Erwin Alles - Stefano Giuliani - CMIC/WEISS joint seminar series

Erwin Alles
Title - Next-generation optical ultrasound imaging – paradigms and opportunities
Abstract: Optical ultrasound imaging, where ultrasound waves are both generated and detected using light, is an emerging alternative to piezoelectric transducer technology. Using off-the-shelf fibre optics, optical ultrasound imaging probes are readily miniaturised, cost-effective, and inherently insensitive to electromagnetic interference. During my talk, I will give an overview of past work done at UCL, and summarise my previous work that resulted in the first benchtop setups capable of video-rate optical ultrasound imaging. Finally, I will present an overview of novel imaging paradigms that we are currently developing, as well as some (hopefully?) exciting application areas that optical ultrasound transducers are ideally suited to.

Stefano Giuliani
Title: Image-guided surgery for the local control of Neuroblastoma: Shortwave Infrared (SWIR) and Photoacoustic (PA) Imaging as novel tools to enhance surgical precision.
Abstract: this is a translational project which is starting now and it aims to selectively label neuroblastoma cells with a fluorescent fluorophore that can be visualised during the operation to help the surgeon in the dissection of the tumour (NIRF/SWIR color-coded surgery). We will also use a Photoacoustic Imaging scanner to support the surgeon in difficult areas not amenable to fluorescence and in case of small residuals not having enough brightness.