High resolution multimodal ultrasound imaging in cerebrovascular diseases. A preclinical approach towards new translational applications

The project aims to advance the technological development of biomedical imaging systems to enhance their clinical applicability in the diagnosis and treatment of relevant neurological diseases, such as stroke.

To this end, the aim is to develop a multimodal ultrasound imaging platform suitable for preclinical research in small animals for the study of cerebrovascular diseases. This instrumentation will help to boost imaging capabilities in our biomedical research environment.

The project includes the following challenges:

• Improve ultrasound penetration through the skull and reduce beam aberration for imaging applications.
• Adapt Doppler algorithms for the analysis of small windows, a consequence of the small vessels in the rat's head.
• Develop tissue characterization algorithms based on ultrasound images.
• Identify imaging biomarkers for ischemic strokes and brain hemorrhages.

The working methodology heavily relies on in vivo experimentation, which serves as a guide for the technological development of the instrumentation based on the image quality and usability required by the biomedical part of the team. Thus, throughout the project, our ultrasound technology will evolve into a fully operational imaging platform suitable for preclinical research, integrated into a biomedical research environment, and potentially transferable to the local production sector with the ultimate goal of applying the acquired knowledge to clinical practice.

Making this possible will mean having a fast, non-invasive, reproducible, well-tolerated, and cost-effective diagnostic tool for relevant neurological pathologies at the point of care, enabling immediate treatment initiation.