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Updated: Nov 14, 2025

Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Multiple-mouse Neuroanatomical Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Published on: February 27, 2011

A 3D-printed Apparatus for Imaging Multiple Rats Simultaneously.

Nicholas J Harrison¹, Kate L Shumway², Sarah A Hansen³

¹Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, Missouri.

Comparative Medicine

|March 12, 2021

Summary

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A novel 3D-printed apparatus enables simultaneous clinical CT imaging of nine rats, minimizing motion artifacts and cost. This method shows clinically negligible effects on organ attenuation, proving effective for preclinical cancer research.

Area of Science:

Biomedical Imaging
Preclinical Research
3D Printing Technology

Background:

Clinical CT is crucial for cancer staging and monitoring.
Rodent models are vital for preclinical cancer studies, but CT imaging is challenging due to size and motion.
Anesthesia is required for rodent CT, posing challenges like biosecurity and cost.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and evaluate a 3D-printed apparatus for simultaneous clinical CT imaging of multiple rats.
To assess the impact of apparatus position on organ attenuation in rodent CT scans.
To provide a cost-effective and efficient alternative to microCT for preclinical cancer research.

Main Methods:

A 3D-printed apparatus was designed to hold 9 anesthetized rats in a 3x3 arrangement for simultaneous CT scanning.

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Last Updated: Nov 14, 2025

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A standardized phantom plug was imaged to assess attenuation differences within the apparatus.

Attenuation of liver, kidney, femur, and brain was evaluated in 9 rats to determine positional effects.

Main Results:

The apparatus successfully enabled simultaneous imaging of 9 rats using clinical CT.
Statistically significant but clinically negligible attenuation differences were observed between rows, not columns, for phantoms and kidneys.
Asymmetric attenuation and beam hardening were attributed to the apparatus's open top design.

Conclusions:

The developed 3D-printed apparatus is effective for simultaneous rodent CT imaging in clinical scanners.
The method minimizes motion artifacts and offers a viable, cost-effective alternative for preclinical research.
Future iterations will focus on enclosed designs for enhanced biosecurity.