sonographic and Doppler images. This resource allows monitoring of flow and gray-scale changes at a temporal resolution of 30 ms. The software has a large set of tools for measuring regional and global changes in vascularity and gray scale texture. This computer program is particularly suited for evaluating the kinetic response of the organs to pharmaceuticals.

Who can benefit from these resources

Investigators with existing grants and protocols approved by the human and animal care committees. Investigators who plan to submit grants and need help in developing imaging protocols. Investigators who need pilot data. On a limited scale, Ultrasound Research Services will help the investigators acquire feasibility data, which can help to strengthen grant proposals. Investigators who are interested in using ultrasound imaging to monitor vascular and tissue response of various pharmaceuticals and other forms of therapies.

Back to top ^

Small Animal Studies

Imaging small animals

Gray-scale, 3D, M-Mode, color Doppler and power Doppler imaging are available using frequencies ranging from 12 MHz to 40 MHz. The latest high frequency technology is available with linear transducers ranging from 30 MHz to 40 MHz. Interventional assistance can be provided with great resolution and accuracy in extremely small and difficult cases.

Measuring blood flow velocity

Spectral Doppler imaging can provide a variety of measures and indices in both arterial and venous flow.

Measuring tissue motion

M-mode imaging is available for measuring tissue motion is cardiac and other applications.

Contrast enhanced sonography

The use of micro-bubble based contrast agents for enhancing ultrasound images is now FDA approved for cardiac imaging, and being evaluated for other clinical applications. Ultrasound Research Services has the resources necessary for performing this type of imaging in both fundamental and harmonic modes. The capability for both qualitative and quantitative assessment of such images also exists within Ultrasound Research Services.

Please Note:

• NIH sponsored mice are charged per mouse, all other cost are per hour and it is possible to do more than one patient &/or animal per hour.
• Investigators are responsible for all prep work on mice.
  
• Data acquired during the imaging session(s) will be held for a maximum of 3 months. It is the responsibility of the investigator to obtain the data and make any back ups necessary for long term storage of the data.

Back to top ^

Rates

Hourly rate		Mouse Rate
Corporate	$225.00	N/A	N/A
NIH*	$175.00	$45.00 per mouse* WITH contrast	$35.00 per mouse* w/out contrast
Corporate imaging analysis	$112.50	N/A	N/A
Corporate animal	$200.00	N/A	N/A
· NIH sponsored mice are charged per mouse, all other cost  are per hour and it is possible to do more than one patient &/or  animal per hour. · Investigators are responsible for all prep work on mice.

To utilize Ultrasound Research Services at PENN, please:

Obtain approval for your project from the appropriate human and animal care committees.

Contact Dr. Chandra Sehgal (see sidebar for contact information) to discuss the project and set up an account at Ultrasound Research Services.

You will need to provide the following information to set all accounts other than pro dev:

1. Protocol number and approval date
2. Source of funding
3. Contact information for manager/coordinator of the grant
4. Number of subjects you expect to scan within a specifically designated time frame

Back to top ^

For more information, please visit our website: http://www.uphs.upenn.edu/radiology/depa/ultrasoundlab/index.shtml