Gastrointestinal Imaging: To describe the relationship between mechanical behavior and sensation in visceral organs on the basis of the 3D modeling analysis. To build multi-scale human 3D visceral dynamic model.
Brain Imaging: To describe structural and functional properties of the brain and spinal cord using advanced methods such as tractography (DTI), volumetry, functional activation (fMRI, BOLD), and perfusion. To apply the methods in sensory and neuropsychiatric disorders in order to develop and test treatment approaches.
Previous studies:
3D model reconstruction of the visceral organs on medical images.
Established several 3D human visceral organs models during mechanical stimulation.
Analyzed the geometric and biomechanical features of the 3D models.
Obtained the relationship between the mechanical stimulation and the sensation in 3D model.
Published 3 papers on animal studies and 5 papers on human studies.
Ongoing studies:
CT scanning based 3D modelling analysis of renal pelvis after distension.
Structural and functional properties of the brain in diabetic neuropathy, chronic pancreatitis, skizophrenia, anorexia, etc.
Development of structural and functional spinal cord imaging.
Future goals:
Developing tools for reducing image analysis time
Using new image technology for studying images in different scales to build multi-scale mechanical models
Developing programs for studying dynamical images for functional analysis of the visceral organs
Staff: The staffs working in the image team consist of engineers and medical doctors working as PhD fellows or post docs. Medical students are often employed on specific projects.
Key references:
Liao DH, Duch BU, Stødkilde-Jørgensen H, Zeng YJ, Gregersen H, Kassab G.A 3-D Fourier model of gall bladder geometry obtained from MR image. Ann. Biomed. Eng.2004;32:744-755
Liao DH, Gregersen H, Hausken T, Gilja OH, Mundt M, Kassab G. Analysis of surface geometry of the human stomach using real-time 3D ultrasonography, Neurogastroenterology and Motility, 2004 Jun;16(3):315-24
Frokjaer, J. B., Liao, D., Steffensen, E., Dimcevski, G., Bergmann, A., Drewes, A. M., and Gregersen, H.Geometric and Mechanosensory Properties of the Sigmoid Colon Evaluated With Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2007;19(4):253-62.
Frokjaer, J. B., Liao, D., Bergmann, A., McMahon, B. P., Steffensen, E., Drewes, A. M., and Gregersen, H.Three-Dimensional Biomechanical Properties of the Human Rectum Evaluated With Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2005;17(4):531-40.
