CAREER: Real-time ultrasound biomicroscopy with optoacoustic arrays

ECCS-0746605Takashi Buma，特拉华州大学Takashi Buma的智力优势：超声波生物显微镜产生了组织微结构的精细图像，但未能实现跨越式临床应用。一个主要的技术障碍是缺乏在高频下工作的合适的传感器阵列。这个提议的基本假设是？光声？技术可以彻底改变超声生物显微镜系统的成像性能。用于超声检测的光学技术可以产生宽带、大口径和高密度的传感器阵列，这是传统超声技术无法实现的。这一职业发展计划的研究目标是(1)开发用于高速数据采集的光声传感器阵列；(2)开发用于实时成像的基于光声的阵列扫描器。拟议的研究涉及设备技术、数据采集技术和图像重建算法。广泛的影响：教育和推广活动将包括中学生、高中生和教师、本科生和研究生以及继续教育专业人员。高中生和本科生可以在许多方面进行拟议的研究。本科生和研究生将获得为医学成像课程开发的实验室组件的实践经验。将本课程转换为远程学习形式将为继续教育专业人员提供机会。基于网络的远程实验室将在世界范围内提供对超声成像和超声生物显微镜教学实验的访问。鼓励高中生远程访问超声成像设备将使他们对科学和工程感兴趣。将通过动手项目、成像演示和参观当地医院-S医学成像设施来培养中学生对工程的热情。随着对更广泛技术的需求极大地增长，成像技术仍然存在重大差距。这对社会的潜在好处是深远的，因为有效的成像系统可以影响人类生活的方方面面，从个人的健康和安全到国土安全。

ECCS-0746605Takashi Buma, University of DelawareIntellectual merit: Ultrasound biomicroscopy produces exquisite images of tissue microstructure but has failed to make the leap to widespread clinical use. A major technical obstacle has been the lack of suitable sensor arrays operating at high ultrasonic frequencies. The fundamental hypothesis of this proposal is that ?optoacoustic? technology can revolutionize the imaging performance of ultrasound biomicroscopy systems. Optical techniques for ultrasound detection can produce broadband, large aperture, and highly populated sensor arrays unattainable with conventional ultrasound technology. The research goals of this career development plan are to (1) develop optoacoustic sensor arrays for high speed data acquisition; and (2) develop optoacoustic-based array scanners for real-time imaging. The proposed research involves device technology, data acquisition techniques, and image reconstruction algorithms.Broader impacts: The education and outreach activities will include middle school students, high school students and teachers, undergraduate and graduate students, and continuing education professionals. High school and undergraduate students can perform many aspects of the proposed research. Undergraduate and graduate students will gain hands-on experience with a lab component developed for a medical imaging course. Converting this course to distance-learning format will provide access to continuing education professionals. Web-based remote laboratories will provide world-wide access to instructional experiments on ultrasound imaging and ultrasound biomicroscopy. Encouraging high school students to remotely access the ultrasound imaging equipment will interest them in science and engineering. Enthusiasm for engineering among middle school students will be fostered through hands-on projects, imaging demos, and tours of the local hospital?s medical imaging facilities. Significant gaps remain in imaging technology as the need for a broader array of techniques has grown tremendously. The potential benefits to society are far-reaching, as effective imaging systems can impact all aspects of human life from the health and safety of individuals to homeland security.