Irradiation Services

Our equipment can only accommodate small rodents and our imaging services are for research purposes only. Unfortunately, we cannot perform imaging on companion animals, such as cats and dogs.

The Animal Imaging and Irradiation Shared Resource (AIISR) supports radiation studies of small animals. Our goal is to allow investigators to conduct animal irradiation experiments in a way that models human disease. Our overall mission is to assist in enriching translational science in radiation science. As such, we support the investigator in experimental design, implementation, and analysis and interpretation.

Services We Offer:

• Project design and consultation, including advice on radiation delivery to in vitro experiments and animal models
• Design assistance for single or fractionated radiation protocols and study duration
• Animal tumor and partial-body irradiation at doses comparable to external beam radiotherapy
• Dosimetry calculation
• Data analysis 

• Publication preparation assistance

Irradiators:

• Image-Guided Irradiator: Precision X-Ray X-Rad 225Cx Micro IGRT and SmART Systems, installed - - May 2017.
• Two MultiRad 350 wide beam irradiators.
  

Prices:

For scheduling and pricing inquiries, please contact the AIISR.

Image-Guided Monitoring and Radiotherapy

The newly established state-of-the art facility houses affordable, multi-modality imaging and precision radiotherapy tools for small animals. Image registration software allows accurate registration of images for longitudinal monitoring studies. Image registration between cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) provides an anatomical dimension to biological parameters that are luciferase tagged such as tumors. The high precision irradiator is equipped with collimators that provide accurate delivery of radiation to internal structures within 1mm accuracy. The versatile 360-degree rotation capability of the irradiator allows beam delivery through multiple angles, allowing delivery of high doses of radiation with minimal toxicity to normal tissue. The dose-volume histograms provide detailed information on the dose distribution within the target as well as outside the irradiated region. The high dose rate (6Gy/min) allows rapid delivery of the required dose in a short period of time. Animals can be anesthetized using the on-board isoflurane vaporizer ensuring safe delivery of the radiation and avoiding overdosing or underdosing of animals with injectable anesthetics.

Services Offered: 

• Cone-beam CT imaging 
• Image registration (within and between modalities)
• Accurate and targeted delivery of ionizing radiation to any site 
• Radiotherapy experiment design
• Data analysis

This includes isoflurane anesthesia and animal setup, as well as image analysis.

Investigators performing complex procedures are encouraged to setup an initial appointment for protocol setup. For scheduling and pricing inquiries, or to make an appointment please contact the AIISR. 

Information about the MultiRad 350 systems

We are excited to announce that we have absorbed the Precision MultiRad 350s into the AIISR. The wide beam allows for whole body and cell irradiation treatments. With its 10‑350 kVp range, integrated Automatic Dose Control (ADC), a motorized shelf and programmable options the MultiRad 350 can accomplish any study set up. With the help from the AIISR we will do all dosimetry for new studies to ensure proper dosing. If you are interested in learning more about the MultiRad 350 or receiving training, please reach out to the AIISR.  

Services Offered: