X-ray micro-CT scanner for small animal imaging based on Timepix detector technology

•We developed a new micro-CT scanner for small animal imaging.•Application of Timepix technology to obtain enhanced soft tissue contrast.•Spatial resolution below 30 µm achieved.•Performance demonstrated using a tissue equivalent phantom and biological samples.

We describe a newly developed compact micro-CT scanner with rotating gantry equipped with a Timepix Quad hybrid pixel semiconductor detector and a micro-focus X-ray tube providing spatial resolution down to 30 µm. The resolving power of the device in relation to soft tissue sensitivity is demonstrated using a tissue-equivalent phantom and different types of biological samples. The results demonstrate that the use of noiseless particle counting detectors is a promising way to achieve sufficient soft tissue contrast even without any contrast agents.