Patent ID: 7209579
Filing Date: 2007-04-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method for the anatomical and functional imaging of an unrestrained laboratory sized animal strategically labeled with X-ray opaque and IR-laser reflective markers in a non-anesthetized and non-immobilized condition comprising: A) injecting or causing the unrestrained laboratory sized animal, a subject, to ingest an appropriate tracer material; B) placing the subject in an imaging volume for limited confinement of the subject; C) obtaining functional images of the subject by exposure of the subject in an anatomical and functional imaging system comprising: D) either prior or subsequent to said functional imaging obtaining an X-ray CT image of said subject in an anesthetized condition; E) integrating said electronic signals from said tracking system and said IR sensitive cameras to generate a combined and registered profile and functional image to produce an integrated functional image of said subject; and F) integrating said X-ray CT image and said integrated functional image to produce a combined anatomical and functional image of said subject.