IIT Madras researchers develop Ultrasound-based temperature tracking for treatment monitoring

New Delhi: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have developed an ultrasound-based temperature tracking for treatment monitoring that combines several advantages such as safety (non-ionizing), real-time capability and portability, among others. The IIT Madras research team has also been awarded the ‘SITARE - Gandhian Young Technological Innovation (GYTI) Appreciation 2020’ for this project.

This solution involves obtaining diagnostic ultrasound signals from the tissue region of interest inside the body, where heating is applied non-invasively from outside either through microwave applicator or high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Following which, the signals are processed, specifically, using prior knowledge from physics of wave interaction with the tissue medium.

This solution can be used for treating uterine fibroids. The technology developed by IIT Madras researchers will be Ultrasound-based monitoring, instead of MRI, thus making it accessible and affordable, stated the release.

“Having multi-parametric image feedback allows for accurate real-time monitoring for a wide range of thermal therapies. These techniques can be incorporated as a software in existing scanners by the manufacturers and thus does not require any special electronics hardware,” Arun K Thittai, Department of Applied Mechanics, IIT Madras, said.

Currently, the IIT Madras researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of the methods using experiments done on tissue mimicking phantoms and ex-vivo tissue samples. They are now working to convert these proof-of-concept methods to design an integrated microwave applicator cum ultrasound-based real-time imaging feedback for a possible clinical application.