X-ray micro-tomography for investigations of brain tissues on cellular level

Anna Khimchenko; Georg Schulz; Hans Deyhle; Peter Thalmann; Irene Zanette; Marie-Christine Zdora; Christos Bikis; Alexander Hipp; Simone E. Hieber; Gabriel Schweighauser; Jürgen Hench; Bert Müller

doi:10.1117/12.2237554

4 October 2016 X-ray micro-tomography for investigations of brain tissues on cellular level

Anna Khimchenko, Georg Schulz, Hans Deyhle, Peter Thalmann, Irene Zanette, Marie-Christine Zdora, Christos Bikis, Alexander Hipp, Simone E. Hieber, Gabriel Schweighauser, Jürgen Hench, Bert Müller

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9967, Developments in X-Ray Tomography X; 996703 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237554
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2016, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

X-ray imaging in absorption contrast mode is well established for hard tissue visualization. However, performance for lower density materials is limited due to a reduced contrast. Our aim is three-dimensional (3D) characterization of micro-morphology of human brain tissues down to (sub-)cellular resolution within a laboratory environment. Using the laboratory-based microtomography (μCT) system nanotom m (GE Sensing and Inspection Technologies GmbH, Wunstorf, Germany) and synchrotron radiation at the Diamond-Manchester Imaging Branchline I13-2 (Diamond Light Source, Didcot, UK), we have acquired 3D data with a resolution down to 0.45 μm for visualization of a human cerebellum specimen down to cellular level. We have shown that all selected modalities, namely laboratory-based absorption contrast micro-tomography (LBμCT), synchrotron radiation based in-line single distance phase contrast tomography (SDPR) and synchrotron radiation based single-grating interferometry (GI), can reach cellular resolution for tissue samples with a size in the mm-range. The results are discussed qualitatively in comparison to optical microscopy of haematoxylin and eosin (HE) stained sections. As phase contrast yields to a better data quality for soft tissues and in order to overcome restrictions of limited beamline access for phase contrast measurements, we have equipped the μCT system nanotom m with a double-grating phase contrast set-up. Preliminary experimental results of a knee sample consisting of a bony part and a cartilage demonstrate that phase contrast data exhibits better quality compared to absorption contrast. Currently, the set-up is under adjustment. It is expected that cellular resolution would also be achieved. The questions arise (1) what would be the quality gain of laboratory-based phase contrast in comparison to laboratory-based absorption contrast tomography and (2) could laboratory-based phase contrast data provide comparable results to synchrotron radiation based phase contrast data.

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Anna Khimchenko, Georg Schulz, Hans Deyhle, Peter Thalmann, Irene Zanette, Marie-Christine Zdora, Christos Bikis, Alexander Hipp, Simone E. Hieber, Gabriel Schweighauser, Jürgen Hench, and Bert Müller "X-ray micro-tomography for investigations of brain tissues on cellular level", Proc. SPIE 9967, Developments in X-Ray Tomography X, 996703 (4 October 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2237554

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