Image-guided Therapeutic Ultrasound
Focused ultrasound, Image-guided therapy, Imaging technology
Research aim
We develop image-guided interventions based on therapeutic use of ultrasound. We work closely with clinicians and basic scientists to advance translation, evaluation and adoption of therapeutic ultrasound for a positive impact on patient outcomes.
About us
The “magic” of Therapeutic-Ultrasound is the possibility to let soundwaves interact non-invasively with tissue inside the body and stimulate biological processes beneficial to the outcomes of disease. The way we apply ultrasound energy determines the mechanism of action we trigger. With image-guidance, we can precisely control when and where the interaction takes place, and evaluate if the treatment was on target.
Our effort centers on the following research themes:
• Clinical evaluation of HIFU-ablation: driving for reimbursement
• Immune-stimulation by non-invasive tumor destruction using Histotripsy
• Drug distribution prediction and manipulation
• Therapeutic and diagnostic opportunities of Blood-brain-barrier opening
• Emerging opportunities in Diagnostic Ultrasound
All are supported by local, national and international collaborations that extend from industry, to ultrasound specialists at our technical universities, to medical oncologists. Pivotal to our research program is the clinical HIFU team, technologists and interventional radiologists, in our department.
The Therapeutic Ultrasound research network in Utrecht has received international recognition as Focused Ultrasound Foundation Center of Excellence, for our drive to evaluate and demonstrate clinical value, and for doing groundwork for putting novel and potentially disruptive therapeutic strategies such as histotripsy for immune stimulation and blood-brain-barrier opening to the test in clinical studies.