Tiny Ultrasound for Better Oral Health Imaging
A Miniaturized and High-frequency Acoustic Imaging System for Oral Health and Diseases of the Head and Neck
This project is creating a very small, high-tech ultrasound device to get clearer pictures of gum disease and other oral health issues.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11094058 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Current imaging methods like X-rays are great for bones but can't show soft tissues like gums very well. We've seen that ultrasound can provide detailed, real-time images of gum health, but existing devices are too big to reach all areas of the mouth. Our goal is to develop a miniaturized ultrasound device that can fit comfortably and capture high-resolution images of your teeth and gums. This new technology aims to give dentists a much better view of your oral health, especially for conditions like periodontitis.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Patients with periodontitis or other oral health concerns, particularly those needing detailed imaging of soft tissues in hard-to-reach areas of the mouth, may be ideal candidates for future participation.
Not a fit: Patients without oral health issues or those whose conditions are adequately managed by current imaging techniques may not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this new imaging tool could lead to earlier and more precise detection of gum disease and other oral conditions, improving treatment and patient outcomes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has shown the promise of ultrasound for oral health imaging, but this project focuses on developing a novel miniaturized device to overcome current limitations.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jokerst, Jesse Vincent — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Jokerst, Jesse Vincent
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 below.