Next-Generation Ultrasound Technology for Volume Flow Quantification

用于体积流量定量的下一代超声技术

• 批准号: RGPIN-2022-04157
• 负责人: Yu, Alfred
• 金额: $ 4.66万
• 依托单位: University of Waterloo
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=751677
• 关键词: Next; Generation; Ultrasound; Technology; Volume

Non-invasive flow assessment tools are critically needed in biomedicine to accurately track the amount of blood that has perfused through a blood vessel over a given period. Existing Doppler ultrasound solutions, despite being suitable for bedside applications, cannot satisfy this diagnostic need. The proposed research program will seek to devise next-generation ultrasound technology for robust volume flow quantification by building on our team's recent progress and achievements in high-frame-rate ultrasound (HiFRUS) imaging innovations. Our long-term objective will be to design HiFRUS-based volume flow quantification technology for biomedical applications, such as measuring cerebral blood flow (i.e. volume flow rate to the brain). To work toward this long-term objective, four specific short-term aims have been set forth: Aim 1: Design an essential series of signal processing algorithms for robust HiFRUS-based volume flow estimation. Aim 2: Build the first real-time, HiFRUS-based volume flow rate estimation platform. Aim 3: Test and refine the proposed technology's performance through in-vitro flow phantom studies. Aim 4: Deploy the proposed technology to perform an in-vivo feasibility study. Our research endeavor will focus on devising a volume flow quantification framework that will be agnostic to transducer placement by operator and that will be suitable for bedside use. It will offer sub-millisecond time resolvability and will not require the use of contrast agents. By establishing the proposed next-generation ultrasound technology for volume flow quantification, we will pave the way for addressing unmet needs in vascular diagnostics. For instance, physiologists and physicians will be able to use our new technology to accurately measure cerebral blood flow and, in turn, detect abnormalities in cerebral perfusion. As a biomedical engineering research initiative, this research program will also stir new technology transfer opportunities to influence next-generation ultrasound scanner development. As well, it will foster the development of multidisciplinary research talent who are skilled in spearheading innovation drives in biomedical ultrasonics.

在生物医学中迫切需要非侵入性流量评估工具来准确地跟踪在给定时间内通过血管灌注的血液量。现有的多普勒超声解决方案尽管适合于床边应用，但不能满足这种诊断需求。拟议的研究计划将寻求设计下一代超声技术，通过建立在我们团队最近在高帧率超声（HiFRUS）成像创新方面的进展和成就，实现强大的体积流量量化。我们的长期目标是设计基于HiFRUS的体积流量量化技术，用于生物医学应用，例如测量脑血流量（即流向大脑的体积流量）。为了实现这一长期目标，提出了四个具体的短期目标：目标1：设计一系列重要的信号处理算法，用于鲁棒的基于HiFRUS的体积流量估计。目标2：建立第一个基于HiFRUS的实时体积流量估计平台。目的3：通过体外流动体模研究测试和改进所提出的技术的性能。目的4：部署所提出的技术，以进行体内可行性研究。我们的研究奋进将集中在设计一个体积流量量化框架，这将是不可知的传感器放置由操作员，这将是适合于床边使用。它将提供亚毫秒的时间分辨率，并且不需要使用造影剂。通过建立拟议的下一代超声容积流量量化技术，我们将为解决血管诊断中未满足的需求铺平道路。例如，生理学家和医生将能够使用我们的新技术来准确测量脑血流量，进而检测脑灌注的异常。作为一项生物医学工程研究计划，该研究计划还将激发新的技术转让机会，以影响下一代超声扫描仪的开发。同时，它将促进多学科研究人才的发展，他们擅长引领生物医学超声学的创新驱动。