Integration of benchtop focused ultrasound device with a collaborative software platform for image-guided exploration and user-centred design guidelines

Focused Ultrasound (FUS) is a therapeutic modality that can concentrate non-invasively mechanical energy far from its source in just a few cubic millimeters. FUS is used, by example, to treat brain disorders such as essential tremor. At research level, very diverse approaches are being explored. From the treatment of Alzheimer Disease, brain stimulation with FUS for psychiatry disorders, to the enhancement of therapy response of chemoradiotherapy in tumors, the potential of FUS for non-invasive therapy is tremendous However, there is a critical need for pre-clinical FUS devices engineered to enhance the experience of researchers with a very diversified science background. The goal of this research is to develop and validate a systematic methodology to guide the design of FUS applications. We will work with the company FUS Instruments to integrate our image-guided software suite, which is called Proteus, with their benchtop FUS small animal system (RK50). We will apply user-centric design guidelines, with scientists with a non-ultrasound physics background in the center of the process, to improve the researcher interface of the RK50 system. To be continued.

Faculty Supervisor:

Samuel Pichardo

Student:

Amanda Beserra

Partner:

FUS Instruments

Discipline:

Engineering - biomedical

Sector:

Life sciences

University:

Program: