Method and apparatus for animal positioning in imaging systems

A method of in-vivo imaging of an animal, comprising:

• providing an animal having limbs;
• providing a first mounting surface;
• providing a bed removably secured to the mounting surface, sized to support the animal and coupled to a plurality of straps;
• placing the animal on the bed between the plurality of straps;
• tightening at least two of the plurality of straps around at least two of the limbs such that the animal is substantially secured in place relative to the bed;
• providing a first imaging device having an associated second mounting surface;
• fixing the first mounting surface to the second mounting surface;
• locating the bed and the animal within a field of view of the first imaging device;
• enclosing the animal in a chamber such that the animal is environmentally isolated from the second mounting surface, the chamber being fixed relative to or integral with the first mounting surface;
• and
• imaging the animal with the first imaging device to create a first image.