Functional Ultrasound (fUS) Brain Imaging
Iconeus One
Functional Ultrasound (fUS) Imaging Platform
Real-time functional ultrasound imaging of brain activity and vasculature, in awake or anesthetized animals.
Iconeus One System Overview
Iconeus One is a portable, wheeled functional ultrasound imaging station that uses patented multi-plane-wave ultrasound technology to generate real-time, high-sensitivity images of brain activity and blood flow, paired with an integrated software suite (IcoScan, IcoStudio, IcoLab) covering acquisition, visualization/analysis and batch processing.
Patented multiplane-wave probe technology delivers unparalleled sensitivity, especially in deep brain structures
Ready to use turnkey solution, no ultrasound imaging expertise or custom programming required
Built-in atlas registration (Allen Mouse Brain Reference Atlas) and Brain Positioning System for standardized, reproducible acquisitions
Scales from entrylevel 2D imaging (Xplore) to expertlevel 4D volumetric fUS and 3D ULM (Xcel), with a straightforward upgrade path
Backed by a dedicated team of 30+ neuroscientists, software engineers, and ultrasound physicists
Applications of the Iconeus
The system provides real-time functional and vascular brain imaging to study cerebral blood flow, brain activity, and microvascular changes in preclinical research
Task-Based Functional Imaging
Map cerebral blood volume (CBV) changes evoked by sensory or task stimulation (e.g., whisker stimulation, visual/auditory cues) to identify activated brain regions in real time.
Functional Connectivity
Construct composite functional connectivity matrices and seed-based maps across cortical and subcortical structures, from resting-state or task-evoked data.
Stroke and Vascular Imaging
Image cerebral blood flow deficits, vascular occlusion, and reperfusion in stroke models, and track vascular remodelling and microvascular changes over time.
Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM)
Generate super-resolution (down to ~5 µm) maps of brain microvasculature and quantify blood flow velocity using microbubble contrast.
Neuropharmacology
Study neurovascular coupling and drug-induced changes in cerebral blood flow and brain activity in real time, for CNS drug discovery and mechanism-of-action studies.
Features and Benefits
Advanced fUS technology designed to deliver sensitive, reproducible, and high-resolution functional and vascular brain imaging.
Multi-Plane-Wave Probe Technology
Patented probe technology yielding unparalleled sensitivity, especially in deep brain structures.
• Central frequency of 15 MHz (IcoPrime), tuned for mouse/rat imaging
• Spatial resolution down to 100 µm in-plane
• Available in multiple sizes for head-fixed and mobile configurations
Real-Time, Low-Noise Imaging
High data sampling rate per frame avoids bias from cardiac pulsatility, with no need to optimize data-processing settings.
• Built-in 2.5 Hz framerate (400 ms time resolution) as standard
• Optional higher framerates: up to 10 Hz (Xpand) or 100 Hz / 10 ms resolution (Xcel)
• Live Doppler and B-mode viewing during acquisition
Integrated Software Suite
Three foundational modules cover the full workflow from acquisition to reporting, with no custom programming required.
• IcoScan — real-time data acquisition and motorized-stage control
• IcoStudio — visualization, activation mapping, CBV quantification, connectivity analysis
• IcoLab — batch processing and standardized reporting for large datasets
Atlas Registration & Brain Positioning System
Automated anatomical correlation and standardized probe placement improve reproducibility across sessions and users.
• Automatic registration to the Allen Mouse Brain Reference Atlas Common Coordinate Framework
• Brain Positioning System® guides precise, repeatable probe placement over targeted regions
Portability & Ease of Adoption
A fully self-contained, wheeled imaging station brings fUS to the bench without a dedicated imaging suite.
• Portable imaging station with attached keyboard and monitor(s)
• Ready to use out of the box — no ultrasound imaging expertise required
• Free preventive maintenance visit and remote scientific support in the first year
Ultrasound Localization Microscopy (ULM)
Super-resolution vascular imaging option that pushes past the diffraction limit of conventional ultrasound.
• In-plane resolution down to ~5 µm (2D); 3D volumetric ULM at 10 µm on Xcel
• Quantifies blood velocities in the mm/s range and tracks individual microbubbles
System Specifications
Explore the key specifications of the Iconeus One and its capabilities for advanced functional ultrasound research.
How to Choose Between Xplore, Xpand and Xcel
Find the right fUS system for your research, based on your workflow, capabilities, and research goals.
Xplore
Choose Xplore if fUS will complement your existing techniques, or you’re starting with a contained, defined project (pilot study, feasibility test) and want the most cost-effective, streamlined entry point into fUS.
- Cost-effective
- Entry point into fUS
Xpand
Choose Xpand — the recommended default for most advanced research teams — if fUS is a core methodology in your research program and you need structured, longitudinal studies with 3D fUS and ULM workflows.
- Most advanced research
- Longitudinal studies with 3D fUS and ULM workflows
Xcel
Choose Xcel if you need the complete capability set — 4D volumetric fUS, 3D ULM, and expert-level software — for cutting-edge protocols, or you’re running a shared core facility with high throughput.
- Complete capability set
- 4D volumetric fUS, 3D ULM, and expert-level software
Iconeus One Models
()
Xplore
Xpand
Xcel
Portable imaging station
128 channels
128 channels
256 channels
Scanning capability
One-axis
Four-axis
Four-axis
Probe
IcoPrime (15 MHz)
IcoPrime (15 MHz)
IcoPrime (15 MHz) +
IcoPrime-4D MultiArray or
IcoPrime-4D RCA (15 MHz)
Height-adjustable keyboard
and monitor
✔
✔
✔ (Two monitors)
3D fUS capacity
✖️
✔ (Time-separated
multislicing)
✔ (Simultaneous multislicing
& Volumetric)
ULM capacity
✖️
✔ (2D)
✔ (2D, 3D)
Iconeus One Models
Hardware
()
Xplore
Xpand
Xcel
Core fUS bundle
✔
✔
✔
3D fUS bundle
✖️
✔
✔
ULM bundle
✖️
✔
✔
Expert bundle
✖️
✖️
✔
* Provided with one user license and three additional licenses for offline data analysis.
Software*
()
Xplore
Xpand
Xcel
Installation, training & one-year warranty
✔
✔
✔
Annual routine maintenance visit(s)
✖️
1
3
Remote tech support
✔
✔
✔
Scientific support
✖️
✔
✔ (Extended)
Support
Components
Expand your research capabilities with flexible software, probes, and workflow solutions.
Software Suite
IcoScan
IcoStudio
IcoLab
Real-time acquisition, live Doppler/B-mode viewing, on-the-fly probe positioning
Activation maps, CBV quantification, functional connectivity, ULM visualization
Batch processing, standardized pipelines, complete analysis reports in a few clicks
Spatial Resolution
100 × 100 × 400 µm at 15 MHz
Temporal Resolution
Down to 10 ms (Xcel, 100 Hz mode)
Data Capacity
10 TB, >25 Tflops
Imaging Station Dimensions
810 mm (W) × 974 mm (D) × 651 mm (H)
The Iconeus One software suite — IcoScan, IcoStudio and IcoLab — covers acquisition, visualization/analysis, and batch processing, right out of the box.
Probe Portfolio
IcoPrime (15 MHz):
Standard, most versatile probe, included with every system
IcoPrime-Lite / IcoPrime-Mini:
Lighter probes for mobile rats/mice
IcoPrime-XL, IcoRange, IcoDeep:
For marmosets, non-human primates, and large animals
IcoPrime-4D MultiArray, IcoPrime-4D RCA, IcoBright-4D RCA:
4D/volumetric probes, exclusive to Xcel
Accessories & Add-ons
• 3D fUS capacity software bundle (time-sequential or simultaneous multislicing / volumetric)
• ULM capacity software bundle (2D or 2D/3D super-resolution microvascular imaging)
• Expert fUS capacity software bundle (Xcel only) — raw data access, BIDS export, live streaming for BCI
• Motorized 4-axis positioning platform (standard on Xpand/Xcel; available as an upgrade for Xplore)
• Additional product training, scientific & R&D consultation, data science consultation
• Preventive Maintenance Visit, Extended Warranty, and multi-year service contracts
