mSCAN-Bots

Bot-mediated Multi-Modal Imaging

The aim of this project is to develop and investigate an approach for performing multimodality imaging that bridges biosensing at the molecular, near-cellular and macroscopic level. The hypothesis is that combining such multi-level in situ sensing of complementary information may allow us to assess pathophysiology in situ in a comprehensive approach. To address the spatial co-registration as well as

Robotically Scanned Endoscopic Optical and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopies guided and registered to MRI

Wide-FOV modality for guidance:

•MRI was used for scouting and guidance

(Contrast mechanisms; Inherent coordinate system; true 3D)

Limited-FOV modalities

•Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) using a miniature RF coil

•Light Induced Fluorescence (LIF): using optical fibers

Our experimental set-up. The motor was placed 50 cm away from the probe head to have more space for experimental deployment and to reduce possible noise artifacts from the motor. Probe is attached to the other distal end of the manipulator and all the cables are passed through the shaft of the manipulator

The hardware of the SCAN-Bot (except opf the server PC)

Example timing diagram of the SCAN-Bot operation, depicting the symphonized control signals, robot motion, and LIF & MRS collection

The LIF/MR SCAN-Bot is MR compatible, in the sense that does not deteriorate the SNR of the water peak in the 1H spectra or the MR images.

The different aspects of this work were supported in part by the National Science Foundation Grants CNS-0932272. All opinions and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this web page k reflect the views of authors not our sponsors.

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