In the clinic, the left ventricle is frequently examined, since its dysfunction restricts daily life activities and results in a reduction in the patient’s quality of life. Ultrasound (US) is the preferred modality for imaging and functional measurements of the heart, due to its relatively high temporal and spatial resolution. However, imaging of the heart is accompanied with several limitations, including a small imaging window caused by the ribcage, poor image contrast and missing anatomical data in the images.
Multi-perspective ultrasound enhances the US image contrast and provides an enlarged field-of-view with a higher spatial resolution. Accordingly, clinicians would be able to assess heart function more accurately. Furthermore, multi-perspective US could enable early diagnosis of cardiovascular pathologies. This research is a collaboration with Philips Research & Philips Ultrasound and the Catherina Hospital Eindhoven.
Image fusion, processing & analysis of in vivo measurements
Algorithms have been created for the analysis and further enhancement of the multi-perspective images. These algorithms are validated in our lab and in the clinic. In addition, functional measurements in rest and during exercise are performed.
Projects for bachelor-end projects, internships and MSc projects are available:
- Develop & validate (deep learning) algorithms for 3D multi-perspective imaging
- In vivo multi-perspective functional measurements (during exercise)
- Other projects can be designed in consultation with the supervisors (Marloes Sjoerdsma, Richard Lopata)
Multi-perspective ultrafast imaging for cardiac deformation analysis
The heart is a highly dynamic organ. Therefore, accurate and early diagnosis requires a high framerate. A new method is in construction to obtain multi-perspective cardiac images ultrafast to improve cardiac US images even more, and enable precise cardiac deformation analysis. This new method is being validated in phantoms or in ex vivo heart experiments in our lab.
Projects for bachelor-end projects, internships and MSc projects are available:
- Multi-perspective ultrafast ultrasound algorithm development and validation (in vitro)
- Multi-perspective functional cardiac imaging: segmentation & strain analysis
- Other projects can be designed in consultation with the supervisors (Peilu Liu, Richard Lopata)