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Nouls JC, Virgincar RS, Culbert AG, Morand N, Bobbert DW, Yoder AD, Schopler RS, Bashir MR, Badea A, Hochgeschwender U, Driehuys B. Applications of 3D printing in small animal magnetic resonance imaging. J Med Imaging (Bellingham) 2019; 6:021605. [PMID: 31131288 PMCID: PMC6519666 DOI: 10.1117/1.jmi.6.2.021605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Three-dimensional (3D) printing has significantly impacted the quality, efficiency, and reproducibility of preclinical magnetic resonance imaging. It has vastly expanded the ability to produce MR-compatible parts that readily permit customization of animal handling, achieve consistent positioning of anatomy and RF coils promptly, and accelerate throughput. It permits the rapid and cost-effective creation of parts customized to a specific imaging study, animal species, animal weight, or even one unique animal, not routinely used in preclinical research. We illustrate the power of this technology by describing five preclinical studies and specific solutions enabled by different 3D printing processes and materials. We describe fixtures, assemblies, and devices that were created to ensure the safety of anesthetized lemurs during an MR examination of their brain or to facilitate localized, contrast-enhanced measurements of white blood cell concentration in a mouse model of pancreatitis. We illustrate expansive use of 3D printing to build a customized birdcage coil and components of a ventilator to enable imaging of pulmonary gas exchange in rats using hyperpolarizedXe 129 . Finally, we present applications of 3D printing to create high-quality, dual RF coils to accelerate brain connectivity mapping in mouse brain specimens and to increase the throughput of brain tumor examinations in a mouse model of pituitary adenoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- John C. Nouls
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Rohan S. Virgincar
- Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Alexander G. Culbert
- Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | | | - Dana W. Bobbert
- Duke University, Office of Information Technology, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Anne D. Yoder
- Duke University, Department of Biology, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Duke University, Lemur Center, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | | | - Mustafa R. Bashir
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Alexandra Badea
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Durham, North Carolina, United States
| | - Ute Hochgeschwender
- Central Michigan University, College of Medicine, Mount Pleasant, Michigan, United States
| | - Bastiaan Driehuys
- Duke University Medical Center, Department of Radiology, Durham, North Carolina, United States
- Duke University, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Durham, North Carolina, United States
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Neumann W, Bichert A, Fleischhauer J, Stern A, Figuli R, Wilhelm M, Schad LR, Zöllner FG. A novel 3D printed mechanical actuator using centrifugal force for magnetic resonance elastography: Initial results in an anthropomorphic prostate phantom. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0205442. [PMID: 30296308 PMCID: PMC6175527 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0205442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
This work demonstrates a new method for the generation of mechanical shear wave during magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) that creates greater forces at higher vibrational frequencies as opposed to conventionally used pneumatic transducers. We developed an MR-compatible pneumatic turbine with an eccentric mass that creates a sinusoidal centrifugal force. The turbine was assessed with respect to its technical parameters and evaluated for MRE on a custom-made anthropomorphic prostate phantom. The silicone-based tissue-mimicking materials of the phantom were selected with regard to their complex shear moduli examined by rheometric testing. The tissue-mimicking materials closely matched human soft tissue elasticity values with a complex shear modulus ranging from 3.21 kPa to 7.29 kPa. We acquired MRE images on this phantom at 3 T with actuation frequencies of 50, 60 Hz, 70 Hz, and 80 Hz. The turbine generated vibrational wave amplitudes sufficiently large to entirely penetrate the phantoms during the feasibility study. Increased wave length in the stiffer inclusions compared to softer background material were detected. Our initial results suggest that silicone-based phantoms are useful for the evaluation of elasticities during MRE. Furthermore, our turbine seems suitable for the mechanical assessment of soft tissue during MRE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wiebke Neumann
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Andreas Bichert
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Jonas Fleischhauer
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Antonia Stern
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Roxana Figuli
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Manfred Wilhelm
- Institute for Chemical Technology and Polymer Chemistry of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Lothar R. Schad
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Frank G. Zöllner
- Department of Computer Assisted Clinical Medicine, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany
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