PhD research fellowship in shear wave elastography imaging with ultrasound

Goal:  To test and compare the acoustic radiation force elastography method against the time harmonic elastography method (with an external vibrator) for ultrasound shear wave elastography. The project will start with imaging of stationary organs like liver and muscle, with the final goal of also imaging the heart.

Applicants may contact Professor Sverre Holm or Associate Professor Andreas Austeng for further information.

Conventional ultrasonography (lower image) and elastography (supersonic shear imaging; upper image) of papillary thyroid carcinoma, a malignant cancer. The cancer (red) is much stiffer than the healthy tissue By Woliński, Stangierski, Gurgul, Biczysko, Majewski, Rewaj-Łosyk, Ruchała - Comparison of Diagnostic Value of Conventional Ultrasonography and Shear Wave Elastography in the Prediction of Thyroid Lesions Malignancy, PLOS ONE DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0081532, CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35718612

PhD Research Fellowship in Acoustics/Signal Processing: Shear wave elastography imaging with ultrasound. [Link to application] 
The purpose of the project is to test and compare the acoustic radiation force elastography method against the time harmonic elastography method for ultrasound shear wave elastography.

  • The acoustic radiation force elastography method exists in several clinical scanners, see image to the right. It is fast and convenient, but limited to a depth of 6-8 cm. It assumes a homogenoeus tissue and is sensitive to waveguiding effects where it will yield biased estimates of shear module.
  • On the other hand the time harmonic elastography method which is inspired by MR elastography, does not have the depth limitation. It also has the potential for wave equation inversion in order to deal with complex geometries. The disadvantage is that the setup is more complex as an external vibrator is needed.
  • The project will start with imaging of stationary organs like liver and muscle, with the final goal of also imaging the heart.

Oslo, April 4th, 2016

Published Apr. 4, 2016 2:45 PM - Last modified Aug. 10, 2016 8:13 AM
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This position is now filled!