Bruker Skyscan 1272 CMOS Edition

3D X-ray Microscopy – Non-destructive Imaging of the Internal Structure

Conventional microscopy uses light or an electron beam to directly image a sample by refocusing the radiation passing through the sample.

With X-rays, you can also:

• image the 3D internal structure
• measure your whole sample at once
• start right away and save time
• avoid extensive sample preparation that may alter or destroy your sample

3D X-ray Microscopy (3D XRM), also called microCT, is one of the most advanced methods of getting 3D insights into samples of any material, shape, or size with little to no sample preparation.

Bruker, one of the microCT pioneers, established a benchmark for high-resolution desktop microCT systems with SKYSCAN 1272, as proven by several hundreds of installations worldwide. SKYSCAN 1272 CMOS builds on this trusted platform and incorporates the latest X-ray technologies to bring microCT to the next level.

SKYSCAN 1272 CMOS Edition – the proven performer, just better.

Genius Mode

The SKYSCAN 1272 CMOS offers automatic selection of parameters with Genius-Mode. Magnification, energy, filter, exposure time and background corrections can all be optimized automatically with a single click.

Furthermore, both the sample and large-format CMOS camera can be positioned as close as possible to the source, which substantially increases the measured intensity. That is why SKYSCAN 1272 CMOS scans up to 5 times faster compared to conventional systems with fixed camera position.

Sample changer (optional)

The SKYSCAN 1272 CMOS can optionally be equipped with an external 16-position sample changer to increase throughput for QC and routine analysis.

The sample changer accepts a variety of sample sizes, up to a diameter of 25 mm.

Samples can be can be easily replaced at any time without interrupting an ongoing scanning process. New samples are automatically detected, and LED‘s indicate the status for every scan: ready, scanning, done.

The 3D.SUITE Software – A perfect match for SKYSCAN 1276 CMOS Edition

Intuitive, simple, yet powerful – the 3D.SUITE software that comes with every SKYSCAN 1276 CMOS EDITION is designed to inspire finding out what’s inside. With the help of Genius Mode, even a novice user can intuitively start scanning right away. It helps optimize the scan conditions by choosing the appropriate filter and X-ray energy to achieve optimal image contrast, and by selecting the optimum exposure time and rotation step for efficient scanning.

The SKYSCAN 1276 CMOS EDITION is supplied with a GLP module, which allows administration of user rights in 3 levels and implementation of the necessary data protection according to GLP requirements.

NRECON | Reconstruction Software

The acquired 2D projection images are transformed into 3D volumes by the reconstruction software NRECON. Typical CT artefacts, such as beam hardening, ring artefacts and misalignment, are easily corrected. The SKYSCAN 1276 CMOS EDITION is supplied with GPU accelerated reconstruction providing results up to 10 times faster than traditional CPU-based reconstruction. GPU acceleration supports both conventional round CT and helical scanning.

DATAVIEWER | Slice-by-slice Inspection

DATAVIEWER allows inspection of the reconstructed 3D volume using orthogonal slices in any direction. Objects can be rotated, repositioned, and resliced using their new orientation for more convenient visualization and saving of more efficient subvolumes. The software includes intuitive tools for measurement of 3D distances. 2D and 3D image registration enables the exact alignment of multiple scans of the same sample, acquired at different times.

CTVOX | Realistic Visualization by Volume Rendering

CTVOX is an easy-to-use volume rendering package that provides precise control of visualization parameters, ensuring a realistic representation of all types of samples. CTVOX offers intuitive manipulation of the point-of-view, virtual slicing through objects, and full control of light, shadow, and surface properties. Creating attractive cover images and impressive movies has never been this easy.

CTAN | 2D & 3D Image Analysis

Built over two decades based on direct feedback from scientists all over the world, CTAN is one of the most frequently used programs for quantitative image analysis. This package includes an extensive number of tools for region-of-interest selection, image segmentation and 3D measurements. Using the comprehensive library of embedded plugins or user-customized protocols, quantifying complex microstructures such as porosity, thickness, orientation, and many other properties is an easy task. Large sets of objects can simply be studied by automated batch analysis.

CTVOL | Built-in Surface Rendering

Surface models can be visualized in CTVOL, a flexible 3D viewing environment. Volumes can be exported in STL format, to allow 3D printing of the acquired scan data or further use in CAD and modelling programs.

Bone applications

The SKYSCAN 1272 succeeds the SKYSCAN 1072 and SKYSCAN 1172 models, between them accounting for at least half of the entire microCT bone morphometry literature. It’s the benchmark for high resolution with high throughput and ease of use. This makes it the ideal solution for bone disease models from osteoporosis and arthritis to bone tumor and myeloma, and for large scale gene phenotyping.

• Ultimate performance in a desktop model: With a voxel size up to 0.45µm the SKYSCAN 1272 provides resolution and contrast to analyze bone osteocyte lacunae and vessel canals.
• High throughput and automated batch scanning using an optional sample changer for 16 preloaded samples makes for a powerful set-up for genetic screening of thousands of phenotypes, of mice or zebrafish for trabecular and cortical bone parameters.
• Advanced 3D image analysis functions include phase contrast / retrieval (Paganin, small angle), 3D registration, allowing flexible solutions for all disease models and analysis requirements.
• Bone morphometry (ASBMR nomenclature) with comprehensive 3D and 2D parameters, with densitometry including BMD calibration references over the preclinical size range.

Soft Tissues

Ex vivo scanning of biological tissues is an excellent way to show internal structures non-destructively. A contrast agent or chemical drying can improve image quality by further enhancing or differentiating densities. The SKYSCAN 1272 is the ideal platform for such imaging with its high resolution, easy sample handling and high throughput – that’s why you will find so many publications using this scanner.

• Typical applications for this system are the visualization of tumor growth or vascularization in the mouse lung. Emphysema and fibrosis are also clearly visualized.
• High resolution and contrast down to the lung alveolar level.
• Stabilizing these fragile or wet tissues during scanning can be challenging, a special set of Bruker developed specimen chambers can take care of this.

Zoology & Botany Applications

MicroCT is exceptionally good for the visualization of internal structures in the finest details of tissues of plants and animals. This imaging method differentiates between densities without harming or destroying the scanned object. That’s why zoology and botany are fast-growing microCT applications with SKYSCAN 1272 users at the forefront. A wide range of different living organisms can be visualized and analyzed with minimal or no sample-treatment.

• Non-destructive high resolution scanning with voxel size down to 0.45µm allows to resolve the smallest structures for classification purposes
• Due to the continuous voltage range of the sources, and 6 internal energy filters, the perfect scan set up for each different sample can be guaranteed.
• Comprehensive 3D image analysis capability including morphometry and densitometry, phase contrast / retrieval (Paganin, small angle), 3D registration, segmentation and advanced image processing methods.