Dynamic UltraSound Tomography Knee Imaging (DUST): Real-time 3D Imaging for Musculoskeletal Disorders
Real-time 3D ultrasound tomography for faster, more accessible knee diagnostics
DUST is a new public-private partnership between Tomosono B.V. and TNO, aiming to revolutionise musculoskeletal diagnostics with a dynamic ultrasound tomography system for knee imaging. The project will develop, validate, and prepare for clinical use a wearable, real-time 3D imaging device that can be used directly by orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians during outpatient consultations.
Musculoskeletal disorders, such as knee injuries, affect hundreds of thousands of people annually in the Netherlands. Current imaging technologies like MRI and CT are expensive, require specialised facilities, and often involve long waiting times, while some patients cannot undergo these scans due to contraindications. There is a strong need for more accessible, affordable, and patient-friendly diagnostic solutions that can provide detailed insights into joint function and tissue health, especially under dynamic (moving) conditions.
DUST will use advanced capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) in a cuff design around the knee to acquire both reflective and transmissive ultrasound data. This enables high-resolution, real-time 3D imaging of the knee in motion, visualising both hard and soft tissues. The project will iteratively develop and test lab and pre-clinical prototypes, gather clinical requirements, and build the data infrastructure and AI algorithms needed for clinical decision support. The approach includes usability studies, imaging tests with phantoms and healthy volunteers, and preparation for future clinical trials.
The main deliverables are a validated dynamic ultrasound tomography prototype, a database of imaging data, initial AI-based image analysis tools, and a clinical trial plan. These results will enable faster, more accurate, and more inclusive knee diagnostics, reduce healthcare costs, and lay the foundation for broader applications in musculoskeletal and other medical imaging fields.
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