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

这个创新研究伙伴关系（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，为诊所的全面组织检查提供一种易于获取和实用的解决方案。该技术有潜力解决二维成像的技术限制，并使超声成为早期发现、诊断和预后许多疾病的更可靠工具，这些疾病对低收入和资源不足社区的人群造成了不成比例的影响。该技术还为研究团体提供了新的3D成像能力，可以在体内无创地全面探测深部组织的结构和功能，促进新疗法的发现和发展。该方法使二维超声成像系统具备进行三维成像的能力，降低了成本，提高了可及性，对全球患者护理产生了广泛而直接的影响。此外，该技术将为越来越流行的超便携、袖珍超声设备提供可行的3D成像解决方案。由于许多这些设备不被训练有素的超声医师使用，因此3D成像对于减轻操作员的依赖性特别有用。因此，这项技术变得至关重要，因为它将方便地为超便携式家用超声市场提供3D成像。该项目提出了一种高度实用且具有成本效益的解决方案，可以将超快3D超声成像大众化，因为它可以立即将现有的2D超快超声成像系统转换为具有3D功能的设备。该技术通过与现有超声系统和探头配合使用，解决了3D成像的市场需求，降低了新用户的财务障碍，打破了3D超声成像的现有技术障碍，并实现了传统技术无法实现的先进成像模式。该PFI-RP项目的研究目标是开展实用启发研究，以克服3D成像技术的知识差距和技术挑战，使该技术准备好转移到商业超声市场。拟议的项目将改进设备的各种组件，以提高成像质量。该提案还将开发自动校准和同步方法，以简化用户体验。将开发指定的控制硬件和软件接口，以便与商用超声系统集成。最后，将进行体内动物成像研究，以评估新型3D成像设备的成像性能。该项目的成功完成将使商业上可行的3D成像技术达到高潮，并准备立即商业化。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 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.