10/24 – Muyinatu A. Lediju Bell, Johns Hopkins University
Biomedical Engineering Seminar
October 24, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
BME Seminar in SEO 236
Address
851 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607
Calendar
Download iCal FileSpeaker:
Muyinatu A. Lediju Bell, PhD
John C. Malone Associate Professor
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University
Title: Equitable Ultrasound and Photoacoustic Imaging
Abstract: Ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging are two non-invasive techniques that allow us to peek into the body to visualize internal anatomy, offering advantageous diagnostic, surgical, and interventional guidance information. Ultrasound imaging transmits sound that is reflected and detected by an array of sensors placed in contact with the skin. Photoacoustic imaging transmits light that is absorbed, causing thermal expansion which generates sound that can be detected with the same senor array. In both cases, the sensed signals are processed using beamformers to display image information. However, conventional beamformers exclusively rely on signal amplitudes, ignore the impact of light transmission through darker skin tones, or assume uniform properties (e.g., sound speed) which overlook naturally occurring intra- and inter-patient variations.
In this talk, I will provide real-world examples of the medical imaging inequities that result from conventional beamformer design choices. I will then describe techniques to address these inequities using signal processing innovations that consider spatial correlations rather than signal amplitudes. Specific clinical applications that have the greatest potential to benefit from a coherence-based imaging approach include cardiovascular health assessments, breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, biopsies, neurosurgery, teleoperated robotic surgery, and wearable health applications with flexible arrays.
Date posted
Aug 21, 2025
Date updated
Sep 29, 2025