Imaging

Latest Innovations
Project Multiband, Multishot Magnetic Resonance Elastography Pulse Sequence This is an imaging technique designed for estimating the stiffness of tissues non-invasively. This technology can be used to understand a wide array of... Read More This is an imaging technique designed for estimating the stiffness of tissues non-invasively. This technology can be used to understand a wide array of neurological disorders. This method has a significantly shorter scan time than previous methods disclosed by the same research group. A “speaker” is used to vibrate the brain and this acquisition software is fast enough to capture motion without blur. Using this multislab approach allows for short repetition time in MR scanning with a very high signal-to-noise ration (SNR). This allows for a whole-brain scan with 2mm isotropic spatial resolution in only 3 minutes. Benefits Uses multiband excitation 3D distributed slab encoding Non-linear phase error correction
In vivo Thickness Mapping of the Tympanic Membrane Dr. Stephen Boppart from has developed a new method of mapping the thickness of the tympanic membrane. This method uses LCI and video otoscopy data to... Read More Dr. Stephen Boppart from has developed a new method of mapping the thickness of the tympanic membrane. This method uses LCI and video otoscopy data to piece together a full image of the tympanic membrane and overlay that image with thickness measurements. This will allow physicians to noninvasively examine tympanic membrane thickness leading to more accurate and less invasive diagnose middle ear infections.
Measuring Blood Vessel Characteristics of Suspected Alzheimer Patients Dr. Sutton has developed MRI protocols for diagnosing microvascular blood velocity and microvascular segment length. These protocols can be used to diagnose and track... Read More Dr. Sutton has developed MRI protocols for diagnosing microvascular blood velocity and microvascular segment length. These protocols can be used to diagnose and track Alzheimer's Disease and other neurological disorders. The protocols are capable of creating images of brain microvasculature at high resolution, and both the acquisition and image construction times are reasonable.
A Machine Learning Approach to Elasticity Imaging Professor Insana from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an information based technique to determine the... Read More Professor Insana from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has developed an information based technique to determine the mechanical properties of soft biological media. This technique has been adapted from the Auto-progressive algorithm that was originally developed for civil engineering applications. This algorithm is a unique combination of Force Displacement, Finite Element Algorithm (FEA), and Artificial Neural Network (ANN) along with what to sample and where to look. It is better than the inverse analysis or dynamic imaging techniques in that it has a machine learning aspect which eliminates the need of making any initial assumptions about the media being imaged. The technology has a lot of potential in non-linear imaging and is not tied to any one particular type of imaging technique. Its primary application is in ultrasound imaging.
Automated, Objective Method of Assessing Tinnitus Condition Drs. Husain and Baryshnikov from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed an automated and objective method for... Read More Drs. Husain and Baryshnikov from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed an automated and objective method for tinnitus detection based on cyclicity analysis of resting fMRI. Importantly, there are no current methods for detection, as it is an entirely self-reported condition.
Machine Learning Software Platform for Diagnosing Otitis Media Dr. Boppart from the University of IL has developed a machine learning system that allows for easy diagnosis of ear infections, such as Otitis Media. The system uses a... Read More Dr. Boppart from the University of IL has developed a machine learning system that allows for easy diagnosis of ear infections, such as Otitis Media. The system uses a database of Optical Coherence Tomography Images to identify features in inner ear biofilms more effectively than trained specialists while being used by an untrained user.
Synthetic Compound Eye Gamma Camera for SPECT Imaging Dr. Meng from the University of Illinois has developed a new synthetic compound eye (SCE) gamma camera design where each gamma camera panel consists of a large number... Read More Dr. Meng from the University of Illinois has developed a new synthetic compound eye (SCE) gamma camera design where each gamma camera panel consists of a large number micro-camera elements (MCE’s). The new deveice has the potential of 10-100 times greater sensitivity over the current commercial devices, while offering a comparable spatial resolution. It could significantly improve the capability of SPECT imaging for many diagnosis applications, such as cardiac and brain imaging.
Portable Diagnostic System for Otitis Media Dr. Boppart from the University of IL has developed a portable Otitis Media diagnostic system that allows for primary and point-of-care use. The briefcase OCT system... Read More Dr. Boppart from the University of IL has developed a portable Otitis Media diagnostic system that allows for primary and point-of-care use. The briefcase OCT system provides a 5-fold cost reduction and 3-fold size reduction compared to current systems and is easily portable for field work. The measurements using this system could be performed non-invasively through tissues or other interfaces/layers of material provided they are optically transparent for OCT imaging.
Method and System for Increasing Radiation Sensitivity in Medical Imaging Detectors Dr. Abbaszadeh from the University of Illinois has invented a method and system for increasing radiation sensitivity in semiconductor detectors used in medical imaging... Read More Dr. Abbaszadeh from the University of Illinois has invented a method and system for increasing radiation sensitivity in semiconductor detectors used in medical imaging devices, such as Positron emission tomography (PET) scanners. Cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) is used in radiation detection medical applications. The cross- strip configuration of CZT detectors reduces the number of readout channels from n2 in pixelated electrode configuration to n. If there are multiple interaction photon events, multiple anodes and cathodes will be triggered at the same time and create ambiguity in determining the exact position of interaction. Generally, the multiple interaction events in cross-strip detectors are discarded. This invention will increase the sensitivity of semiconductor detectors by including these events. The sensitivity of the system is improved by nearly an order of magnitude. Schematic of box-shaped CZT-based small animal PET system.
A Device and Algorithm for the Quantitative Measurement of Spasticity, Rigidity, and Muscle Strength Dr. Hsiao-Wecksler from the University of IL has developed a method to evaluate muscle tone and joint movement through wearable hardware that quantifies muscle tone and... Read More Dr. Hsiao-Wecksler from the University of IL has developed a method to evaluate muscle tone and joint movement through wearable hardware that quantifies muscle tone and joint movement, a classification algorithm to identify abnormalities, and a software application to store history and patient data. This technology provides an objective, quantitative measure of muscle tone (spasticity & rigidity) and strength that is portable and can be used for muscles of upper and lower limbs. This technology also reduces variability in clinical measurements, especially for the purpose of training clinicians. It improves the accuracy of measurements, which are important to evaluate efficacy of treatments.