Matthew W. Urban, Ph.D.

The purpose of this research is to use new ultrasound-based methods to measure the mechanical properties of arteries.

The purpose of this study is to compare two different transducers for application of shear wave elastography in the liver and kidney to understand which transducer generates the data with the highest signal-to-noise ratio as a function of acquisition depth. We will compare linear versus harmonic imaging for shear wave detection as a function of acquisition depth.

The purpose of this research study is to obtain knowledge of the elastic and viscous components of the material properties of the arteries in healthy individuals. All soft tissues have both elastic and viscous components, and we are trying to quantify these properties arterial vessels. The aim of the study is to evaluate if these properties are unique indicators of cardiovascular health.

The researchers are trying to see whether contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, shear wave elastography, strain imaging, and 3-D volume ultrasonography improves arterial wall visualization and identifies arterial elastic properties among individuals with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD), atherosclerosis, personal history of spontaneous coronary artery dissections (SCAD), or personal history of segmental arterial mediolysis (SAM) that may be different compared to those without the aforementioned conditions.

The purpose of this study is to obtain knowledge of the viscoelastic material properties of the kidney in healthy individuals, patients with chronic kidney disease, and patients who have received a kidney transplant. The aim of the study is to evaluate if these properties are unique indicators of renal health.

The researchers are trying to determine if the characterization of "vulnerable" carotid artery plaques can be accomplished with ultrasound-based methods that look for vessels in the plaque and measure the plaque stiffness.

The purpose of this study is to determine if disorders such as immune-mediated myopathies and myotonic dystrophy can affect the mechanical properties of muscle which can be detected using ultrasound-based methods.