University of Minnesota

John Ballard (Post Doctral)

Education:

PhD from University of Minnesota 2012 .
MSEE from University of Minnesota 2007.
BSEE from Michigan State University 2005.

Research Interests:

My research interests are in minimal and noninvasive surgery with a special emphasis on ultrasound guided focused ultrasound surgery. We are investigating the use of focused ultrasound in cardiovascular and oncological applications. My PhD dissertation explored optimizing the therapeutic gain of dual-mode ultrasound arrays. In particular, we explored an image-based refocusing algorithm to focus through the rib cage while targeting inside the liver and a multiple frequency excitation approach to increase the gain. In addition, I am interested in the use of ultrasound contrast agents for nonlinear ultrasound vascular imaging.

Selected Publications:

J.R. Ballard, A.J. Casper, Y. Wan and E.S. Ebbini, “Adaptive Transthoracic Refocusing of Dual-Mode Ultrasound Arrays,” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 57 (1), pp.93-102, Jan. 2010.
J.R. Ballard, D. Liu, A.J. Casper, A. Haritonova, M. Almekkawy and E.S. Ebbini, “Multiple-frequency Phased Array Pattern Synthesis for HIFU Surgery”, 2011 IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium, pp.1656-1659.
J.R. Ballard, D. Liu, A.J. Casper, Y. Wan, M. Almekkawy and E. S. Ebbini, “Multiple-frequency Phased Array Patterns for Therapeutic Ultrasound”, in Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, In press.
D. Liu, J. R. Ballard, A. Haritonova, J. Choi, J. Bischof, and E. S. Ebbini, “Real-time Monitoring of Thermal and Mechanical Tissue Response to Modulated Phased-array HIFU Beams in Vivo”, in Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, In press.
A. Casper, J.Ballard, D. Liu, A. Haritonova and E. Ebbini, “Continuous Monitoring of Pulsed HIFU Beams Using Dual-mode Ultrasound Array Systems”, in Proceedings of the 11th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, In press.
A. Casper, J.Ballard, E. Ebbini, “Optimal Transthoracic Targeting of Liver Tumors Using Dual-mode Ultrasound Arrays: A numerical and experimental study”, in Proceedings of the 9th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, vol. 1215, pp.3-7, 2010.
D. Liu, J. Jiang, J. Bischof, J. Ballard and E. Ebbini, “Real-time Monitoring of Thermal and Mechanical Tissue Response to sub-therapeutic HIFU Beams in Vivo”, in IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium, pp. 2254-2257, 2010.
J.R. Ballard, A.J. Casper, and E. S. Ebbini, “Monitoring and Guidance of HIFU Beams with Dual-Mode Ultrasound Arrays”, in IEEE EMBC, pp. 137-140, 2009.
J.R. Ballard, A.J. Casper, Y. Wan and E. S. Ebbini, “Image-Based Refocusing of Dual-Mode Ultrasound Arrays(DMUAs) in the Presence of Strongly Scattering Objects,” in Proceedings of the 8th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound, vol. 1113, pp. 13-17, 2009.
J.R. Ballard, A.J. Casper, and E. S. Ebbini, “Image-Guided Refocusing of Dual-Mode Ultrasound Arrays(DMUAs),” in IEEE Ultrasonics Symposium, pp. 1183-1186, 2008.

Honors and Awards:

University Innovation Award, University of Minnesota, 2012.
12th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound Student Travel Award, 2012.
Student Paper Competition Finalist, 2011, 11th International Symposium on Therapeutic Ultrasound.
Student Paper Competition Finalist, 2008, IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Departmental Fellowship, 2005-2006.
Electrical and Computer Engineering Departmental Travel Scholarship, 2011.
Graduate and Professional Student Association Travel Grant, 2008.
Council of Graduate Students Travel Grant, 2008.
IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium Student Travel Award, 2008.

Patents:

Dual Mode Ultrasound Transducer (DMUT) System and Method for Controlling Delivery of Ultrasound Therapy,PCT/US2011/039837, filed Jun. 9, 2011, pending.
Bidirectional Motor Stall Protection Circuit, US7633252, Issued Dec. 15, 2009.

Email

ball0250@umn.edu