Two- and Three-Dimensional Autoradiographic Imaging Utilizing Charge Coupled Devices

A novel two- and three-dimensional autoradiographic device offers to improve the imaging of body tissues. Numerous methods and apparati have been proposed to produce a three-dimensional map or image of a distribution of radioactively-tagged tissues or chemical substances; however, many of these devices merely detect the radiation, not image it. This new device uses a charged coupling device (CCD) in combination with a microtome to produce numerous two-dimensional images of the radioactively-tagged tissue. These two-dimensional images are then reconstructed into realtime imaging of metabolic or physiological parameters of the brain and for monitoring radioactively labeled or tagged substances during electrophoresis.