Aaron Fenster's research is focused in two interdisciplinary research programs combining imaging in vascular imaging, and image-guided surgery and therapy together with biomedical engineering. In vascular imaging, the focus is on developing multi-modality imaging techniques to provide high-resolution information about blood vessel lumen and arterial wall/plaque properties. The research plan involves combining 3D ultrasound imaging techniques invented and developed by Fenster's team with tools developed by others to provide a comprehensive carotid artery imaging exam that can better determine the risk of ischemic stroke. The hypothesis is that this new approach will provide increased diagnostic accuracy for the identification of carotid artery plaques, which are vulnerable to subsequent ischemic events. Innovations and inventions in 3D ultrasound imaging in Fenster's lab have already produced carotid artery imaging tools for the accurate assessment of the carotid arteries. Since 3D ultrasound imaging is non-invasive and inexpensive, it has the potential to allow monitoring of atherosclerotic disease progression/regression over time with high precision.

Minimally-invasive procedures are revolutionizing surgery and therapy because they offer significant reductions in patient morbidity, recovery time, hospital stay, and overall cost, while preserving or increasing clinical efficacy - greatly benefiting both the patient and the health-care system. A minimally invasive procedure for prostate cancer providing these benefits would be well accepted, especially because of the significant morbidity currently associated with traditional therapies. The image-guided therapy program is focused on extending the 3D prostate ultrasound developments to 3D ultrasound-guided prostate therapy and ultrasound guided breast biopsy. Together with collaborators, the goal is to develop a 3D ultrasound-based intra-operative procedure with specialized tools for fast and accurate pre-implant planning, implant guidance, implant evaluation, and long-term follow-up for prostate brachytherapy. The lab's approach has the potential of greatly improving current percutaneous prostate brachytherapy and cryosurgery by making them more accurate, consistent and cost-effective.

Key Questions

1. Will 3D ultrasound imaging of carotid arteries provide increased diagnostic accuracy for the identification of carotid artery plaques, which are vulnerable to subsequent ischemic events?
2. Will 3D ultrasound-guided and robotically aided prostate brachytherapy provide increased treatment accuracy and significant reductions in patient morbidity, recovery time, hospital stay, and overall cost, while preserving or increasing clinical efficacy?

Selected Publications

• Fenster A, Downey D, Cardinal N. Three Dimensional Ultrasound Imaging. Physics in Medicine and Biology 46(2001): R67-R99, 2001.
• Smith W, Surry K, Mills G, Downey D, Fenster A. Three-Dimentional Ultrasound-Guided Core Needle Breast Biopsy. Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology 27(8): 1025-1034, 2001.
• Landry A, Fenster A. Theoretical and Experimental Quantification of Carotid Plaque Volume Measurements made by 3D Ultrasound Using Test Phantoms. Medical Physics. 29(10): 2319-27, 2002.

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