Algorithms for Mapping Elastic Modulus (a-MEM) Challenge 2024
UPDATE: Challenge re-opened and submission now accepted until 4th August.
Elastographic imaging (or elastography) is a powerful, non-invasive, and multiscale technique that can measure the biomechanical properties of tissues. The rapidly expanding interest in elastography in both clinical and preclinical medical research domains, reflects its potential, not only to improve the detection and diagnosis of disease, but also to help understand the underlying mechanobiological mechanisms that promote disease.
Objectives of this challenge:
- To challenge the community to devise more accurate and precise algorithms for elastic modulus estimation (via detection and characterisation of propagating shear waves).
- To raise greater awareness of the challenges associated with elastic modulus estimation, and to gain further knowledge on why certain approaches fail.
- To identify the most promising approaches to elastic modulus estimation.
- To provide a benchmark and public data for the future development of SWS and elastic modulus estimation algorithms.
Challenge data: Experimental and simulated IQ/RF images of propagating shear waves from impulse and harmonic (continuous) sources.
Challenge data: The following data will be shared with participants.
Category (1): Experimental IQ/RF images of propagating shear waves from impulse sources.
Category (2): Experimental IQ/RF images of propagating shear waves from harmonic (continuous) sources.
Submission data: To take part in the challenge, participants will submit:
Elastograms with predefined dimensions that have been derived from impulse data. (Category 1).
And/or
Elastograms with predefined dimensions that have been derived from impulse data. (Category 2).
Participants can submit to category (1), (2), or both.
PRIZE: Sponsored by Verasonics
Cash prizes will be given to the top three submissions from both categories.
New Timeline:
June 17, 2024: Abstract deadline (optional). If you wish to submit an abstract for inclusion in the abstract book please submit an abstract and your Challenge submission by this date. Note you have the opportunity to update this Challenge submission before the final deadline.
August 4, 2024: Final deadline
September 2024: IEEE UFFC-JS on-site workshop - Poster & oral presentations
Please email emma.harris@icr.ac.uk and john.civale01@icr.ac.uk to register and request data.
Organizer Names and Institutions:
Emma Harris, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
Jeff Bamber, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
John Civale, Institute of Cancer Research, London, UK
Mark Palmeri, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Heiko Tzschätzsch, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Tom Meyer, Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
Matthew Urban, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN, USA
Contact for questions: emma.harris@icr.ac.uk.