Next-Generation Ultrasound Technology for Volume Flow Quantification

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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.