Summary of the Project
The proposal for a crash-course on the Verasonics ultrasound research platform has been initiated by Prof. Dr. Ir. Massimo Mischi and Dr. Simona Turco from Electrical Engineering, SPS - BM/d. The Verasonics platform, pivotal for experimental ultrasound research, offers customization in acquisition and image formation but lacks accessible introductory learning materials. This has limited its effective use in bachelor and master projects and in the Medical Ultrasound course (5XSD0). To address this gap, a digital crash course on the Verasonics platform is being developed, to be made available through Canvas. This course is designed to provide foundational knowledge, enabling students to effectively engage with experimental tasks in the Medical Ultrasound course and enhance their project work. The course will include modular components, with an introductory module mandatory for all users and specialized modules available based on need. The project is expected to improve instructional capabilities and expand research opportunities by simplifying the learning curve associated with the Verasonics platform.
Aim of the Project
The aim of the project is to create a comprehensive digital crash course for the Verasonics ultrasound research platform to facilitate better learning and use of ultrasound imaging technology. The lack of existing learning materials for Verasonics has hindered both instructional quality in the Medical Ultrasound course (5XSD0) and the potential for student projects. By developing this crash course, the project aims to overcome these limitations, providing a structured and accessible introduction to the platform. This will enable more effective experimental instruction and broaden the scope of bachelor and master projects in ultrasound imaging by allowing students to focus on research questions rather than on learning the technicalities of the Verasonics platform. The modular nature of the course will support personalized learning paths and ensure that students gain the necessary skills to use the platform effectively, thereby enriching their educational experience and potentially leading to higher-quality research outputs.
Results and learnings
The project has just started. As a first step, we are gathering ideas on how to organize and structure the proposed digital crash course. The course will primarily be delivered through video tutorials, with the option to display slides and screencast in order to include practical examples.
The first module will be introductory, covering the system itself, memory management, and acquisition modes. Image reconstruction and beamforming will also be important parts of this module. The first module will conclude with a guided practical exercise, where students will be asked to set up a simple simulation and acquire RF data using plane waves, focused waves, and diverging waves. The obtained RF data will then need to be beamformed to produce the final image.
In parallel with defining the introductory module, we are planning to organize a repository to collect all the code already developed for ultrasound imaging with the Verasonics, including system setups and image reconstruction methods related to specific applications developed by researchers in the group. This will accelerate and facilitate future projects by providing a solid base of well-documented algorithms.
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