Current Projects

Reconfigurable Portable Ultrasound Systems

The goal is the development of fully wearable or portable, ruggedized ultrasound equipment for military, rural, emergency, and disaster applications. The system uses voice commands and a wearable display, thus eliminating the need for keyboard and conventional displays. One configuration has all the medical ultrasound components (ultrasound transducer, beam forming and front end circuits, embedded computer, batteries, microphone, etc.) integrated into a vest, while another configuration has these same components integrated into a compartmentalized equipment bag. Another aspect is the development of wireless transfer of ultrasound images to a central facility, allowing improved emergency decision making.

A Mirofluidics-Based Handheld Blood Sensor

This project involves the development of a microfluidics platform for the simultaneous electrochemical and optical detection and measurement of blood analytes including electrolytes, glucose, urea, blood gases, and enzymes. This device will be wirelessly enabled to allow remote evaluation of data acquired.

Freehand 3D Ultrasound Imaging With Registration

Three-dimensional ultrasound is emerging as an important adjunct to conventional 2D scanning, in particular in obstetrics and cardiology. The motivation for the 3D registration system is to develop a portable ultrasound system with better visualization capabilities for trauma injuries. This development deals with a position and angle registration system, which is integrated into the transducer handle. The position sensing is performed with optical tracking on the skin surface, while the angle tracking will use a form of micro-gyro or MEMS device. The angle and position sensing hardware is integrated with the ultrasound imaging system, adaptive boundary detection algorithms, and 3D reconstruction software.

Atherosclerotic Plaque Classification by Means of Ultrasound

The goal is the development of a method for determining the constituents of carotid artery plaque based on absolute backscatter properties of the plaque material. This information can in turn be used to identifying plaques that are likely to lead to a stroke—the so called vulnerable plaque. The incentive for this work has been to explore whether a screening technique for stroke risk can be developed based on non-invasive ultrasound measurements. The challenge is to overcome the aberrating effect of the inhomogeneous soft tissue layers between the transducer and the vessel, which can be minimized by using the IBS from arterial blood (measured along the same scan line) as a normalizing parameter.

Wireless Integration of Portable Ultrasound Systems

The center is working to develop fully portable, hands-free ultrasound systems by integrating lightweight imaging equipment with man-machine interface technology and wearable display technology. The project also includes wireless transfer of images to a central facility, allowing improved emergency decision making.

Ultrasound-based Evaluation of Osteoporosis and Fracture Risk

This research aims to develop ultrasound-based parameters that provide information about changes in bone mass and in the micro-arcitecture of the trabecular bone (inner part of long bones). It will also provide an in vitro model that can mimic the gradual, age-related changes in trabecular bone.

Optimal Performance of Ultrasound Systems for Object Recognition

This project involves developing custom-designed acoustic fields to create enhanced images of specific types on injuries. It is accomplished by determining which type of customized ultrasound field in combination with customized receiver characteristics can optimally discriminate between different surface topologies.

Real-Time Troop Physiological Status Monitoring System Using a Common Wireless Network

This project will investigate and initiate the development of key components of a real-time wireless system for locating, monitoring, and assessing the status of troops anywhere within the system coverage area. Such a system would facilitate remote triage and improved casualty status assessment, among other benefits.