Tracking of Red Blood Cells Using Super Resolution Ultrasound in Persons With Healthy or Overuse Injured Tendons
SURE-TEND
SUper-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE) in Normal and Tendinopathic Tendons
2 other identifiers
observational
135
1 country
1
Brief Summary
The goal of this observational study is to test whether a new ultrasound method, called SUper Resolution ultrasound imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE), can image the small blood vessels found in tendons of persons with a tendon overuse injury (tendinopathy). The main questions it aims to answer are:
- Is the method sensitive enough to detect the smallest blood vessels
- What information about the blood flow can be obtained (flow velocity, pressure, shape of the vessels)
- Can the flow in an injured tendon be distinguished from that of a healthy one Participants will receive a non-invasive ultrasound examination of their Achilles (heel) or patellar (knee) tendon, using an advanced high frequency research ultrasound system. Researchers will compare participants with either an Achilles or patellar tendon overuse injury to participants with healthy tendons, to see if there are distinct differences in the blood vessels that could help diagnose and treat the injuries.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P50-P75 for all trials
Started Feb 2024
Longer than P75 for all trials
1 active site
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
November 15, 2023
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
November 21, 2023
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
February 8, 2024
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
January 1, 2028
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
January 1, 2028
January 22, 2026
January 1, 2026
3.9 years
November 15, 2023
January 20, 2026
Conditions
Keywords
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
Vessel density (all)
Mean difference in blood vessel density detected by SURE imaging, between the healthy and tendinopathic group (across both patellar and Achilles).
day 0 (the study is cross-sectional)
Secondary Outcomes (1)
Repeatability (vessel density)
day 0 (the study is cross-sectional)
Other Outcomes (2)
Vessel density (PT/AT)
day 0 (the study is cross-sectional)
Other quantifiable measures of microvasculature
day 0 (the study is cross-sectional)
Study Arms (3)
Control
Healthy Controls. Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE) of both Achilles and Patellar Tendons.
Tendinopathy Achilles
Patients with Achilles Tendinopathy. Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE) of Achilles Tendons.
Tendinopathy Patellar
Patients with Patellar Tendinopathy. Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging of Erythrocytes (SURE) of Patellar Tendons.
Interventions
Research ultrasound sequence for tracking erythrocytes and thereby generating a super-resolution image of the vasculature.
Eligibility Criteria
Healthy participants: Persons who have no self-reported current or historical injuries to the tendon and surrounding tissue, and display no symptoms of tendinopathy upon examination. Participants with tendinopathy: Persons who have no self-reported current or historical injuries to the tendon and surrounding tissue, aside from a uni- or bi-lateral tendinopathy of the patellar or Achilles tendon based on two clinical criteria: Tendon pain during physical activity and Tendon pain on local palpation.
You may qualify if:
- to 70 years of age.
- BMI below 30.
- Able to lie still for 1 minute.
- Capable of providing signed informed consent.
You may not qualify if:
- Pregnancy.
- Dementia.
- Smoking.
- Diabetes.
- Arthritis.
- Current or historical injuries to the tendon or surrounding tissue aside from tendinopathy.
- Medical or surgical treatments for their tendinopathy that may influence blood flow.
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (1)
Institute of Sports Medicine
Copenhagen, 2400, Denmark
MeSH Terms
Conditions
Interventions
Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)
Study Officials
- STUDY DIRECTOR
Michael Kjaer, PhD
University Hospital Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- observational
- Observational Model
- CASE CONTROL
- Time Perspective
- CROSS SECTIONAL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Senior Researcher
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
November 15, 2023
First Posted
November 21, 2023
Study Start
February 8, 2024
Primary Completion (Estimated)
January 1, 2028
Study Completion (Estimated)
January 1, 2028
Last Updated
January 22, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-01