JP2010236913A - Measuring instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a measuring instrument for performing accurate determination by overlapping the image data by X-ray CT of an animal being a measuring target and the image data by fluorescent tomography of the animal each other. <P>SOLUTION: The measuring instrument 10 includes a moving stage 11 for moving a specimen holder 64 holding a specimen being a measuring target, an X-ray CT unit 8 for measuring the measuring target on the moving stage 11, and a fluorescent tomography unit 6 for measuring the measuring target on the moving stage 11. The specimen holder 64 is formed of a material having optical characteristics for producing the isotropic scattering of light. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a measurement device using tomography using light, and more specifically, a measurement device that uses a measurement animal holder that holds a small animal when a living body such as a small animal is a measurement target. About.

  A proposal has been made to fill a solution whose optical characteristics such as an absorption coefficient and a scattering coefficient with respect to light substantially coincide with the measurement target, soak the measurement target in this solution, and acquire tomographic information including the container (for example, Patent Documents) 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-173976

  By the way, when the tomographic information is obtained using light in this way, it is required to obtain information that allows more accurate determination.

  In consideration of the above facts, the present invention makes it possible to superimpose image data obtained by X-ray CT of an animal to be measured and image data obtained by fluorescence tomography of the animal, thereby making an accurate determination. It is an object of the present invention to provide a measuring device capable of performing the above.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moving stage for moving a measuring animal holder formed of a material having an optical characteristic that causes isotropic scattering of light and holding an animal to be measured, and measurement on the moving stage. A fluorescence tomography unit for measuring an object; and an X-ray CT unit for measuring the object to be measured on the moving stage.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the measurement animal holder holding the animal to be measured is set on the moving stage and moved once so that image data by the X-ray CT unit and fluorescence tomography are obtained. Image data by the unit can be obtained.
Furthermore, an accurate determination can be made by superimposing the image data of both.

In the invention according to claim 2, the measurement animal holder is formed with a measurement cavity that is formed along the outer shape of the measurement region of the animal and restrains the measurement region.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the tomographic information of the animal (living body) that is the measurement target is measured using light, the tomographic information with a small measurement error can be obtained. In addition, when performing measurement to obtain the tomographic information of the animal, the animal can be prevented from moving, and even when the animal is in a relaxed state, the outer shape of the measurement site can be prevented from collapsing, Animal organs and the like can be held close to where they should be.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the measurement animal holder can be divided so as to open the measurement cavity.
In the invention according to the third aspect, the block can be divided, and the concave portion forming the measurement cavity is opened by dividing the block, so that the animal can be easily accommodated and taken out from the concave portion, that is, the measurement cavity. Thereby, workability | operativity improves.

  According to the present invention, accurate determination is performed by superimposing image data obtained by X-ray CT for measuring the form of an animal to be measured and image data obtained by fluorescence tomography for measuring the function of the animal. It can be set as the measuring device which can do.

It is a typical perspective view explaining the whole structure of the measuring device which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the structure of the apparatus part which performs an optical tomography measurement with the measuring apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic block diagram which shows the control unit which performs an optical tomography measurement with the measuring apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an expansion perspective view of the sample holder used with the measuring device concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view of the sample holder used with the measuring device concerning one embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments will be described and embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(overall structure)
As shown in FIG. 1, the measurement apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes, for example, a sample holder 64 that holds a living body such as a small animal such as a nude mouse as a measurement target (hereinafter referred to as a sample 18) (see also FIG. 5). , A fluorescence tomography unit 6 that measures the function of the specimen 18 on the movement stage 11, and an X-ray CT unit 8 that measures the form of the specimen 18 on the movement stage. The specimen holder 64 is formed of a material having optical characteristics that cause isotropic scattering of light.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the fluorescence tomography unit 6 includes a measurement unit 12 and an image processing unit 14 that performs image processing based on an electrical signal output from the measurement unit 12. In FIG. 2, the measurement housing 6 </ b> H (described later) is omitted for easy understanding of the configuration. The image processing unit 14 is provided with a monitor 16 such as a CRT or LCD as display means (display device), and an image based on the electrical signal output from the measurement unit 12 is displayed on the monitor 16.

  The fluorescence tomography unit 6 irradiates the specimen 18 with light of a predetermined wavelength (for example, near infrared rays). In the sample 18, the irradiated light passes through the sample 18 while being scattered, and light corresponding to the irradiated light is emitted around the sample 18. The fluorescence tomography unit 6 detects light (light intensity) emitted from the specimen 18 at each irradiation position while changing the irradiation position of the light to the specimen 18, and performs predetermined data processing on the detection result. Apply. In the fluorescence tomography unit 6, an image (optical tomographic image) corresponding to the optical tomographic information of the specimen 18 obtained from the measurement result is displayed on the monitor 16.

  In addition, a substance or a drug containing a phosphor is administered to the specimen 18 and the specimen 18 is irradiated with excitation light for the phosphor, whereby fluorescence corresponding to the concentration distribution of the phosphor in the specimen 18 is emitted around the specimen 18. Is injected from. By detecting this fluorescence and applying predetermined data processing (image processing), distribution information including the concentration of the phosphor (fluorescence intensity) in the specimen 18 is obtained as tomographic information.

  The fluorescence tomography unit 6 may image the distribution information of the phosphor and display it as optical tomographic information of the specimen 18. In the following, as an example, a phosphor (not shown) that emits light when irradiated with light of a predetermined wavelength (hereinafter referred to as excitation light) is administered to the specimen 18, and the concentration of the phosphor in the specimen 18 A description will be given assuming that by acquiring the distribution, it is possible to observe the movement and accumulation process of the phosphor in the specimen 18.

  A measurement unit 22 is provided on the base 20 of the measurement unit 12. The measurement unit 22 includes a plate-like base 24 erected from the base 20, a ring-shaped machine frame 26 is disposed on one surface of the base 24, and a measurement housing 6H (see FIG. 1). These are covered.

  In the machine frame 26, a light source head 28 that emits excitation light and a plurality of light receiving heads 30 that receive fluorescence emitted from the specimen 18 are arranged radially with a predetermined angular interval around the axis of the machine frame 26. ing.

  The light source head 28 and the light receiving head 30 are arranged such that the light source head 28 and the light receiving head 30 adjacent to the light source head 28 and the light receiving head 30 adjacent to each other are equally spaced at an angle θ. In this embodiment, as an example, 11 light receiving heads 30 are provided, and the angle θ is 30 ° (θ = 30 °).

  In the fluorescence tomography unit 6, the specimen 18 is arranged at the axial center of the machine casing 26 of the measurement unit 22. Note that an opening is formed in the base 24 coaxially with the machine casing 26, so that the specimen 18 can be relatively moved along the axial direction of the machine casing 26.

  Further, in the measuring unit 22, the machine casing 26 is attached to the base 24 so as to be rotatable around its axis. Further, a rotation motor 32 is attached to the base 20, and the machine frame 26 is rotated by driving the rotation motor 32.

  Thus, the fluorescence tomography unit 6 can receive light at each irradiation position while moving the irradiation position of the excitation light emitted from the light source head 28 around the specimen 18.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray CT unit 8 includes an X-ray tube that radiates X-rays, a collimator that guides the X-rays to the measurement site (body 18M) of the specimen 18, and the amount of X-rays transmitted to the specimen 18 A measurement unit (not shown) provided with an X-ray detector or the like for measurement is provided. The electrical signal output from the measurement unit is transmitted to the image processing unit 14, and an image based on the electrical signal is displayed on the monitor 16. Furthermore, the image processing unit 14 superimposes the image data based on the electrical signal output from the measurement unit 12 of the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the image data based on the electrical signal output from the X-ray CT unit 8. Have

  Further, the outer wall 8H and the like of the X-ray CT unit 8 are formed of a shielding material such as lead so that X-rays do not leak outside. In the center of the X-ray CT unit 8, an opening 8M having the same diameter as the central opening 6M of the fluorescence tomography unit 6 (opening of the machine frame 26) is formed coaxially with the opening 6M.

  On the other hand, the measurement apparatus 10 is provided with an arm 34 as a holding unit that holds a sample holder 64 that stores the sample 18.

  Further, a strip-like slide plate 36 is disposed on the base 20. At the end of the base 24 on the base 20 side, a rectangular opening 24A is formed in the middle of the machine frame 26 in the axial direction (width direction of the base 20). The slide plate 36 is disposed along the axial direction of the machine casing 26 in the longitudinal direction, and is inserted into the opening 24 </ b> A of the base 24. Further, the support column 38 of the arm 34 described above is attached to the longitudinal end portion of the slide plate 36, and the guide groove 40 is formed in the base 20 along the longitudinal direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a leg portion 42 is attached to the slide plate 36 according to the opening width of the guide groove 40, and the leg portion 42 is inserted into the guide groove 40. As a result, in the measurement unit 12, the slide plate 36 is movable on the base 20 along the axial direction of the machine frame 26.

  Further, a feed screw 44 and a movement motor 46 that rotationally drives the feed screw 44 are arranged in the base 20. A leg portion 42 inserted through the guide groove 40 is screwed into the feed screw 44. Thus, in the measurement unit 12, when the feed screw 44 is rotated by driving the movement motor 46, the slide plate 36 is moved along the guide groove 40, and the arm that holds the specimen 18 is moved by the movement of the slide plate 36. 34 is moved along the axial direction of the machine casing 26. That is, the specimen holder 64 sequentially passes through the measurement position of the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the measurement position of the X-ray CT unit 8, and the image data by the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the image data by the X-ray CT unit 8. Are obtained sequentially.

  The measuring apparatus 10 is provided with a control unit 50 that controls the operation of the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the X-ray CT unit 8. Hereinafter, it will be described that the control unit 50 controls the operation of the fluorescence tomography unit 6. Since the operation control of the X-ray CT unit 8 is general, the description thereof is omitted here.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic configuration of the control unit 50 drawn with respect to controlling the operation of the measuring unit 12. The control unit 50 is provided with a controller 52 having a microcomputer including a CPU, ROM, RAM and the like. The controller 52 is based on a program stored in advance or a program input via a recording medium. Acts and performs various controls.

  The control unit 50 is provided with a drive circuit 54 for driving the rotary motor 32 and a drive circuit 56 for driving the moving motor 46, and these are connected to the controller 52. The controller 52 controls the rotation angle of the machine frame 26 by driving the rotary motor 32 by controlling the operation of the drive circuit 54 and the drive circuit 56, and also controls the machine frame 26 (the light source head 28 and the light source head 28 and the like) by driving the moving motor 46. The position of the specimen 18 relative to the light receiving head 30) is controlled. In addition, as the rotation motor 32 and the moving motor 46, it is preferable to apply a pulse motor that easily defines the angle and position, but any motor can be used as long as the drive amount can be controlled appropriately.

  The control unit 50 is provided with a light emission drive circuit 58 for driving the light source head 28, and this light emission drive circuit 58 is connected to the controller 52. The control unit 50 is also provided with an amplifier (Amp) 60 that amplifies the electrical signal output from the light receiving head 30 and an A / D converter 62 that converts the amplified electrical signal into a digital signal.

  The controller 52 controls the light emission of the light source head 28 (the emission of excitation light), and sequentially outputs an electrical signal output from the light receiving head 30 (an electrical signal corresponding to the intensity of fluorescence detected by the light receiving head 30) as a digital signal. To generate measurement data.

  The measurement data generated by the controller 52 is output to the image processing unit 14 (see FIG. 2) at a predetermined timing. The image processing unit 14 includes a computer to which a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, and the like are connected by a bus (all not shown). The image processing unit 14 reads the measurement data generated by the measurement unit 12 and generates a tomographic image (image data) of the specimen 18 based on the measurement data.

  On the other hand, the fluorescence tomography unit 6 uses near infrared rays having a wavelength of 700 nm to 1 μm as excitation light, and the light source head 28 emits the near infrared rays. In addition, the specimen 18 observed by the fluorescence tomography unit 6 is administered with a phosphor that emits fluorescence when irradiated with this near infrared ray.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 1, in the measurement by the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the X-ray CT unit 8, a specimen holder (jacket) 64 as a measurement animal holder is used. The specimen 18 is accommodated in the specimen holder 64, and the specimen holder 64 is held by the arm 34 and sequentially sent to the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the X-ray CT unit 8 for measurement.

(Sample holder)
Next, the specimen holder 64 will be described in detail.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the specimen holder 64 includes a semi-cylindrical upper mold block 66 and a lower mold block 68, and is formed in a cylindrical shape by overlapping the upper mold block 66 and the lower mold block 68. Is done. In this specimen holder 64, the outer shape of the block portion that forms a measurement cavity 74 described later is known.

  Specifically, a pair of convex engaging projections 70 are formed toward the upper mold block 66 at a substantially central portion in the longitudinal direction of the dividing surface of the lower mold block 68. On the other hand, the upper mold block 66 is formed with an engagement recess 72 that engages with the engagement protrusion 70. By engaging the engagement protrusion 70 with the engagement recess 72, the upper mold block 66 is engaged. 66 and the lower mold block 68 are overlapped to form a cylindrical shape.

  Further, between the pair of engaging recesses 72 in the upper die block 66 and between the pair of engaging protrusions 70 in the lower die block 68, the outer shape of the measurement site (abdomen in the present embodiment) of the specimen 18 to be measured. And a measurement cavity 74 that restrains the abdomen of the specimen 18 is formed. That is, the measurement cavity 74 includes an upper measurement cavity 74A formed in the upper mold block 66 and a lower measurement cavity 74B formed in the lower mold block 68. The upper measurement cavity portion 74 </ b> A is formed by an upper housing portion 67 formed in the upper mold block 66. The lower measurement cavity portion 74 </ b> B is formed by a lower housing portion 69 formed in the lower mold block 68.

  On the other hand, in the abdomen that is the measurement site of the specimen 18, absorption and scattering occur with respect to excitation light and fluorescence. That is, the excitation light applied to the specimen 18 and the fluorescence emitted from the phosphor in the specimen 18 are transmitted through the specimen 18 while being scattered and attenuated, and are emitted from the periphery of the specimen 18.

  In general, a living body such as a nude mouse applied as the specimen 18 is an anisotropic scattering medium for light. This anisotropic scattering medium is a region where forward scattering until reaching the light penetration length (equivalent scattering length) is dominant, but light scattering is isotropic in the region exceeding the light penetration length. (Isotropic scattering region). That is, in the anisotropic scattering medium, wave generation is maintained until the incident light reaches the light penetration length, but in the isotropic scattering region, the light deflection is random multiple scattering (isotropic scattering). Occurs.

  When light propagates while being scattered in a high-density medium, the transport equation of light (photon), which is the basic equation describing the flow of energy of photons, is such that scattering is approximated as isotropic scattering, A light diffusion equation is derived, and the solution of the reflected scattered light can be obtained using this light diffusion equation.

  The fluorescence tomography unit 6 receives the fluorescence emitted from the phosphor in the specimen 18 and emitted around the specimen 18, and uses the light diffusion equation to detect the position of the phosphor and the fluorescence of the phosphor in the specimen 18. Get the intensity distribution. Note that a known configuration can be applied to the calculation using the light diffusion equation, and a detailed description thereof is omitted here.

Here, in the present embodiment, as an example of an anisotropic scattering medium, the equivalent scattering coefficient μ ′s of light is 1.05 mm as a material for forming the specimen holder 64 (upper mold block 66 and lower mold block 68). ^-1 polyacetal resin (POM) is used. The specimen holder 64 is in contact with the epidermis of the specimen 18 on the inner surface of the measurement cavity 74. At this time, the upper mold block 66 and the lower mold block 68 are moved until the excitation light reaches the measurement cavity 74, that is, What is necessary is just to be formed by the thickness (thickness more than light penetration length) which becomes isotropic scattering by the point which touches the test substance 18. FIG.

  When the anisotropic scattering media are in contact with each other, when the light propagated while repeating isotropic scattering in one anisotropic scattering medium is incident on the other anisotropic scattering medium, the other anisotropic scattering medium The isotropic scattering state continues without forward scattering in the medium. Thereby, the specimen 18 and the specimen holder 64 can be regarded as an anisotropic scattering medium as a unit.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a pair of leg accommodating portions 78 for accommodating the leg portions of the specimen 18 are formed on the outer surface side of the lower mold block 68 so as to be adjacent to the lower measurement cavity portion 74B. . Further, between the pair of leg portion accommodating portions 78, a tail portion of the sample 18 is accommodated, and an excretion cavity portion 80 in which excrement of the sample 18 is stored is formed.

  On the other hand, in the upper mold block 66 and the lower mold block 68 on the opposite side of the excretion cavity 80 with the measurement cavity 74 interposed therebetween, the head of the specimen 18 is accommodated and inhaled from the respiratory organ of the specimen 18 An anesthetic cavity 82 in which an anesthetic is circulated is formed.

  Further, on the opposite side of the measurement cavity portion 74 across the anesthesia cavity portion 82, a tube-shaped suction port 84 for inhaling the inhaled anesthetic into the anesthesia cavity portion 82, and the specimen 18 breathes and drains from the anesthetic cavity portion 82. The upper mold block 66 and the lower mold block 68 are formed with a discharge port 86 that discharges the air and maintains the concentration of the inhalation anesthetic circulating in the anesthetic cavity 82 at a predetermined value.

(Function, effect)
The operation and effect of this embodiment will be described below.

  When measuring the sample 18, the sample 18 is accommodated in the sample holder 64. Specifically, in a state where the upper die block 66 and the lower die block 68 are divided and the specimen holder 64 is opened, the measurement part (body part 18M) of the specimen 18 to which the phosphor is administered is restrained by the measurement cavity part 74. Thus, the specimen 18 is accommodated in the lower mold block 68.

  Further, the lower mold block 68 and the upper mold block 66 are integrated so that the engagement protrusion 70 of the lower mold block 68 and the engagement recess 72 of the upper mold block 66 are engaged, and the specimen 18 is accommodated in the specimen holder 64. . In this state, the head of the specimen 18 is accommodated in the anesthesia cavity 82.

  Furthermore, measurement is performed as follows. In this measurement, an anesthetic is introduced from the inlet 84 and the sample 18 is subjected to light anesthesia, but the measurement can be performed without anesthesia.

  In this measurement, first, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sample holder 64 is attached to the arm 34 of the measurement unit 12. Then, the specimen holder 64 is sequentially sent to the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the X-ray CT unit 8.

  In the measurement unit 12 of the fluorescence tomography unit 6, when the sample holder 64 is mounted, the moving motor 46 is driven to move the sample 18 in the axial direction of the machine frame 26, and the measurement part (the body unit 18 </ b> M) of the sample 18. The light source head 28 and the light receiving head 30 are opposed to each other.

  Thereafter, in the measurement unit 12, the light source head 28 is driven to irradiate the specimen 18 with excitation light, and light emitted from the specimen 18 based on this excitation light is arranged around the specimen 18. Light is received by the head 30 and measurement data for one time is acquired. Further, the measurement unit 12 drives the rotary motor 32 and rotates the machine casing 26 to irradiate the excitation light with the light source head 28 facing the next irradiation position, and acquire the next measurement data.

  In the measurement unit 12, by repeating the movement of the light source head 28 and the light receiving head 30, the irradiation position of the excitation light and the light receiving position of the light emission are relatively moved, and one tomographic information is obtained by measuring one round of the specimen 18. Measurement data for obtaining (tomographic information at a predetermined position of the specimen 18) is acquired.

  In the image processing unit 14, when measurement data for one round of the sample 18 is generated by the measurement unit 12, the measurement data is read, and predetermined data processing (image processing) is performed, so that the corresponding part of the sample 18 is obtained. Tomographic information (here, phosphor concentration distribution) is obtained. In the measurement unit 12, the tomographic information at a plurality of positions can be reconstructed by moving the specimen 18 by driving the moving motor 46.

  Specifically, the measurement unit 12 irradiates the outer peripheral surface of the specimen holder 64 with excitation light. This excitation light propagates in the specimen holder 64 while being scattered, and when it reaches the specimen 18, it propagates in the specimen 18 while being scattered. As a result, when the excitation light is irradiated to the phosphor that is administered to the specimen 18, fluorescence is emitted from the phosphor.

  Fluorescence emitted from the phosphor in the specimen 18 propagates in the specimen 18 while being scattered. When emitted from the epidermis of the specimen 18, the fluorescence propagates in the specimen holder 64 while being scattered, and from the outer peripheral surface of the specimen holder 64. It is injected around.

  As described above, the fluorescence tomography unit 6 performs tomographic information indicating the concentration distribution of the phosphor in the specimen 18 by performing analysis using a mathematical model from the intensity distribution of the fluorescence emitted from the specimen 18. Is supposed to rebuild.

  That is, in the specimen holder 64, the excitation light irradiated from the outer peripheral surface is isotropically scattered before reaching the specimen 18. As a result, the excitation light is incident on the specimen 18 while being isotropically scattered. In addition, the fluorescence emitted from the phosphor in the specimen 18 is emitted from the epidermis while isotropically scattered, propagates in the specimen holder 64 in contact with the epidermis while being isotropically scattered, and the outer periphery of the specimen holder 64. Ejected from the face.

  The specimen holder 64 in which the specimen 18 is accommodated includes an upper mold block 66 and a lower mold block 68 formed using an anisotropic scattering medium, and the body portion 18M of the specimen 18 is in close contact with the measurement cavity 74. Is contained. Thereby, the specimen 18 and the specimen holder 64 can be regarded as an integral anisotropic scattering medium.

  Accordingly, between the specimen holder 64 and the body portion 18M of the specimen 18, the excitation light and fluorescence propagate while being isotropically scattered. As a result, the body portion 18M and the sample holder 64 are regarded as an object to be measured, and an analysis using a mathematical model can be performed from the fluorescence emitted from the sample holder 64.

  On the other hand, in order to observe the movement and accumulation state of the phosphor administered to the specimen 18, it is necessary to make the specimen 18 alive. That is, when the specimen 18 is observed, the specimen 18 may move. As a result, if the relative position of the phosphor in the specimen 18 changes, an appropriate phosphor concentration distribution cannot be obtained.

  After the measurement by the fluorescence tomography unit 6, the specimen holder 64 is moved to the measurement unit of the X-ray CT unit 8 by the movement of the moving stage 11, and then the measurement by the X-ray CT unit 8 is started.

  In this measurement, X-rays for measurement are irradiated from various angles as in the fluorescence tomography unit 6, and the X-ray dose that has passed through the specimen holder 64 and the specimen 18 is measured by the X-ray detector and sent to the image processing unit 14. An X-ray CT tomographic image is obtained.

  Further, the image processing unit 14 forms an image obtained by superimposing the optical tomographic image obtained by the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the X-ray CT tomographic image obtained by the X-ray CT unit 8 and displays the image on the monitor 16. To do. In this display, the image data of the optical tomogram or the image data of the X-ray CT tomogram can be displayed with a magnification.

  In this embodiment, the sample holder 64 holding the sample 18 is set on the moving stage 11 and moved once, so that the image data by the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the X-ray CT unit are obtained. 8 can be obtained.

  An image obtained by superimposing the image data obtained by the fluorescence tomography unit 6 and the image data obtained by the X-ray CT unit 8 can be displayed on the monitor 16. Therefore, it is possible to display an image from which a more accurate determination can be made.

  Further, the measurement is performed in a state where the body portion 18 </ b> M which is a measurement site of the specimen 18 is in close contact with the inner wall of the lower housing portion 69 and the inner wall of the upper housing portion 67. Accordingly, the fluorescence tomography unit 6 can obtain optical tomographic information with little measurement error.

  In the above embodiment, the measurement target is described as a small animal such as a nude mouse. However, the measurement target is not limited to this, and any vertebrate such as a mammal can be the measurement target.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the embodiments. However, the above embodiments are merely examples, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say, the scope of rights of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

6 Fluorescence tomography unit 8 X-ray CT unit 10 Measuring device 11 Moving stage 18 Specimen (animal)
18M body (measurement part)
64 Sample holder (measuring animal holder)
74 Measurement cavity

Claims (3)

A moving stage configured to move a measurement animal holder formed of a material having optical characteristics that cause isotropic scattering of light and holding an animal to be measured;
A fluorescence tomography unit for measuring a measurement object on the moving stage;
An X-ray CT unit for measuring an object to be measured on the moving stage;
A measuring device.   The measurement device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement animal holder is formed with a measurement cavity that is formed along an outer shape of the measurement region of the animal and restrains the measurement region.   The measuring device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring animal holder is separable so as to open the measuring cavity.

Images