# High Resolution Ultrasound in Interventional Radiology

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 2022 · $624,599

## Abstract

We seek to create a real-time ultrasound imaging tool for guiding interventions, with resolution that exceeds that
obtained using CT but without the need for radiation or iodinated contrast agents. Advancements in medical
imaging and device technology allow minimally-invasive procedures for the diagnosis and treatment of various
disorders. Real-time ultrasound has become an integral aspect of many image-guided interventions. Advantages
of US imaging include the low cost, lack of ionizing radiation and real-time visualization of anatomy and
physiology. Our approach will be to: 1) create an extended aperture 2D transducer (512 by 16 elements) capable
of imaging an extended azimuthal field of 9 cm with in-plane resolution of hundreds of microns (to provide a wide
field of view at high resolution), 2) apply the 2D array to image multiple adjacent planes (to facilitate the view of
biopsy needles or ablations), 3) achieve a 30 volume per second update rate by using plane wave transmissions
to enhance contrast imaging modes and implement novel beam formation algorithms, 4) integrate methods for
aberration correction, and 5) apply this technology in B-Mode, color Doppler, volumetric vector flow imaging and
contrast imaging. The array will be realized using tiled modules that can be switched in a mode-dependent
fashion to accomplish B-Mode imaging, color Doppler and contrast imaging. Over the past 4 years, Stanford and
the University of Southern California have designed an adult extended-aperture abdominal-imaging system and
demonstrated the improved spatial resolution, field of view and contrast that can be achieved. We exploit these
tools here to develop a high-volume rate capability for monitoring liver interventions. Our aims to accomplish this
are to: 1) Create and integrate tileable acoustic/electronic modules to implement signal buffering and multiplexing
and create a large aperture array with elevational focusing. Utilizing newly designed Integrated Circuits (IC)’s
and highly sensitive and wide-bandwidth single crystal transducer material, we will construct individual 2D array
modules with co-integrated transducers and electronics. 2) Optimize the protocols for guiding biopsy and ablation
in phantom and animal studies. A) Create software for imaging of small lesions and microwave ablation. We
will implement singular value decomposition (SVD) based beam formation for aberration correction. B) Evaluate
performance in phantoms and ex vivo tissue. C) Assess speed and accuracy of needle placements. D) Conduct
contrast imaging and ablative studies in porcine liver in vivo. 3) Conduct diagnostic and interventional imaging
studies as a proof of concept. A) Test the protocols to image the liver of adult volunteers and establish the signal
to noise ratio in vivo as compared with phantoms. B) Assess 3D visualization of liver vasculature and lesions in
patients referred for MR or CT imaging of a liver lesion. C) Compare the 3D visualization of ablated zones t...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10448971
- **Project number:** 1R01CA271309-01
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Katherine W Ferrara
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $624,599
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2022-03-04 → 2027-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10448971

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10448971, High Resolution Ultrasound in Interventional Radiology (1R01CA271309-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10448971. Licensed CC0.

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