Acquisition of a Verasonics Vantage 256 Research Ultrasound Platform

项目摘要 这个共享仪器补助金（SIG）的建议是为收购一个国家的最先进的 Verasonics Vantage 256研究超声平台。Verasonics Vantage系统是 独特、灵活、开放的平台，可在众多应用中实现超声创新。它提供 直接访问原始超声数据和执行高质量实时成像的能力。的 系统的架构允许基于软件的波束成形和序列控制，而不是 基于硬件的波束形成。许多新的捕获方案使用非常规发射 可以使用Vantage系统容易地检查波束和发送/接收序列， 尽管这种方法通常不能使用传统的数据流来实现 基于硬件波束形成器的架构。该仪器使用Pixel-Oriented 处理，GPU高度并行波束形成，平面波极高帧率成像 传输波束，数据采集到本地存储器中，受声波传播时间限制，最多100，000 帧/秒，以及非常快速的RF信号数据传输到主机计算机。本研究 超声平台一直是几种成像模式发展的核心， 由于其灵活性， 可移植到基于硬件的平台。目前，没有研究超声平台， 纽约城市大学。随着Verasonics Vantage 256的收购， 来自我们机构的不同部门（BME，ME，生物学）将获得一个国家的- 艺术成像平台，在CCNY不同领域的转化研究。该系统将提供 我们与超声研究基础设施，以执行（1）高分辨率实时成像， 动态波束形成，（2）散斑跟踪，（3）骨畸变校正算法 断层扫描，（4）软组织中的剪切波弹性成像，（5）低强度刺激，以及 脑和脊髓组织的热成像（6）骨中微裂纹的检测，（7）实时 3D容积成像，（8）对比增强超声成像，（9）矢量流成像等。 预计该系统将促进目前对超声神经调节的研究， 骨质疏松和骨折风险、动脉粥样硬化破裂的生物力学、脊髓损伤治疗等。 从而对整个医疗保健产生积极影响。

PROJECT SUMMARY This Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) proposal is for the acquisition of a state-of-the-art Verasonics Vantage 256 Research Ultrasound Platform. The Verasonics Vantage system is a unique, flexible, open platform for ultrasound innovation across many applications. It provides direct access to raw ultrasound data and the ability to perform high quality real-time imaging. The architecture of the system allows software-based beamforming and sequence control, instead of hardware-based beamforming. Many new acquisition schemes using unconventional transmit beams and transmit/receive sequences can be readily examined using the Vantage system, whereas such approaches typically cannot be implemented using conventional data flow architectures that are based on hardware beamformers. The instrument uses Pixel-Oriented Processing, GPU highly parallelized beamforming, very high frame rate imaging for plane wave transmit beams, data acquisition into local memory limited by acoustic travel time, up to 100,000 frames/second, and an extremely rapid RF signal data transfer to host computer. This research ultrasound platform has been at the heart of the development of several imaging modalities and algorithms now available in clinical ultrasound imaging systems because of its flexibility and portability to hardware-based platforms. There is currently no research ultrasound platform at the City University of New York (CCNY). With the acquisition of the Verasonics Vantage 256, faculty from different departments at our institution (BME, ME, Biology) will gain access to a state-of-the- art imaging platform for translational research in different fields at CCNY. This system will provide us with ultrasound research infrastructure to perform (1) high-resolution real-time imaging with dynamic beamforming, (2) speckle tracking, (3) algorithms for correction of aberration for bone tomography, (4) shear wave elastography in soft tissues, (5) low-intensity stimulation and thermography of brain and spinal cord tissues (6) Detection of microcracks in bone, (7) real-time 3D volume imaging, (8) Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging, (9) Vector flow imaging, etc. We expect this system will catalyze current research on ultrasound neuromodulation, assessment of osteoporosis and fracture risk, biomechanics of atheroma rupture, spinal cord injury therapy, etc. thus, positively impacting health care in general.