Bringing tumour blood vessels into focus with AI-powered ultrasound
Development of dual frequency ultrasound technology for preclinical and clinical applications
PROJECT METRICS
The Challenge
Tumour microvasculature—the network of tiny blood vessels that supply oxygen and nutrients to cancer cells—plays a central role in tumour growth, progression, and response to treatment. However, these vessels are often abnormal, disorganized, and leaky, creating significant barriers to effective therapy. Poor vascular structure can limit the delivery of chemotherapy, facilitate the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body, and contribute to treatment resistance. Despite its clinical importance, the tumour microvasculature is difficult to visualize and assess in real time, particularly at a level that reveals functional and structural abnormalities. Without precise, accessible tools to map and monitor these vessels, clinicians and researchers face challenges in diagnosing, staging, and optimizing treatment plans for cancer patients—limiting the potential for personalized, targeted interventions.
The Solution – INOVAIT Project
VisualSonics is building advanced imaging tools that aim to make tumour blood vessels easier to see, understand, and target. Through their INOVAIT Pilot Fund project, they developed dual-frequency ultrasound transducers, created an AI model to help detect kidney cancer, and introduced new software that speeds up the process of mapping tiny blood vessels in organs. Now, with support from the Focus Fund, VisualSonics is taking this work further—refining their ultrasound hardware and AI-powered analysis tools to better support surgical planning and treatment monitoring. Their goal is to provide clinicians and researchers with a powerful new way to visualize and assess tumour microvasculature, helping improve cancer detection, guide precision treatment, and support the development of more effective therapies.
Funding Type: fonds Focus
Year of Funding: 2022
INOVAIT Funding Amount: $1,399,119.36
Total Project Funding Amount: $4,197,358.07
FUJIFILM VisualSonics
Founded in 1999 by Canadian scientist, Dr. Stuart Foster, VisualSonics has been leading the field of high frequency ultrasound (US) and photoacoustic imaging for small animals for more than 20 years. VisualSonics has 1800+ systems installed worldwide and > 5000 publications in oncology, molecular imaging, cardiovascular biology, and many other areas. The systems provide non-invasive imaging with multiple modes for assessing anatomy, blood flow, perfusion, oxygen saturation, and molecular information at unparalleled resolution for depth. VSI was acquired by SonoSite, Inc, (world leader in clinical US systems) in 2010 and subsequently by FUJIFILM in 2012. The company headquarters and engineering reside in Toronto, ON and provide employment to 45+ employees in those offices.
"The tumour microvasculature represents an important aspect of modern oncology, often obscuring pathways to effective treatment. Through the INOVAIT-funded advancements led by FUJIFILM VisualSonics, we are transforming this challenge into an opportunity. By enhancing our imaging platform capabilities to support dual-frequency ultrasound imaging and integrating AI-powered tools to map and analyze tumour blood vessels, this work has the potential to provide the precision needed to detect cancer earlier, guide personalized treatments, and improve patient outcomes. This project exemplifies the kind of innovative spirit that drives breakthroughs in healthcare and reshapes the future of cancer care."
Andrew Needles
Director, Product Innovation and Marketing
FUJIFILM VisualSonics