Esther Maas’s doctoral research focused on improving the monitoring of aortic aneurysms using advanced ultrasound techniques. Traditional two-dimensional ultrasound is limited in detail and spatial coverage, while MRI and CT, though comprehensive, are costly and time-consuming. Maas developed a method utilizing 3D+t ultrasound, which provides detailed, dynamic images of aneurysms, allowing for a better assessment of their shape and elasticity. By comparing these images to CT scans, Maas’s team demonstrated that 3D+t ultrasound can more accurately predict aneurysm growth and improve patient-specific care. Innovations included using deep learning for shape determination and combining multiple ultrasound images to capture larger aneurysms and enhance image quality.
November 4, 2024
