A Take-off grant has been awarded for the project 'Sound Tomics'. Imaging and measuring organs and anatomical structures is of great importance for adequate diagnosis and to be able to follow effects of treatments. To do this properly in the case of muscles, the availability of a 3D image is important. This is possible with MRI, but apart from the fact that this technique is too expensive for a physiotherapist, there is also a limitation in the position in which it can be measured.
The idea behind Sound Tomics is to do this using a mobile ultrasound device. However, standard ultrasound only produces 2D images. Richard Jaspers' group has developed a 3D ultrasound method that has created a solution by positioning 2D images in a 3D image space. With this funding from NWO, they can further investigate the market opportunities for their products through a feasibility study. More information (in Dutch).