Development of AI guided ultrasound for extreme and remote environments

Ultrasound imaging provides a low cost, portable, low energy medical imaging method without risks from ionizing radiation. It is suitable for remote and extreme environments and is currently the only imaging modality available in space (and it is routinely used on the International Space Station). Ultrasound can be difficult to use without expert training and the images need to be read by a medical specialist. In long duration space missions, there are communication delays which reinforce the need for more intelligent ultrasound devices. The collaborative research in this project will align with the CSIRO Space Future Science Platform and the Australian Space Agencies goals to develop leapfrog technologies to support human life in space.

The project will investigate artificial intelligence supported methods for the development of new ultrasound technologies to support human health in extreme and remote environments (such as future space missions). This will include assessment, integration and reconstruction from wearable capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers; and for new image analysis methods from portable ultrasound technology for trauma assessment and diagnosis (requiring rapid segmentation and tissue abnormality classification including lungs and bone fracture). The research work will involve collaborative HDR students supported by the three parties.