The Laboratory for Investigatory Imaging

Location:            243D Atwell Hall

Purpose Statement: 
The Laboratory for Investigatory Imaging is dedicated to determining the translational potential for several imaging innovations in the field of ultrasound.

Current Research:
Currently the two primary areas of research are the utilization of sonography to document musculoskeletal injury related to ergonomic risk and the use of image segmentation to determine the morphology of lymph nodes.  The lab has two IRB approved projects underway currently.   The first project is developing an MSK scanning protocol for determining potential carpal tunnel syndrome among sonographers involved in sonography of the neonatal head.   Two institutions are participating in this study and with their assistance, Dr. Evans and Mr. Roll are collecting both psychosocial variables as well as quantitative data with the Logic i after each scanning session in the NICU.  Drs. Evans and Sammet continue their work on using image segmentation to provide morphologic information on axillary lymph nodes.  The GE Logic 9 and 3D linear 9MgHz probe were used in combination to capture volume sets of digital information that have been manually segmented using GE Vocal software.  The image provided is an example of this technology that has never been used to evaluate lymph nodes previously.  Currently the original patients nodal volume sets are being segmented with manual computer techniques.  Okan Irganoglu, Dr. Sammet's graduate student is diligently working to create automatic segmented 3D nodal models that compare to Dr. Evans' manually segmented versions.   This research project has been funded by the SDMS & GE Healthcare Foundation funding and further grant funding has been requested from American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Foundation.  

Publications:

*Evans, KD, Roll, SC, Hutmire, C, Baker, JP Determining the factors that contribute to diagnostic medical sonographers' and vascular technologists' hand-wrist-finger discomfort: A work-related musculoskeletal disorder (WRMSD). (In Review)

*Evans, KD, Roll, SC, Baker JP. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMSD) among registered diagnostic medical sonographers and vascular technologists: A representative sample.  Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.  (In Press)

* Evans KD, Roll SC, Li X, Sammet, S.  A holistic evaluation of risk factors for work related musculoskeletal distress among asymptomatic sonographers performing neurosonoloy: A pilot study. Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography. (In Press)

* Roll SC, Evans KD.  Feasibility of utilizing a hand-carried ultrasound unit for investigating median nerve pathology.  Journal of Diagnostic Medical Sonography.

Presentations:

* Evans KD. Utilizing image segementation of ultrasound images to detect nodal disease with both manual and automatic techniques.  Paper presented at: 12th World Congress of the World Federation of Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology, September 2009; Sydney, Austrailia.

* Roll SC, Evans KD.  Feasibility of utilizing a hand-carried ultrasound unit for investigating median nerve pathology.  Poster presented at: Ohio State University Medical Center Research Day, 2009; Columbus, OH & Ohio Occupational Therapy Association, November 2009; Dayton, OH.

Awards/Honors:

* Kenneth R. Gottesfeld, MD- award for outstanding scientific publications 2001, 2007, & 2008.

Student Training: 
The Laboratory for Investigatory Imaging is dedicated to the training of BS sonography students and development of graduate researchers by providing educational experiences through experimental inquiry, team interaction, and mentorship. The Laboratory for Investigatory Imaging provides a vast opportunity for student sonographers to hone their scanning skills with all three pieces of GE Healthcare Ultrasound equipment.  Two BS students, Kate Zale & Ashley Strapp (Left) have been awarded scholarships for their honors level research completed in our lab.  Zale has been selected to present her research at the 2009 SDMS Student Sonographer Poster Exhibit Competition in Nashville, TN 10/15-18.  Strapp has been selected to present her undergraduate research at a pre-Denman poster competiton for early results.  These are prestigous invitations for our junior investigators!

Current & Past Collaborators:     
                            Steffen Sammet, MD, PhD - Radiology
                            Carolyn Sommerich, PhD - Industrial & Systems Engineering
                            Michael Knopp, MD, PhD - Radiology
                            Christopher Litts, MD - Orthopedic Surgery
                            Miriam Freimer, MD - Neurology 

Support:
The team would like to thank General Electric Healthcare Ultrasound for the generous support in both expert consultations and the use of cutting edge equipment.  The General Electric Healthcare Ultrasound Company has provided two Logiq 9 ultrasound machines and a Logiq i hand carried unit and more than 15 different transducers to test hypotheses related to the 2D and 3D diagnosis, MSK injury, and 4D acquisitions. The support provided by GE Healthcare Ultrasound is a significant investment in accelerating the research of the team.