Ultrasound Technologies for use in High-Resolution Imaging and Precision Ablation Applications

This proposal describes the continuation and renewal of a highly technical and original research program focused on developing ultrasound technologies for use in minimally invasive surgery. Minimally invasive surgery refers to surgical procedures that result in minimal damage to healthy tissue in patients. This has become the standard of care in numerous surgical procedures as it results in less blood loss, fewer complications, and faster recovery times for patients when compared to open surgery. To minimize damage to healthy tissue while gaining access to the diseased tissue, small incisions and access pathways are created. This has revolutionized the approach to the majority of brain tumor resections where only a small hole is drilled into the skull, and the resection is performed using small endoscopic tools, mostly under the guidance of a surgical microscope. Similar ground-breaking approaches have also recently been adapted for the spine, abdomen, heart, etc. These surgeries are typically performed under the guidance of optical endoscopes and optical microscopes. As the overall trend in surgery moves towards minimally invasive approaches, a need has been created for more advanced endoscopic instruments. For example, optical imaging microscopes and endoscopes provide no information beyond the surface of what you are about to cut. Intra operative CT and MRI imaging has been attempted in a few minimally invasive procedures, but these modalities are expensive and often do not provide the required level of resolution for the procedure. Not only is there a need for high resolution depth resolved endoscopic imaging tools, but also for precision therapeutic technology in an endoscopic form factor. This proposal will further advance endoscopic technologies hat have recently been developed in this research program. Specifically, the objectives are to advance the previously developed high-resolution miniature ultrasound imaging endoscope, and high-speed electronic hardware. We have demonstrated that real-time 2D ultrasound imaging and guided tissue ablation can be achieved in a miniature form factor, however, due to space constraints in minimally invasive approaches, there are limitations to capturing only a 2D image. This is in contrast to ultrasound imaging from outside the body where the probe can be moved around freely making 2D images sufficient for most applications. The proposed research program will use advanced microfabrication and newly developed imaging methods to establish an ultrasound endoscope and electronic hardware that is capable of real-time high-resolution 3D imaging. Not only could this technology revolutionize the next generation of surgical methods, it could also majorly contribute to Canada's emerging medical technology sector.