PFI-RP: Towards Democratization of Ultrafast 3D Ultrasound Imaging

这一创新-研究伙伴关系(PFI-RP)项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是传播一种变革性的三维(3D)超声成像技术，为临床上的全面组织检查提供可访问和实用的解决方案。这项技术有可能解决2D成像的技术局限性，并使超声波成为更可靠的工具，用于早期发现、诊断和预测许多疾病，这些疾病对低收入和资源不足社区的人们造成了不成比例的影响。该技术还为研究界提供了新的3D成像能力，可以在体内非侵入性地整体探测深层组织的结构和功能，促进新发现和新疗法的开发。这种方法使2D超声成像系统具有执行3D成像的能力，从而降低了成本并提高了可获得性，对全球患者护理产生了广泛和直接的影响。此外，该技术将为日益流行的超便携、袖珍超声设备提供可行的3D成像解决方案。由于这些设备中的许多都不是训练有素的超声技师使用的，3D成像对于减轻对操作员的依赖特别有用。因此，这项技术变得至关重要，因为它将方便地为超便携家庭超声市场提供3D成像。拟议的项目为普及超快3D超声成像提供了一种高度实用和成本效益高的解决方案，因为它立即将现有的2D超快超声成像系统转换为支持3D功能的设备。这项技术通过与现有的超声系统和探头合作，降低新用户的财务障碍，打破现有的三维超声成像技术障碍，并实现传统技术无法实现的先进成像方式，满足了3D成像的市场需求。这个PFI-RP项目的研究目标是进行受使用启发的研究，以克服3D成像技术的知识空白和技术挑战，使这项技术准备转移到商业超声市场。拟议的项目将改进设备的各个组件，以提高成像质量。该提案还将开发自动校准和同步方法，以促进简化的用户体验。将开发指定的控制硬件和软件接口，以与商业超声系统集成。最后，将进行活体动物成像研究，以评估新的3D成像设备的成像性能。该项目的成功完成将带来一种商业上可行的3D成像技术，该技术即将立即商业化。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势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 Partnerships for Innovation – Research Partnerships (PFI-RP) project is to disseminate a transformative three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging technology that provides an accessible and practical solution for comprehensive tissue examination in clinics. The technology has the potential to address technical limitations of 2D imaging and make ultrasound a more reliable tool for early detection, diagnosis, and prognosis of many diseases that disproportionally impact people from low-income and under-resourced communities. The technique also provides the research community with new 3D imaging capabilities to probe the structure and function of deep tissues noninvasively and holistically in vivo, facilitating new discoveries and development of new therapies. The approach equips 2D ultrasound imaging systems with the ability to perform 3D imaging, results in lower costs and increased accessibility, making broad and direct impact on patient care globally. In addition, the technology will provide a viable 3D imaging solution for the ultraportable, pocket ultrasound devices that are becoming increasingly popular. Since many of these devices are not used by trained sonographers, 3D imaging is particularly useful for mitigating operator dependence. As such, the technology becomes essential because it will conveniently enable 3D imaging for the ultraportable at-home ultrasound market. The proposed project presents a highly practical and cost-effective solution to democratize ultrafast 3D ultrasound imaging because it instantly converts existing 2D ultrafast ultrasound imaging systems into 3D-capable devices. The technology addresses the market needs of 3D imaging by working with existing ultrasound systems and probes, lowering financial barriers for new users, breaking existing technical barriers of 3D ultrasound imaging, and enabling advanced imaging modalities that are not possible with conventional techniques. The research objective of this PFI-RP project is to conduct use-inspired research to overcome the knowledge gaps and technical challenges of the 3D imaging technique, making this technology ready to be transferred to the commercial ultrasound market. The proposed project will improve various components of devices to improve imaging quality. The proposal will also develop automated calibration and synchronization methods to facilitate streamlined user experience. Designated control hardware and software interface will be developed for integration with commercial ultrasound systems. Finally, in vivo animal imaging studies will be conducted to evaluate the imaging performance of the new 3D imaging device. Successful completion of this project will culminate in a commercially viable 3D imaging technology that is poised for immediate commercialization.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.