LiCor Pearl® Impulse Whole Animal Imaging System using near InfraRed Dyes
The Pearl® Impulse Imaging system employs a new CCD-based optical system specifically designed for in vivo imaging
in the near-infrared (NIR) spectral region where autofluorescence and light scattering are low. The NIR laser
illumination also achieves deeper tissue penetration which permits visualization of targets that are smaller and
embedded deeper in tissues. The instrument allows scanning times of 30 seconds or less which minimizes animal stress
and increases investigator productivity. The instrument can be used for performing non-invasive imaging of
anesthetized animals in vivo to evaluate a variety of biological variables related to disease, the activity and
distribution of drugs and the effects of drugs. It is also capable of imaging over dual channels which allows for multiple
targets to be sampled in the same subject. An example of the use of the instrument is provided in the article attached
to this description.
OVERVIEW & ADVANTAGES
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EXCELLENT SENSITIVITY
FAST IMAGING
NATIVE CELL COMPATIBILITY
TEMPERATURE AND ANESTHESIA CONTROL
APPLICATIONS
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SMALL ANIMAL IMAGING
RECEPTOR TARGETING
TRANSPORTER TARGETING
STRUCTURAL IMAGING
BIODISTRIBUTION
Pearl® Impulse
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Detector Type
CCD. Thermoelectrically cooled.
Scan Time
Less than 30 seconds to complete white light, 700 nm channel and 800 nm channel image
acquisition.
700 nm Channel
Excitation 685nm, Emission 720nm
800 nm Channel
Excitation 785nm, Emission 820nm
White Channel
Excitation white, Emission, NA
Dyes
IRDye® 680, IRDye 700DX, IRDye 800RS, IRDye 800CW, Alexa Fluor 680, Alexa Fluor 750, Cy5.5,
Cy7
Resolution
85, 170 or 255 micron
Image Display
Options
Pseudocolor, grayscale, single color (red, green or blue), or two colors with overlapping
fluorescence displayed in a third color.
Capacity
One animal, with linked look-up tables for image normalization
Imaging Bed
16.8 cm W x 12 cm D (6.6” W x 4.75” D). Vertical clearance to top of drawer is 3.8 cm (1.5”).
Field of View
11.2 cm W x 8.4 cm D (4.4” W x 3.3” D) at surface of imaging bed.
Imaging Bed
Temperature Range
32-42 °C.
Gas Anesthesia
Inlet and outlet ports flow anesthesia gas through a nose cone in the imaging drawer. A
rotameter is included for flow rate control.
Acquisition Speed
500 ms - 40s
Kovar, J et al.
Hyaluronidase expression induces prostate tumor metastasis in an orthotopic mouse model.
Am J Pathol. 169(4):1415-26 (2006)
The instrument is currently housed in Rm. 6S11 in the Brody Medical Sciences building. If you are interested in
information regarding this item of equipment and its use, please contact Dr. Ethan J. Anderson or Ms. Kathleen Thayne
in the Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology. Please note that use of the instrument for whole animal imaging
requires an approved AUP.