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Ronald Xu, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor

Education

B.S., Precision Machinery and Instrumentation, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China

M.S., Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY

PhD., Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA

Professional Experience

Teaching Assistant, Department of Mechanical Engineering, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY. Advisor: Dr. Peisen Huang, 8/93-8/94

Research Assistant, Division of Instrumentation, Brookhaven National Lab, Upton, NY. Supervisor: Dr. Peter Takacs, 8/94-8/95

Research Assistant, Three Dimensional Printing Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA. Advisor: Dr. Emanuel Sachs, 9/95-8/99

Postdoctoral Research Affiliate, Center for Design Research, Stanford University, Stanford, CA. Supervisor: Dr. Mark Cutkosky, 8/99-5/00

Director of Technology Development, ViOptix Inc, Fremont, CA, 1/00-9/04

Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 10/04-current

Contact Information

Rm. 286 Bevis Hall
1080 Carmack Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210
Phone: (614) 688-3635
Fax: (614) 292-7301
Email: xu.202@osu.edu

Affiliations

Member, Biomedical Engineering Society

Member, Davis Heart & lung Research Institute (DHLRI)

P-status faculty, Neuroscience Graduate Studies Program

M-status faculty, Biophysics Graduate Program

M-status faculty, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering

Courtesy appointment, Department of Ophthalmology

Area of Expertise

Medical device design & innovation, biomedical imaging, tissue optics, microfabrication

Research Interests

  • Multi-modal, dynamic imaging of biological tissue in vivo

    We aim at developing a multi-modal imaging platform that integrates structural modalities (such as ultrasound) and functional modalities (such as near infrared spectroscopy) for real time, dynamic imaging of biological tissue in response to external stimuli (such as mechanical compression and venous/arterial occlusion).

  • Quantitative assessment of tissue oxygen dynamics and blood perfusion in vivo

    Tissue oxygen dynamics and its regulatory mechanisms under normal and abnormal conditions, is critical for effective detection and treatment of various diseases, including cancers, retinopathies and cardiovascular diseases. Recent developments in molecular biology have given us new insight into the cellular pathways of energy metabolism, as well as their integration to tissues and organs. However, existing imaging tools cannot provide a complete picture of tissue and cellular oxygen dynamics in vivo, which makes the quantitative analysis of metabolic pathways particularly challenging. We aim at understanding tissue oxygen dynamics by using multiple imaging modalities, developing macroscopic bioenergetic models, and exploring novel contrast agents.

  • Targeted delivery of cancer-specific multimodal contrast agents for intraoperative detection of tumor margin and occult diseases

    Appropriate determination of the surgical margin and accurate assessment of occult diseases are important oncological principles for reduced recurrence rate and improved long term survival. However, many existing cancer imaging modalities are single modality and target limited disease markers. We are developing biodegradable, biocompatible microbubble and nanobubble carriers that integrate various contrast agents sensitive to multiple imaging modalities such as ultrasound, near infrared, MRI, and PET. The multimodal contrast agent will not only allow the accurate co-registration between tumor structural and functional boundaries but also enable cancer theranostics.

  • Integrated cancer management strategy for tumor localization, targeting, ablation process control, adjuvant therapy, and postoperative assessment

    Thermal ablation processes hold the promise of less invasive cancer management with minimal trauma, outpatient treatment, fast recovery, and fast return to normal activities. However, broader acceptance of cancer ablation processes is hindered by controversial issues and concerns related with clinical safety, efficiency, and long-term local recurrence. These concerns are raised due to the lack of effective monitoring and control of the ablation process. To overcome the existing limitations in cancer ablation, we are developing a closed-loop strategy that integrates preoperative tumor localization, intraoperative tumor targeting, real-time ablation process control, adjuvant regional therapy, and postoperative assessment of therapeutic outcome. Major tasks involved in such an integrated strategy include the development of cancer-specific multimodal contrast agents, the development of multimodal cancer imaging platform, and the development of the advanced algorithm for multiphysics simulation.

Teaching

  • BME694 (Fall Quarter) Biomedical Optics

    Course Description: Introduction to clinical and technical aspects of biomedical optics, light transport in biological tissue, optical sources and detectors, biomedical applications of fiber optical components, optical imaging and spectroscopy on deep and superficial biological tissues.

  • BME779 (Winter Quarter) Medical Device Design, Fabrication and Regulation

    Course Description: This course is designed to introduce essential processes involved in a medical device development cycle from concept to market. Through this course, students will learn: 1) how to convert clinical needs to product concepts, 2) design control, project planning and teamwork, 3) engineering tools for medical device design and fabrication, 4) human factors and ergonomics, 5) validation, quality control and FDA regulations, 6) Intellectual property management.

Selected Publications

  1. R. Xu, J. Xu, J. Huang, D. Sun, G. Hinkle, J. Edward W Martin, and S. Povoski, Fabrication of indocyanine green encapsulated biodegradable microbubbles for structural and functional imaging of biological tissue. Journal of Biomedical Optics, 2009, in press.
  2. P. Zou, J. Xu, A. Wang, S.P. Povoski, J. Edward W Martin, V. Subramaniam, R. Xu, and D. Sun, Near-Infrared Fluorescence Labeled Anti-TAG-72 Monoclonal Antibodies for Tumor Imaging in Colorectal Cancer Xenograft Mice. Molecular Pharmaceutics 2009. 6(2): p. 428-440.
  3. R. Xu, J. Ewing, H. El-Dahdah, B. Wang, and S.P. Povoski, Design and benchtop validation of a handheld integrated dynamic breast imaging system for noninvasive characterization of suspicious breast lesions. Technol Cancer Res Treat, 2008. 7(6): p. 471-82.
  4. Xu, R. and E. Sachs, Rapid Thermal Cycling with Low Thermal Inertia Tools. Polymer Engineering & Science, 2008, accepted.
  5. Wang, B., S. Povoski, X. Cao, D. Sun, and R. Xu, Dynamic schema for near infrared detection of pressure-induced changes in solid tumors. Applied Optics, 2008. 47(16): p. 3053-3063.
  6. Xu, R., D. Young, J. Mao, and S. Povoski, A prospective pilot clinical trial evaluating the utility of a dynamic near infrared imaging device for characterizing suspicious breast lesions. Breast Cancer Research, 2007. 9: p. R88.
  7. Xu, R.X., B. Qiang, J.J. Mao, and S.P. Povoski, Development of a handheld near-infrared imager for dynamic characterization of in vivo biological tissue systems. Appl Opt, 2007. 46(30): p. 7442-51.
  8. Xu, R. X. and S. P. Povoski, Diffuse optical imaging and spectroscopy for cancer. Expert Rev Med Devices, 2007 4(1): p. 83-95.
  9. Xu, R. and A. Rana, Dynamic Near Infrared Imaging with Ultrasound Guidance (dNIRUS): Analytical Model and Benchtop Validation on Multi-layer Tissue Simulating Phantoms. Proc. SPIE, 2006 6086: p. 353-364.
  10. Xu, R., B. Qiang, J. Olsen, S. Povoski, L. Yee, and J. Mao, Localization and functional parameter reconstruction of suspicious breast lesions by near infrared/ultrasound dual modal imaging. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc, 2005. 5: p. 4473-6.

Selected Presentations

  1. Xu, R., J. Xu, and J. Huang, Multimodal, intraoperative cancer imaging with microbubbles and antibody-fluorophore conjugates. Annual conference of Biomedical Engineering Society, 2008.
  2. Ewing, J., H.E.-D. Dah, B. Wang, J. Xu, S. Povoski, and R. Xu, Multimodel dynamic imaging of breast cancer. Annual conference of Biomedical Engineering Society, 2008.
  3. Xu, R., J. Xu, J. Ewing, B. Wang, D. Sun, S. Povoski, and E. Martin. Development of indocyanine green encapsulated microbubbles for dynamic imaging of breast cancer. in Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs Era of Hope 2008 Meeting. 2008. Baltimore, MD.
  4. El-Dahdah, H., B. Wang, and R. Xu, Isolation of tissue mechanical and physiologic properties in dynamic near infrared imaging. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting, 2007.
  5. Wang, B., S. Zhou, G. He, and R. Xu, Development of a remote vessel occluder for reversible blood flow occlusion on animal models. Biomedical Engineering Society Annual Fall Meeting, 2007.

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