Ultrasound and Photoacoustic imaging methods

Ultrasonography is a widely used medical imaging technique that is inexpensive and harmless for subjects. The acquired image gives forth only morphological information if no exogenous contrast agents are used. Photoacoustics is an emerging imaging modality that combines a pulsed light source that induces slight heating and relaxation of tissues which then produces ultrasound waves which can be detected by a traditional ultrasound probe. Photoacoustic images provide functional information, thanks to the endogenous contrast of blood. In this research field, we focus on the development of innovative methods and protocols using ultrasonography and photoacoustics for the study of physiological and pathological phenomena that can be applied in in-vitro, in-vivo, and ex-vivo studies. Focus is also put on the development of innovative techniques for multimodal signal and image processing, such as beamforming and segmentation techniques. 

Relevant Publications:

Meiburger K.M., Vallan A., Seoni S., Molinari F. Vascular Complexity Evaluation Using a Skeletonization Approach and 3D LED-Based Photoacoustic Images. In LED-Based Photoacoustic Imaging (pp. 113-131). Springer, Singapore, 2020. hdl:11583/2860140

Meiburger K.M., Nam S.Y., Chung E., Suggs L.J., Emelianov S.Y., Molinari F. Skeletonization algorithm-based blood vessel quantification using in vivo 3D photoacoustic imaging. Physics in Medicine & Biology, vol. 61, pp. 7994, 2016. hdl:11583/2656976

Seoni S., Matrone G., Meiburger K.M. Robustness Analysis of Texture Features with Different Beamforming Techniques. In 2020 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS), pp. 1-4, September, 2020. hdl:11583/2860152

Seoni S., Matrone G., Casali N., Spairani E., Meiburger K.M. Generalization of a Deep Learning Network for Beamforming and Segmentation of Ultrasound Images. In 2021 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, pp. 1-4, September, 2021.

Meiburger K.M., Seoni S., Matrone G. Automatic Dynamic Range Estimation for Ultrasound Image Visualization and Processing. In 2020 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS), pp. 1-4, September, 2020. hdl:11583/2860150