Systems for imaging structures of a subject and related methods
Systems for imaging structures of a subject are provided. The subject has an optical axis, a pupil, and a nodal point. The system includes an image capture device; a first structure including a mount for the subject to be imaged by the image capture device, the first structure providing at least two rotational degrees of freedom; a second structure including a mount for the image capture device, the second structure providing at least two translational degrees of freedom; and a means for aligning the image capture device in relation to the optical axis, the pupil, and the nodal point of the subject.
1. An apparatus for positioning a small animal subject, the apparatus comprising:
a first structure including a mount for the subject to positioned, the first structure having a cylindrical region with an inner surface and an outer surface and having an opening on at least one end;
a second structure coupled to the first structure and including a mount for the subject to be positioned, the second structure having a cylindrical region with an inner surface and an outer surface and having an opening on at least one end, wherein an outer radius of curvature of at least a portion of the second structure is less than an inner radius of curvature of at least a portion of the first structure and wherein at least a portion of the second structure forms a platform for positioning the small animal subject; and
a mechanism for coupling the second structure to the first structure such that the second structure is configured to rotate with respect to a first axis of rotation parallel to an axis of its cylinder region.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the small animal subject comprises one of a mammal, a fish, a bird, a reptile, an amphibian, an insect, and a mollusk.
3. The apparatus of the claim 1 , further comprising a second axis of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation.
4. The apparatus of the claim 3 , wherein the first and second axes of rotation intersect.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the first and second axes of rotation include a rotation about a first axis substantially parallel to a first axis of symmetry of the small animal subject and a rotation about an orthogonal second axis substantially parallel to a second axis of symmetry of the small animal subject.
6. The apparatus of the claim 1 , further comprising a bite bar associated with the platform of the second structure for positioning and/or restraining the subject.
7. The apparatus of the claim 1 , further comprising a nose cone associated with the platform of the second structure for administering anesthesia to the subject.
8. The apparatus of the claim 1 , further comprising a set of tubes embedded within at least a portion of the apparatus configured to hold and/or to flow a gas and/or a liquid.
9. The apparatus of the claim 1 , further comprising an electrically isolated integrated heater for warming the subject.
10. The apparatus of the claim 1 , further comprising an accessory assembly for mounting a syringe, a diagnostic device, and/or a therapeutic device.
11. An apparatus for positioning a small animal subject, the apparatus comprising:
a first structure including a mount for the subject to be positioned;
a second structure coupled to the first structure and including a mount for the subject to be positioned, wherein at least a portion of the second structure forms a platform for positioning the small animal subject; and
a means for coupling the second structure to the first structure such that the second structure is configured to rotate with respect to a first axis of rotation substantially parallel to an axis of symmetry of the small animal subject.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the small animal comprises one of a mammal, a fish, a bird, a reptile, an amphibian, an insect, and a mollusk.
13. The apparatus of the claim 11 , further comprising a second axis of rotation orthogonal to the first axis of rotation.
14. The apparatus of the claim 13 , wherein the first and second axes of rotation intersect.
15. The apparatus of claim 14 , wherein the axis of symmetry of the small animal subject is an axis of a body that separates a right side of the small animal subject from a left side of the small animal subject and a right eye of the small animal subject from a left eye of the small animal subject.
16. The apparatus of the claim 11 , further comprising a bite bar associated with the platform of the second structure for positioning and/or restraining the subject.
17. The apparatus of the claim 11 , further comprising a nose cone associated with the platform of the second structure for administering anesthesia to the subject.
18. The apparatus of the claim 11 , further comprising a set of tubes embedded within at least a portion of the apparatus configured to hold and/or to flow a gas and/or a liquid.
19. The apparatus of the claim 11 , further comprising an electrically isolated integrated heater for warming the subject.
20. The apparatus of the claim 11 , further comprising an accessory assembly for mounting a syringe, a diagnostic device, and/or a therapeutic device.