There are several limitations and challenges faced by preclinical imaging modalities which hinder the growth of the market.
One of the challenges in preclinical imaging is the development of infrastructural platforms required for integrating into Vivo imaging and therapeutic response data with ex vivo pathological and molecular data using a more systems-based multiscale modeling approach. Further challenges exist in integrating these data for computational modeling to better understand the pathobiology of cancer and to better affect its cure.
One of the major drawbacks of micro-CT is the radiation dosage placed on test animals. Although this is generally not lethal, the radiation is high enough to affect the immune system and other biological pathways, which may ultimately change experimental outcomes. In addition, radiation may affect tumor size in cancer models as it mimics radiotherapy, and thus extra control groups might be needed to account for this potentially confounding variable. Also, the contrast resolution of micro-CT is quite poor, and thus it is unsuitable for distinguishing between similar tissue types, such as normal vs. diseased tissues.
Micro-SPECT has considerable radiation which affects the physiological and immunological pathways in small animals. Also, labeling compounds with micro-SPECT isotopes require chelating molarities which may alter their biochemical or physical properties.
In sequential SPECT-MR, the operator needs to allow a little time to transfer the subject between the SPECT and MR acquisition positions. This is negated in simultaneous SPECT-MR. However, for sequential SPECT-MR, when the SPECT module is clipped on it is easy to clip-on or off and transfer between rooms. The researcher has to have sufficient knowledge to interpret two different system outputs and would require training for this.
Another major limitation faced in optical imaging is the depth of penetration, which, in the case of visible dyes is only a few millimeters. Near-infrared fluorescence has allowed depths of several centimeters to be feasible. Optical imaging, fluorescence has a resolution limited to the diffraction of light of ~270 nm and bioluminescence has a resolution of ~1–10 mm, depending on the time of acquisition, compared to MRI at 100 µm, and micro-ultrasound at 30 µm.
The Micro-CT Systems market is valued at USD 139.1 Mn in 2018 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.7 % over the forecast period to reach a USD 232.2 Mn by 2026.
Micro-CT systems are also expected to drive the market, owing to the recent launches and increased number of installations. For instance, on February 6, 2019, Bruker announced the new SKYSCAN 1273 benchtop 3D X-ray microscope based on micro-CT technology. On September 6, 2018, MILabs announced the installation of its next-generation Adaptive U-CTXUHR at Sydney Imaging, a core research facility of the University of Sydney.
Micro-CT can have an excellent spatial resolution, which can be up to 6 µm when combined with contrast agents. Micro-CT is often used as an anatomical imaging system in animal research. Contrast agents can also be injected to study blood flow. However, contrast agents for micro-CT, such as iodine, are difficult to conjugate molecular targets1 with, and thus it is rarely used in molecular imaging techniques. As such, micro-CT is often combined with micro-PET/SPECT for anatomical and molecular imaging in research.
One of the major drawbacks of micro-CT is the radiation dosage placed on test animals. Although this is generally not lethal, the radiation is high enough to affect the immune system and other biological pathways, which may ultimately change experimental outcomes. Also, radiation may affect tumor size in cancer models as it mimics radiotherapy, and thus extra control groups might be needed to account for this potentially confounding variable.
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