Skip to main content

Ultrasound Imaging

Instruments

VisualSonics Vevo-F2

The BRIC Small Animal Imaging (SAI) core facility has recently received a new animal ultrasound imaging system through a NIH S10 shared instrumentation grant (S10-OD034328). The new system, Vevo-F2, will replace the old Vevo-2100 system that has been serving more than 25 research labs in our community. The new system greatly enhance animal ultrasound imaging capability in the SAI facility. Some new features of the new ultrasound imaging system include:

Main Imaging Features

  • Six imaging transducers with wide frequency coverage (from 5~ 50 MHz), allowing imaging from mice to small dogs/cats. These will provide either high resolution imaging down to 30 μm, or deep penetration up to 15 mm for larger animals.
  • Superior image quality with HD image processing technology, leading to the reduction in speckle noise and artifacts while enhancing tissue contrast
  • 4D imaging allowing users to capture dynamic motions in 3D fashion, for example, a complete cardiac cycle in 3D volume.
  • Super-fast frame rates (as high as 10,000 frames-per-second) for dynamic acquisition and processing including contrast enhanced imaging;
  • Touchpad interface with enhanced workflow
  • Three active transfer ports allowing switching between one to another transducer seamlessly
  • Additional image analysis packages: Auto-LV (automatic LV analysis in B-mode and M-mode); VevoStrain (cardiac strain analysis); VevoVasc (vascular tissue analysis); VevoCQ(microbubble contrast enhanced image analysis for tissue perfusion).

The Vevo-F2 ultrasound imaging system is funded by an NIH shared instrumentation grant, 1S10OD034328. When data collected from the Vevo-F2 ultrasound imaging system results in any publications, please include the following in the acknowledgement:

“Ultrasound Imaging is supported by the Small Animal Imaging Core Facility at UNC Biomedical Imaging Research Center (BRIC), and the ultrasound imaging system was funded by an NIH shared instrumentation grant, S10OD034328”

Sample images from the Vevo F2

VisualSonics Vevo-2100

The BRIC is home to a Vevo-2100 ultrasound system from Visualsonics Inc. which are located in upper basement of the Genetic Medicine Building vivarium.  Users who want to use the Vevo-2100 system in GMB are required to have their animals housed in the GMB Vivarium. We offer several transducer options, and analysis and imaging packages to optimize your imaging study.

Main Imaging Features

  • Several imaging modes available
  • Multiple foci covering a larger field of view
  • 3D imaging
  • VevoCQ analysis software package for easy quantification
  • Ultrasound guided injection
 Vevo_2100

Imaging Applications and Examples

  • Image guided injections
  • Microbubble enhanced perfusion imaging
  • Embryo measurement and screening
  • Tumor measurement
  • Cardiac function and output
  • Flow doppler measurements
  • 3-D volumetric imaging

Study Initiation, Training and Scheduling

The SAI offers training on our ultrasound imaging systems.  Please click on this link to learn more about requesting training for our systems.  Staff assisted imaging is also available for an additional fee.  Contact us at bricsai@unc.edu or call us at 919-966-2855 with any questions about your ultrasound study.  Optical imaging can be scheduled after training by SAI staff through iLab.  Please follow the instructions at the Schedule a Study link for more details or contact us at bricsai@unc.edu with questions.

Cost

The current internal rate for ultrasound imaging is $50/hr.  Imaging time is highly dependent upon the study protocol so please contact the SAI for budget information. You can also see our rates at this link.