# Toward Clinical Translation of Acoustic Angiography: Optimization of Microvascular Ultrasound Imaging on a Novel Dual-frequency Array

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · 2020 · $37,444

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women, and the primary method of detection is screening
mammography. Suspicious lesions identified via mammography are further evaluated with secondary imaging
modalities and slated for biopsy or surgery based on the severity of suspicion. Mammography has successfully
reduced the incidence of mortality due to breast cancer by 20%, but of the 1-2% of mammograms that lead to
biopsy, more than 65% are determined to be benign. This indicates that a large majority of biopsies are
performed unnecessarily, causing needless physical, emotional, and financial distress for patients. To avoid the
occurrence of unnecessary biopsy, the specificity of secondary breast imaging must be improved to accurately
and non-invasively differentiate benign from malignant lesions. One of the hallmarks of malignant cancer is
angiogenesis, the development of new blood vessels from existing vessels to feed the rapid growth of cancer
cells. Tumor-associated angiogenesis leads to very different vascular architecture than that found in healthy
tissue, dominated by tortuous, chaotic, leaky vessels. We hypothesize that these microvascular characteristics
can be used as a biomarker of malignancy. However, there is a lack of high-resolution, safe, accessible vascular
imaging tools in the clinic. Here, we aim to modify and optimize a novel preclinical imaging technique, termed
“acoustic angiography,” for clinical use. Acoustic angiography (AA) is a non-invasive, contrast-enhanced
ultrasound imaging technique that produces high-resolution (~150 μm), three-dimensional microvascular maps.
AA requires the use of custom dual-frequency (DF) single-element transducers that severely limit imaging depth
(1.5 cm) and suffer from poor sensitivity at clinically-relevant contrast doses. For the clinical translation of AA,
DF transducer technology must be improved, and the technique must be optimized at clinical parameters. In this
work, we propose to improve the imaging depth and sensitivity of AA by using a novel DF array transducer to
implement a clinically-optimized AA imaging scheme. Using in vitro experiments, we will evaluate signal
production by ultrasound contrast agents to ensure maximum generation of vascular signatures and optimize
acoustic parameters, such as pressure, waveform shape, and filter cutoffs, to maximize contrast-to-tissue ratio.
The optimal parameters and type of microbubble that are determined will be validated in vivo in a rat model of
fibrosarcoma. We anticipate that this work will facilitate impactful clinical translation of AA in the future.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9979626
- **Project number:** 5F31CA243177-02
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL
- **Principal Investigator:** Isabel Newsome
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $37,444
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-08-01 → 2021-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9979626

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9979626, Toward Clinical Translation of Acoustic Angiography: Optimization of Microvascular Ultrasound Imaging on a Novel Dual-frequency Array (5F31CA243177-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9979626. Licensed CC0.

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