SUMMARY
Chengwu Huang, Ph.D., is dedicated to advancing ultrasound imaging technologies to improve patient care and drive clinical and scientific innovation. Dr. Huang's research focuses on ultrasound microvascular imaging, super-resolution ultrasound, functional ultrasound and tissue elasticity imaging, with a strong emphasis on translating these technologies into clinical practice.
Dr. Huang's advanced imaging methods provide novel biomarkers, such as tissue perfusion, microvascular structure and tissue elasticity. These biomarkers are essential for diagnosing and evaluating diseases such as liver fibrosis, chronic kidney disease and cancer.
Dr. Huang holds more than 10 issued patents. Several more applications are pending worldwide. Leading ultrasound companies have licensed some of his technologies, facilitating technology transfer to directly impact clinical care.
Focus areas
- Ultrasound microvascular imaging. Ultrasound microvascular imaging detects slow blood flow in small vessels with high sensitivity without requiring contrast agents. This noninvasive technology shows significant potential for diagnosing and monitoring diseases such as breast cancer and inflammatory conditions. It also holds promise for functional imaging of the brain and spinal cord.
- Super-resolution ultrasound imaging. Using microbubble contrast agents, super-resolution ultrasound microvascular imaging achieves up to 10 times the resolution of conventional ultrasound while maintaining the same penetration depth. This enhanced resolution reveals subtle microvascular changes in deep tissues, offering critical insights for more accurate diagnosis. Dr. Huang is developing a clinically translatable super-resolution ultrasound technology to improve the evaluation of chronic kidney disease and detect injuries in kidney transplants, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes.
- Ultrasound elastography. Ultrasound elastography measures tissue stiffness by assessing naturally occurring or externally induced tissue motion, deformation or shear wave velocity. This technique provides essential diagnostic information, particularly for staging liver fibrosis, and shows potential for early detection and risk assessment of cardiovascular diseases.
Significance to patient care
Changes in tissue perfusion, microvascular structure and mechanical properties are closely related to the progression of diseases such as cancer, chronic kidney disease, liver fibrosis and transplant complications. Dr. Huang's research aims to develop noninvasive imaging technologies that detect these changes earlier and more accurately. His research, such as on ultrasound microvascular imaging, could provide new and improved ways to diagnose and monitor patients, ultimately making patient care better.
Professional highlights
- Early Career Innovator Award, Medical Excellence Capital and Mayo Clinic Department of Business Development, 2024.