338
N. Ashwin Kumar et al.
Fig. 2 Different types of imaging modalities for preclinical imaging applications. Each in-vivo
image gives an example to the specific imaging system. For instance, molecular imaging can be
acquired using optical, nuclear imaging modalities. Structural information can be obtained from
X-ray CT, MRI, and Acoustic imaging system. A combination of systems, along with the specialized probe, can produce hybrid/multi-modal imaging with features of structural and molecular
information
volume, location, and molecular identities like angiogenesis, expression of markers,
and genetic information [8]. Second, the early risk of plaque formation and detection of blockage in heart vessels, therapeutic outcomes, and information about risk
assessment can be evaluated for cardiovascular diseases [9]. Third, neurological
disorders like brain injury, congenital disorders stroke, the flow of cerebrospinal
fluid, spinal cord injury, and other causes related to head can be imaged via a noninvasive method [10]. Finally, in vivo optical imaging is widely used as a functional
imaging tool to determine disease progression, target efficacy, and other molecular
mechanistic effects of the disease. Compared to other in vivo imaging modalities,
optical imaging is still in the infant stage [11].
N. Ashwin Kumar et al.
Fig. 2 Different types of imaging modalities for preclinical imaging applications. Each in-vivo
image gives an example to the specific imaging system. For instance, molecular imaging can be
acquired using optical, nuclear imaging modalities. Structural information can be obtained from
X-ray CT, MRI, and Acoustic imaging system. A combination of systems, along with the specialized probe, can produce hybrid/multi-modal imaging with features of structural and molecular
information
volume, location, and molecular identities like angiogenesis, expression of markers,
and genetic information [8]. Second, the early risk of plaque formation and detection of blockage in heart vessels, therapeutic outcomes, and information about risk
assessment can be evaluated for cardiovascular diseases [9]. Third, neurological
disorders like brain injury, congenital disorders stroke, the flow of cerebrospinal
fluid, spinal cord injury, and other causes related to head can be imaged via a noninvasive method [10]. Finally, in vivo optical imaging is widely used as a functional
imaging tool to determine disease progression, target efficacy, and other molecular
mechanistic effects of the disease. Compared to other in vivo imaging modalities,
optical imaging is still in the infant stage [11].