Preparation Tables and Animal Cradles
The MR instrument can be equipped with different types of preparation tables. All preparation tables include different sliding systems, on which different animal cradles can be mounted. The animal cradles are available with or without integrated RF coils.
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- Manual Sliding System: This preparation table is an adjustable three-axis table including sliding rails. This table is available as model “Bracket” for 11, 16 and 20 cm magnets or as model “Slider” for 30 and 40 cm magnets. Distance measurements are done using simple tools like non-magnetic rulers and ticks.
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- AUTOPAC: This motorized animal positioning system corresponds to a clinical patient bed for rodents. The AUTOPAC is controlled and positioned precisely using a laser crosshair and a digital control panel. Furthermore, the system provides an RF shielded cover as well as an anesthesia and animal supervision filter plate, when MR instruments are installed without Faraday cage.
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- MANPAC: This manual animal positioning system corresponds to a manual operated AUTOPAC. Using a mechanical distance definition system positions can be realized precisely and reproducibly. Furthermore, the system provides an RF shielded cover as well as an anesthesia and animal supervision filter plate, when MR instruments are installed without Faraday cage.
AUTOPAC and MANPAC System
The animal cradles are available for mice, rats, guinea pigs and small rabbits. Beds for mice and rat are designed in a modular way to support different specialized applications. They consist of a basic bed and exchangeable so called TIPs. TIPs are designed for the usage with the corresponding dedicated RF coils.
These beds are suited for animals with a body weight up to 400 – 500 g. The AUTOPAC may be loaded with maximum 5 kg.
In order to ensure the best possible image quality, the combinations of animal cradles and RF coils listed in the following sections should be used for in vivo applications.
Further information