WO2015099347A1

WO2015099347A1 - Imaging device for animals

Info

Publication number: WO2015099347A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/012370
Authority: WO
Inventors: 강유정; 손경수; 원호근; 양한수
Original assignee: 주식회사 뷰웍스
Priority date: 2013-12-27
Filing date: 2014-12-15
Publication date: 2015-07-02

Abstract

An imaging device for animals is disclosed. The imaging device for animals of the present invention comprises: a darkroom box having an opening part through which a portion of a subject to be examined protrudes to the outside or an external stimulator can be inputted or outputted in order to apply stimulation; a subject-to-be-examined supporter for mounting the subject to be examined thereon so as to facilitate the protruding of the portion of the subject to be examined to the outside or the application of an external stimulus; an image capturing device for photographing the subject to be examined before, after or during the application of the external stimulus while applying the external stimulus to the portion of the subject to be examined mounted on the subject-to-be-examined supporter; and an image processing system for processing the image captured through the image capturing device.

Description

Animal Imaging Device

The present invention relates to an animal imaging apparatus, and more particularly, to an animal imaging apparatus capable of photographing a change while applying an external stimulus to an inspection object.

In general, an animal imaging device is a device used when performing experiments on animals or organs and cells of animals for drug development or protein function research. Experimental animals used in the imaging device for animals are mainly performed for mice (Mouse, Rat) and the like. Fluorescence Conjugated Antibody, angiography, and fluorescent substance (5-ALA) that reacts to cancer tissues are injected into experimental animals and photographed. Various studies can be made on the extent, size of cancer tissue, or blood vessel function in cancer tissue.

Equipment for photographing experimental animals using X-rays, CT, and MRI has been developed. Imaging is carried out in a state in which the experimental animal is placed in a dark box or in a separate shooting space.

Background art of the present invention is disclosed in Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 2011-0058496 (published on June 1, 2011, the name of the invention: X-ray inspection apparatus for imaging small laboratory animals).

Conventionally, the test is performed by treating external tissues, such as tissues and cells detached from the animal body or the animal body, and intracellular molecules such as DNA, RNA, proteins, etc., which are the subjects of molecular biology research. There is a problem in that it is not possible to quickly capture the effects and changes on the object and thus to obtain accurate measurements. Therefore, there is a need for improvement.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide an animal imaging apparatus capable of capturing the effects and changes on the inspection object while treating the inspection object.

According to the present invention, an animal imaging apparatus includes: a darkroom box having an opening so that a part of an object to be stimulated may protrude to the outside or an external stimulus may enter, and a part of the object to be protruded to the outside or an external stimulus Image capture for taking an object to be tested before and after the external stimulus or while the external stimulus is applied while applying an external stimulus to the inspection object support for mounting the inspection object and a portion of the inspection object mounted on the inspection object support to facilitate the application of the inspection object. And an image processing system for processing an image captured by the apparatus and the image photographing apparatus.

In addition, the test object may include tissues, cells, and intracellular molecules detached from the animal body or the animal body, and external stimulation may include physical stimulation, chemical stimulation, temperature change, injection of an external substance into the body of the animal, and extraction of the substance in the body of the animal. It is preferable to include at least one of them.

In addition, the inspection object support is preferably installed to be movable in and out of the dark box.

In addition, the inspection object support is preferably moved in a slide manner.

In addition, the inspection object support, it is preferable to include a fixing device that can prevent the movement of the unexpected animal by fixing or supporting a part of the body of the animal among the inspection object.

In addition, the fixing device may be attached by moving the position, it is preferable that the removable.

In addition, it is preferable that the image photographing apparatus is made of a combination of at least one of optical image photographing window value, X-RAY, CT and MRI.

In another aspect, the present invention, it is preferable to further include an excitation energy generating device, characterized in that the imaging device emits energy for acquiring the image, is installed in at least one of the interior or exterior of the darkroom box.

In another aspect, the present invention, it is preferable to further include a dark film device capable of manually or automatically adjusting the size of the opening through which the external light is introduced into the dark box.

In another aspect, the present invention, it is preferable to further include a shutter to block the opening to block the external light from entering the interior of the dark box.

In addition, the present invention preferably further includes an input unit for receiving an operation signal for operating the image photographing apparatus.

In addition, the present invention preferably further comprises a sensor member for inducing the execution of the imaging apparatus by recognizing a specific behavior pattern for imaging the external stimulus or the operator's image applied to the inspection object.

In another aspect, the present invention, it is preferable to further include a stopper to maintain a constant by selecting a position to be fixed in the dark box when the test object support moves inside and outside the dark box.

In addition, the present invention, it is preferable to further include a lighting device for supplying illumination when applying an external stimulus to the inspection object.

In addition, the image processing system performs at least one or more of image processing, display, storage, and analysis of the image acquired by the image capturing apparatus, and the analysis is to analyze the image into a parametric, digitized and two-dimensional or three-dimensional map. It is desirable to.

Animal imaging apparatus according to the present invention can obtain an image in real time to shoot the effect and change on the animal while applying an external stimulus to the animal in the state of protruding a part of the animal body to the outside of the dark box, or before the external stimulus After the image can be obtained, the change caused by the external stimulus can be imaged, and the statistical analysis can be performed to improve the accuracy of the image measurement.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an animal imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a block diagram schematically showing a state in which the inspection object support projecting out of the darkroom box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view schematically showing an animal imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the dark box according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a perspective view schematically showing an inspection object support according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the installation state of the stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a schematic perspective view of an animal imaging apparatus according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a perspective view schematically showing an animal imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, an animal imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of explanation, the description will be made taking an example that an animal is used as a test object. In this process, the thickness of the lines or the size of the components shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity and convenience of description.

In addition, terms to be described later are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, which may vary according to a user's or operator's intention or custom. Therefore, the definitions of these terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing the structure of an animal imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a state in which the inspection target support according to an embodiment of the present invention protrudes out of the dark room box Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram, Figure 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an animal imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged dark room box according to an embodiment of the present invention 5 is a perspective view schematically showing the inspection object support according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing the installation state of the stopper according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 7 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an animal imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an animal imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

1 to 6, in the animal imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, a part of the test object 5 for applying a stimulus may protrude to the outside or the external stimulus may enter or exit. A darkroom box 20 having an opening 22 so that a part of the inspection object 5 protrudes to the outside or an inspection object support 50 for mounting the inspection object 5 so as to easily apply an external stimulus; An image photographing apparatus 80 for capturing the inspection object 5 before, after or during an external stimulus while applying an external stimulus to a portion of the inspection object 5 mounted on the inspection object support 50 and And an image processing system 100 for processing an image photographed by the image photographing apparatus 80.

The test object 5 includes tissues, cells, and intracellular molecules detached from the body of the animal 10 or the body of the animal 10. Cells and intracellular molecules can be prepared in a state of observation by placing them in various well dishes, membranes, or biochips to facilitate observation.

Animal imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the image of the living animal 10 or anesthesia without anesthesia for the purpose of photographing the shape, structure and function of the animal 10, etc. Equipment.

Animal 10 of the inspection object 5 to be input to the animal imaging device (1) to obtain an image is a dog, cat, pig, etc., in addition to mice, rats, rabbits mainly used for research Mammals and amphibians.

When an external stimulus is given to a part of the body of the animal 10 directly or indirectly, when the reaction of the irritated portion and the unstimulated portion is to be taken, the animal imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention (1). ) Is used.

The darkroom box 20 may be formed in various shapes within a technical concept having an opening 22 so that a part of the inspection object 5 may protrude to the outside while blocking external light. An inspection object support 50 is positioned inside the dark room box 20 according to an embodiment and is formed in a box shape. The inspection object 5 may move in and out of the darkroom box 20 through the opening 22, and the inspection object support 50 on which the inspection object 5 is mounted may move in and out of the darkroom box 20. .

After the animal 10 is located inside the dark room box 20, the dark film device 30 that can manually or automatically adjust the size of the opening 22 through which external light flows into the dark room box 20 is provided. Is installed.

The blackout device 30 is mounted to the darkroom box 20 before or after the movement of the inspection object support 50 on which the inspection object 5 is mounted is completed into the darkroom box 20. The blackout device 30 is open enough to apply an external stimulus to a part of the body of the animal 10, which is the test object 5 mounted on the test object support 50, and the animal 10 that comes out of the dark room box 20. You can adjust the open size according to your body size.

The blackout device 30 may be manually or automatically operated to adjust the size of light inflow into the darkroom box 20, and the tail 12 of the animal 10 used as the test object 5 may be a darkroom box ( When it comes out of 20), only the tail 12 of the animal 10 is left, and the rest can be shielded to block the inflow of light into the interior of the dark room box (20).

The blackout device 30 may be formed in a curtain shape so as to be opened to the left and right of the opening 22 or to be closed toward the center of the opening 22. When the blackout device 30 is automatically operated, the blackout device 30 may be moved left and right by receiving power of a motor by a gear connection method. Alternatively, various modifications may be made to the movement of the blackout device 30 such that the curtain-shaped blackout device 30 may move up and down to narrow or widen the size of the opening 22.

Alternatively, the blackout device 30 may be formed in a plate shape so that the blackout device 30 may be opened or closed to the left or right to be manually or automatically. When the blackout device 30 is automatically operated, the blackout device 30 may be moved left and right by receiving power of a motor by a rack-ion gear connection method. Alternatively, various modifications may be made, such as the plate-shaped blackout device 30 being moved up and down to narrow or widen the size of the opening 22.

As the driving force for automatically moving the blackout device 30, various types of drive sources such as a cylinder, a linear drive device, and a motor may be used. The power of the drive source may move the blackout device 30 through a gear connection.

In order to block the light entering the darkroom box 20 through the opening 22, at least one of the blackout device 30 and the shutter 110 may be used as necessary. That is, the blackout device 30 may be installed in the opening 22 or the cover 110 may be installed, or the blackout device 30 and the cover 110 may be installed together.

Shroud 110 shields the opening 22 to block external light from flowing into the darkroom box 20. As shown in Figure 4 and 8, the shutter 110 is rotatably installed in the dark box 20 or expansion box 130 surrounding the dark box 20, rotated by the operator's operation opening It is possible to minimize the degree of opening or shielding the front of (22). The shutter 110 is manually opened and closed, but if necessary, the power of the motor is transmitted to the rotating shaft of the shutter 110, and the shutter 110 may be automatically opened and closed. In addition, the shutter 110 may be moved in a rotational manner, and may be mounted to the outside of the dark box 20 to be slidable in the horizontal direction.

As shown in FIG. 8, the expansion box 130 may be additionally installed in a shape surrounding the outer side of the darkroom box 20, and the shutter 110 is respectively provided in the darkroom box 20 and the expansion box 130. Can be installed. Alternatively, various modifications may be made, such that the shutter 110 may be installed only at one of the darkroom box 20 and the expansion box 130 as needed.

As shown in FIG. 7, in another embodiment of the present invention, the lighting device 40 may be installed outside the dark room box 20. The lighting device 40 may facilitate the operation by supplying illumination when an external stimulus is applied to the body of the animal 10, which is the inspection object 5 protruding outside the dark room box 20. In addition, in order to prevent light from entering the inside of the dark room box 20 through the opening 22 during shooting, the imaging software of the imaging apparatus 80 or the image processing system 100 and the power control of the lighting apparatus 40 are provided. By interlocking, it is preferable to control the power of the lighting device 40 to be turned off during the imaging of the image photographing device 80. On the other hand, when the illumination device 40 gives an external stimulus to the animal 10, the work environment can be brightened to easily check the work with the eyes.

As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the inspection object support 50 is equipped with an animal 10 so that the body portion of the animal 10, which is the inspection object 5, can protrude to the outside of the dark room box 20. It can be formed in various shapes within the technical spirit.

Inspection object support 50 according to an embodiment, the mounting of the animal 10 is made so as not to interfere with the movement of the animal 10 when the movement of the animal 10 of the inspection object (5). That is, if you want to see the movement of the inspection object 5 by the external stimulation, the tissue is expected to move can be mounted to move freely without being fixed to the fixing device (57). To this end, the test object support 50 fixes only a portion of the body of the animal 10 that needs to be fixed, and does not restrain the body of the animal 10 that is allowed to move for photographing.

The external stimulus includes at least one of physical stimulation, chemical stimulation, temperature change, and injecting an external substance into the body of the animal 10 and extracting an internal substance of the animal. That is, the external stimulus may be a temperature change or a physical or chemical stimulus, or may be a stimulus for injecting a substance into the body or extracting a substance in the body of the animal 10.

In addition, since the inspection object support 50 is installed to move in and out of the darkroom box 20, after moving the inspection object support 50 to the outside of the dark room box 20, the specific part of the animal 10 is stimulated. After adding the test object support 50 to the inside of the dark room box 20 again to take an image of the animal 10, various embodiments are possible.

The animal 10 is mounted on the inspection object support 50 so that a part of the body of the animal 10 to give an external stimulus may protrude to the outside of the dark room box 20. The inspection object support 50 may protrude or not protrude out of the darkroom box 20. In addition, the test object support 50 may move in and out of the darkroom box 20 to mount the animal 10.

The inspection target support 50 may be moved in a slide manner to move inside or outside of the darkroom box 20, and the animal 10 may also be mounted on the inspection target support 50 and the darkroom together with the inspection target support 50. It may be moved inside or outside the box 20.

In addition, the animal 10 mounted on the inspection object support 50 may be mounted in an anesthetic state, or may be mounted in an anesthetic state.

One embodiment of the animal imaging device 1 invented to be advantageous for taking a photograph while injecting a contrast agent into the vein of the tail 12 of a mouse or rat used as the animal 10 to be photographed.

The inspection object support 50 according to the embodiment includes a support member 52, a guide rail 53, a leg member 54, a movable member 55, and a fixing device 57.

The support member 52 is installed in the lower part of the dark room box 20 and is installed in a plate shape. An inner space for sliding the movable member 55 is provided inside the support member 52, and guide rails 53 are installed on both sides of the support member 52 in the width direction (refer to the left and right directions of FIG. 5). Two guide rails 53 are installed in pairs in parallel and are slide-moved by inserting guide protrusions 56 protruding to both sides of the moving member 55 between the guide rails 53 and the support member 52. do.

In addition, the installation location and the number of the support member 52 and the guide rail 53 may be changed according to the size of the movable member 55. For example, when the size of the moving member 55 is large, the support member 52 and the guide rail 53 may be formed of two or more and may be installed below the moving member 55.

Leg member 54 installed on the lower side of the support member 52 is capable of adjusting the length. The leg member 54 may be mounted at the bottom of the darkroom box 20 or at the bottom of the support member 52. Since the protruding length of the leg member 54 is adjusted, the height of the darkroom box 20 and the inspection object support 50 is adjusted.

When an external stimulus is applied to the tail 12 of the animal 10 protruding out of the darkroom box 20, the tail 12 and the bottom or the tail 12 and the darkroom box 20 are advantageous so that the operator's hand movement is advantageous. The length of the leg member 54 is adjusted to give sufficient space between the desk on which it is placed.

Since the space between the desk and the darkroom box 20 is adjusted by adjusting the length of the leg member 54, a space suitable for giving a stimulus from the outside according to the size of the animal 10 protruding to the outside of the darkroom box 20 is provided. It can be secured. The leg member 54 may be installed inside or outside the darkroom box 20 or on the support member 52 of the inspection object support 50, and installed below or outside the darkroom box 20 or the support member 52. It is advantageous for height adjustment to be free.

The moving member 55 is formed in a plate shape in which the animal 10 is placed, and both side surfaces of the moving member 55 are provided with guide protrusions 56 through which the horizontal movement is guided by the guide rails 53. The movable member 55 of the inspection object support 50 is mounted in a sliding manner so as to move freely in and out of the darkroom box 20 and when the animal 10 such as a mouse is mounted on the movable member 55. The moving member 55 of the inspection object support 50 is pushed out of the dark room box 20.

Fixing device 57 may be formed in a variety of shapes within the technical spirit that can prevent the movement of the unexpected animal 10 by fixing or supporting a portion of the body of the animal (10). In addition, the fixing device 57 can be attached by moving the position is removable.

The fixing device 57 restrains only a part of the animal's body to constrain the movement of the portion photographed by the image photographing device 80. In addition, it can be attached by moving the position within the inspection object support 50, it is possible to adjust the installation position to fit the animals 10 of various sizes.

The failure device 57 according to one embodiment is fixed to the moving body 55 of the inspection object support 50 and the fixed body 58, and moved up and down along the fixed body 58 to hold the animal 10. It includes a pressing member (59). The fixed body 58 is coupled to the moving member 55 by fit or bolted, it is possible to change the installation position as needed. The fixed body 58 is installed in the vertical direction on the upper side of the moving member 55.

The pressing member 59 may be operated manually or automatically along the fixing body 58 and presses the animal 10 with a set force to restrain the movement of the animal 10. The pressing member 59 is moved up and down along the fixing body 58. When the pressing member 59 is manually moved, the fastening bolt (not shown) penetrating the fixing body 58 in the vertical direction is pressed. The upper side of 58 is pressed. Therefore, the pressing member 59 for pressing the animal is constrained to move upward. The worker presses the animal 10 by moving the pressing member 59 by hand and then rotates the fastening bolt to press the upper side of the pressing member 59, thereby restraining the upward movement of the pressing member 59.

When the pressing member 59 is automatically moved, the pressing member 59 is provided to be slidable up and down along the fixed body 58. Projections protrude from both sides of the pressing member 59 in the horizontal direction, and protrusions protruding from the pressing member 59 are inserted into the fixing body 58 so that the pressing member 59 moves up and down along the fixing body 58. Sliding can be moved. Between the upper side of the pressing member 59 and the fixed body 58, a pressing device such as a cylinder is installed to move the pressing member 59 downward. The rack member is additionally installed on the pressure member 59, the pinion gear is installed on the rotating shaft of the motor, and the rack gear and the pinion gear are engaged to move the pressure member 59 by a predetermined length. In addition to this, the pressing member 59 may be automatically moved by using various driving devices.

Therefore, when the animal 10 is mounted to the inspection object support 50, it may be mounted so as not to move with the help of a device for fixing a part of the body of the animal 10, such as a fixing device (57).

When the animal 10, such as a mouse, is mounted on the test object support 50, the tail 12 of the animal 10 is mounted so that more than 1/3 of the moving member 55 of the test object support 50 comes out. . At this time, in order to facilitate the mounting of the animal 10, the animal 10 is fixed to the inspection object support 50. For example, a part of the body of the animal 10, such as the head 14, teeth, legs, or torso of the animal 10, may be fixed to the moving member 55 of the test object support 50. The fixing device 57 may be mounted to the moving member 55 of the inspection object support 50 so as to easily move or remove the position. When the mounting of the animal 10 by the fixing device 57 is completed, the moving member 55 of the inspection object support 50 is moved to the inside of the dark room box 20.

The animal imaging apparatus 1 selects and maintains a constant position to be fixed in the darkroom box 20 when the object support 50 moves inside and outside the darkroom box 20. It includes a stopper 60 to make.

Select the position of the movable member 55 of the inspection object support 50 so that the image photographing device 80 can best photograph a part or the entire body of the animal 10 to be photographed, and the inspection object support at the selected position. Various kinds of stopper devices can be used in the technical concept of restraining the movement of the movable member 55 of the 50.

The stopper 60 performs a function of allowing the moving member 55 to be pushed into the darkroom box 20 and stopped at a desired position or a selected position. The stopper 60 is automatically or manually operated to constrain the movement of the movable member 55, so that the image of the animal 10 can be quickly captured after external stimulation.

The stopper 60 according to one embodiment includes a stopper body 62, an adjusting knob 64, and a base member 66. The base member 66 is installed in a fixed state on the guide rail 53, and the stopper body 62 slides along the base member 66 to stop at a position where the moving member 55 is stopped. Therefore, the movable member 55 moves along the guide rail 53 and is caught by the stopper body 62, thereby restricting the movement of the movable member 55.

The adjusting knob 64 is rotatably installed on the stopper body 62, and the adjusting knob 64 is rotated to contact the guide rail 56, thereby restraining the movement of the stopper body 62. Therefore, the movement of the movable member 55 moved along the guide rail 56 is constrained.

The base member 66 is fixed to the upper side of the guide rail 53, and the engaging groove is formed on both sides of the base member 66. The stopper body 62 has a protrusion inserted into a locking groove provided on both sides of the base member 66 and is moved along the rod-shaped base member 66. Since the protrusion extending downward from the stopper body 62 is located at the side of the guide rail 53, the movement of the movable member 55 moving along the guide rail 53 may be restricted.

The darkroom box 20 or the test object support 50 may be provided with a device for anesthesia of the animal. An apparatus for respiratory anesthesia of an animal according to one embodiment includes a tube 70 and a tube support member 72.

The test object support 50 is provided with a tube 70 for supplying an anesthetic gas for respiratory anesthesia of the animal 10, the tube 70 is constrained by the tube support member 72. Tube 70 according to an embodiment is located on the moving member 55 of the inspection object support 50, the tube support member 72 surrounding the outside of the tube 70 is fixed to the moving member (55).

The image photographing apparatus 80 applies various external stimuli to the body part of the animal 10 mounted on the test object support 50 and immediately before or after the external stimulus or simultaneously with the external stimulus. A kind of imaging device can be used. In addition, the image capturing apparatus 80 may easily acquire an image even when external light is introduced through the opening 22.

The image capturing apparatus 80 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a combination of at least one of an optical image capturing value, an X-ray, a CT, and an MRI.

The image capturing apparatus 80 may acquire a time sequence image or a non-time sequence image in real time together with an external stimulus. A time series image is an image that takes images in order of time, also called a video. Non-temporal images are photographic images of various formats, including snapshots.

In addition, the image photographing apparatus 80 may photograph before, after, or simultaneously with the external stimulus to the animal 10. That is, the image capturing apparatus 80 may photograph an image other than a time sequence or a time sequence at a time to be photographed before giving the external stimulus to after the external stimulus is given.

In addition, the imaging device 80 provides an image for checking the position of the inspection object support 50 before the present photographing so as to confirm whether the inspection object support 50 is placed at a suitable position for photographing, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurement. You can.

As the input unit 82 that receives an operation signal for operating the image photographing apparatus 80, various types of input apparatuses may be used. The input unit 82 according to the exemplary embodiment uses the foot switch 85 which can be operated by foot. The foot switch 85 includes a function of operating the image capturing apparatus 80 by manipulating the foot of the performer. The image capturing apparatus 80 may be operated by an operator's hand. When the operator's two hands apply external stimulation to the animal 10, the foot switch 85 is operated by the operator's foot. The image photographing apparatus 80 is operated.

As the excitation energy generator 90, various kinds of devices may be used within the technical idea that the imaging apparatus 80 emits energy capable of acquiring an image.

The excitation energy generator 90 is preferably installed in at least one of the interior or exterior of the dark room box (20). In addition, the excitation energy generator 90 may generate sufficient energy so that the external light is not introduced into a part of the dark room box 20 so as not to interfere with the image acquisition of the image capturing apparatus 80.

The excitation energy generator 90 generates various kinds of light rays or energy such as light energy, visible light, X-ray ray, generator, etc. in a technical concept in which the image photographing device 80 emits energy capable of acquiring an image. Device.

When the contrast agent is used as an external stimulus as an example of the use of the animal imaging apparatus 1, the near-infrared contrast agent is injected into the tail blood vessel of the animal 10 that comes out of the dark room box 20, and is installed in the dark room box 20. The near-infrared LED of the energy generating device 90 is operated to react with the near-infrared contrast agent injected into the body of the animal 10.

The fluorescence image of the contrast agent may take a time series image by the near-infrared imaging apparatus 80 of the imaging apparatus 80. As an advantage of the animal imaging apparatus 1, the imaging can be started immediately before, immediately after, or simultaneously with the injection of the contrast agent, and by capturing the time series images, the pattern of the contrast agent flowing into the body and spreading can be accurately determined.

The image processing system 100 may use various kinds of image processing apparatuses in a technical concept of processing an image photographed by the image photographing apparatus 80. The image processing system 100 performs at least one or more of image processing, display, storage, and analysis of an image acquired by the image photographing apparatus 80. Image analysis analyzes the image with parametric, numerical and 2D or 3D maps. In addition, the functions of the image processing system 100 may be performed in a single device or a plurality of devices.

In addition, the image processing, display, storage and analysis of the image processing system 100 is preferably performed in a single or a plurality of devices, the image taken by the image capturing device 80 is imaged in the image processing system 100 It is saved after being displayed. The image processing system 100 may perform a function of analyzing the image and performing parameterization, quantization, quantization, or making a map.

The animal imaging apparatus 1 includes a sensor member 120 that recognizes an external stimulus applied to the animal 10 or a specific behavior pattern for imaging the operator to induce execution of the imaging apparatus 80. The sensor member 120 is installed on at least one of the inside and the outside of the darkroom box, a plurality of different types of sensors may be installed as needed.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail the operating state of the animal imaging device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The moving member 55 of the inspection object support 50 is taken out from the dark room box 20. The mouse, which is the target animal 10, is anesthetized and placed on the test object support 50 before being mounted on the test object support 50. Alternatively, the tube 70 for respiratory anesthesia is connected to the darkroom box 20 so that the animal 10 may be anesthetized by respiratory anesthesia in the darkroom box 20.

The head 14 of the animal 10 is fixed to the fixing device 57 so that the animal 10 is comfortably mounted. At this time, the tube 70 for respiratory anesthesia may be located in the fixing device (57).

The mouse, which is the imaging target animal 10, may be preoperatively operated for imaging, and is mounted to protrude out of the test object support 50 for at least one third of the tail 12 for tail vein injection.

Then, the moving member 55 of the inspection object support 50 is put into the dark room box 20. At this time, the position where the animal 10 is moved is selected as the position where the image capturing apparatus 80 is perpendicular to the portion of the body of the animal 10 that is most interested in the image. The position of the stopper body 62 is adjusted to stop the moving member 55 at the selected position. The reason why the stopper 60 sets the position at which the animal 10 is placed during imaging is that when the intravenous is injected into the tail 12 of the animal 10, it is injected outside the darkroom box 20 and immediately inspected as soon as the injection is made. This is to start the shooting while pushing the moving member 55 of the object support 50 into the darkroom box 20. When shooting by using the stopper 60, since the position to be taken in advance is selected because the animal is moved to the position to be taken quickly, the shooting can be made quickly and accurately.

Meanwhile, according to the preference of the photographer, the inspection target support 50 in which the animal 10 is mounted in advance may be positioned at a portion to be photographed inside the dark room box 20 and external stimulation may be applied. Alternatively, a part of the test object support 50 on which the animal 10 is mounted is partially taken out of the dark room box 20, and an external stimulus is applied to the test object support into the dark room box 20 so as to be taken immediately or after a necessary time. The shooting may be started by pushing the moving member 55 of 50).

The image capturing apparatus 80 may adjust the foot switch 85 so that both hands of the performer can apply external stimulation when photographing. Shooting can be taken in real time as a time-series image or as a single shot. When shooting, the image processing system 100 displays or presents an image during or after shooting. The apparatus for analyzing an image in the image processing system 100 may be installed in the same or different equipment as the equipment for presenting or storing the image. Therefore, after shooting, the image captured by the image processing system 100 may be checked or analyzed.

Animal imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, when imaging the contrast of the contrast agent or drug, in particular when taking a real-time time sequence image, can facilitate the imaging immediately after the contrast agent injection.

Conventional imaging equipment uses the darkroom box 20 to put the animal (10) in the dark room and sealed, so to shoot immediately after the injection of contrast medium is equipped with the animal (10), closing the opening 22 of the darkroom box (20) It takes time, for example, to perform a start-up operation with a computer, and in this case, an image immediately after injecting contrast medium cannot be obtained. In particular, if the pharmacokinetics of the contrast agent are very dynamic or fast flowing, much of the image immediately after the drug injection is lost. Animal imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the real-time image of the dynamic external stimulation can be taken without loss, and is changed in real time by physical stimulation, touching or cold hot or chemical stimulation of the external stimulation The invention is also useful when an image of a living body is required.

As described above, according to the present invention in real time the effect and change on the animal 10 while applying an external stimulus to the animal 10 in a state of protruding a part of the body of the animal 10 to the outside of the dark room box 20 It is possible to obtain an image to be photographed, or to obtain an image before and after an external stimulus, thereby to image changes caused by an external stimulus, and to analyze statistically, thereby improving accuracy of image measurement.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. will be. In addition, the use of the animal as the test object has been described as an example, but this is merely exemplary, and tissues, cells, and intracellular molecules removed from the body of the animal may also be used as the test object of the present invention. Therefore, the true technical protection scope of the present invention will be defined by the claims below.

Claims

A dark room box having an opening so that a part of the test object for applying a stimulus protrudes to the outside or the external stimulus can enter or exit;

An inspection object support for mounting the inspection object such that a part of the inspection object protrudes to the outside or is easy to apply external stimulation;

An image photographing apparatus for photographing the inspection object before, after or during an external stimulus while an external stimulus is applied to a portion of the inspection object mounted on the inspection object support; And

And an image processing system for processing an image photographed by the image photographing apparatus.
The method of claim 1,

The test object includes tissues, cells, and intracellular molecules detached from the animal body or the animal body,

The external stimulus includes at least one of a physical stimulus, a chemical stimulus, a temperature change, an injection of an external substance into an animal body, and an extraction of an internal substance of the animal.
The method of claim 1,

The inspection object support is an animal imaging device, characterized in that installed to be moved to the inside and outside of the dark box.
The method of claim 3, wherein

The animal imaging apparatus, characterized in that the test object support is moved in a slide manner.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The inspection object support, animal imaging apparatus comprising a; fixing device that can prevent the movement of the unexpected animal by fixing or supporting the body part of the animal of the inspection object.
The method of claim 5,

The fixing device may be attached by moving the position, the animal imaging device, characterized in that detachable.
The method of claim 1,

The imaging device is an animal imaging apparatus, characterized in that made of a combination of at least one or more of the optical imaging window, X-RAY, CT and MRI.
The method of claim 1,

And an excitation energy generator, wherein the imaging device emits energy capable of acquiring an image and is installed in at least one of the interior and exterior of the darkroom box. Device.
The method of claim 1,

And a blackout device for manually or automatically adjusting the size of the opening through which external light is introduced into the darkroom box.
The method of claim 1,

And a shutter for shielding the opening and blocking external light from entering the inside of the darkroom box.
The method of claim 1,

And an input unit for receiving an operation signal for operating the image photographing apparatus.
The method of claim 1,

And a sensor member for recognizing an external stimulus applied to the inspection object or a specific behavior pattern for image capturing of the operator to induce execution of the image capturing apparatus.
The method of claim 1,

And a stopper which selects a position to be fixed in the darkroom box and keeps it constant when the test object support moves in and out of the darkroom box.
The method of claim 1,

And an illumination device that supplies illumination when an external stimulus is applied to the inspection object.
The method of claim 1,

The image processing system performs at least one or more of image processing, display, storage, and analysis of the image acquired by the image capturing apparatus, and the analysis is to convert the image into a parametric, digitized, and two-dimensional or three-dimensional map. Animal imaging apparatus characterized in that the analysis.