# ShEEP Request For A Pre-Clinical In-Vivo X-Ray Micro Computed-Tomography Scanner

> **NIH VA IS1** · VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Abstract
 We are requesting funds for the purchase of a state-of-the-art in vivo micro Computed Tomography
(microCT) scanner for non-invasive, nondestructive, volumetric imaging and analysis of the skeleton from live
animals ranging in size from mice to rabbits. The vivaCT80 is manufactured by Scanco Medical AG
(Brutisellen, Switzerland) and distributed by Scanco USA, Inc. (King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA). The
system is capable of acquiring and analyzing three-dimensional images of the skeleton and vasculature of live
animals with a voxel size as small as 5µm while maintaining a relatively low radiation dose. The combination of
low dose radiation, high speed, and a wide-ranging resolution and field of view in the vivaCT80 are made
possible by an 8192 pixel wide detector. The vivaCT80 accommodates a wider range of animal/specimen sizes
(90mm bore size with an 80mm field of view) than most competing high-resolution instruments. The x-ray tube
is capable of peak energies from 30 kVp to 70 kVp which improves image quality (contrast-to-noise ratio, CNR)
and reduces scan time and dose for both high- and low-density specimens The scanner includes an integrated
touch display, heating system, animal temperature monitoring, observation camera, respiratory gating,heart
beat frequency monitoring, and ports for anesthesia and contrast media, and all software needed for standard
and customized volumetric and structural analyses.
 This instrument will be utilized by five major users, all VA funded with laboratories and animal colonies at
the Atlanta VAMC; Drs. George R Beck Jr. (PI) (PhD), Neale Weitzmann (PhD), Hicham Drissi (PhD), Nick
Willet (PhD), and Steven Presciutti (MD). In addition to 4 VA merits and 1 VA CDA award, these investigators
also are funded by 3 R01s, 3 R21s, DOD, Score, and U54 projects, among others, all focused on
musculoskeletal research. The research programs range in focus from diseases of bone homeostasis (i.e.
osteoporotic disease), fracture repair, osteoarthritis, biomaterials for bone regeneration and tissue repair, and
drug development for improved spine fusion. The equipment will be located in the animal facility on the 4th floor
of Building A at the Atlanta VAMC (Decatur GA) where all five major users have animal colonies.
 The in vivo microCT will signficantly facilitate each of these projects focused on pre-clinical rodent models
of bone disease and repair and be a great assest to the rapidly expanding Musculoskeletal group at the Atlanta
VAMC. The advantages of having an in vivo microCT are several. 1) All five major users utilize transgenic
mouse models It would make possible to expand the ongoing and planned studies with in vivo data about bone
structure, a capability which is currently not on hand. 2) The greater sensitivity and precision of in vivo microCT
over other methods would results in increased group separation and thus increased ability to interpret the data
in a conclusive manner. 3) In many cases it will be ...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10178581
- **Project number:** 1IS1BX005557-01
- **Recipient organization:** VETERANS HEALTH ADMINISTRATION
- **Principal Investigator:** GEORGE R. BECK
- **Activity code:** IS1 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-10-01 → 2021-09-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10178581

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10178581, ShEEP Request For A Pre-Clinical In-Vivo X-Ray Micro Computed-Tomography Scanner (1IS1BX005557-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10178581. Licensed CC0.

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