Editing Scanco User Instructions (section)

==Patient Casts and Sample Holders==
===Patient Casts for XtremeCTs===
Regardless of what cast is used, the X-, Y-, and Z- dimensions remain the same:
*X=14cm
*Y=14cm
*Z=designated 20cm distance in the scanner

Standard Scanco Distal Radius Cast
*Used for distal radius scans of 1-3 stacks.  Designed with the hand to be in a curved position.  The field-of-view allows for scanning of approximately the most distal 1/4 of the forearm.
Standard Scanco Distal Tibia Cast
*Used for distal tibia scans of 1+ stacks.  Designed with the foot to be in a flexed (upright) position.  The field-of-view allows for scanning of approximately the most distal 1/4 of the tibia.
Standard Scanco Sample Holder
*This is a cylindrical tube with a cut-out window on the top.  
*Allows for scanning small ex-vivo and other samples.  The tube provides support for the sample during scanning.  
*Also used for in-vivo scans of the hand along with a platform that conforms to the hand and slides into the tube.  
Elbow Holder
*Used for scans of the elbow.  Designed to support the forearm during scanning.
Knee Holder
*A long cylinder cast cut in half lengthwise and with a foot holder at the end.  This cast is designed to slide over the gantry tongue, placing the leg further into the gantry, in order to scan at distances closer to the core of the body.
*Used for distal femur and proximal tibia (i.e. knee) scans.
*Used for mid-shaft tibia scans.
*Used for larger ex-vivo and other samples.

===Sample Holders and Scan SOP for microCTs===
====Ex Vivo Sample Holders====
*Ex vivo and inanimate samples are scanned in sample holder tubes. These tubes come in a variety of diameters. It is extremely important that the tube diameter corresponds to, or is smaller than, the field of view (FOV) set in your scanning control file. 

*Biological tissues should be hydrated and wrapped in plastic wrap to prevent drying of the sample. Your sample should then be secured in the sample holder using foam to prevent it from shifting around during scanning, which would lead to poor image quality. 


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=====Chemical Resistivity of Sample Holders=====
*White tube sample holders are made of PMMA (poly-methyl-methacrylate). 
*Yellow tube samples holders are made of PEI (poly-ether-imide). 
*Use the yellow tubes if you will need to disinfect the sample holder after scanning.

{| class="wikitable"
!colspan="3"|Thermal and chemical compatibility of sample holders
|-
! scope="col"| Properties
! scope="col"| White Tubes (PMMA)
! scope="col"| Yellow Tubes (PEI)
|-
! scope="row"| Max. Temperature
| +85°C
| +170°C
|-
! scope="row"| Sterilization Steam Autoclave
|non resistant
|resistant (138°C for 20 Min. at 1 bar)
|-
! scope="row"| Water
|resistant
|resistant 
|-
! scope="row"| Inorganic Acids
|limited resistance
|resistant 
|-
! scope="row"| Inorganic Bases
|non resistant
|limited resistance
|-
! scope="row"| Aldehydes (Formaldehyde)
|limited resistance only in diluted form
|resistant 
|-
! scope="row"| Alcohols
|limited resistance
|resistant 
|-
! scope="row"| Bleach
|non resistant
|resistant 
|}


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=====Mounting of Sample Holders=====
[[File:Uct35_holder.jpg|thumb|right|100px|µCT35 setup]]
*The spindle (metal bit) of the sample holder has a slot, which must be aligned in the scanner or adapter plate.  
*The sample holder sits vertically in the µCT35 while horizontally in the VivaCT80 and VivaCT40. 
*For the vivaCT40, attach the adapter plate for the tube sample holders to one of the animal bed. The tube sample holders are held horizontally in the vivaCT 40.
:[[File:Vivact40_holder.jpg|thumb|none|700px|VivaCT40 setup]]


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=====Ex vivo rodent scanning SOP=====
*Refer to [[Media:Ex_vivo_scan_sop.pdf|'''Ex Vivo Rodent Scanning''']] for its scan SOP. 
*Refer to [[Media:Ex_vivo_scan_sop.docx|'''Ex Vivo Rodent Scanning in docx''']] for its Word version.


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====In Vivo Sample Fixtures and Anesthetic System====
*[[Media:VivaCT40_Anaesthetic_System.pdf |'''Anaesthetic System''']] : You must receive training to use the anaesthetic system.
*[[Media:VivaCT40_Mouse_and_Rat_Tibia_Fixture.pdf |'''Mouse/Rat Tibia Fixture''']] 
*[[Media:VivaCT40_Mouse_Lower_Body_Fixture.pdf|'''Mouse Lower Body Fixture''']]
*[[Media:VivaCT40_Mouse_Whole_Body_Tube.pdf|'''Mouse Whole Body Tube''']]

=====In vivo rodent scanning SOP=====
*Refer to [[Media:In_vivo_scan_sop.pdf|'''In vivo rodent scanning''']] for its scan SOP. 
*Refer to [[Media:In_vivo_scan_sop.docx|'''In vivo rodent scanning in docx''']] for its Word version.


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====Align whole body device in FOV====

It's important to have your whole sample in the field of view for accurate density measurements.  
* Refer to [[Media:wholebody.pdf |'''Align the device''']] for detailed instructions. 


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