Transcranial ultrasound imaging of subarachnoid vascularization and flow
This technology is a noninvasive, transcranial ultrasound localization microscopy platform for high-resolution imaging of subarachnoid vasculature and flow, enabling visualization and assessment of vascular and cerebrospinal fluid dynamics through the skull.
Unmet Need: Improved visualization of subarachnoid vasculature and CSF dynamics
Current approaches for assessing intracranial vasculature and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics rely primarily on MRI and CT-based imaging, which have limited ability to detect small vessels and capture rapid, low-velocity fluid dynamics within the subarachnoid space. In particular, MRI based CSF flow measurements are limited in their ability to simultaneously provide spatial resolution and temporal resolution while detecting slow flow, making it difficult to characterize dynamic interactions between subarachnoid vasculature and CSF. Improved in vivo visualization of these processes is needed to better investigate subarachnoid vascular function, CSF circulation, and their roles in brain homeostasis and disease.
The Technology: High-resolution, noninvasive imaging of subarachnoid vascular dynamics
This technology is a noninvasive imaging platform that uses ultrasound localization microscopy with microbubble contrast agents to noninvasively visualize vasculature and flow within the subarachnoid space. The approach combines skull-specific ultrasound sequence optimization, correction for skull-induced aberrations, and specialized post-processing to enable high-resolution transcranial imaging. Together, these methods improve imaging through the skull and enable visualization of small vascular structures and flow that are difficult to capture with conventional imaging approaches.
Feasibility has been demonstrated in primates using a clinical ultrasound probe.
Applications:
- Subarachnoid vascular imaging
- CSF dynamics research
- Blood-brain barrier opening research tool
- Preclinical cerebrovascular research
- Patient-specific in silico modeling of brain
- Longitudinal imaging studies
- Therapeutic intervention monitoring
- Preclinical evaluation of brain-directed therapies
Advantages:
- Noninvasive imaging technique
- Micrometer-scale visualization
- Improved transcranial imaging
- Enables dynamic flow assessments and monitoring of changes
- Compatible with existing clinical ultrasound probes
- Enhanced depth penetration
- High spatial and temporal capabilities
Lead Inventor:
Tech Ventures Reference:
IR CU26006
Licensing Contact: Dovina Qu