ESTIMATION, IMAGING, AND PERCEPTION OF TISSUE ELASTICITY

弹性成像为诊断成像提供了新的机会， 疾病的检测和表征，特别是癌症， 利用几乎所有组织中发生的组织弹性变化， 癌性病变 这个计划的总体目标是探索方法 生成、解释和评估弹性图。 该计划包括 三个项目和三个核心。 项目1将由博士指导。 蒙特利尔大学的伯特兰。 该项目旨在开发一个 二维和三维组织运动的计算机模型来描述 弹性成像成像过程。 主要目标是 了解弹性介质对外加应力的响应，从而 指导数据采集，以获得准确的应变估计， 产生伪影的扭曲 项目2将由Ophir博士指导 来自德克萨斯大学 该项目旨在寻找最佳的 用于弹性成像的信号处理技术。 图像 决定灵敏度、动态范围、分辨率 对比度和噪声将在妥协方面进行研究 以最大限度地提高任务绩效。 图像伪影分析 并将研究减少或消除它们的方法。 最后，在体外研究中测量正常和 病理乳腺和前列腺组织将通过 贝勒医学院的克劳斯科普博士。 项目3将 由堪萨斯大学的英萨纳博士指导。 该项目旨在 制定评价弹性成像图像质量的客观标准 在低对比度检测能力方面。 的统计分析 弹性图将进行，并提供了一个更好的改进 完整的组织运动研究（项目1）和更好的成像 战略（项目2）将通过评估视觉检测 效率。 核心9001，由霍尔博士从大学 堪萨斯，将建立和维护数据流的基本通信 实验室之间。 核心9002，也由霍尔博士指导，将开发 并构建所有必要的超声和弹性成像模型 三个项目。 核心9003，由奥菲博士指导，将提供 弹性成像数据和图像从幻影和组织使用 UT实验室和诊所独有的专用设备。 的 整个计划的重点是乳腺癌的检测和表征 和前列腺癌。

Elastography provides new opportunities in diagnostic imaging for the detection and characterization of disease, particularly cancer, by exploiting the changes in tissue elasticity that occur in nearly all cancerous lesions. The overall goal of this program is to explore methods to generate, interpret, and evaluate elastograms. The program consists of three projects and three cores. Project 1 will be directed by Dr. Bertrand from the University of Montreal. The project aims to develop a computer model of two- and three- dimensional tissue motion to describe the elastographic image formation process. The principal goal is to understand the response of elastic media to an applied stress, and thereby guide data acquisition to obtain accurate strain estimates and minimize artifact-producing distortions. Project 2 will be directed by Dr. Ophir from the University of Texas. The project aims to search for optimal signal processing techniques for elastographic image formation. Image quality factors that determine sensitivity, dynamic range, resolution, contrast, and noise will be investigated in terms of the compromises necessary to maximize task performance. An analysis of image artifacts and methods to minimize or eliminate them will also be investigated. Finally, in vitro studies to measure the elastic properties of normal and pathological breast and prostate tissues will be conducted through a subcontract to Dr. Krouskop at Baylor College of Medicine. Project 3 will be directed by Dr. Insana from the University of Kansas. The project aims to develop objective criteria for evaluating elastographic image quality in terms of low-contrast detectability. A statistical analysis of elastograms will be conducted, and improvements provided by a more complete study of tissue motion (project 1) and better image formation strategies (project 2) will be evaluated by estimating visual detection efficiencies. Core 9001, directed by Dr. Hall from the University of Kansas, will establish and maintain essential communication for data flow between laboratories. Core 9002, also directed by Dr. Hall, will develop and construct sonographic and elastographic phantoms necessary in all three projects. Core 9003, directed by Dr. Ophir, will provide elastographic data and images from phantoms and tissues using the specialized equipment unique to the UT laboratories and clinics. The overall program focus in on the detection and characterization of breast and prostate cancer.