Software development at CENTUS

Developing acoustic modelling of TUS with the Lovelace High Performance Computer
Software development at CENTUS
Together with colleagues from the International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards (ITRUSST) consortium, we are developing computer models of ultrasound wave propagation through the skull and brain to predict focal point location, intensity and pressure distribution in acoustic simulation in TUS. This modelling compensates for skull-induced distortions, optimising targeting accuracy and ensuring safe and effective neuromodulation before TUS is applied experimentally or clinically.
 

Establishing transcranial ultrasound benchmarks

In 2022, nine numerical benchmarks were refined that include the source definitions, medium geometry, material properties and output domain size. File submission formats, mechanisms for data sharing and comparison metrics were also defined.
Placeholder

Associated publications

Aubry, J. F., Bates, O., Boehm, C., Butts Pauly, K., Christensen, D., Cueto, C., Gélat, P., Guasch, L., Jaros, J., Jing, Y., Jones, R., Li, N., Marty, P., Montanaro, H., Neufeld, E., Pichardo, S., Pinton, G., Pulkkinen, A., Stanziola, A., Thielscher, A., Treeby, B., van 't Wout, E. (2022). Benchmark problems for transcranial ultrasound simulation: Intercomparison of compressional wave models. J Acoust Soc Am. 2022 Aug;152(2):1003.
 

The Lovelace System

The Lovelace System is a high performance computing cluster capable of some of the most heavy-duty computing tasks in a variety of fields.
The facility is helping to boost research output across our core disciplines, capitalising on the increasing adoption of AI and Big Data at the University and in local industry.
High performance computing equipment

International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards (ITRUSST)

Dr Fouragnan is an active member of ITRUSST, an international consortium safety group that has established recommendations based on existing guidelines for diagnostic ultrasound from regulatory bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS) and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM).
Simulated focused ultrasound beam (red/blue) and location of magnetic resonance spectroscopy measurement (white square) overlaid on a structural magnetic resonance image (MRI)

Centre for Therapeutic Ultrasound

One of the most advanced and comprehensive transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) research centres in the world, led by Professor Elsa Fouragnan – a leading authority on brain stimulation research in the UK and recognised internationally.
The only centre that is investigating TUS safety, biomechanics and undertaking clinical studies, our multidisciplinary approach combined with working across several research labs and patient facilities is truly unique.
CENTUS logo