Diagnostic Hardware/Software/Medical Devices

Latest Innovations
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.
Realistic Knee Joint Simulator Dr. Kersh and colleagues have invented a knee joint simulator with realistic range of motion. Currently, knee health training requires cadavers or human patients. This... Read More Dr. Kersh and colleagues have invented a knee joint simulator with realistic range of motion. Currently, knee health training requires cadavers or human patients. This technology would allow medical students and physicians to see and feel how a healthy and injured knees move. This may be accompanied by a companion AR app to visualize the muscle, skeletal, and surface layers of a knee in motion. The realistic range of motion and haptic feedback from knee joint is unique to this invention. Application Education of medical students and training of practicing physicians to realistically train how to perform a knee joint laxity physical exam without the need of having a human patient or a cadaveric sample.
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.
System and Method for High Volume-Rate Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging 3D ultrasound imaging is one of the most desired features of an ultrasound imaging system. It provides comprehensive evaluations of the targeted tissue and effectively alleviates the user... Read More 3D ultrasound imaging is one of the most desired features of an ultrasound imaging system. It provides comprehensive evaluations of the targeted tissue and effectively alleviates the user dependence of ultrasound. Achieving a high imaging volume rate is critical for all the 3D ultrasound applications. The current 3D ultrasound technologies use 1D or 2D ultrasound transducers, but they face challenges including limited imaging volume rate, high cost, and technical issues. A high volume-rate 3D ultrasound imaging method and a device based on Fast Acoustic Steering via Tilting Electromechanical Reflectors (FASTER). This technology addresses challenges of conventional 3D ultrasound imaging like high cost, suboptimal imaging quality, and low volume scan rate. FASTER is capable of high volume rate (up to 500 Hz compared to 0.2-20 Hz for conventional techniques) large field-of-view 3D imaging with conventional 1D transducers. Publication Z. Dong, S. Li, M. R. Lowerison, J. Pan, J. Zou and P. Song, "Fast Acoustic Steering Via Tilting Electromechanical Reflectors (FASTER): A Novel Method for High Volume Rate 3-D Ultrasound Imaging," in IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, vol. 68, no. 3, pp. 675-687, March 2021, doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2020.3020871
Real-Time Super-Resolution Ultrasound Microvessel Imaging The super-resolution ultrasound microvessel imaging (SR-UMI) technique offers a promising solution to the challenge of achieving both high imaging resolution and deep... Read More The super-resolution ultrasound microvessel imaging (SR-UMI) technique offers a promising solution to the challenge of achieving both high imaging resolution and deep penetration in biomedical imaging. By using ultrasound contrast microbubbles and super-resolution strategies similar to PALM and STORM, SR-UMI enhances ultrasound imaging resolution by tenfold while maintaining deep penetration. This technique can resolve capillary-scale blood vessels at depths greater than 10 cm and measure microvascular blood flow speeds as low as 1 mm/s. SR-UMI provides detailed structural and functional information about tissue microvasculature and is noninvasive, low-cost, and free of ionizing radiation. Despite its potential, SR-UMI faces challenges such as slow data acquisition and computationally intensive post-processing, which hinder its clinical translation. This technology is a method of real-time Super-Resolution Ultrasound Microvessel Imaging (SR-UMI). Current SR-UMI requires hours of data post-processing, making it impractical for clinical, diagnostic applications. Implementing advances in deep learning and parallel computing enabled real-time microbubble signal extraction, separation, localization, tracking, and quantitative analysis and display. This technology has a wide range of clinical applications, including but not limited to, the diagnosis and characterization of a range of disorders (e.g., cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurological diseases). Publication X. Chen, M. R. Lowerison, Z. Dong, A. Han and P. Song, "Deep Learning-Based Microbubble Localization for Ultrasound Localization Microscopy," in IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, vol. 69, no. 4, pp. 1312-1325, April 2022, doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2022.3152225
A Subspace Approach to Accelerate Fourier Transform-Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry Imaging Researchers have developed a method that accelerates data acquisition for Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) by ten folds... Read More Researchers have developed a method that accelerates data acquisition for Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) by ten folds while maintaining high mass and spatial resolution and accuracy. Compared to other methods in MSI data acquisition/reconstruction, this approach exploits redundancy in the data, eventually reducing the time for data collection. The primary applications of the technology will be in clinical diagnostics, drug metabolism studies and localization/characterization of biomolecules within tissue samples.
Ankle Clonus and Elbow Rigidity Patient Simulators Researchers have developed two electromechanical patient simulators. These high-performance, cost-effective, patient simulators have received promising clinical feedback... Read More Researchers have developed two electromechanical patient simulators. These high-performance, cost-effective, patient simulators have received promising clinical feedback suggesting that these devices can mimic the behavior of a real patient by 1) generating a simulated behavior whose triggering and maintaining mechanism aligned with clinicians' experience and 2) recreating a relatively realistic haptic response of affected muscles. These training simulators will not only allow healthcare learners to gain practical experience more efficiently, but they also have the potential to standardize diagnostic procedures and enhance diagnosis accuracy and consistency by providing a relatively realistic, consistent, and scalable training environment for students, allowing learners to gain hands-on experience without the presence of human patients.