Dr. Michael Richards of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of technology

The necessity of surgical intervention of abdominal aorta aneurysms is based on a risk-reduction paradigm
primarily relying on trans-abdominal ultrasound (US) measurements of the maximum diameter of an AAA. Model-based
ultrasound elastography, or elasticity imaging, is an adjunct imaging technique that can be used to measure changes in the
mechanical properties of AAA vessels and potentially provide point of care information on the stress within the tissue. Out
hypothesis is that this information may be used by clinicians to improve risk assessment for surgical interventions. We
present results of validation studies comparing modulus reconstructions with known solutions are performed from
simulations, experimental results of tissue-mimicking phantom studies, and initial clinical results. We show that our
techniques can identify changes in tissue stiffness that maybe used as a surrogate for the relative health of AAA tissue. I will
also discuss the necessary steps for estimating stress in these vessels using this technique.

Biography:

Dr. Richards received his Bachelor of Science with in Biomedical Engineering from the University of Rochester
followed by a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Boston University. His postdoctoral training was completed in the
Department of Radiology, Basic Radiological Sciences Division at the University of Michigan and at the University of
Rochester, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. He worked as Research Assistant Professor in the
Department of Surgery, Division of Vascular Surgery for 5 years. Dr. Richards’ laboratory focuses on the biomechanics of
soft tissues and measuring the changes in mechanical properties of diseased tissues using clinical imaging modalities. The
computational aspects of the lab are centered around developing improved motion estimation algorithms and novel
methods for solving the inverse problems associated with elasticity imaging. Specific applications include investigation into
the tendon mechanics of pathologies, such as Achilles tendinopathy and Osgood-Schlatter’s disease, and the mechanical
changes associated with healing and scar formation in tendons. His lab also has an ongoing project studying the mechanical
property changes associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm growth.