Optical imaging and MRI have both been used extensively to study tumor microenvironment. The two imaging
modalities are complementary and can be used to cross-validate one another for specific measurements. We have
developed a modular platform that is capable of doing optical microscopy inside an MRI instrument. To do this, an
optical relay system transfers the image to outside of the MR bore to a commercial grade CCD camera. This enables
simultaneous optical and MR imaging of the same tissue and thus creates the ideal situation for comparative or
complementary studies using both modalities. Initial experiments have been done using GFP labeled prostate cancer
cells implanted in mouse dorsal skin fold window chamber. Vascular hemodynamics and vascular permeability were
studied using our imaging system. Towards this goal, we developed a dual MR-Optical contrast agent by labeling BSA
with both Gd-DTPA and Alexa Fluor. Overall system design and results of these preliminary vascular studies are
presented.
Window chambers are support structures implanted in the dorsal skin fold of a rodent model. Optical imaging of window chambers has been used in many basic cancer and vascular biology studies. We have recently shown that this technique can be extended to MRI by using plastic rather than metal window chambers. Here we describe a system for simultaneous optical and MR imaging of the window chambers. It provides many possibilities for independent cross validation of the measurements of one modality from the other. In the system, a GRIN lens images the tissue to the distal end of a coherent imaging fiber bundle, which relays this image to a camera system located outside the magnet room. Both trans- and epi-illumination are provided to this system. Light sources are located outside the magnet room
and the light is delivered through fiber optics. A group of fibers are used to deliver white light from under the window chamber for standard transmission imaging, while another single fiber delivers the laser light from the top to induce fluorescence. An appropriate bandpass emission filter is inserted between the lenses at the camera end for fluorescence imaging. Results of simultaneously optical and MR imaging of tumor and vessel are presented.
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