High-resolution X-Ray imaging of small animal samples based on Commercial-Off-The-Shelf CMOS image sensors

PÉREZ, MARTÍN; LADO, GERARDO M.; MATO, GERMÁN; FRANCO, DIEGO G.; VINCIGUERRA, IGNACIO ARTOLA; BERISSO, MARIANO GÓMEZ; POMIRO, FEDERICO J.; LIPOVETZKY, JOSÉ; MARPEGAN, LUCIANO

JOURNAL OF X-RAY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

IOS PRESS

Año: 2024 p. 1 - 13

0895-3996

An automated system for acquiring microscopic-resolution radiographic images of biological samples was devel-oped. Mass-produced, low-cost, and easily automated components were used, such as Commercial-Off-The-Self CMOSimage sensors (CIS), stepper motors, and control boards based on Arduino and RaspberryPi. System configuration, imagingprotocols, and Image processing (filtering and stitching) were defined to obtain high-resolution images and for successfulcomputational image reconstruction. Radiographic images were obtained for animal samples including the widely usedanimal models zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the fruit-fly (Drosophila melanogaster), as well as other small animal samples.The use of phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as a contrast agent was also studied. Radiographic images with resolutions of up to(7±0.6) μm were obtained, making this system comparable to commercial ones. This work constitutes a starting point for thedevelopment of more complex systems such as X-ray attenuation micro-tomography systems based on low-cost off-the-shelftechnology. It will also bring the possibility to expand the studies that can be carried out with small animal models at manyinstitutions (mostly those working on tight budgets), particularly those on the effects of ionizing radiation and absorption ofheavy metal contaminants in animal tissues.