Oncology
In order to grow, cancer requires angiogenesis, i.e. the process through which new blood vessels form from pre-existing vessels. In particular, angiogenic vasculature shows peculiar characteristics when compared to normal vasculature, namely a high degree of asymmetry and tortuosity, arteriovenous shunt, trifurcation and high permeability. A reliable and non-invase technique capable of detecting angiogeneis, and hence cancer, is nowadays missing. Dinamic contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging is an imaging techniqe that can be applied to this scope. In particular, estimating ultrasound contrast agents dispersion allows indirect characterization of the vasculature architecture, ultimately allowing the detection of cancer-related angiogenic processes. In this framework several project are available.
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Development of advanced signal analysis methods for the estimation of ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) dispersion-related parameters. Development of new approaches aimed at the detection and localization of cancer-related angiogenic processes. Project in collaboration with the AMC Amsterdam and the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven. Supervision by Prof. Wijkstra and Dr. Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters
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Improved contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging.
To distinguish ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) echo signals from tissue, the nonlinear response of UCAs to ultrasound is usually exploited. However, tissue itself induces the formation of harmonic components and artifacts due to nonlinear propagation of ultrasound through microbubbles affect common dynamic contrast enhance ultrasound imaging techniques leading to possible tissue misclassification and misinterpretation of bubble concentrations. Further improvements can be achieved by improving our understanding of the interaction between ultrasound and UCAs. Contact: l.demi@tue.nl
available for masters/bachelor
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Characterize how variations in the microvascular architectures influence the dispersion kinetics of ultrasound contrast agents. Realization of an in vitro setup comprising linear array ultrasound transducers, control electronics, and a peristalting pump, in order to characterize how different microvascular architectures (e.g., due to cancer angiogenesis) influence the dispersion kinetics of ultrasound contrast agents. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters/bachelor/internship
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Ultrasound microbubble tracking. Blood flow velocity relates to the vessel diameter. Hereby, the blood flow velocity can provide information about the size of the blood vessel. By imaging these flow velocities a vessel can be identified as a 'blood-supplying' vessel (large vessel) of an organ like the prostate or as part of the microvasculature that has developed around a tumor in that organ. Mapping these velocities in the organ could provide an insight in the development of the microvasculature and therefore locate tumors being present. Contact: t.idzenga@amc.uva.nl, m.mischi@tue.nl. Additional information [pdf]
available for masters/bachelor/internship
Gynecology & Perinatology
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Propagation properties of uterine scar
tissue. You will develop algorithms in Matlab, which in short entail estimating the time delays between measurement channels and reconstruct the propagating wave fronts. Utilizing these algorithms, the propagation paths around uterine scar tissue will need to be visualised in a propagation maps. In collaboration with a clinician, the final goal is to establish the baseline propagation properties of a uterine scar. Supervision by Hinke de Lau and Dr. Massimo Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl additional information [pdf]
available for bachelor/internship
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Annotation and analysis of conduction velocity in uterine muscles. To this end a user interface has to be created which allows for annotation of uterine activity and calculation and analysis of the CV extracted from selected signal segments. The statistical significance of the CV as an indicator for imminent delivery can be analyzed. Additionally, automatic methods for detection of periods of uterine activity can be researched. Supervision by Michiel Rooijakkers M.Sc. and Dr. Rabotti. Contact: c.rabotti@tue.nl. additional information [pdf]
available for bachelor/internship
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Characterization of the uterine electromechanical activity outside pregnancy by combined ultrasound and electrohysterographic investigation. This project will be carried out in tight collaboration with the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven (dr Schoot). Supervision will be provided by Dr. Mischi and Dr. Rabotti. Contact: c.rabotti@tue.nl. additional information [pdf]
available for masters
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Characterization of the uterine electromechanical activity by combined ultrasound, electrohysterographic, and accelerometric investigation. Project in collaboration with the Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven. Supervision by Dr. Rabotti and Dr. Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters
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Fetal monitoring by analysis of the fetal PR interval, recorded before, during, and after episodes of sustained oxygen deprivation to the fetus. Project in collaboration with the Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven and the Maastricht University Medical Center. Contact: r.vullings@tue.nl. Alternative contacts: p.andriessen@mmc.nl or reint.jellema@maastrichtuniversity.nl additional information [pdf]
available for masters
Neuromuscular
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Assessment of cycling performance by multimodal investigation, comprising the analysis of pedal force, near infrared spectroscopy of the vastus lateralis, ECG, and VO2max. Project in collaboration with the Sports Medicine Dept of the Máxima Medical Center and Sportmax. Supervision by Dr. Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters
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Electromyographic characterization of the effects induced by vibration exercise. Project in collaboration with the Heikant Rehabilitation Center in Eindhoven and the British Olympic Association in London. Supervision by Dr. Rabotti and Dr. Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters
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Characterization of reflex mechanisms induced by vibration exercise. Project in collaboration with UMC St Radboud Nijmegen and Kempenhaeghe. Supervision by Dr. Rabotti and Dr. Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters
Cardiovascular
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Quantification of 3D mechanical dyssynchrony of the left ventricle by cine MRI. Project in collaboration with the Catharina Hospital in Eindhoven and Pie Medical Imaging in Maastricht. Supervision by Dr. van Assen and Dr. Mischi. Contact: m.mischi@tue.nl.
available for masters
Beamforming and Ultrasound imaging
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Novel parallel beamforming strategies. Speed of sound limits the achievable data acquisition rate of pulsed ultrasound scanners. To overcome this limitation, parallel beamforming techniques are used in ultrasound 2D and 3D imaging systems. Different parallel beamforming approaches have already been proposed and tested. In our group, thanks to the availability of an open research scanner, we are currently investigating and testing a novel approach based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing and applied to harmonic imaging. Contact: l.demi@tue.nl.
available for masters/bachelor
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