Description

At the Focused Ultrasound lab, one of the most interesting applications we are developing is completely non-invasive surgery using focused ultrasound. Temperature sensitive MRI imaging is developed and employed to localize, plan, and track the progress of the treatment. Ultrasound treatments are able to selectively damage targeted tissue – this technology shows an excellent potential for non-invasive localized tumor treatment of benign or cancerous tumors. Currently, we are developing equipment and procedures designed in the lab to treat patients. Research also focuses on the ability to close blood vessels or cauterize internal bleeding, sonicating through the skull to treat a variety of neurological disorders, and penetrating the blood/brain barrier for targeted drug delivery and gene-therapy.

As for hardware and software, we use magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) extensively. The majority of our transducers are phased arrays with many elements (up to 458 at this point). We have a 1024 channel driving system that is comprised of high efficiency switching amplifiers incorporating independent power control and phase control (via power feedback and phase feedback, developed in this lab for therapeutic ultrasound applications). Almost all equipment for treatment has been designed and fabricated in-house. Simulation software is also developed for predicting acoustic interactions with tissue and bone, simulating temperature elevations in the tissue, simulating tissue death, and simulating various treatment plans. We are also developing treatment planning software and treatment analysis software, as well as MRI image processing algorithms.

Employment
	Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, Physics, BME, and other disciplines
	Physicists, electrical engineers, or computer engineers who might be interested in the area of medicine, regardless of course of study, are encouraged to apply. We are interested in researches at all levels: Post doctoral, recent graduates with a Master or Bachelors who desire employment. Sponsorship is available for MS and Ph.D. students who are in need of a research project for graduation and undergraduates who are interested in Senior Projects.
Academic Opportunities
	Post-Doctoral Fellowships
	Post-Doctoral students with an appropriate background in research and/or theoretical modeling/simulation experience are encouraged to apply. Positions are available to direct research initiatives in all aspects of the Focused Ultrasound Research Laboratory.
	Graduate Thesis Research in Ultrasound
	Graduate level research positions are available relating to Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, Physics, Biomedical Engineering and Health Sciences. Researchers who might be interested in the area of medicine, regardless of course of study, are encouraged to apply. Sponsorship is available for MS and Ph.D. students who are in need of a research project for graduation.
	Electrical Engineering, Acoustics, Physics, BME, and other disciplines
	Physicists, electrical engineers, or computer engineers who might be interested in the area of medicine, regardless of course of study, are encouraged to apply. We are interested in researches at all levels: Post doctoral, recent graduates with a Master or Bachelors who desire employment. Sponsorship is available for MS and Ph.D. students who are in need of a research project for graduation and undergraduates who are interested in Senior Projects.
	Undergraduate Research and Senior Project Studies
	Positions are available at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital Focused Ultrasound Laboratory for physics, electrical, computer or biomedical engineering students. A variety of proposed projects are available in adtition to student-initiated studies. Projects may be initiated during any semester. Undergraduate students are supported in their studies by researches affiliated with the Lab in all areas of concentration (EE, ME, Acoustics, Physics, Biology). The Lab offers convienent facilities for both electrical and mechanical fabrication of all necessary equipment. In adtition, undergraduate researchers will be exposed to all aspects of Ultrasound Research, including MRI imaging, patient treatments, transducer fabrication, simulations and weekly lab presentations by top researches in the field.

Mail, fax, or email resumes to:

FUS Laboratory
Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Radiology
EBRC 521
221 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617 525 7450 (Fax)
Keiko Fujiwara (usmri@bwh.harvard.edu)

If you have questions or if you want to arrange for an interview, contact:

Keiko Fujiwara
617 278 0604