Opossum BriteVu contrast study!

Opossum BriteVu contrast study!

Opossum (aka Virginia opossum or possum, Didelphis virginiana) perfused with BriteVu and BriteVu Enhancer.  This opossum represents the first ever marsupial species perfused with BriteVu.  As seen in the video, the opossum had a large tumor on its neck leading to humane euthanasia.  Marsupials represent an unusual group of mammals with many anatomic variations (such as a pouch for carrying young).  Most marsupials are found in Australia with a few species (such as this animal) found in the Americas.  The…

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California Sea Lion as seen with BriteVu

California Sea Lion as seen with BriteVu

The California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) is native to the west coast of North America. The male and female (featured here) sea lion heads are currently being studied to document their anatomy.  Dr Beth Townsend at Midwestern University is leading the project with the end goal to publish the anatomic findings.  This is a joint project between Midwestern University, Sea World and Scarlet Imaging (www.ScarletImaging.com).  The sea lions are being used as models to study other marine mammals such as…

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Snow leopard BriteVu study

Snow leopard BriteVu study

Snow Leopards (Panthera uncia) are native to the mountains of central and south Asia and are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List due to declining numbers in the wild.  Zoologic collections house most of the known captive populations and serve as a source to collect data on these beautiful and threatened species.  As collection animals age and succumb to significant health problems, euthanasia becomes a humane option. The male snow leopard featured here was beloved by caretakers, visitors…

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Rat whole body BriteVu study

Rat whole body BriteVu study

The Brown (or Norway) rat (Rattus norvegicus) is one of the most commonly used animals in research.  Additionally, rats are common pets.  Rodents (mostly mice and rats) are commonly used for many research studies.  Vascular studies make up a significant number of rodent research projects.  By evaluating vasculature, researchers can understand normal anatomy and look for variations that help define disease or ‘abnormalities’. This study involved defining the rat’s ‘whole body’ blood supply.  The rat was first soft tissue preserved…

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Dog cerebrospinal fluid BriteVu study

Dog cerebrospinal fluid BriteVu study

The cerebrospinal fluid (or CSF) is the normally clear and colorless body fluid found in the spaces of the brain and spinal cord. CSF is created by specialized ependymal cells in the ventricles of the brain.  The ventricles are the communicating cavities within the brain.  CSF fluid is often analyzed (via a ‘CSF tap’) to look for abnormalities that help give clues to certain brain disorders.  The shape and size of the ventricles can also give clues to certain brain…

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Rabbit Anatomy Highlighted with BriteVu

Rabbit Anatomy Highlighted with BriteVu

European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) anatomy highlighted with BriteVu.  Rabbits are found throughout nature, research and as popular pets.  Records from Pliny the Elder in the first century BC note keeping rabbits. These and other records suggest rabbits have been with humans for over 2000 years.  Even with the long history of keeping rabbits, we still have a lot to learn about their anatomy and care.  This whole body BriteVu perfusion beautifully highlights the vascular anatomy of an adult, intact, female…

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Common Tenrec Anatomy BriteVu Study!!

Common Tenrec Anatomy BriteVu Study!!

Common tenrec (Tenrec ecaudatus) vascular anatomy as seen with BriteVu. Study conducted at University of Nevada Las Vegas.  Tenrecs are unusual mammals with unique physiology and anatomy and originate primarily from Madagascar.  Dr Frank van Breukelen and his team at UNLV are the leading researchers studying these strange animals.  This tenrec is the first ever to undergo a whole body BriteVu contrast perfusion.  Further, this project was a collaborative effort between UNLV, Touch of Life Technologies and Scarlet Imaging.  The…

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Pony BriteVu Contrast Study

Pony BriteVu Contrast Study

A whole pony perfused with BriteVu.  Procedure performed at the Marion duPont Scott Equine Medical Center, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine.  BriteVu and BriteVu Enhancer were both used in this novel whole body preservation and contrast perfusion.  This represents the first time such a technique was used in an equine species.  A vast amount of data was generated as the pony was perfused head to toe producing vascular contrast down to the capillaries. Dr James Brown and his staff…

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BriteVu used to study Traumatic Brain Injury

BriteVu used to study Traumatic Brain Injury

Dr Gama-Sosa and his team (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) completed and published a ground-breaking study that better characterizes the effects of traumatic brain injury in rats.  The animals were humanely subjected to low level blast injury that did not result in any obvious general brain histopathology. The injury mimicked the low-level blast exposure that military personnel may be exposed to in combat situations- not the major blast injury that results in obvious physical trauma.  The research team…

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Rat Head with Tongue Blood Supply

Rat Head with Tongue Blood Supply

A whole rat head was perfused with BriteVu and multiple areas were evaluated for their blood supply.  As several researchers are currently studying the blood supply to the jaw and oral cavity, this area has been of interest.  Here the rat head has been digitally ‘cut’ to show the head split down the middle from front (rostral) to back (caudal).  The highly vascular tongue is shown just behind (to the right of) the teeth.  Also the vasculature to the lower…

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