Dr. Kripfgans is a physicist by training and an expert on medical (ultrasonic) imaging. His expertise ranges from bench top physical acoustics to clinical translation. His current interests include ultrasonic imaging in dentistry and (surrogate-free) quantification of blood flow. He and his colleague have introduced a high-frequency miniature ultrasound probe for cross-sectional imaging of oral soft tissues which has attracted great interest by the dental community. Ultrasound will revolutionize dentistry which is currently unable to adequately image soft tissue. It may become an objective diagnostic tool to quantify soft tissue inflammation and hard tissue loss, without ionizing radiation.

The quantification of our vascular system is currently limited to blood pressure measurements. Dr. Kripfgans and colleagues have pioneered the use of 3D ultrasound to obtain true volumetric blood flow in milliliters per min. Where blood pressure and other approaches are merely surrogates for blood flow, this technology have demonstrated impact in Transjugular Intrahepatic Porto-systemic Shunts (TIPS), internal carotids and basilar flow in neonates as well as in umbilical venous flow. The latter may become a diagnostic tool for pre-eclampsia and fetal growth restriction.

Dr. Kripfgans also provides service to the national and international scientific community by regularly reviewing manuscripts and grant proposals. He is active in the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine with a range of leadership positions and a passion for volunteer work.

Clinical implementation and physical aspects of clinical ultrasound (diagnostics and therapeutics)

Quantification of blood flow (milliliters per minute) in major vessels, including Transjugular Intrahepatic Portosystemic Shunts (TIPS), external carotids (non-neonatal), internal carotids and basilar (neonatal), and umbilical flow (fetal)

Ultrasonic imaging of use in dentistry (periodontics, orthodontics, and other). Introduced high-frequency miniature ultrasound probe for cross-sectional imaging of oral mucosa and gingiva as well as hard tissue surfaces (i.e. tooth, root, bone, implants), to quantify soft and hard tissue dimensions, as well as inflammation and healing processes