Developing a new echocardiography system for better heart imaging
Official title: High-speed 4D echocardiography system with adjustable multi-planar acquisition
Funded at University of Southern California · NIH-11174971 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new heart imaging system that helps doctors see and understand the heart better, especially the right ventricle, so they can check how well it's working and possibly make heart tests easier and more affordable for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $677,635 |
| NIH project number | 1R56HL173809-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11174971 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include patients with known or suspected heart conditions, particularly those involving the right ventricle or heart valves.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with stable heart conditions that do not require advanced imaging or those who are not candidates for echocardiography may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating an advanced 4D echocardiography system that enhances the ability to visualize and analyze complex heart structures and dynamics. By improving spatial and temporal resolution, the new system aims to provide more accurate assessments of heart function, particularly in the right ventricle. The approach involves innovative hardware and software solutions to allow for customizable imaging planes, which are essential for evaluating heart valves and blood flow. This technology could potentially replace more expensive imaging methods like cardiac MRI, making heart assessments more accessible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more precise and cost-effective heart evaluations, improving diagnosis and treatment for patients with cardiac conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in enhancing echocardiography techniques, but this specific approach to 4D imaging with adjustable planes is novel and untested.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Yen, Jesse T-P — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Yen, Jesse T-P
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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AI-powered automatic echocardiography reporting for better heart care
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AI-powered echocardiography reporting with visual-linguistic models
A Mayo Clinic physician aims to train and grow an AI-enabled system that helps automatically interpret echocardiograms and generate reports for patients with heart problems.
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New approaches to making transesophageal echocardiography safer and easier for patients
A novel NIH-funded project aims to improve how transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is done, reducing sedation risks and expanding access for adults who need heart imaging.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.