A Novel Research-Purpose Ultrasound Array Scanner for Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging Investigations

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Although ultrasound has thrived as a widely used medical imaging modality, its use in visualizing dynamic events, such as blood flow, is error prone. In particular, the Doppler imaging mode available on current scanners can merely yield video-range frame rates of 20-30 frames per second (fps), which is inadequate to accurately track cardiovascular dynamics over different phases of a pulse cycle. New dynamic imaging paradigms capable of achieving >1,000 fps frame rate are needed to coherently visualize fast-changing events in living organisms. To foster the design and application of new ultrasound-based dynamic imaging schemes and quantification algorithms, we request a newly available array-based translational research scanner with (1) clinical-grade user interface, (2) channel-level operational configurability, (3) real-time data transfer, (4) high-throughput processing capability, and (5) open-architecture software programmability. The proposed system is currently the only commercially available research-purpose ultrasound system that possesses all these features. Note that novel ultrasound imaging schemes cannot be readily implemented on existing clinical scanners, because their embedded hardware architecture inherently precludes drastic reprogramming of the system’s imaging sequence. The proposed ultrasound research scanner will timely enable the establishment of an inter-disciplinary, team-based research program that spans expertise in biomedical ultrasound innovations, vascular physiology, and vascular tissue engineering. Various novel imaging methods will be devised and tested with this research system to visualize dynamic events including vascular wall shear rate pattern, arterial pulse wave propagation, urine voiding, and cardiac ventricular flow ejection. They will be applied to research studies in vascular aging, space physiology, heart failure, urology, and vascular grafting to help users derive new physiological insights in human and small animal investigations that are not obtainable from existing imaging tools. These research activities will be important to biomedical researchers and clinicians as the dynamic events mentioned above are all linked to pathology and disease development. For instance, arterial pulse wave speed increase is considered as a sign of vascular stiffening and aging, while a pulse-averaged wall shear rate of near zero is known to favor plaque development. This research program will deliver both social and economic benefits to Canada. For instance, the Canadian healthcare system will have first-hand access to the novel dynamic imaging techniques to be developed, which will sustainably enhance the quality of diagnostics. Also, through the pursuit of the proposed ultrasound imaging innovations, Canada's role as a global leader in ultrasound imaging research can be further strengthened.