Needs Assessment:

Ultrasound allows non-invasive, non-radiative imaging with sub-millimeter resolution, with broad applications in biomedical imaging and diagnosis. Like other wave-based imaging modalities, ultrasound is constrained by the diffraction limit—a trade-off between resolution and penetration depth. Existing acoustic subwavelength imaging techniques addressing this limit typically rely on controlled “labels,” such as metamaterials or contrast agents, placed near the target and kept static or precisely tracked during imaging, which limits practical use.

Reference(s):
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19518957/
2. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5988254/

We introduce a “blind-label” approach for breaking the diffraction limit in ultrasound imaging. These blind labels are randomly distributed subwavelength microstructures or microparticles. They convert originally evanescent components in the scattered waves into propagating components, which are then recovered through computational algorithms. Compared to conventional ultrasound systems, our method achieves an order-of-magnitude improvement in resolution without compromising penetration depth. By eliminating the need for controlled labels, our blind-label approach significantly expands the practicality of acoustic subwavelength imaging for biomedical imaging and diagnosis.

Learning Objectives:

After participating in this activity, learners should be able to:

• Understand the definition of diffraction limit and how it impacts the resolution of ultrasound imaging.
• Define how the integration of random scattering and computational imaging breaks the diffraction limit and improves imaging resolution.

Faculty: Chu Ma, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison

Target Audience:

This activity is intended for ultrasound radiologists, medical sonographers, ultrasound researchers as well as other health care professionals with an interest in advanced ultrasound imaging.

Available Credit: 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™/1 ARRT Category A credit(s). Upon completion of the learning activity, you will have 2 attempts to successfully pass the post-test with a score of at least 80% and claim your certificate.

AIUM Member: $0
Nonmember: $19

Join the AIUM today to access and earn for free.

Your fee includes access to the content and the opportunity to submit the CME test. 

As of January 1, 2025, you will have 2 attempts to successfully pass the post-test with a score of at least 80% and claim your certificate.

Estimated time to complete activity: 1 hour

ACCME Accreditation

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™

The AIUM designates this internet enduring material for a maximum of 1 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

AIUM Ultrasound Practice Accreditation

This activity can be used to meet part of relevant AIUM Training Guidelines and/or maintenance credits for accreditation purposes. Learn more about AIUM Ultrasound Practice Accreditation here.

ARRT Category A Credit 

The AIUM is a Recognized Continuing Education Evaluation Mechanism (RCEEM) for the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT). The AIUM is the owner and sponsor of this activity. This activity is approved by the AIUM for 1 ARRT Category A credit. This CE activity may be available in multiple formats or from different CE sponsors. ARRT does not allow CE activities (e.g., Internet courses, home study programs, directed readings, live lectures) to be repeated for CE credit in the same CE biennium.

Additional Credit Information

• American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). The ARDMS accepts AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit(s)™.

Documenting CME Credits

All participants who pass the post-test with a score of at least 80% will have access to claim a CME certificate. The AIUM will submit credits to the ARDMS for active AIUM membership accounts with a valid ARDMS ID number. It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure credit accuracy and adherence to any audit requests.

Disclosure Policy

In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education's (ACCME) Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education, the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM) requires those in control of educational content to disclose their financial relationships with ineligible companies* within the prior 24 months. Individuals must disclose all financial relationships with ineligible companies*, regardless of the amount and regardless of their view of the relevance of the relationship to the education. * Ineligible companies are defined by the ACCME as companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing health care products used by or on patients. For specific examples of ineligible companies, visit accme.org/standards
As an accredited provider, AIUM must collect information from all planners, faculty and others in the planning and control of continuing medical education (CME) activities to disclose all of their financial relationships with ineligible companies within the prior 24 months. There is no minimum financial threshold; individuals must disclose all financial relationships, regardless of the amount, in ineligible companies. Individuals must disclose financial relationships with ineligible companies regardless of their view of the relevance of the relationship to the education.
AIUM has implemented a system to resolve conflicts of interest for each CME activity to help ensure content is objective, fair balanced, independent, and free of commercial bias. Conflicts, if any, are resolved through one or more processes. All relevant conflicts pertaining to this activity have been mitigated.

The following faculty/planners have disclosed the following financial relationships with ineligible companies:
Pengfei Song, PhD, panelist, Patent: Alpinion Medical Systems, GE HealthCare, Mindray, Samsung
Alycen Wiacek, PhD, panelist, Patent: CohereNet

The following faculty/planners of this educational activity have no relevant financial relationship(s) with ineligible companies to disclose.

- Chu Ma, PhD, faculty, has no financial relationships with an ineligible company to disclose.
- Charlotte Henningsen, MS, RT(R), clinical reviewer, has no financial relationships with an ineligible company to disclose.

AIUM education planners and staff: Nicole Fortune and Ashley McDermott, have no financial relationships with an ineligible company to disclose.

Commercial Support:
There is no commercial support funding for this activity.