PROJECT SUMMARY This proposal would obtain funds for the purchase of a FUJIFILM VisualSonics Vevo F2 small animal ultrasound imaging system for installation in the TI2EHM core at Tulane University. Tulane lacks a core small animal ultrasound imaging system, despite being a highly research active institution with over $114mil in NIH funding awarded in FY22. Currently, the assembled Major Users of this proposal, conducting NIH-supported research, are utilizing outdated small animal imaging systems within their individual laboratories or those of collaborators (the Vevo 2100, 1100, and 770). Each system is over 10 years old and service is no longer supported by Visual Sonics for the 1100 or 770; service for the 2100 expires December 2023. On the Vevo F2, the imaging probes have been redesigned to be smaller and more ergonomic in comparison to all prior models of the Vevo. The transducers now spatially compound the data — electronically steering beam to acquire scans of the imaged object from multiple angles — to reduce image speckle and artifacts. Additionally, all three existing systems have aging computer operating systems which are increasing unstable. The superior image acquisition and processing, fast frame rate, high speed data transfer capabilities, and open architecture of the Vevo F2 small animal ultrasound system will enable new research outcomes for researchers in the Tulane University community, as detailed in this plan.

PROJECT NARRATIVE This proposal would provide funds for a state-of-the-art small animal imaging system at Tulane University. Major and minor users in support of the proposal perform research in women’s health, cardiovascular health, reproductive medicine and biology, neurological diseases, renal health, and oncology. The establishment of a small animal ultrasound imaging core system at Tulane would greatly advance the users’ NIH-funded research programs.