Body composition analyzer – EchoMRI 100
EchoMRI ® 100 is a body composition analyzer based on QMR technology designed for in vivo studies. The conscious animal is placed inside a transparent restraining tube that is positioned inside the magnet. The process is automatic, fast, and does not require anesthesia, allowing longitudinal studies with high reproducibility.
System Description
EchoMRI ® 100 is specifically designed for non-invasive quantitative analysis of body composition in small animals, especially mice. Unlike conventional magnetic resonance imaging systems, it does not generate anatomical images.
Its operation is based on the nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation of hydrogen protons present in water and lipids. When a magnetic field and radiofrequency pulses are applied, the protons respond differently depending on their molecular environment, allowing differentiation between:
• Adipose tissue (body fat)
• Lean tissue (water and muscle)
• Free water
• Total body water
Equipment Features
EchoMRI ® 100 stands out for several key features:
• High precision and sensitivity, capable of detecting small changes in body composition.
• High accuracy and specificity, with direct measurements of hydrogen protons (unlike other indirect techniques such as DXA).
• Non-invasive and safe, with no need for anesthesia and a shielded magnetic field.
• Very fast measurements, even in less than 30 seconds.
• High reproducibility, with comparable results between laboratories.
• Suitable for longitudinal studies, allowing repeated measurements in the same animal.
• Easy to use, with quick training and a compact, portable system.
Technology Applications
Thanks to its precision and ease of use, the EchoMRI ® 100 is used in a wide variety of research fields:
• Metabolism and obesity: study of fat accumulation and metabolic disorders.
• Nutrition: evaluation of diets, supplements, and nutritional interventions.
• Drug development: analysis of drug efficacy and effects.
• Aging and associated diseases: study of sarcopenia and age-related body changes.
• Animal physiology: characterization of animal models and energy balance studies.
• Endocrinology and immunology: relationship between body composition, hormones, and inflammation.
Location
Animal Experimentation Unit (UEA) Diagonal, located at the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences, University of Barcelona.