LI-COR Pearl® Impulse Whole Animal Imaging System Using Near InfraRed Dyes
The Pearl® Impulse Imaging system employs a new CCD-based optical system specifically designed for in vivo imaging in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region where autofluorescence and light scattering are low. The NIR laser illumination also achieves deeper tissue penetration which permits visualization of targets that are smaller and embedded deeper in tissues. The instrument allows scanning times of 30 seconds or less which minimizes animal stress and increases investigator productivity. The instrument can be used for performing non-invasive imaging of anesthetized animals in vivo to evaluate a variety of biological variables related to disease, the activity and distribution of drugs and the effects of drugs. It is also capable of imaging over dual channels which allows for multiple targets to be sampled in the same subject. An example of the use of the instrument is provided in the article attached to this description.
Overview & Advantages
- Excellent Sensitivity
- Fast Imaging
- Native Cell Compatibility
- Temperature and Anesthesia Control
Applications
- Small Animal Imaging
- Receptor Targeting
- Transporter Targeting
- Structural Imaging
- Biodistribution
| Pearl® Impulse | |
|---|---|
| Detector Type | CCD. Thermoelectrically cooled. |
| Scan Time | Less than 30 seconds to complete white light, 700 nm channel and 800 nm channel image acquisition. |
| 700 nm Channel | Excitation 685nm, Emission 720nm |
| 800 nm Channel | Excitation 785nm, Emission 820nm |
| White Channel | Excitation white, Emission, NA |
| Dyes | IRDye® 680, IRDye 700DX, IRDye 800RS, IRDye 800CW, Alexa Fluor 680, Alexa Fluor 750, Cy5.5, Cy7 |
| Resolution | 85, 170 or 255 micron |
| Image Display Options | Pseudocolor, grayscale, single color (red, green or blue), or two colors with overlapping fluorescence displayed in a third color. |
| Capacity | One animal, with linked look-up tables for image normalization |
| Imaging Bed | 16.8 cm W x 12 cm D (6.6” W x 4.75” D). Vertical clearance to top of drawer is 3.8 cm (1.5”). |
| Field of View | 11.2 cm W x 8.4 cm D (4.4” W x 3.3” D) at surface of imaging bed. |
| Imaging Bed Temperature Range | 32-42 °C. |
| Gas Anesthesia | Inlet and outlet ports flow anesthesia gas through a nose cone in the imaging drawer. A rotameter is included for flow rate control. |
| Acquisition Speed | 500 ms - 40s |
- Kovar, J et al.
Hyaluronidase expression induces prostate tumor metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model.
Am J Pathol. 169(4):1415-26 (2006)
The instrument is currently housed in Rm. 6S11 in the Brody Medical Sciences building. If you are interested in information regarding this item of equipment and its use, please contact Dr. Ethan J. Anderson or Ms. Kathleen Thayne in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Please note that use of the instrument for whole animal imaging requires an approved AUP.