UVOLUMES · NOVEL ULTRASOUND-BASED TRIDIMENSIONAL TOOLS FOR STRUCTURAL AND FUNCTIONAL EVALUATION OF VOLUMES OF INTEREST IN HUMAN ORGANS

One of the main goals in diagnostic medicine is the possibility to obtain not only structural, but also histological and functional information using imaging techniques. The main objective of this Transfer of Knowledge strategy is to conduct a common research programme leading to the development of new tridimensional ultrasound tools for automated analysis of tissue characteristics and perfusion in volumes of interest. To this end, an intersectorial research programme is proposed. The programme will combine knowledge and expertise from a biomedical research group with a large company developing high-level ultrasound devices. The project will structure the necessary transfer of knowledge to make possible the research needed to achieve the goals of the project. The medical research group will contribute with a high expertise in research models of ultrasound evaluation in normal and pathological conditions, solutions and algorithms for digital analysis of ultrasound images, and new methods for volume segmentation. These will be combined with advanced technical support and several important innovations in the field of ultrasound imaging recently developed within the medical company. A common space for intersectorial research will be created. The programme involves an intensive component of bidirectional secondments of existing researchers together with new recruitments of experienced researchers to reinforce our skills in specific fields. The development of the technological solutions proposed will represent a major breakthrough in ultrasound imaging, with clear benefits to medicine and health technology. The solutions developed would find immediate applications in medicine, and the company is firmly interested in bringing innovations into current clinical devices. The proposed research would represent a significant increase for European RTD and the competitiveness of the groups and researchers participating in the programme.