Quantitative and non-invasive 3D flow and vascular wall shear stress mapping using ultrafast contrast-enhanced ultrasound and particle image velocimetry
As blood flows through our arteries it exerts forces on the artery wall. The strength of these forces varies according to the shape of the vessel – whether it is straight or has bends or branches. We know that these forces affect how the artery wall behaves and how prone regions of our arteries are to thickening or clogging up. However, the precise relationship between blood flow and disease is very difficult to measure in the body and is, therefore, poorly understood. Dr Mengxing Tang and his team are harnessing the latest advances in ultrasound and 3D imaging technology to give us new insight. In this project, they will develop a non-invasive system to map the forces exerted inside arteries in rabbits and compare it with current techniques. By developing this cutting-edge technique, these researchers hope to create a new tool to measure how the flow of blood affects our arteries. This tool could be used in the future for the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment planning of people with blood vessel disease, to improve the long term success of heart bypass surgery or identify people at highest risk of heart attack.
Project details
| Grant amount | £196,696 |
|---|---|
| Grant type | Project Grants |
| Application type | Project Grant |
| Start Date | 17 July 2017 |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Reference | PG/16/95/32350 |
| Status | In Progress |
