Medical researchers should have more money for actual research because of a Dalhousie University student’s work on a new high-resolution ultrasound probe.
While there are probes available that use electromagnetic motors, Andre Bezanson came up with a way of using piezoelectric actuators instead. They are commonly used for things like the autofocus on digital cameras.
By using them, Bezanson said, the cost of ultrasound equipment for research can be reduced from about $450,000 to $150,000.
The resolution is greater than in devices used for pre-natal ultrasound imaging.
“Basically, you can image smaller structures,” Bezanson said.
Read the Mitacs press release here: https://www.mitacs.ca/n/2013/11/outstanding-and-coming-researchers-honoured-3rd-annual-mitacs-awards-reception