Vibration localization microscopy and tissue deconstruction models in ultrasound image sequences – Pioneering methods for neuromuscular imaging

The overall purpose of this proposal is to develop new ultrasound imaging methods for neuromuscular assessment and diagnostics.

Current state-of-the-art methods rely on investigating the smallest functional units in a skeletal muscle – the motor unit – and are invasive and limited to a small field-of view.Recently, these limitations have been addressed by innovations using ultrafast ultrasound andMR imaging which has opened up a new research field on imaging motor units.

But a key challengehas been identified in this new research field: The muscle fibre tissue is connected to the connectivefascia tissue causing mechanical coupling and these tissues have different physiology andpathology.

Thus, deconstructing the tissue is imperative in order to advance this new research field.However, there are 1) no models for in-vivo deconstruction of muscle tissue, and 2) no methods forin-vivo imaging of the μm-thin fascial tissues.

Here, we will attack these gaps and challenges bydeveloping new pioneering methods to image the μm-thin fascia, and methods to disentangle the two tissues.The research group have the essential key competences required for this task,including ultrafast ultrasound imaging, biomechanical simulations, machine learning,neurophysiology and biology, as well as unique imaging systems.

The project is expected to providenew pioneering imaging tools that will significantly advance the new field of image-basedneuromuscular assessment.