A new preclinical ultrasound imaging platform for whole-body multiplexed imaging

Rodents are used extensively in research to study disease and evaluate drugs. Preclinical imaging systems allow for non-invasive assessments of animals. High frequency ultrasound systems have emerged over the last 15 years as valuable tools for evaluating numerous diseases and organs. When compared against other anatomical imaging systems, such as MRI and CT, ultrasound is the most cost effective, but is often criticized for a limited field of view and large operator dependence. We have built a novel system which addresses these two weaknesses. The robotic system allows the entire body of a rodent to be scanned in <2 min in multiple imaging modes (tissue, vasculature, elastography, etc.), and up to 5 animals at once.