Development of a novel algorithm for quantitative urodynamics assessment using ultrasound vector flow imaging

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K22968
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: 0906:Surgery related to the biological and sensory functions and related fields
• Research Institution: Tohoku University
• Principal Investigator: Ishii Takuro 東北大学, 学際科学フロンティア研究所, 助教 (50748754)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-09-11 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 超音波イメージング / Vector Flow Imaging / ウロダイナミクス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We developed a novel ultrasound flow imaging system with a transrectal linear probe to visualize the urinary flow dynamics in the prostatic urethra and acquired flow velocity distributions over space and time in the urethra in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms. In the urethra with structural and mechanical changes, the visualized flow dynamics showed vortex and turbulent flow patterns, which have been expected in the previous studies using computational simulations. In addition, we devised a framework to estimate the pressure distribution and loss in the urethra based on the acquired flow velocity data. To make those techniques applicable in clinical practice, we also developed a robust flow vector imaging technique using a sector probe that will enable trans-abdominal and trans-perinium imaging in the future studies.

Free Research Field

医用超音波

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

これまで前立腺部尿道内における尿の流れを詳細にイメージングする事は困難であった．本研究は，尿道内臓器の形態や運動性状変化による尿道内の排尿流動態変化の直接的観察の可能性を初めて示し，その流れの評価法を提案する事により，尿道内の詳細な流れベクトル場の活用方法を提案した．こうした知見は，患者固有の下部尿路症状メカニズムの理解や治療選択の個別化や局所療法の発展へ貢献するものと期待される．