修士課程（2020年度）：生体超音波医工学分野

Master course (FY2020): Medical Ultrasound

出身は隣の山形県で、難病を一つでもなくしたいという思いから研究活動が盛んな東北大学を目指しました。学部時代は医学部保健学科で臨床検査技術を専攻し、病院等で行われる臨床検査の専門知識や医療従事者としての考え方などを学びました。

I was born in Yamagata Prefecture, a neighboring prefecture.My desire to eliminate even one intractable disease led me to Tohoku University,, where research activities are flourishing. As an undergraduate, I majored in clinical laboratory technology at the Department of Health Sciences in the School of Medicine. I learned the specialized knowledge of clinical laboratory tests performed in hospitals and how to think as a medical professional.

検査機器を“使う”にはその測定原理や機器の特性を理解し、体の状態についての情報を正確に取り出す技術が求められます。こうした現場で“使う”ための勉強を通して、より有用な検査を“創る”ことが難病の原因究明に大きく寄与すると感じるようになりました。工学の基礎を学びながら医療機器関係の研究ができるという理由で当研究科へ進学しました。

To “use” testing equipment, it is necessary to understand the principles of measurement and the characteristics of the equipment and have the skills to extract information about the body’s condition accurately. By studying how to “use” such equipment in the field, I have come to feel that “creating” more useful tests will significantly contribute to the investigation of the causes of intractable diseases. I entered the Graduate School of Biomedical Engineering because I could conduct research related to medical devices while learning engineering basics.

妊婦健診などで見かける超音波診断装置は、体を傷つけることなく体内を観察することができます。血管内に超音波を送り、返ってきた超音波の情報から、血液のサラサラ、ドロドロ具合を数字で求める方法を研究しています。これが実現できれば、採血をしなくても血液のドロドロ具合の測定が可能になり、針を刺しての採血が困難な場合の血液性状の確認などに役立つと考えています。

The ultrasound machine used at medical tests such as antenatal checkups can observe the body’s inside without harming it. We are researching a method of sending ultrasound waves into blood vessels and using the information from the returned ultrasound waves to determine the degree of blood-thinning or sludge. If this is realized, it will be possible to measure blood’s sluggishness without drawing blood, which will be valid for checking blood properties when it is difficult to draw blood with a needle.

様々な大学、学部、また海外から集まった学生と、各自の得意分野を生かした意見やアイディアを交換できるところが魅力だと感じています。工学のバックグラウンドがなく、初めて触れる原理に苦戦しつつも、研究室の先生や仲間の助けを借りながら研究課題に前向きに取り組んでいける環境があります。また、ほかの医工学系の研究に触れる機会も多く、複数の分野について深く知ることができる点が大きな特徴だと思います。

I find it fascinating to exchange opinions and ideas with students from various universities, faculties, and overseas, using their specialties. Although I do not have an engineering background and struggle with the principles that I touch on for the first time, I can positively tackle my research problems with my professors and fellow students in the laboratory. Besides, there are many opportunities to come into contact with research in other medical engineering fields. One of the program’s main features is that it allows you to learn about multiple areas in depth.