This research investigates whether artificial intelligence can help non-specialist clinicians diagnose deep vein thrombosis using AI-guided handheld ultrasound devices. By enabling faster point-of-care diagnosis in GP surgeries, the project aims to reduce hospital referrals, improve accessibility for vulnerable patients, and help healthcare systems manage increasing clinical demand more efficiently.
This research develops engineered ultrasonic reporters that allow ultrasound imaging to detect molecular activity rather than only anatomical structure. By targeting biological signals associated with cancer progression and cellular communication, the work aims to distinguish aggressive disease earlier and improve precision medicine through real-time, noninvasive monitoring of underlying cellular behavior.
This research improves photoacoustic imaging, a technique that uses light-generated sound waves to visualize tissue oxygenation deep inside the body. By calibrating measurements using highly oxygenated arterial blood, the method overcomes longstanding accuracy limitations and avoids skin-tone bias, potentially improving early tumor detection and non-invasive monitoring of tissue health.