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Marie Curie ESR position: PhD in Image/Signal Processing for Cardiac Ultrasound Imaging
CNRS, LYON
CREATIS
Engineering Computer Science and IT 
Full Description:

This project will develop and validate an accurate and robust
3D motion vector estimation technique using medical ultrasound. A 3D
motion vector estimation approach based on extension to 3D of a
technique developed in our research unit based on transverse
oscillations (TO) is already under development. It combines original
image formation and post processing methods. The project will contribute
to: the development of the 3D TO image formation and 3D motion
estimation techniques adapted to TO, the demonstration and
quantification of its potential for cardiac imaging. Simulation of
healthy and pathological cases will be produced to assess the potential
of the technique for early detection of cardiovascular pathologies. Once
the method has been validated using simulations, the project will
undertake experimental validation of the approach using a research
ultrasound scanner and data acquired from a physical phantom. A final
feasibility study will be then performed on healthy volunteers.

Description

Cardiovascular pathologies remain one of the leading
causes of mortality in western countries. Among all means to diagnose,
quantify and follow these pathologies, medical ultrasound (US) imaging
is probably the one having most assets: it is fast, safe, transportable,
and cheap compared to other imaging modalities. As a result, any
progress in that modality will have a major impact on the population.
Unfortunately US imaging has also some drawbacks: it is user dependent
and most of the commercial systems only provide high quality 2
dimensional images, whereas the organs under investigation are 3D.
This project will contribute to the development of US based imaging
modules for 3D echocardiography. In this context we are particularly
interested in the development of high quality (accurate and robust) 3D
motion vector estimation methods. We have previously shown that a
specific image formation technique called transverse oscillations (TO)
is particularly well adapted to motion detection and that the
combination of such images with phase based algorithms is particularly
accurate and robust. The transfer to ultrafast 3D US in already under
study and the recruited PhD candidate will be part of an already quite
mature project.
An extremely important task will be to develop the simulations and
experiments to evaluate and quantify the accuracy of the methods
developed in realistic simulations and experiments corresponding to both
healthy and pathologic situations. These results should also highlight
limitations of the technique, which the PhD candidate will then model
and for which he/she will develop improvements.
The project will be done in an exciting and stimulating environment
since it is part of an European Training Network (ETN) financed by the
European Commission. The ETN aims at training the European researchers
of the future. The recruited PhD candidate will be exposed to the
different sectors of biomedical research namely academia, industry and
clinics. Three summer schools and closing conference will be organized
in the different partner’s institutions with the aim of reinforcing the
network and developing both the intellectual and human qualities of the
PhD candidate.
The profile of the recruited PhD candidate should include a strong
background in signal/image processing and programming (electrical
engineering / computer science) and a strong predilection to work on
applied research close to both industrial and clinical transfer.
Mobility is a mandatory since secondment periods abroad are expected
during the project. As a consequence adaptability is also a key quality.

Specific requirement: The candidates must not have resided in France for
more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the recruitment
date, and not have carried out their main activity (work, studies,
etc.) in that country.

 

Net monthly salary : 2100€