PIXImus Mouse Densitometer

Sales, accessories, service and support at:

Inside Outside Sales LLC

5769 North Hill Ct.

Fitchburg WI 53711

Call Don Settergren at 608-698-2663

don@piximus.com

Academic and pharmaceutical researchers commonly use small animals as subjects for investigations of genetics, cellular physiology, and of agents affecting bone or soft-tissue composition. Bone densitometry and body composition measurement using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), eliminate the need for destructive chemical analysis – a time-and labor-consuming process that requires days or weeks to complete. Bone densitometry allows the researcher the opportunity to make multiple measurements in situ during the life of the animal. Unfortunately, DEXA densitometers using rectilinear scanning require as much as 30 minutes for a total body acquisition with relatively poor precision (>5%) and spatial resolution (>0.5mm). The long process requires careful sedation techniques and often endangers animal safety. The PIXIMUS Densitometer provides bone mineral and body composition results from total body imaging in under 5 minutes. Fast imaging allows use of milder sedation that is safer on animals.

The PIXIMUS allows accurate and precise measurement of bone and tissue for small animals 10-50 g (e.g., mice, lemmings). This measured bone exhibits excellent correlation to total ashed weight (r=0.99)¹. PIXImus uses a lower x-ray energy than that used for peripheral densitometry in humans in order to achieve contrast in the extremely low density bone. Excellent precision of BMD and %Fat makes PIXIMUS ideal for longitudinal studies. The standard total body focuses on the active bone area in the subcranial region. There are manual ROI’s for selected regions within the total body image, such as spine and femur.

1. Data courtesy of T.R. Nagy , Ph.D. University of Alabama-Birmingham

Specifications:

Time: <5 minutes/acquisition

Pixel Size: 0.18 x 0.18 mm

Image Area: 80 x 65 mm

Animal Size: 10 - 50 grams

Total Body BMD precision: SD 0.075 mg/cm2, CV 1.5% @ 50 mg/cm2

Total Body %Fat precision: 1% Fat, 5% @ 20% Fat

Location of ROIs: Subcranial total body Manual ROIs for spine, femur and custom applications

Results: Bone Mineral Density (BMD) in mg/cm2, Bone Mineral Content (BMC), in mg, Bone area in cm2, %Fat, Lean tissue in grams, Fat tissue in grams

Positioning: Custom positioner for animal, immobilization, disposable to reduce contamination

X-ray Geometry: Cone beam, Stationary area detector

Computer: Portable Notebook

X-ray Tube/Generator: Stationary anode, 0.3 mm focal spot, Dual-energy supply, 80/35 kVp @ 500μA

Physical Dimensions: 30W x 63D x 33H cm (12 x 25 x 13 in), <27 kg (59 lb)

Power/Environment: 110-120 VAC (±10%), 5A, 60Hz (±2Hz), 200-240 VAC (±10%), 2.5A, 50Hz (±2Hz), 18-27 °C (64-81 °F) operating temp.

Note: the PIXIMUS densitometer is for investigational use in laboratory animals or other tests that do not involve human subjects.

Specifications subject to change without notice. LUNAR and PIXI are trademarks of GE Lunar Corporation.