Equipment and Platforms

• 2 custom benches, 1 Precision Acoustic bench
• Ultrasound hydrophones (piezoelectric, optical)
• Hydrophone calibration bench (custom)
• Degassed water platforms (customs)

• Laser interferometer benches (e.g. vibrometry measurements transducer/biological tissue vibration modes)
• Ultrafast optical imaging (e.g. bubble cavitation dynamic)
• Spectroscopy
• Fluorescence microscopy
• Long working distance microscopy (e.g. microelectronic, CMUT characterization)

• 2 research ultrasound scanners BK
• 1 open research ultrasound scanner Ultrasonix
• 2 open research ultrasound Verasonics systems for dual-mode ultrasound (512 channels): pulsed ultrasound for imaging (e.g. ultrafast passive elastography) and LEUS therapy, continuous ultrasound for HIFU therapy

• Biosafety level 2 laboratory

• 2 robotic arms
• 1 optical tracking system
• 1 magnetic tracking system

• Workshop
• 3D-printing platforms
• Metallization system

https://www.cermep.fr/ged.php?login=vvv&catagenda=678404593d4722c&pk_orga=9&pkcateg=13

The LabTAU regularly uses CERMEP facilities for numerous work requiring heavy imaging equipment, especially (not exclusively) MRI equipment for the development of new MRgHIFUstrategies at the preclinical level. The CERMEP is a medical imaging center, where are conducted experimental and clinical research, located inside the NeuroCardiology Hospital of Lyon.

Primage platform (Neurosciences)

• 3T MRI scanner (Magnetom Prisma, Siemens) : First french installation in Lyon

Interventional MRI platform (Neurosciences, cardiology, muscular pathologies …):

• 1.5T MRI scanner (AvantoFit, Siemens)
• Operative room

Animage platform

• Animal facilities
• 7T MRI scanner, small animal (Brucker)
• Micro PET/CT scanner (Inveon, Siemens)

PET/CT platform

• Biograph mCT (Siemens)

Radiochemistry platform

• Biomedical cyclotron (IBA)
• Radiochemical shielded rooms
• Automated marker synthesis
• Analytical Control room (Quality control)

PET/MRI platform: LILI and IHU Cesame (Neurosciences, cancerology, cardiology, muscular pathologies, image sequences developments)

• PET/MRI scanner (Biograph mMR, Siemens)

MEG platform (Brain)

• CTF Omega 275

Spectral scanner platform

Spectral scanner with photonic counting (Philips): world first installation in Lyon

UMR CLB – Inserm LabTau U1032

Preclinical Research

Research is organized around innovative methods and technologies. Translational research is constantly developing new tools in order to obtain increasingly reliable and fast answers to scientific questions.

When the researcher reaches the limits of these tools, the use of animals remains unavoidable. In oncology, HIFU allows for focused destruction of tumours and is becoming an increasingly important part of the surgeon's therapeutic arsenal. Researchers have developed techniques to test their prototypes with computer simulations followed by experimentation on cells or living tissue. However, before these prototypes can be offered to patients, validating their safety and efficacy on relevant animal models is mandatory. For example, porcine models are often used for testing of HIFU probes intended for humans because of their relevant anatomy.

A dedicated world

Animal experimentation is ruled by French legislation (Decree no. 2013-118 of February 1, 2013 on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes and 5 decrees) transcribed from European Directives which are regularly updated. One of the mandates of this legislation is that each project requires an authorization issued by the French Research Ministry (MESRI) after evaluation by an approved ethics committee. The French Ministry of Agriculture and Food, for its part, approves and inspects user establishments (animal facility). The world of animal experimentation operates under the umbrella of other organizations:

• The National Commission for the Protection of Animals Used for Scientific Research (CNEA), which oversees any proposed modification of the legislation concerning animal experimentation and validates training programs in animal experimentation. This commission is composed of scientific experts as well as representatives of animal rights associations .
• The CNEA delegates the management of ethics committees to the Comité National de Réflexion Ethique en Expérimentation Animale (CNREEA).
• Local Ethics Committees in Animal Experimentation (CEEA): each establishment that uses animals for scientific purposes must be associated to a CEEA. These committees are composed of experts at different levels (from caretakers to veterinarians), and members who are not experts in animal experimentation. They give their input on all projects and help researchers improve the care of the animals and the quality of their project.

What’s going on inside the ICE

The ICE surgery laboratory is a platform created in June 2005 under the supervision of the Centre Léon Bérard (represented by Professor Michel Rivoire, ICE director) and INSERM (represented by Cyril Lafon, LabTAU director), and led by Professor Michel Rivoire.

Its objective is to provide the environment for experimental surgery destined for oncological translational research. As a result, it congregates the LabTAU unit, a clinical unit for surgical oncology (Center Léon Bérard, Department of Surgery), the Faculty of Medicine Claude Bernard, and industrial partners.

This structure also has a role in the teaching of experimental surgery and the training of future doctors: PhD and Masters student supervision, experimental surgery courses, and training on specific hardware (CHIP, laparoscopy, endoscopy etc.).

The ICE also hosts several projects from LabTAU aimed at studying tumour destruction by physical agents. More specifically, novel techniques and device prototypes for tumour destruction (physical and chemical) developed by LabTAU researchers to use in surgery and radiology are tested at ICE.

The ICE is also involved in other projects where surgery is needed.

ICE Staff and habilitation

This platform meets very precise criteria that ensure the sanitation of the premises with a logical organization of the rooms. These criteria are needed in order to maintain the accreditation of the establishment and are continuously enforced by the multidisciplinary ICE staff. The ICE is supervised by an operational manager who ensures the proper functioning of the platform (personnel planning, experimentation planning, maintenance of equipment and premises) and is assisted by other members of the ICE staff. The staff masters all techniques necessary to carry out experimental procedures, such as taking blood samples, as well as protocols required for animal care (animal facility, recognizing signs of suffering, how to fight boredom). All staff have been highly trained and have acquired theoretical knowledge via school studies, regulatory training in animal experimentation (certification), and continuous training sessions (at least 3 days over 6 years). Each technical gesture considered not to be mastered by a staff member must be performed under the supervision of a person who perfectly performs such gesture until considered trained (tutoring). Different certifications provide basic theoretical training in addition to the diploma:

• Project design using animal experimentation for scientific purposes (accessible to Bac +2),
• Implementation of technical gestures
• Introduction to experimental surgery.

Animal care

Animal care involves not only keeping the housing facilities clean, but also providing an environment that allows the animals to express their natural behaviour while monitoring their physical condition. Technicians are familiar with the general behaviour of animals and are capable of detecting and addressing problems.

Two type of species are housed in the animal facility: rabbit and pig.

• Equipment

ICE is equiped with:

• Two fully-equipped surgical rooms with 4 workstations
• Fully trained and experienced staff with all necessary regulatory certifications.
• Recognized clinical expertise (Surgery, Oncology, Radiology ...)
• Rich research environment (LabTAU, Lyric, CRCL, BEC ...
• Scientific supervision (anesthesiology, Biology, Biostatistics, Pathology...)
• Logistical support (pharmacy, sterilization ...)
• Certified ethics committee which reviews every project before giving it permission to start.

The animal facility rooms are ventilated and allow for air turnover. This system prevents the air from charging with ammonia, a component of urine. Temperature and pressure are controlled. Each animal benefits from a minimal surface area of housing as required by regulatory mandates for each species. The access to the facilities is strictly restrained.

• Enrichment

Today, some companies are specialized in supplying enrichment products. At ICE, sticks and balls are placed in rabbit housing. This kind of enrichment allows them to teethe while also being distracted. Cages are divided into several areas that allow the animal to be up high or to hide. Food is also varied as sweets and hay which are distributed daily. Concerning pigs, toys, sweets and litter are provided in the stall.

• Socialisation and SBEA

The technician work involves reducing the stress of animals by spending time with them to get them accustomed to staff's presence. Socialisation also allows the animal to be distracted and to explore new smells.

All animal welfare issues are discussed in the animal welfare structure, which is mandatory in each user facility. Each facility must also be linked to a veterinarian. ICE has a full-time veterinarian on site.

• Communication and transparency

The institute signed the French Transparency Charter edited by the GIRCOR (Groupe Interprofessionnel de Réflexion sur la Communication en Recherche) in order to promote transparency concerning the use of animals in laboratory.