A New Vision for Lymphatic Imaging
Pengfei Song is part of a team led by the University of Alberta, which has received an ARPA-H award to create high-resolution, 3D ultrasound for lymphedema imaging.
Biomedical Imaging and Biophotonics
Advancing the physics and mathematical theory of imaging, image acquisition and processing, hardware design, and clinical applications
The Duke BME program is a world leader in development of novel biomedical imaging technologies, with translational and basic science applications.
In the past few decades, our faculty have pushed the boundaries of discovery and innovation in optics and photonics (e.g. optical coherence tomography and low-coherence interferometry), ultrasound (e.g. acoustic radiation force impulse based elasticity imaging), MRI, X-ray, and nuclear medicine-based imaging technologies, developing new diagnostic and treatment tools for ailments ranging from cancer to cardiovascular, neurological, and ophthalmic diseases.
Our research efforts span from advancing the physics and mathematical theory of imaging, image acquisition, and image processing to hardware design and clinical applications. We address longstanding problems in development of multi-dimensional and multi-modality imaging systems with unmatched image acquisition speed, resolution, and penetration depth. We investigate development of complex image-guided clinical tools (e.g., autonomous surgical robots) to cheap and robust image diagnostic technologies (e.g., cellphone cameras).
There are extensive collaborations between our biomedical imaging faculty and Duke University Medical Center clinicians, resulting in the rapid translation of numerous imaging technologies developed at Duke BME to the patient bedside and commercialization.
The Biomedical Imaging research community at Duke is supported and enhanced by numerous centers and programs, including the Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics, the Duke Center for In Vivo Microscopy, the Center for Global Women’s Health Technologies, and the Duke Medical Imaging Training Program.
Signature Biomedical Imaging Strengths
From bringing real-time and 3D ultrasound imaging into clinical practice to revolutionizing optical coherence tomography (OCT) to guide eye diagnostics and surgery, our researchers have always had an ambitious view of the field’s future.
3D and Real-Time Ultrasound
Now used in countless clinical settings around the world, our faculty continue to develop these critical technologies for new abilities and applications.
Optical Coherence Tomography
OCT has long been the gold standard for eye care. Our faculty continue to develop its applications from finding early signs of Alzheimer’s disease to marketing low-cost versions for global clinicians.
Photoacoustic Tomography
PAT for short, this up-and-coming technology uses gentle lasers to generate ultrasound waves from deep tissue, enabling a new way to peer at the complexities of human biology.
Cancer Screening and Treatment
Reimagining archaic designs for women’s health technologies, our faculty are building intuitive, less-invasive devices powered by AI to democratize cancer screening and care worldwide.
Computational Optics
Stitching together dozens of viewpoints from off-the-shelf cameras can provide rich, comprehensive data for every scale from animal behavior or cellular activity.
Recent Biomedical Imaging News
AI-Powered Optical Imaging Helps Surgeons Identify Thyroid Cancer in Real Time
Duke researchers show how Dynamic Optical Contrast Imaging can help surgeons identify cancerous tissue during surgery to remove tumors.
Wax Named Fellow of the National Academy of Inventors
Adam Wax received one of the top honors for academic inventors in recognition of his work to translate research in optical spectroscopy to biomedical diagnostics.
Light-Sensitive Molecule Allows Researchers to Visualize and Manipulate Cells in Deep Tissues
Increasing the presence of a naturally occurring molecule helps illuminate pathways for improving brain imaging and the efficiency of optogenetic tools
AI-Integrated Imaging Reveals Retinal Cellular Structures with Precision and Speed
A new cost-efficient and open-source technology could revolutionize the diagnosis and treatment of eye and brain diseases.
Duke Researchers Take Optical Coherence Tomography to the Next Level
With clearer imaging and enhanced resolution, a new OCT approach developed at Duke could improve medical diagnostic imaging
Associated Faculty
Al-Hafeez Z Dhalla
Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Sina Farsiu, Ph.D.
Associate Chair for Faculty, Anderson-Rupp Professor of BME
G. Allan Johnson
Charles E. Putman University Distinguished Professor of Radiology
David Katz, Ph.D.
Nello L. Teer, Jr. Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering, in the Edmund T. Pratt, Jr. School of Engineering
Kathy Nightingale, Ph.D.
Director of Graduate Studies, Theo Pilkington Distinguished Professor of BME
Mark L. Palmeri
Professor of the Practice in the Department of Biomedical Engineering
Nimmi Ramanujam, Ph.D.
Robert W. Carr, Jr., Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Stephen William Smith
Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering
Cynthia Ann Toth
Joseph A.C. Wadsworth Distinguished Professor of Ophthalmology
Gregg Trahey, Ph.D.
Robert Plonsey Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Tuan Vo-Dinh, Ph.D.
R. Eugene and Susie E. Goodson Distinguished Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Olaf Von Ramm, Ph.D.
Thomas Lord Distinguished Professor of Engineering
Patrick D. Wolf
Associate Professor Emeritus of Biomedical Engineering
Junjie Yao, Ph.D.
Jeffrey N. Vinik Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering
Other Research Specialties
Explore additional specialty research areas in Duke BME and throughout the Pratt School of Engineering.