Imaging unit - CT/ MR Research
CT Swim Bladder
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Dr. Sandra Diamond-Tissue, School of Natural Science
Dr. John Stewart, NSW Department of Primary Industries
Prof. Wrigley/DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
CT imaging and analysis of swim bladder in several fish species to evaluate internal effect of rapid bladder rupture.
Quantify bladder size, effect on reproductive and abdominal organs. Ruptured swim bladders are negatively affecting NSW fisheries and the potently at odds with “catch and release” program validity.
Status
CT and MR of over 30 fish. Trained researchers in using 3D segmentation for data analysis.
Paper Presented in Oct in North America with good results.
Future Plan
Final paper in progress.
Potential to image more fish and extend the project.
CT Children’s Python
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Ms. Victoria Garibotto
Dr. Jason Flesch School of Natural Sciences,
/DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
To determine the body composition of snakes non-destructively via computed tomography (CT) scanning in order to investigate:
(i) organ size and fat distribution,
(ii) differences between males and females, and
(iii) the effects of feeding habits in terms of physical size and fat storage
Status
Imaging and protocol development. Completed on 3 subjects.
Future Plan
Awaiting student results from initial data analysis.
CT Shark Cartilage
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Dr. John Stewart, NSW Dep. Primary Industries
DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
Investigation if CT can determine Shark age via vertebral body imaging. Current method uses dissection and counting of cartilage rings. Can CT duplicate and expedited the process?
Status
16 CT resolution was not significant enough to define sub-micron level resolution.
Future Plan
Suggested the group find a 256 or 320 Slice CT capable of “micro-CT” imaging.
CT Whale Ears
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Damien Higgins BVSc, MVStud, PhD, Grad Cert Ed Stud, Lecturer, Pathobiology and Wildlife Health Koala Infectious Diseases Research Group (KIDReG
/DI. H. Laurendet
Objectives
Volumetrics and anatomical investigations of whale auditory systems.
Status
Running for over 2yr.
Over 30 ears done. Researches taught to use CT Analysis methods.
Future Plan
Possible more imaging?
Possibly go to paper this year?
CT Blue Tongue Lizard
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Janet Wild
Professor Robert Wrigley
Associate Professor David Phalen/
/DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
Honour; Project: to use CT /MRI equipment at UVTH Sydney to generate a rotating 3D image of a normal BTL skull with the individual bones of skull identified (and indexed by separate colours to a key); and relate this to fracture sites in some trauma cases
Status
Imaged 1 lizard in Nov
3D colour coding per bone not possible on standard Volume Rendering program.
Future Plan
Honours Project/ No finance budget. Waiting if other BTL’s need imaging.
MR Stifle Plastination/CT Stifle Plastination
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Dr. Corinna Klupiec, Lecture in Veterinary Anatomy
DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
MR Imaging and plastination of post mortem stifles. Images to be used for anatomical web based education program.. MR multiple plane images and CT Volumetric images will be linked to plastinated anatomical slices.
Status
MR/CT imaging in progress.
Future Plan
Expect completion in June 2010.
MR NCL Sheep Baseline
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Imke Tammen Dr.med.vet., M.Ed
/ DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
Longitudinal study into the effects of NCL on the developing Sheep Brain. Comparison of 2 normal vs. 2 affected sheep.
Status
Imaging sheep at 5, 8 and 12 months. Providing blinded readings and image analysis assistance. (Sourcing 3D volumetric MR analysis programs)
Future Plan
If successful next study will test drug therapy regimes.
MR PM Dog Brain
Researcher/DI Coordinator
Ms Taryn Roberts
Dr. P. McGreevy
Dr. M. Venezuela
/ DI. K.Hughes
Objectives
Baseline study to determine norms in volumetric measurements and Cephalic index for brachycephalic and dolichocephalic. In Total 14 dogs imaged
Status
Completed. Paper should be available via Dr. McGreevy
Future Plan
None/ Finished Sept 09
Please access Digital Imaging website for more information.