Award-winning imaging technology promising for clinical use
The interdisciplinary collaboration and high-calibre researchers are what drew Jessica Rodgers, Biomedical Engineering PhD candidate, to pursue graduate studies at Western in 2014.
Five years later, Rodgers' research has earned her first place in the Young Investigators Symposium at the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) Spring Clinical Meeting, held in Kissimmee, Fla., March 30 - April 2. Her talk, Towards a 3D ultrasound needle guidance system for high-dose-rate interstitial gynecologic brachytherapy implant placements, discussed her research to help radiation oncologists deliver treatment for gynaecological cancers.
Rodgers has developed a 3D transvaginal ultrasound system, using a conventional ultrasound probe, to provide clinicians with a 360-degree view of surgical tools and surrounding tissue and organs during operations. In particular, she is looking at better visualizing needles during radiotherapy operations to improve needle placement. This can help optimize the dose and avoid overexposing non-targeted critical organs to radiation.
"The importance of the award is that given the clinical target of the conference, it adds merit to clinical applicability of the project," Rodgers said. "It speaks well to the potential for my work to be translated clinically."
Rodgers' has seen her hard work pay off. She has attended procedures in the operating room, thanks to her clinical connections. With successful use on six patients so far, this technology could be a game changer.
See Rodgers' CTV interview below for more information.
