Experimental protocol*
| Animal # | μcath | Imaging Modality | Figure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | Ex vivo MPRAGE | 4 |
| 2–4 | 1 | In vivo DSC-MR | 5 |
| 5–7 | 2 | In vivo DSC-MR | 6 |
| 8 | 2 | In vivo microPET/T1 MR | 7 |
| 9–12 | 1 | In vivo laser Doppler | − |
| 13–16 | 2 | In vivo laser Doppler | − |
Note:—MPRAGE indicates magnetization-prepared rapid acquisition of gradient echo MR imaging; DSC-MR, dynamic susceptibility contrast-enhanced MR imaging.
* In animals #1 to #4 and #9 to #12, μcath1 was placed with its tip 22 to 23 mm distal to the common carotid bifurcation. In animals #5 to #8 and #13 to #16, μcath2 was placed with its tip 18 to 19 mm distal to the common carotid. Gd-DTPA was injected before (#1) or during (#2–#7) image acquisition. In animal #8, 18FDG was injected 5 minutes before imaging was performed. In animals #9 to #16, a μcath was left in place for up to 25 minutes, during which time NS was injected at a rate of 20 μL/min (#9–12) or 10 μL/min (#13–16). Data from animals #9 to #16 are described in the Results section but are not depicted graphically.