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Home page > Research groups > Group 2 : Functional, quantitative and molecular methods for ultrasound imaging > Research themes
Functional, quantitative and molecular methods for ultrasound imaging
Our team conducts multidisciplinary research to
develop and validate techniques for ultrasound biomedical imaging that are:
Quantitative : link the value of an acoustically measurable
parameter to the properties of biological tissues or contrast markers,
Functional : trace
blood flow in the microvascularization via non-invasive
monitoring of the nonlinear acoustic response of ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs),
Molecular : detect ultrasound contrast agents that have
been modified to adhere to specific molecular targets to reveal biological
mechanisms.
In past
work, techniques developed for high spatial resolution (30 to 50 MHz),
quantitative acoustic parameter mapping have been applied to explore the
structure of atherosclerotic plaque and the dermal skin layer. The team has modeled and experimentally
demonstrated how acoustic destruction of ultrasound contrast agent microbubbles traversing vessels feeding the region of
interest in the imaged plane can bias estimates
of the microvascular. Other
work revealed that wideband acoustic
emissions detected
after the acoustic excitation of a microbubble are
associated with rupture. The publication
of the latter was distinguished with the 2006 Outstanding Paper Award by the
IEEE Ultrasonics Ferroelectrics and Frequency Control
Society.
Recent work continues to focus on development and
validation of new high-resolution and contrast
ultrasound techniques for biomedical imaging with an emphasis on the
development of techniques and agents for molecularly targeted imaging and
therapy see project descriptions). Testing
and transfer of techniques benefit from the team’s integration within the
Platform for Functional Exploration at the Cordeliers Research Center and
within the Center for Innovation in Biomedical Imaging of the University of
Pierre and Marie Curie (UPMC). This research should contribute towards:
-
accelerating pre-clinical studies,
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developing molecularly targeted imaging and therapy,
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(via clinical transfer) improving individualized patient
care.