Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Although high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) was proposed to thermally ablate precise regions within tissues several decades ago, commercial devices capable of performing controlled ablations were developed only recently. It was the development of image guidance, and more particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that could quantify temperature rise, which made these applications possible.In this proposed program I will focus on novel guidance methods for HIFU. This will address the basic needs of a technology that is rapidly progressing and for which applications are reaching their commercial maturity. My program will provide techniques and engineering tools to enhance HIFU guidance. The specific goals are: 1) the use of biological characteristics of the target to generate images that can guide HIFU procedures; and2) the development of HIFU guidance by using novel ultrasound imaging which will provide a real-time, low cost imaging method that can control exposures and compensate for target motion. The use of innovative technology for imaging will significantly increase accuracy in HIFU technology and it will also result in cost reduction. This will improve the commercial applications to come and shorten development times. Canada is actively building expertise in the area of HIFU with infrastructure and people that will open possibilities to commercial opportunities. The results of the proposed research will potentially create investment opportunities and technological transfer that will create economical opportunities. Besides, the training of high quality personnel specialized in HIFU will ensure that future recruitment needs are satisfied.