Portable Ultrasound Imaging of the Brain for Use in Forward Battlefield Areas
Abstract
Using ultrasound as a detection device in the body, including the brain, has been extensively investigated. Unfortunately, previous ultrasound-based methods on the brain have suffered from the severe distortion caused by the skull bone. The authors have recently developed a technique that allows ultrasound to propagate through the skull with significantly reduced distortion using a shear mode technique. The current project will develop a device for noninvasive identification of the presence of foreign bodies inside the skull, and the localization of such objects. The device will be lightweight, portable, durable, battery-operated, easy to use, and appropriate for effective and practical battlefield use in forward areas. The device will operate in two modes. In the first mode, it will function as a hand-held device powered by AA batteries. In this mode it will provide a simple yes/no indication of the presence of foreign bodies as a function of location in the brain. In the second mode, the same device will also be capable of interfacing with a laptop computer via a USB interface. In this mode, imaging and analysis software will form an image of regions in the brain that can be interpreted by a medic or relayed to a remote medical professional for evaluation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 01, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA500081
Entities
People
- Gregory T. Clement