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MicroCT Imaging Facility

MicroCT Imaging Facility

The UConn Health MicroCT Imaging Facility provides core services of 3D imaging and quantitation. High-resolution X-ray computed microtomography (microCT) is available for excised specimens or live rodents. Calibrated to bone mineral phantoms, accurate measures of bone architecture and density can be obtained using our catalog of standard and custom algorithms.

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Contacts

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Ernesto Canalis, M.D.

Interim Director
UConn MSI
canalis@uchc.edu
860.679.7978
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Renata Rydzik

Research Assistant
UConn MSI 4081/4077
rrydzik@uchc.edu
860.679.8711

Instrumentation

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Scanco µCT50 (Excised Specimens)

  • Max spatial resolution: 2 µm (10% MTF); Max nominal resolution (voxel size) 0.5 µm
  • Max voltage: 100 kVp; Max current: 200 µA at all energies; 3400 x 1200-element detector
  • Optional compression/tension stage can apply up to 500N load (±1%) and 9mm displacement (±0.02mm)
  • Optional temperature stage allows small samples to be heated/cooled ±15°C from ambient temperature
  • Appropriate for all specimens compatible with µCT40

For up to date rates please visit here

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Scanco µCT40 (Excised Specimens)

  • Max spatial resolution: 8 µm (10% MTF); Max nominal resolution (voxel size) 3 µm
  • Max Voltage: 70 kVp; Max current 177 µA at lowest energy; 2048 x 256-element detector
  • Field of view: 10-40 mm diameter × 70 mm length
  • Quantitative analysis of bone architecture (cortical and trabecular measurements)
  • Rodent bone morphometry, fracture repair, tissue engineering constructs
  • Contrast-enhanced imaging of tumors and vasculature
  • High-contrast imaging of heavy metal-stained organs, embryos, marrow adipocytes
  • Select applications in materials science, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and museum/educational pieces
  • Scan time scales with resolution and field of view height. As an example, a set of 4 full-length mouse femurs, at 16 µm resolution, takes approximately 110 minutes of scan time. The same scan at 8 µm resolution takes twice as long.

For up to date rates please visit here

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Scanco VivaCT40 (Live Mice)

  • Field of view: 20-40 mm diameter × 140 mm length
  • Spatial resolution: 10 µm to 40 µm
  • Longitudinal quantitation of bone morphometry (best suited for cranial imaging)
  • Contrast-enhanced imaging of vasculature, tumors, etc.
  • Primarily used for in vivo imaging of mice (or small rats) under isoflurane anesthesia.
  • IACUC approval is required for all procedures involving live animals.

For up to date rates please visit here

Services

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Microtomography Services

This facility images and quantifies any structure's complete 3-dimensional architecture down to about 10 µm resolution, as long as the object attenuates X-ray.  The system is tuned to bone.  This process is useful for imaging and quantifying the architecture of skeletal elements of rodents.

List of Equipment

  • Scanco uCT 40 microcomputed tomography
  • Scanco uCT50 microcomputed tomography
  • Mouse biomechanical testing; 3 point bend and torsion testing…Endura Tec ELF3200
  • Microscratch/microindentation tester. CSM instruments

Campus Address

UConn Musculoskeletal Institute, N4081
UConn Health

Mailing Address

MicroCT Imaging Facility, UConn Health
Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery, MC 4037
263 Farmington Avenue
Farmington, CT  06030-4037