Fall Seminar – Emad Ebbini, PhD
to be led by
Emad Ebbini, PhD
Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering,
University of Minnesota
Date: September 27, 2019
Location: Stevenson Center 5326
Time: 12:10 p.m. start, 12:00 p.m. lunch
Title:
Precision Image-guided Interventions Using Dual-mode Ultrasound Array Systems
Abstract: Focused ultrasound (FUS) is gaining wider acceptance as a minimally invasive modality for image-guided interventions with growing number of clinical applications. Image guidance has played a central role in the initial acceptance of FUS in the 1990s. More recently, specialized imaging modes (e.g. MR and Ultrasound thermography) for monitoring and control of FUS delivery have enabled applications requiring high levels of precision such as the noninvasive treatment of neurological and cardiovascular conditions. With these applications in mind, we have developed a unique paradigm for image-guided FUS (IgFUS) surgery based on the concept of dual-mode ultrasound array (DMUA) systems. A major advantage of the DMUA approach is the inherent registration between the imaging and therapy coordinate systems. Combined with real-time high framerate imaging and detection of FUS-induced tissue changes, this feature allows for closed-loop control of tissue modification (e.g. ablation) with high spatial and temporal precision. In this talk, we will describe two recent applications of guidance, monitoring and closed-loop control of FUS delivery in vivo using our DMUA approach. In one application, transcranial FUS is applied to selected targets within the brain of a small animal model in vivo to produce localized thermal effects under closed-loop temperature control as potential treatment of epilepsy. We also describe closed-loop precision lesion formation within the carotid body of a small animal model of hypertension. Histological evaluation of targeted tissues confirming the localization will be presented and discussed. The talk will be concluded by describing current efforts to translate this technology for targeting peripheral neurovascular structures in human subjects.
Short Bio:
Emad S Ebbini received his PhD from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1990. He is currently a professor in electrical and computer engineering at the University of Minnesota Twin-Cities. His research interests are in signal and array processing with applications to medical ultrasound. He is a fellow of the IEEE and has been active in several IEEE societies, conferences and journals. He also served as the President of the International Society for Therapeutic Ultrasound (2012 – 2015) in addition to being a founding member of the Society in 2001. Dr. Ebbini contributed to both diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of medical ultrasound, including optimal array pattern synthesis for imaging and therapy, temperature imaging, nonlinear contrast agent imaging, high-speed parallel imaging. He pioneered the concept of dual-mode ultrasound array (DMUA) systems for image-guided surgery. His research team at Minnesota recently demonstrated the real-time use of this technology in vivo. The team is currently investigating a number of novel approaches involving 3D imaging, real-time ultrasound thermometry in vivo, and self-focusing arrays in the presence of strongly scattering objects.