| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/R69235/01 |
| Title: |
Development of a new clinical imaging modality based upon photacoustic ultrasound |
| Principal Investigator: |
Beard, Professor PC |
| Other Investigators: |
|
| Researcher Co-Investigators: |
|
| Project Partners: |
|
| Department: |
Medical Physics and Biomedical Eng |
| Organisation: |
UCL |
| Scheme: |
Standard Research (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
20 January 2003 |
Ends: |
19 May 2006 |
Value (£): |
461,845
|
| EPSRC Research Topic Classifications: |
| Instrumentation Eng. & Dev. |
|
|
| EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications: |
|
| Related Grants: |
|
| Panel History: |
|
|
Summary on Grant Application Form |
|
The purpose of this research is to develop a broadly applicable new method of non-invasive medical imaging based upon the use of laser-generated acoustic waves to visualise the internal structure and function of soft tissues. The technique, which exploits the strong optical contrast of tissues and the high spatial resolution available to ultrasound, offers the prospect of 3D imaging with superior spatial resolution and contrast to existing radiological methods. It also avoids the safety issues associated with ionising radiation and can be configured in a relatively inexpensive format. Among the important potential clinical applications are the assessment of superficial structures such as dermal and sub-dermal vascular lesions, melanomas and other skin tumours, the detection of vascular disease in the carotid artery and peripheral vessels, cancerous lesions in the breast and imaging brain function in neonates. The proposed project will involve theoretical and experimental investigations of photoacoustic-tissue interactions, the development of a novel optical ultrasound array, development of image reconstruction algorithms leading to the construction and preliminary clinical testing of a prototype imaging instrument. This project will provide the essential personnel and material resources for Dr P Beard, the PI, to carry out the work which forms the basis of an EPSRC Advanced Fellowship recently awarded to him specifically to develop this technique. It will further provide the necessary core expertise and facilities around which a range of related future projects and studentships under his direction can be established.
|
|
Key Findings |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Potential use in non-academic contexts |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
|
Impacts |
|
| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
| Summary |
|
| Date Materialised |
|
|
|
|
Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
|
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
|
| Project URL: |
|
| Further Information: |
|
| Organisation Website: |
|