Project description
From sound waves to bubble dynamics
Diagnostic ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce internal images of the body. For cardiovascular diseases and cancer, imaging vasculature and flow is key to overcoming current hurdles in diagnosis and treatment. However, current clinical imaging modalities still provide insufficient spatiotemporal resolution. To address this issue, the ERC-funded Super-FALCON project will harness the nonlinear dynamics of novel contrast agents: monodisperse microbubbles. Using deep learning and GPU-accelerated simulations, it will recover super-resolved bubble cloud images. The project will also elaborate a new model for confined bubbles and use them as nonlinear sensors for capillary imaging. The goal is to produce fundamental knowledge about confined bubble dynamics, inhomogeneous ultrasound propagation and deconvolution strategies. Super-FALCON could initiate a paradigm shift towards patient-specific treatment.
Objective
Our healthcare system is under unsustainable strain owing, largely, to cardiovascular diseases and cancer. For both, imaging vasculature and flow precisely is paramount to reduce costs while improving diagnosis and treatment. Specifically, the focus is on the multiscale aspects of shear, vorticity, pressure and capillary bed (10-200 μm vessels) structure and mechanics. However, this requires an imaging depth of ~10 cm with a resolution of ~50μm. Furthermore, velocities often exceed 1m/s, which requires a frame rate of ~1000 fps. Clinical imaging modalities have so far been hindered by insufficient spatiotemporal resolution and there is thus a dire need for new techniques.
Plane-wave ultrasound enhanced with contrast microbubbles outperforms all modalities in safety, cost, and speed, and is thus the ideal candidate to address this need. The strategy I propose in Super-FALCON harnesses the nonlinear dynamics of monodisperse microbubbles. In WP1, I will use deep learning and GPU-accelerated acoustic simulations to recover super-resolved (1/20th of the wavelength) bubble clouds. In WP2, I will create a new model for confined bubbles, and use them as nonlinear sensors for capillary imaging. In WP3, I will disentangle attenuation and scattering using (physics-informed) deep learning and correct for wave distortion. This is needed to apply the strategies from WP1 and 2 in deep tissue. Finally, in WP4, I will use automatic segmentation to integrate the fundamental results of WP1, 2 and 3 into a technology that I will scientifically assess on vascularized ex vivo livers.
With Super-FALCON, my ambition is to generate a long-term impact both scientifically and societally. I will produce new fundamental knowledge about confined bubble dynamics, inhomogeneous ultrasound propagation, and deconvolution strategies as well as new experimental methods for flow imaging and characterization. In healthcare, Super-FALCON could initiate a paradigm shift towards patient-specific treatment.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences optics microscopy super resolution microscopy
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering sensors
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2022-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
7522 NB Enschede
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.