Grant: Research Tools and Instruments - Category 1 (<$150,000)

The requested system combines two unique portable medical imaging acquisition devices: a handheld 3D scanner for real-time scanning using structured light and a portable ultrasound (U/S) machine for real-time scanning using sound waves. Both imaging devices are portable, fast, have 3D capacity, no radiation, and can be used without time-consuming setup or calibration. While the structured light scanner can be used to extract high-resolution surface information from objects with direct access, the portable U/S machine can obtain information from objects without or very limited direct access. This unique system will be used by a group of interdisciplinary researchers conducting a wide range of research, including image-guided interventions, advanced cartilage repair techniques in knee and ankle joints, computer-aided diagnosis and detection of cancer, and human motions analysis. The researchers will use the imaging system for patient-friendly, safe, and real-time collection of anatomical information either during surgical interventions, or clinical appointments. This will eliminate or minimize the need to bring in patients for special imaging appointment for research purposes and will allow the researchers to collect a wider range of data to accelerate their research programs. Furthermore, the user-friendliness and versatility of the proposed system will make it an ideal tool for training HQP to gain skills and expertise in interdisciplinary fields.