{"id":"CU26006","slug":"transcranial-ultrasound--CU26006","source":{"id":"CU26006","dataset":"techtransfer","title":"Transcranial ultrasound imaging of subarachnoid vascularization and flow","description_":"<p>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. </p>\r\r<h2>Unmet Need: Improved visualization of subarachnoid vasculature and CSF dynamics</h2>\r\r<p>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 <i>in vivo </i> visualization of these processes is needed to better investigate subarachnoid vascular function, CSF circulation, and their roles in brain homeostasis and disease. </p>\r\r<h2>The Technology: High-resolution, noninvasive imaging of subarachnoid vascular dynamics</h2>\r\r<p>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. </p>\r\r<p>Feasibility has been demonstrated in primates using a clinical ultrasound probe. </p>\r\r<h2>Applications:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li>Subarachnoid vascular imaging </li>\r<li>CSF dynamics research </li>\r<li>Blood-brain barrier opening research tool </li>\r<li>Preclinical cerebrovascular research </li>\r<li>Patient-specific <i>in silico</i> modeling of brain </li>\r<li>Longitudinal imaging studies </li>\r<li>Therapeutic intervention monitoring </li>\r<li>Preclinical evaluation of brain-directed therapies </li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Advantages:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li>Noninvasive imaging technique </li>\r<li>Micrometer-scale visualization </li>\r<li>Improved transcranial imaging </li>\r<li>Enables dynamic flow assessments and monitoring of changes </li>\r<li>Compatible with existing clinical ultrasound probes </li>\r<li>Enhanced depth penetration </li>\r<li>High spatial and temporal capabilities </li>\r</ul>\r\r<h2>Lead Inventor:</h2>\r\r<p><a href=\"https://www.bme.columbia.edu/faculty-staff/directory/elisa-e-konofagou\">Elisa Konofagou, Ph.D.</a></p>\r\r<h2>Tech Ventures Reference:</h2>\r\r<ul>\r<li><p>IR CU26006</p></li>\r<li><p>Licensing Contact: <a href=\"mailto:techtransfer@columbia.edu\">Dovina Qu</a> </p></li>\r</ul>\r","tags":["Blood vessel","Blood–brain barrier","Cerebrospinal fluid","Cerebrovascular disease","Homeostasis","Mathematical optimization","Medical ultrasound","Meninges","Microbubble","Microscopy","Molecular dynamics","Skull"],"file_number":"CU26006","collections":[],"meta_description":"Noninvasive transcranial ultrasound localization microscopy reveals micrometer-scale subarachnoid vessels and CSF flow dynamics.","apriori_judge_output":"{\"scores\":{\"novelty\":4.0,\"potential_impact\":4.0,\"readiness\":4.0,\"scalability\":3.0,\"timeliness\":3.0},\"weighted_score\":3.85,\"risks\":[\"Need for independent replication beyond primate feasibility\",\"Regulatory/pathway uncertainties for clinical translation\",\"Scale-up and real-time processing challenges in diverse ultrasound systems\"],\"one_sentence_take\":\"High novelty and solid readiness with clear clinical/research applications, but scalability and timeliness depend on regulatory clearance and broader validation.\"}","inventors":["Elisa Konofagou","Saachi Munot"],"manager":"Dovina Qu","depts":["Biomedical Engineering"],"divs":["Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science (SEAS)"],"date_released":"2026-10-23"},"highlight":{},"matched_queries":null,"score":0.0}