Seismic imaging technology could deliver detailed images of the brain

Scientists at UCL and Imperial College London have developed a new computational technique that could lead to fast, finely detailed brain imaging with a compact device that uses only sound waves. The team says their proof-of-concept study, published in npj Digital Medicine , paves the way for the development of high-fidelity clinical imaging of the human brain that could be superior to existing technology. Unlike existing brain imaging methods like MRI, CT and PET scanning, the technology could be applied to imaging any patient, and could be suitable for the continuous monitoring of high-dependency patients. It could be delivered by a relatively small device, which would also potentially make it portable via ambulance and enable fast investigation in advance of arrival to hospital. The researchers are confident the technology will be safe as sound waves are already used for ultrasound scanning and this technology uses similar sound intensities. Ultrasound cannot easily penetrate through bone, whereas the new device, which is designed to be worn like a helmet, is able to overcome this barrier. The new approach is of special value in patients investigated for stroke - the second commonest cause of death and commonest cause of adult neurological disability - where rapid, universally applicable, high-fidelity imaging is essential.