Novel Methods for Hemodialysis Access Evaluation

应聘者描述(申请人提供)：应聘者的目标是发展成为一名独立的科学家，有能力有效地应用生物工程原理来解决影响肾脏疾病患者的临床问题。为了实现这一目标，申请人设计了一段通过这项申请得到支持的培训期。该提案结合了一项广泛的教育计划，并在1-5年级与指导实验室研究和在3-5年级进行临床研究相协调。计划的研究项目是实用的，旨在通过以下方式解决重要的临床问题：(1)评估可变流量(VF)多普勒，这是一种潜在有用的血液透析血管通路血流测量方法；(2)开发和评估超声弹性成像技术，用于血液透析通路应用，使用高分辨率斑点跟踪技术精确测量新生内膜增生。以临床为重点的研究将得到正式课程的补充，这些课程将提供正在进行的新兴技术评估所需的生物工程原理的基础。生物医学超声实验室(BUL)提供的广泛资源是应聘者职业发展计划这一部分的理想选择。在密歇根大学生物医学工程系的支持下，医学院的肾病学、放射学和病理学系提供的资源将为应聘者提供出色的研究经验。候选人还将参加密歇根大学的研究责任计划，该计划包括关于研究责任、负责任的作者、负责任的数据管理、利益冲突和研究中对人类受试者的保护的讲座和研讨会。除了正式的课程和座谈会外，候选人还将参加肾脏病学部的伦理讨论和研究审查。该奖项将支持所需的培训，以成为一名有效的独立临床研究员，专注于生物工程在医学上的应用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The objective of the candidate is to develop as an independent scientist with the capability of effectively applying bioengineering principles to solve clinical problems affecting patients with kidney diseases. To achieve this goal the applicant has designed a period of training to be supported through this application. The proposal combines an extensive education program coordinated with directed laboratory research in years 1-5 and clinical research in years 3-5. The research projects planned are practical and oriented toward solving important clinical problems by (1) Evaluating Variable Flow (VF) Doppler a potentially useful method of hemodialysis vascular access blood flow measurement and (2) Developing and evaluating Ultrasound Elasticity Imaging for hemodialysis access applications using high resolution speckle tracking techniques to accurately measure neointimal hyperplasia. The clinically focused research will be complemented by formal coursework that will provide the foundation of bioengineering principles required for ongoing evaluation of emerging technologies. The extensive resources available through the Biomedical Ultrasonics Lab (BUL) are ideal for this portion of the candidate's Career Development Plan. The resources available through the Division of Nephrology and Radiology and Pathology Departments in the Medical School with the support of the University of Michigan Biomedical Engineering Department will provide an outstanding research experience for the candidate. The candidate will also participate in the University of Michigan's Research Responsibility Program which includes lectures and symposia on responsibility in research, responsible authorship, responsible data management, conflict of interest, and protections for human subjects in research. In addition to the formal coursework and symposia, the candidate will participate in ethics discussions and research reviews within the Nephrology division. This Award will support the training needed to become an effective independent clinical investigator focused on bioengineering applications in medicine.