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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/T17328/01
Title: Robust three-dimensional phase unwrapping software for phase contrast Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Principal Investigator: Huntley, Professor JM
Other Investigators:
Gillard, Professor J Cusack, Dr R Graves, Professor MJ
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Cambridge University Hospitals Trust GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) Medical Research Council (MRC)
Phase Vision Ltd
Department: Sch of Mechanical and Manufacturing Eng
Organisation: Loughborough University
Scheme: Follow on Fund (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 18 May 2005 Ends: 17 July 2006 Value (£): 27,342
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Development (Biosciences) Image & Vision Computing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Healthcare
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
Phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a primary tool for clinicians and researchers in many branches of medicine. It now allows the quantitative mapping of, amongst others, blood flow, magnetic fields, and temperature fields. Traditional practice involves reducing sensitivity to prevent phase wrapping; much improved dynamic range and signal-to-noise ratios are obtained, however, by high-sensitivity acquisitions followed by a post-processing procedure known as phase unwrapping. Existing unwrapping algorithms are insufficiently robust to cope with the noise-induced phase singularities, which are very common in the phase maps encoding both flow and field. We are developing and applying - on a current EPSRC grant - highly novel and robust three-dimensional algorithms based on the placement of branch cut surfaces over the phase singularity loops. The aim of this follow-on project is to develop potential markets within the MRI community (both instrument developers and end users) for such software through the creation and targeted delivery of the first of a series of 'seed' applications, as well as commercial-grade general software libraries for evaluation. In a further step towards obtaining widespread clinical acceptance, this application (cardiac flow analysis) will be used in a clinical trial to investigate the influence of arterial wall shear stress on atherosclerotic plaque formation. Other potential markets such as optical coherence tomography, phase contrast X-ray computed tomography, and white light interferometry will also be investigated.
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Further Information:  
Organisation Website: http://www.lboro.ac.uk