The Research Imaging Core supports both large animal studies at the R2 building and small animal studies at the Neuroscience building. For the latter, the Roberts Translational Imaging Facility is a joint venture between the Stark Neuroscience Research Institute (SNRI) and the Medical Imaging Research Institute (MIRI). It was established in 2020 to offer a variety of preclinical imaging services for Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute (CTSI) investigators across campuses. Learn about preclinical imaging services and how to begin a study.
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Equipment
Bruker BioSpec 94/30 MR Scanner with gradient inserts, 1H MRI CryoProbeTM and PET Insert Si 20/12
This multimodality imaging system is located within a dedicated imaging facility which has been integrated with a laboratory animal care facility. This system became operational in February 2020. Key features include: true simultaneous PET-MR data acquisition, Zero helium boil-off technology, 9.4T superconducting magnet system, actively shielded gradients, built-in 300 mT/m gradient amplitude, 1040 T/m/s maximum slew rate, multiple rodent brain/body/surface/volume coils, MR compatible physiologic monitoring system, body temperature control system, Autopac motorized sample support system and multiple application packages. The system includes additional gradient inserts for high-resolution imaging. The B-GA12S HP w/ RF Coil gradient shim insert for optimal performance for small sample sizes (rodent imaging). The 12S gradient coil insert has 660 mT/m peak strength with 4570 T/m/s maximum slew rate for high resolution diffusion imaging. The Resonance Research Inc. (RRI) gradient insert coil is designed for ex vivo only super-resolution MRI with a maximum gradient strength of 2500 mT/m and 25000 T/m/s slew rate. The CryoProbeTM is a cryogenically cooled MRI coil (20-30 degrees K) to decrease electronic noise for 2- to 5-fold increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) imaging of mice. The PET insert is a 3-ring PET system that can be inserted into the bore of the magnet for simultaneous PET/MR imaging or can be operated independently as a standalone system. The PET system is based upon Si PET detector technology. Both the MR and PET systems are operated using the Bruker ParaVision 360 Acquisition Workplace software version.
Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma Fit 3T MRI
A research-dedicated Siemens MAGNETOM Prisma Fit 3T MRI, located in the R2 building, was upgraded in November 2017 and is a 3T whole-body imaging system operating with Syngo software. The system is equipped with a XR Gradients (80 mT/m @ 200 T/m/s) gradient system and 64 independent RF-channels supporting up to 204 coil elements.
Siemens FREEMAX .55T
The Siemens MAGNETOM Free.Max is a 0.55T MRI scanner featuring an extra-wide 80 cm bore, making it ideal for claustrophobic or bariatric patients. Despite its low-field strength, it offers advanced imaging capabilities with AI tools like Deep Resolve and Simultaneous Multi-Slice TSE. Its lightweight, helium-free DryCool system eliminates the need for a quench pipe and allows installation in smaller spaces (under 24 m²). With a gradient performance of 22 mT/m and a table load capacity up to 320 kg, the Free.Max delivers clinically robust imaging with a compact footprint. It also supports a growing range of cardiac research applications, including functional and structural imaging, with reduced susceptibility artifacts and improved patient comfort during longer scans.
Imaging Services
MRI
The Research Imaging Core provides neuroimaging, cardiovascular imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, vasculature imaging and abdominal imaging. Imaging sequences include anatomical imaging with T1-weighted, T2-weighted and T2-FALIR contrast; diffusion MRI; functional MRI; perfusion MRI with IVIM and dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC); ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI; phase contrast imaging; angiography; chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI; MRI spectroscopy with GABA spectroscopy and glu/glx spectroscopy.
PET
The Research Imaging Core provides neuroimaging, cardiovascular imaging and whole-body imaging with a variety of tracers including tau, amyloid, dopamine, synaptic density, FDG and FET.
PET
Tau imaging, amyloid imaging, metabolic imaging, perfusion imaging, prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) imaging, neuro-oncologic imaging, dopamine imaging and synaptic density imaging.
CT
Head and neck imaging, musculoskeletal imaging, perfusion imaging, lung imaging and abdominal imaging.
T1-weighted imaging, T2-weighted imaging, T2-FLAIR imaging, diffusion MRI, IVIM MRI, functional MRI, susceptibility-weighted imaging, myelin imaging, arterial-spin labeling (ASL) MRI, dynamic contrast enhanced (DCE) MRI, dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) MRI, chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI, ultrashort echo time (UTE) MRI, phase contrast imaging, MRI spectroscopy, GABA spectroscopy, glu/glx spectroscopy, P31 spectroscopy, proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and more.
Cath Lab and Surgical Intervention Suite
Advanced single-plane, floor-mounted cardiovascular imaging system with a 31cmx31cm flat panel detector.
Comprehensive hemodynamic data acquisition, analysis and documentation platform.
- Fully equipped surgery bay for open cardiovascular procedures.
- Catheterization table with imaging integration.
- Ultrasound and fluoroscopy guidance systems for vascular access.
- Alaris® Infusion System for controlled delivery of fluids and medications.
Interventional cardiology procedures
- Coronary angiography and angioplasty
- Balloon occlusion studies
- Intracoronary drug and cell delivery
- Intramyocardial hemorrhage models
- Stent deployment and evaluation
- Embolization and vascular closure studies
Vascular interventions
- Peripheral angiography and vascular access studies
- Aortic and peripheral stenting
- Endovascular device testing
- Vascular occlusion and reperfusion models
- Hemodynamics and flow analysis
Electrophysiology and cardiac function analysis
- Intracardiac electrophysiology studies
- Arrhythmia induction and mapping
- Pacemaker and ICD implantation
- Cardiac output and pressure-volume loop analysis
- Autonomic nervous system modulation studies
Advanced imaging and fluoroscopy
- GE Innova 3100 single-plane s-ray system
- High-resolution angiography and fluoroscopy
- Real-time DICOM imaging and analysis
- Multi-modal imaging guidance (s-ray, ultrasound, MRI-assisted studies)
- Contrast-enhanced imaging and perfusion analysis
Hemodynamics and blood flow dynamics
- Pressure wire and fractional flow reserve (FFR) studies
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Microvascular function assessment
- Hemodynamic response to interventions
Device testing and biomechanical research
- Preclinical testing of catheter-based devices
- Cardiovascular implant evaluation
- Novel balloon, stent and coil testing
- Simulation of clinical conditions for device validation
Drug and biologic delivery studies
- Intravenous and intra-arterial drug administration
- Localized drug delivery via catheter
- Gene and cell therapy delivery
- Pharmacokinetics and biodistribution studies
Preclinical surgical and hybrid procedures
- Surgical access for vascular interventions
- Hybrid cath-lab and open surgical models
- Extracorporeal circulation and perfusion support
- Minimally invasive and robotic-assisted procedures
Custom experimental models and protocol development
- Large animal models of cardiovascular disease
- Custom surgical and interventional models
- Bespoke procedure development for industry and academia
- Regulatory compliance and study design consulting
Data analysis and post-processing services
- Cardiac and vascular imaging analysis
- Quantitative coronary angiography and stenosis assessment
- Electrophysiology and hemodynamic data interpretation
- Customized data processing and reporting
Training and education programs
- Preclinical research training for investigators and fellows
- Hands-on training in catheter-based techniques
- Fluoroscopy and imaging training modules
- Workshops for industry and academic collaborators
How to start your study
Register
All imaging core studies must register with the Office of Research Imaging (ORI).
Send completed registration form to ORI@iu.edu.
Please make sure to consider the following when completing your study registration form:
- Do I have all the budgetary information for each imaging procedure?
- Where will the image data be sent for the study team?
Prior to opening the study for scheduling, ORI requires a copy of the following study documents:
- Type of species or specimen
- Scan protocol sheet
- IACUC information
- IU account number
ORI review and ID number
Once registered, ORI will review the study and provide an ORI ID number for the study. The ORI ID number is VERY important to your study, so please keep it with your study materials and make sure all members of the study team working with imaging know it. You must reference this number when scheduling. It will look something like this:
YEAR-00xxx
Study startup meeting
For studies with nonstandard imaging protocols a study startup meeting is required. Startup meetings are encouraged for all studies to ensure a smooth and successful study.
Scheduling
Once the above information has sent to ori@iu.edu and has been approved, it's time for scheduling. Please contact the imaging technologists:
- resmri@iu.edu for research MRI scheduling (large animal studies)
- respet@iu.edu for PET/CT scheduling (large animal studies)
- resbruker@iu.edu for small animal studies
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