The project THYNAS+ led by Srirang Manohar (Multi-Modality Medical Imaging, M3I), has been granted by the KWF (Dutch Cancer Society). The project is entitled “THYNAS+ Improved Risk Classification for Thyroid Nodes by Optoacoustic Ultrasound Imaging with Machine Learning”. It aims to improve breakthrough technology capable of distinguishing between malignant and benign thyroid nodules. This advancement has the potential to spare patients from both the burden of unnecessary examinations and treatments.
The THYNAS+ project combines photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging with ultrasound imaging to achieve this goal. By utilizing light and sound simultaneously, the approach enables the creation of co-registered images that capture both the function and morphology of suspicious regions. Specifically, the photoacoustic images will reveal the distribution of blood vessels surrounding and within the identified suspicious sites obtained from ultrasound imaging. This enhancement contributes to an improved specificity of the ultrasound imaging technique.
The THYNAS+ project combines instrumental developments, digital and physical phantoms, physics-informed machine learning algorithms, and clinical studies. The project benefits from strong partnerships with the University Medical Center Groningen and Seno Medical Instruments, Inc.
For more information: Verbeterde risicoclassificatie voor schildkliernodi door Optoakoestiek-Echografie beeldvorming met Machine Learning.
Vacancies: We are looking for candidates for 2 PhD positions to start by 1 October 2023:
PhD1 at the University of Twente: You have a Master degree in Biomedical Engineering or Applied Physics. You have experience or interest in photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging. The work is 60% experimental and 40% computational. Take contact with s.manohar@utwente.nl.
PhD2 at the University Medical Centre Groningen: You have a Master degree in Technical Medicine. You have experience or interest in photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound imaging.
