SBIR Phase I: MAUI Imaging 2D Probe for COVID-19

这项小企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是一种对整个胸部和肺部进行成像的新方法，这是协助医生治疗COVID-19患者的关键能力。识别出患有肺部疾病的COVID-19患者，可以对患者进行准确的分诊，达到适当的护理水平。目前的成像模式是有限的：CT扫描受限于病人流动的后勤、使用后的再消毒、成本和辐射风险；传统的超声波不能穿透肺组织的全部深度。拟议的项目将开发一种便携式超声系统，通过远程流媒体和控制提供低成本、无创、高精度的肺部成像，用于COVID-19患者护理的复杂后勤。这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）一期项目将开发一种便携式超声系统，用于床边无创、高度精确的肺实质、纵隔和胸膜成像。该项目将开发集成到超声探头的核心换能器组件，使用一维换能器阵列创建二维成像探头。这些二维阵列最终可以扩展为具有完整层析成像功能的三维探针。该项目将展示具有足够质量的肺部成像能力，可以在不需要精确定位、对准或注册的情况下识别与COVID-19相关的问题。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is an new way of imaging the entire chest and lungs, a critical capability in assisting physicians treat COVID-19 patients. Identification of COVID-19 patients with lung conditions enables accurate triage to appropriate care levels. Current imaging modalities are limited: CT scans are limited by logistics of patient flow, re-sterilization after use, cost, and radiation risk; and conventional ultrasound cannot penetrate the full depth of lung tissue. The proposed project will develop a portable ultrasound system for bedside low-cost, non-invasive, highly accurate imaging of the lung, delivered via remote streaming and control, for the complex logistics of COVID-19 patient care.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project will develop a portable ultrasound system for bedside non-invasive, highly accurate imaging of the lung parenchyma, mediastinum, and pleura. This project will develop core transducer components for integration into ultrasound probes, creating a 2-D imaging probe using 1-D transducer arrays. These 2-D arrays could ultimately be extended into a 3-D probe with full tomographic capabilities. The project will demonstrate the capability for lung imaging with sufficient quality to distinguish COVID-19 related issues without the need for accurate positioning, alignment, or registration.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.