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Ultrasound
Up one levelThe following CMIV projects conducts research related to Ultrasound.
3D and 4D Adaptive Filtering for Image Denoising and Patient Safety
The aim of this medical image science project is to increase patient safety in terms of improved image quality and reduced exposure to ionizing radiation in CT. The means to achieve these goals is to develop and evaluate an efficient adaptive filtering (denoising/image enhancement) method that fully explores true 3D and 4D image acquisition modes. Four-dimensional (4D) medical image data are captured as a time sequence of image volumes. During 4D image acquisition, a 3D image of the patient is recorded at regular time intervals. The resulting data will consequently have three spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension. Increasing the dimensionality of the data impose a major increase the computational demands. The initial linear filtering which is the cornerstone in all adaptive image enhancement algorithms increase exponentially with the dimensionality. On the other hand the potential gain in Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) also increase exponentially with the dimensionality. This means that the same gain in noise reduction that can be attained by performing the adaptive filtering in 3D as opposed to 2D can be expected to occur once more by moving from 3D to 4D.
Determining Optimal non-invasive Parameters for the Prediction of Left vEntricular morphologic and functional Remodeling in Chronic Ischemic Patients (DOPPLER-CIP)
Coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the primary cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in Europe. In current clinical practice, patients with chronic CAD are followed using non-invasive imaging methodologies for possible adverse morphologic remodelling and functional recovery of the myocardium before the decision for invasive examinations and treatments is taken. Technological developments have brought about several newer imaging methodologies (and associated parameters) that have shown accurate prognostic results under study conditions in selected patient populations. Each of these methodologies offers intrinsic advantages and disadvantages due to the physiologic processes it tries to assess, due to the technology it requires or due to its availability (often determined by its associated cost). However, to date, no large scale studies have made a direct comparison of the different methodologies towards predicting adverse morphologic remodelling or functional recovery of the myocardium after medical therapy. The lack of such information results in a sub-optimal use of the methodologies at hand. The aim of DOPPLER-CIP is therefore to conduct a multi-centre clinical study including about 1200 patients in order to determine the optimal prognostic parameters derived from (new) non-invasive imaging for a patient presenting with suspected chronic ischemic heart disease. The modality used to extract these parameters is of secondary importance. However, as both the accuracy and the cost related to extracting a particular parameter is modality-dependent, DOPPLER-CIP will also make a cost-effective analysis in order to determine which modality should preferentially be used to extract the clinically most relevant parameter. The study is financed by the European Union and is coordinated from Leuven, Belgium with cooperating centers in Linkoping, London, Madrid, Oslo, Pisa and Turku. Several add-on studies in Linköping will have access to this wealth of patient data for more in-depth analysis of wall motion and blood flow.
Effect of reperfusion on infarct size and cardiac function evaluated with MRI and echocardiography - MrSTEMI
Mechanical opening of the infarct related artery (primary PCI) in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) seems to produce better results than iv thrombolysis. Our hypothesis is that primary PCI saves myocardium, that the size of myocardial damage is best quantified with contrast-enhanced MR (CEMR), that salvaged myocardium translates into better cardiac function, and that the time to opening of the artery is directly related to the size of the infarct. We will attempt to study the effect of the delay between the start of symptoms and the opening of the infarct related artery. The infarct risk area will be estimated from echocardiography performed in the cath lab during initiation of treatmentand expressed in terms of wall motion score index, WMSI. The final damage will be assessed from a comprehensive MR study with late enhancement performed at 6 weeks post PCI.
New Clinical Quality Level for Medical Image Volumes
Image processing of medical image volumes (3D/4D data) requires a completely new approach compared to standard images (2D). Research on methods for high speed processing as well as for high image quality output is required. In a research project within the VINST programme a novel approach for solving the speed challenge was developed. Building on this “pre-study” project, this new project covers the remaining research for reaching a new clinical quality output level, while maintaining the speed. The goal is to have the research results from both projects verified in a prototype. The project is a cooperation between the company ContextVision AB and its research partner Center for Medical Image and Visualization (CMIV) at Linköping University.
New dimensions in ultrasound contrast imaging - Visualization of myocardial blood flow
Aims are: 1. To find new bubble excitation strategies for improved contrast/tissue ratio of the ultrasound image 2. To perform ultrasound pulse field and contrast bubble response simulations 3. To peruse corresponding in vitro experiments 4. To deliver the contrast optimized pulse sequences for implementation in echocardiographs (for clinical studies)
SIMILAR - The European Taskforce Creating Human-Machine Interfaces Similar to Human-Human Communication - WP10 Medical Applications
* SIMILAR will create an integrated task force on multimodal interfaces that respond efficiently to speech, gestures, vision, haptics and direct brain connections by merging into a single research group excellent European laboratories in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Signal Processing. * SIMILAR will develop a common theoretical framework for fusion and fission of multimodal information using the most advanced Signal Processing tools constrained by Human Computer Interaction rules. * SIMILAR will develop a network of usability test facilities and establish an assessment methodology. * SIMILAR will develop a common distributed software platform available for researchers and the public at large through www.openinterface.org. * SIMILAR will establish a scientific foundation which will manage an International Journal, Special Sessions in existing conferences, organise summer schools, interact with key European industrial partners and promote new research activities at the European level. * SIMILAR will address a series of great challenges in the field of edutainment, interfaces for disabled people and interfaces for medical applications. Natural immersive interfaces for education purposes and interfaces for environments where the user is unable to use his hands and a keyboard (like Surgical Operation Rooms, or cars) will be dealt with a stronger focus.
Dissertation by Daniel Forsberg
