Research

Ultrasound—Diagnostics and Cancer Treatment

 

Ultrasound as a diagnostic tool sheds some of its previous imperfections when mathematical analysis is incorporated into the process. Tim Bigelow, an assistant professor in both the electrical and computer engineering and mechanical engineering departments, strives to do just that. Working with faculty at the University of Illinois, Chicago, Bigelow analyzes the echoes from an expectant mother’s cervix to assess the risk of premature delivery. The team identifies risk indicators, such as an increase in water concentration in the cervix’s lining, by placing a color map derived from mathematical analysis over a gray-scale ultrasound image of the cervix. Bigelow is also working with faculty at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, to potentially eliminate the need for a biopsy to diagnose breast cancer and instead offer patients a less painful and less expensive mechanism for assessing their health. Relying on mathematical analysis, physicians could determine whether or not a tumor is cancerous without removing any tissue. In addition, Bigelow received a CAREER award from the National Science Foundation to develop a system to use ultrasound to treat cancer.

Watch Video

---