Non-Invasive High-Frequency Ultrasound and Doppler Imaging of Rat Brain Hemodynamics

Position an anesthetized rat on the imaging station with a nose mask to maintain anesthesia.

Remove fur around the ears and neck to avoid interference with ultrasound imaging.

Arrange the animal to extend its limbs. Apply electrode cream to the sensors, and secure the paws to monitor vital parameters.

Apply ultrasound gel to the rat’s head and transducer for effective ultrasound transmission.

Then, incline the worktop to expose the temporal side of the head.

Align the transducer vertically to image deeper brain structures.

Set ultrasound B-Mode acquisition parameters. During imaging, the transducer emits ultrasound waves that reflect off tissue interfaces, generating a grayscale map of brain anatomy.

Adjust the transducer to align with the target brain region.

Switch to Color Doppler Mode to visualize brain blood vessels.

Adjust the parameters to enable real-time detection of blood flow velocity and direction.

Lay the rat down on an ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging station worktop, and quickly position the nose inside the appropriate mask, providing a constant anesthesia flow. To shave the animal, spread a consistent layer of hair removing cream on the head surface, covering areas surro