Imaging Modality to Identify Angiogenesis

The goal of this project is to develop intelligent imaging software for the automated identification and analysis of angiogenesis. The project will demonstrate the feasibility of using this innovative technique for clinical angiography.The formation of newblood vessels (angiogenesis) is a critical component in a variety of physiological and pathological processes, such as in the healing of wounds, bone fractures, and ulcers and other angiogensis related diseases. There is, however, no software specificallydesigned for analyzing angiogenesis. Intelligent Optical Systems, Inc. (IOS) proposes to develop a user-friendly innovative method for the automatic, reliable, rapid, sensitive, and accurate identification and analysis of angiographies acquired fromMagnetic Resonance Imaging, computerized tomography, or Doppler ultrasound. This method will use neural network assisted imaging analysis software to identify and analyze the angiogenesis.This software will be useful in the diagnosis of angiogenesis inbone fractures, ulcers, cancer growth and metastasis, diabetes-induced retinal pathy, rheumatoid arthritis, and coronary disease. In addition, the timely analysis of angiogenesis may help soldiers avoid unnecessary surgical interventions and reduce injurymorbidity and mortality resulting from complications.Over 1000 research laboratories and 200 companies are engaged in angiogenesis research and development. These studies will potentially benefit over 65 million surgical patients, 10 million eye patients,7 million heart patients, and over 9 million cancer patients in the U.S. IOS will demonstrate the feasibility of this new technology by using innovative imaging analysis to meet the requirements for the specific, rapid, and accurate diognosis of clinicalangiography.