MicroCT Core Laboratory

Overview of Services

The MicroCT Core Laboratory provides high-resolution, three-dimensional imaging and data analysis services.  Micro-computed tomography is an x-ray imaging technique that produces micron-level image resolution, making it possible to quantitatively and accurately analyze the 3D structure of bone and mineral.  The non-destructive nature of microCT imaging allows the researcher to use the same sample for histology or biomechanical testing after microCT imaging. Either frozen or fixed samples can be submitted for analysis and no additional specimen staining, sectioning or sample preparation is typically required.  

Advantages of MicroCT

• Micro-CT allows for extremely high-resolution, non-destructive, 3D imaging.
• No staining, sectioning, or sample preparation needed
• Samples can be frozen or fixed
• Since Micro-CT is non-destructive, other assays may be carried out after, thereby increasing the amount of data per sample
• Data acquisition is a rapid process, allowing for a speedy return of samples

Equipment

• Skyscan1172 up to a 1 micron nominal resolution can be acquired

• Skyscan1173 has a higher energy range and a larger gantry for larger, denser samples

• Pyradia F100 Furnace to determine the weight % of mineral to organic content

• BioDent Reference Point Indenter for direct measurement of material strength

Leadership

Weston Fath

Research Core Facility Technician

Email: fath@uthscsa.edu

Phone: 210-567-5155

Location and hours of operation

Links and Resources

1. Institution web page
2. UTHSCSA Research Core Laboratories

Publication Acknowledgements

Publications arising from the image acquisition or data analysis provided by the core are requested to include the following attribution:

“MicroCT imaging and analysis was provided by the UTHSCSA/Orthopaedics RAYO Center for Bone & Mineral Imaging with instrumentation funded in part by National Institutes of Health grant, 1 S10 RR025687-01A1/NIH.”