A system , comprising: a lab-scale magnetic resonance imaging device , MRD, having two opposite input ports arranged along a common axis; and an animal handling system for inserting objects to be scanned into said MRD , the animal handling system comprising a first elongated enclosure reversibly insertable into said MRD through one of said input ports , said first elongated enclosure comprises an open distal end insertable through said one of said input ports , and a proximal end configured to seal against a circumferential edge of said one of said input ports , thereby sealing said one of said input ports from the outside environment; and a second elongated enclosure reversibly insertable into said MRD through the other one of said input ports , said second elongated enclosure comprises an open distal end insertable through said other one of said input ports , and a proximal end configured to seal against a circumferential edge of said other one of said input ports , thereby sealing said other one of said input ports from the outside environment; wherein said first elongated enclosure has an ellipsoidal cross-sectional area, said second elongated enclosure has a circular cross-sectional area, and said first and second elongated enclosures are adapted to enclose different types of objects to be scanned ; and wherein said first and second elongated enclosures are configured so that upon insertion of said first and second elongated enclosures into said MRD through said opposite input ports , said second elongated enclosure slides into said first elongated enclosure through said open distal end of said first elongated enclosure . a lab-scale magnetic resonance imaging device , MRD, having two opposite input ports arranged along a common axis; and an animal handling system for inserting objects to be scanned into said MRD , the animal handling system comprising a first elongated enclosure reversibly insertable into said MRD through one of said input ports , said first elongated enclosure comprises an open distal end insertable through said one of said input ports , and a proximal end configured to seal against a circumferential edge of said one of said input ports , thereby sealing said one of said input ports from the outside environment; and a second elongated enclosure reversibly insertable into said MRD through the other one of said input ports , said second elongated enclosure comprises an open distal end insertable through said other one of said input ports , and a proximal end configured to seal against a circumferential edge of said other one of said input ports , thereby sealing said other one of said input ports from the outside environment; wherein said first elongated enclosure has an ellipsoidal cross-sectional area, said second elongated enclosure has a circular cross-sectional area, and said first and second elongated enclosures are adapted to enclose different types of objects to be scanned ; and wherein said first and second elongated enclosures are configured so that upon insertion of said first and second elongated enclosures into said MRD through said opposite input ports , said second elongated enclosure slides into said first elongated enclosure through said open distal end of said first elongated enclosure . <EOS>