Design of a next generation 3D ultrasound vector flow imaging tool

Non-invasive imaging of hemodynamics is known to enhance screening and monitoring of cardiovascular diseases (a leading cause of death in Canada’s aging population), however clinicians lack an imaging tool that can visualize the complex 3D and dynamic nature of hemodynamics in real-time. To meet such clinical needs, this project will aim to devise the first real-time 3D ultrasound imaging tool that can visualize 3D flow vector fields at high volume rates. The proposed tool will be realized by integrating a 2D sparse spiral array probe with a new open-platform ultrasound scanner, and then designing and implementing a new 3D flow vector estimation algorithm on the scanner for real-time execution. This project will synergize ultrasound-related expertise in hardware design from University of Florence and in vector flow imaging from University of Waterloo. Once developed, the proposed tool will provide quantitative 3D flow fields with high temporal resolution that can be leveraged to derive parameters relevant to cardiovascular diseases.

Faculty Supervisor:

Alfred Yu

Student:

Partner:

University of Florence

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Biotechnology; Technology; Health and Related Sciences & Technology

University:

University of Waterloo

Program: