Project description
High-resolution ultrasound imaging
Ultrasound imaging employs high-frequency sound waves to provide real-time images of internal organs, offering a safe and non-invasive diagnostic tool. Although widely used in clinical practice, conventional ultrasound is limited in resolution and depth, preventing detailed visualisation of microvascular structures. The ERC-funded iSURELens project aims to address these limitations through an innovative ultrasound system capable of imaging the entire microvascular network within the human kidney. The system incorporates breakthrough technology that allows visualisation of vessels as small as 28 micrometres in diameter. Researchers will test the performance of the iSURELens system in the clinic and evaluate its potential for broader commercialisation.
Objective
The iSURELens Proof-of-Concept project will develop an ultrasound imaging system capable of visualizing the micro-vasculature of the entire human kidney in a clinical environment. Such ultrasound images are highly desired for providing early diagnosis of diseases such as cancer and diabetes using a non-invasive and cost-effective imaging modality. The proposed imaging system comprises a probe, lens and beamformer based on the methods developed in the SURE ERC synergy grant project for Super-resolution Ultrasound Real-time imaging using Erythrocytes (SURE) and is already compatible with a clinical scanner. Current high-resolution ultrasound probes for fast 3D imaging can only image a limited volume in front of the probe, which limits their clinical value. With the envisioned acoustic lens technology, the probe will have a field-of-view of 50 degree, which generates an imaging volume encompassing a full human kidney. In combination with the SURE method, such ultrasound system will enable to visualize, in just a few seconds, the microvascular structures down to 28 micrometers in the whole human organ. The developed system will be tested in a clinical setting to demonstrate its innovation potential. This will form the basis for either a potential spin-off company or a license agreement with a commercial ultrasound company.
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
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine endocrinology diabetes
- medical and health sciences clinical medicine oncology
- natural sciences physical sciences acoustics ultrasound
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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)
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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-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept 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-2025-POC
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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.
2800 Kongens Lyngby
Denmark
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.