Lewis Howell

Research Topic: AI Integrated Treatment Planning and Real-time Guidance for Ultrasound Guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (USgHIFU) Cancer Ablation

Supervisors: Dr Tze Wah, Dr James McLaughlan, Dr James Chandler

About Lewis: Lewis graduated from the University of Exeter with a master’s degree in Natural Sciences (physics and chemistry), specialising in deep learning and its application to high-throughput cell screening. His research interests focus on the application of computer vision to medical imaging and devices.

Project description: High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) is a non-ionizing and non-invasive therapeutic technique which uses acoustic waves to destroy cancerous tissue inside the body. We aim to address challenges associated with the delivery of HIFU therapy, using the segmentation of anatomical features in ultrasound images to guide treatment in real-time. Combining this technology with a co-robotic arm will allow the operator greater targeting precision, and integration with a treatment planning algorithm will allow for the most efficient path and dose to be determined. Initially, we focus on the application of USgHIFU to the therapy of Head and Neck cancers, aiming to provide an alternative to radiotherapy with minimal side effects for patients.