Imaging the Mechanical Properties of Soft Tissue/L'imagerie des caractéristiques mécaniques des tissus mous.

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Elastography is a relatively new technology for imaging the elastic property distribution within soft tissues. Elastography offers the ability to visualize elastic contrast, 10-100X greater than x-ray contrast for breast cancer, as well complex properties such as tissue attenuation, uniquely able to diagnose liver fibrosis. As no direct method for imaging internal elasticity values exists, elastography relies on a three step approach: first, mechanical actuation (e.g. vibration) is applied to the tissue, generating a strain field that is dependent upon the internal elastic structure; second, methods such as digital, ultrasound or magnetic resonance imaging are used to capture this strain pattern; finally, the elastic property image is reconstructed from the measured strain field by means of a mathematical inverse problem. This research program focuses on the engineering systems that underlie this complex imaging process. The goal is to develop practical tools and resources for the application of advanced elastographic imaging methods in-vivo. Key projects to be supported by this research program include: development of methods for imaging anisotropic material properties; improved image reconstruction capability for digital image based elastography; an on-line service available to external research groups for elastographic image reconstruction from 3D Magnetic Resonance displacement data; improved mathematical and statistical methods for elastographic image calculation; and Graphics Processor Unit computing for fast image processing. In each case, the scientific approach consists of identifying the key constraints and objectives of each target application, e.g issues such as cost, processing time, boundary conditions, and complex mechanical behavior. These constraints and conditions are then used to drive the design and implementation of a functioning prototype system. In this way, this program looks to establish a pipeline for generating novel elastography applications, which in turn may be further developed through appropriate outside funding mechanisms.