Evaluation system in motor function examination

Abstract

To perform evaluation in a motor function examination of a motor function tissue in a specific part of a living thing or perform evaluation on which muscle or on which part of a muscle a problem is occurring.SOLUTION: An evaluation system in a motor function examination includes: a vibrator for pressing a living body surface of a predetermined part of a living thing and applying a constant vibration to a motor function tissue around a joint; a measuring device for pressing a probe surface against a living body surface in the vicinity while applying a constant vibration to the motor function tissue, and continuously measuring a transmission speed of a mechanical vibration wave transmitted in the motor function tissue; an imaging processing device for subjecting shear wave data by the measuring device to imaging processing and storing and outputting / displaying the data; and a processing device for continuously storing the video of the shear wave data subjected to imaging processing, and digitizing an amount of change for hardness information of a plurality of kinds of motor function tissues specified around the same joint by comparing a plurality of stored videos.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an evaluation system and method for measuring the hardness of biological tissues related to motor functions around joint structures of a living body (human or animal), and using the measurement results of this biological tissue to examine the motor functions including the target biological tissues (functions of muscles and nerve transmissions that cause movement in joint structures such as shoulders, elbows, and knees), and for evaluating the state and function of biological functional materials (muscles and nerve transmission functions that cause movement in joint structures of the body) in this motor function examination.

[0002] In particular, the present invention relates to an evaluation system and method that uses a vibrator applied to biological tissue to vibrate specific biological tissues involved in motor functions such as muscles, tendons, and tendons that move the joint structures of living organisms (hereinafter referred to as "motor function tissues" in this invention) at a specific frequency to generate mechanical vibration waves, and while these vibration waves are being generated, measures the propagation speed of the mechanical vibration waves (transverse waves) that travel through the motor function tissue using an ultrasonic probe pressed against the surface of the living organism, and also images the measurement results, thereby measuring the biological hardness of the motor function tissue and thereby evaluating the state and function of the motor function (muscles, muscles that cause movement, nerve transmission function) of the motor function tissue. [Background technology]

[0003] There is a demand for quantitative measurement of skeletal muscle stiffness and changes in various settings, such as physical therapy in rehabilitation, massage therapy, and training in sports medicine. In relation to this, there is also a need to measure the motor function of the musculoskeletal system that moves joints, etc. For example, conventional methods for evaluating the function of the musculoskeletal system of living organisms have been to measure indexes of limit load movements using a grip strength device or to measure muscle strength during posture changes under muscle load using a dynamometer.

[0004] However, these conventional measurements only indirectly evaluate the function of the loading movement that occurs as a result of the contraction of multiple muscles, and are unable to evaluate which muscle or which part of the muscle is impaired.

[0005] In response to the demand for quantitative evaluation of skeletal muscle stiffness in living organisms and for the results to be used in rehabilitation, massage, and training effectiveness assessment, effective treatment, and the formulation of training plans, the CD-SWI method, a method for visualizing biological stiffness, was developed. Doppler Shear Wave Using imaging may be an option, but in this case, it will be necessary to incorporate the CD-SWI method into a small, portable echo device that can be used in the field (tablet echo: a device that performs ultrasound diagnosis by incorporating electronic circuits and a CPU into the probe and connecting it to a tablet or PC) rather than a large ultrasound diagnostic device.

[0006] WO2015 / 151972 (see Patent Document 1) has disclosed an ultrasound imaging method for imaging the biological tissue of a living body (human or animal) using ultrasound. In this disclosure, a puncture needle is pressed against the body surface near the measurement site to vibrate the biological cells at the puncture site, and an ultrasound echo device is used to image the propagation speed of mechanical vibration waves (transverse waves) traveling through the biological tissue.

[0007] In this device, an exciter that imparts minute vibrations to the puncture needle is installed, and the probe receives echo signals that are influenced by the Doppler effect of the puncture needle vibrated by this exciter, thereby allowing the movement of the inner needle protruding from the outer needle of the puncture needle to be recognized.

[0008] Here, the image generating means displays, on the display means, an image of the tissue that is expected to be collected from the collection site if the inner needle were to protrude from the outer needle just before the inner needle of the puncture needle is inserted into the collection site. According to the document, prior to collecting tissue from the collection site, it is possible to predict which part of the collection site will be collected simply by looking at the display means, and to reliably collect the desired tissue. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] WO2015 / 151972A1 publication Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0010] However, the tablet ultrasound device described in the above-mentioned document 1 merely quantitatively evaluates the stiffness of the skeletal muscles of a living organism, and does not evaluate the motor function of a specific part of the living organism's motor function tissue in a motor function test. Also, as mentioned above, the measurement of the index of the limit load movement using a conventional exercise machine such as a grip strength device, and the measurement of muscle strength during posture changes under muscle load using a dynamometer only indirectly evaluate the function of the load movement that occurs as a whole of contractions of multiple muscles, and it is not possible to evaluate which muscle or which part of the muscle is impaired.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an evaluation system for motor function testing that can evaluate the motor function tissue of a specific part of a living organism in a motor function test, or can evaluate which muscle or which part of a muscle is impaired. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following measures: However, in the following description, the numbers or letters following the names of the components are symbols added for the convenience of understanding the drawings, and are not intended to limit the concept, shape, or structure of the components.

[0013] (1) A system for evaluating biological functional tissues (musculoskeletal system) around a specified joint of a living organism, comprising: a vibrator that applies a constant vibration to the "motor function tissue," which is biological tissue related to the motor function around the joint of the living organism by pressing it against the biological surface at a specified location; a measurement probe that applies a constant vibration to the motor function tissue while pressing the probe surface against the biological surface near the biological surface at the specified location, and continuously measures the propagation speed of mechanical vibration waves (transverse waves) that propagate through the motor function tissue at a specified depth from the biological surface by probe-type ultrasonic transmission and reception; a visualization device that visualizes shear wave data from the measuring instrument using the C-SWE method and stores, outputs, and displays the data; and a processing device that continuously stores images of the visualized shear wave data and compares multiple stored images to quantify the amount of change in hardness information of multiple types of motor function tissues (including muscles, tendons, and ligaments) specified around a specified joint in the same or similar living organism.

[0014] (2) An evaluation system that measures specific motor function tissues among muscles, tendons, and ligaments among the biological tissues around a specific joint of a specific living organism, and outputs an evaluation result of the motor function of the living organism through measuring the hardness of the measurement target tissue and quantifying and visualizing the measurement data, The processing device specifies one or more points among the corners or centers of the outer edge of the skeletal muscle or bone in a predetermined joint to which the tissue to be measured is connected as joint specific points, and stores the image data obtained by the visualization process in a state where the image data is superimposed on the joint specific points, and uses the joint specific points as reference points when comparing multiple images. The evaluation system of claim 1.

[0015] (3) In the system, the motor function tissues at predetermined locations of a specific living body before and after exercise are defined as a first evaluation target tissue and a second evaluation target tissue, respectively; The vibrations caused by the vibrator and the propagation speed of the mechanical vibration waves caused by the measurement probe are measured by the visualization device, and the shear wave data of the first evaluation target tissue and the second evaluation target tissue are saved as first image data and second image data, respectively.The first image data and the second image data are compared, and one or more points that are the outline of the shape of a skeletal muscle or bone at the end or distal end of a specific direction of a motor function tissue and have a shape element common to each image data are set as joint specific points, and differences in the shape and hardness of the motor function tissue based on the joint specific points are analyzed.

[0016] (4) In the system, The joint specific points of each image data are compared to identify the biological tissue information around the joint and the key positions (the center of the joint cavity or the articular cartilage) of each biological tissue information, and the elasticity information or elasticity change information of the identified multiple key positions is indexed, and comparable image data from among the image data acquired at multiple time periods is compared, The method is characterized in that the results of comparing indices of elasticity information or elasticity change information based on the base position of each biological tissue around one joint are displayed together with a comparison of consecutive images.

[0017] (5) Before and after the exercise, before and after the load is applied or the posture is changed, the video data of the motor function tissue around the joint at a specific location is saved together with the acquired time data and the input code data. The processing device The evaluation system according to claim 1, which compares video data before and after exercise, and before and after applying load or changing posture, to obtain information on changes in elasticity at each location around a specific joint, and uses video analysis to evaluate which type of motor function tissue around a joint, i.e., muscle, tendon, ligament, cartilage, and synovium, is suffering from damage or load in which location, or which muscle is suffering from damage or high load in which location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0018] The evaluation system for motor function testing provided by the present invention is capable of evaluating the motor function tissue of a specific part of a living organism in a motor function test, or of evaluating which muscle or which part of a muscle is impaired.

[0019] In particular, a vibrator is used to vibrate specific biological tissues (hereinafter referred to as "locomotor function tissues" in this invention) involved in the motor functions of living organisms, such as muscles, tendons, and the like, which move the joint structures of living organisms, at a specific frequency to generate mechanical vibration waves. While these vibration waves are being generated, an ultrasonic probe is pressed against the surface of the living organism to measure the propagation speed of the mechanical vibration waves (transverse waves) that travel through the motor function tissues. This method quantifies and visualizes the stiffness of the biological tissues around the musculoskeletal system, The measurement results are processed numerically, making it possible to evaluate and output the state and function of the motor functions of the motor function tissues (muscles, muscles that cause movement, and nerve transmission functions) as objective numerical values ​​and visual representations. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an evaluation system for a motor function test including a biological stiffness measurement processing program according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing the basic concept and application examples of a biological stiffness measurement processing program according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the basic functional configuration of a device and a processing device of the biological stiffness measurement processing program of the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a specific functional configuration of a biological stiffness measurement processing program according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a first frame image processing example of the biological stiffness measurement processing program of the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a second frame image processing example of the biological stiffness measurement processing program of the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of calculation based on a frame image of the biological stiffness measurement processing program of the embodiment. [Figure 8a] 10 is a display example of image data including a velocity image (image of stiffness) of the evaluation system in the motor function test of the embodiment. [Figure 8b] 10 is a display example of image data including a propagation image (image of elasticity within tissue) of the evaluation system in the motor function test of the embodiment. [Figure 9a] 10 is a display example of video data including a propagation image of a measurement ROI (region of interest) in an evaluation system for a motor function test according to an embodiment. [Figure 9b] 10 is an example of evaluation output using a propagation velocity-depth graph from the evaluation system in the motor function test of the embodiment. [Figure 10] An example of the measurement state (left) and an example of the video data display (right) of the evaluation system in the motor function test of the embodiment. [Figure 11] Examples of image data for tendon stiffness (left) and cartilage ligament stiffness (right) from the evaluation system in the motor function test of the embodiment. [Figure 12] The base point (joint center) and (joint specific point) in the structural model of the joint (locomotor system) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is a system for evaluating the motor function of a living body by measuring the hardness of biological tissues (muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments) around a specific joint and converting the measurement data into digital data and visualizing it.

[0022] Specifically, from the video data of a specific living body before and after exercise, biological tissue information around the joints and key position information of each biological tissue information are identified, and the elasticity information or elasticity change information of the identified multiple key position information is indexed, and comparable video data obtained at multiple time periods are compared with each other, The results of comparing indices of elasticity information or elasticity change information at multiple key positions of each biological tissue around one joint are displayed together with a comparison of consecutive images.

[0023] By obtaining information on changes in elasticity at each location around a specific joint before and after exercise, or before and after applying load or changing posture, it is possible to use video analysis to evaluate which parts of which muscles in which biological tissues (muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments) are experiencing damage or high loads.

[0024] The biological stiffness measurement system of Example 1 of the present invention shown in Figure 1 is composed of a biological stiffness measurement processing program 1 equipped with heat dissipation fins, a vibration excitation device 2 that applies vibration, an adjuster A that can synchronize the vibration frequency, a display device HD that displays the propagation speed detected by the probe in two dimensions, a processing terminal 4 that stores and saves data, and a monitor M.

[0025] 2 to 4 show the external shape and internal structure of the biological stiffness measuring device of Example 1, which is part of the measurement system. In the center of Fig. 4, a combined substrate in which small substrates are stacked with a gap between them is shown, wrapped around a heat-conducting metal foil. Fig. 5 is a further exploded view of the combined substrate.

[0026] Figure 6 shows a state in which a connecting jig having one vibrator holder and a pair of second heat dissipation fins is attached to the biological stiffness measurement system of Example 1 shown in Figures 1 to 4. The disk-shaped protrusions seen on the right side of the front view (a) and bottom view (b) of Figure 6 are the vibrating parts of the vibrator.

[0027] (1) A system for evaluating biological functional tissue (musculoskeletal system) around a specified joint of a living organism, comprising: a vibrator that applies a constant vibration to the motor function tissue, which is biological tissue involved in the motor function around the joint of the living organism, by pressing it against the biological surface at a specified location of the living organism; a measurement probe that applies a constant vibration to the motor function tissue while pressing the probe surface against the biological surface near the biological surface at the specified location, and continuously measures the propagation speed of mechanical vibration waves (transverse waves) that propagate through the motor function tissue at a specified depth from the biological surface by probe-type ultrasonic transmission and reception; a visualization device that visualizes the shear wave data from the measuring instrument using the C-SWE method and stores, outputs, and displays it; and a processing device that continuously stores images of the visualized shear wave data and compares multiple saved images to quantify the amount of change in hardness information of multiple types of motor function tissue (including muscles, tendons, and ligaments) specified around a specified joint in the same or similar living organism.

[0028] (2) In any of the above evaluation systems, An evaluation system that measures a specific motor function tissue from among muscles, tendons, and ligaments among biological tissues around a specific joint of a specific living organism, and outputs an evaluation result of the motor function of the living organism through measuring the hardness of the measurement target tissue and quantifying and visualizing the measurement data, The processing device identifies one or more points among the corners or centers of the outer edge of a skeletal muscle or bone in a specified joint to which the tissue to be measured is connected as joint-specific points, co-stores the image data obtained by the visualization process in a state where it is superimposed on the joint-specific points, and uses the joint-specific points as reference points when comparing multiple images.

[0029] (3) In any of the above evaluation systems, The motor function tissues at predetermined locations of a specific living body before and after exercise are designated as evaluation target tissues 1 and 2, respectively; The vibration caused by the vibrator and the propagation velocity of the mechanical vibration wave caused by the measurement probe are measured by the visualization device, and each shear wave data of the tissues 1 and 2 to be evaluated is saved as each image data 1 and 2, and each image data 1 and 2 are compared to determine that one or more points having a shape element common to each image data 1 and 2 are the outline of the shape of a skeletal muscle or bone at the end or distal end of a motor function tissue in a specific direction, and are the joint specific point.

[0030] (4) Any of the evaluation systems of the present invention compares the joint specific points included in each video data, identifies the joint specific points that identify the biological tissue information around the specific joint (information on biological tissues including joints, synovial membranes, and joint capsules in addition to motor function tissues) and characteristic parts of the shape of each biological tissue information, and uses the identified joint specific points as key points common to each video data, and indexes the coordinates around the key points, information on changes in bone position before and after movement, and elasticity information or elasticity change information of the specific motor function tissue included in the biological tissue information, and compares comparable video data from video data taken at different times, The method is characterized in that the results of comparing indices of elasticity information or elasticity change information based on the base position of each biological tissue around one joint are displayed together with a comparison of consecutive images.

[0031] 12 is a model diagram showing the base point (the center point of the glenoid cavity or articular cartilage) of an elbow joint or the joint structure around the base point. In this model diagram, multiple joint-specific points are assigned to the outer shape of the upper end of the lower bone, and the center of the bone width direction on the image closest to the center of the bone is assigned as the base point.

[0032] In this way, by identifying biological tissue information around a specific joint (information on biological tissue including joints, synovial membranes, and joint capsules in addition to motor function tissue) and specific joint points that identify characteristic parts of the shape of each biological tissue information, and assigning the identified specific joint points as key points common to each video data, it is possible to index the coordinates around the key points and information on changes in bone position before and after movement, as well as the elasticity information or elasticity change information of the specific motor function tissue included in the biological tissue information, in multiple video data.

[0033] For example, even if the positional relationship of the bones and the direction of the center line change due to a change in the bending angle of the joint, by using the base point and specific joint points as the basis for overlaying the data, it is possible to track and recognize changes in the shape of the surrounding motor function tissues such as tendons and ligaments.

[0034] The functional integrity of the motor function tissue is evaluated based on one or more of the following: changes in elasticity based on stiffness indexes, changes in volume based on length and width measurements, and changes in curvature at each position of the central curve in the longitudinal direction of the motor function tissue, by comparing before and after a change in posture, before and after applying load to the musculoskeletal system, and before and after changes in the elasticity of the motor function tissue due to exercise.

[0035] Here, the evaluation of the functional integrity of the motor function tissue is evaluated by adding points to the following: the change in elasticity relative to adjacent change positions at each position along the length of the tissue structure, i.e., the rate of change, is within a certain range (for example, within 30%); the outer shape is smooth and the rate of change in the slope of the outer curve is within a certain range (for example, 20% or less); and the dispersion of hardness data within the motor function tissue area is used to estimate the presence of missing parts such as chipped or cracked parts, the presence of damaged parts such as depressions or holes, and the presence of parts with a large change in elasticity that are more solidified than the surrounding tissue structures.

[0036] For example, the evaluation results are expressed as a numerical value out of a total of 100 points, with each of the five elements being given a maximum score of 20 points, and these are added or subtracted to give a total score of 100. Alternatively, the evaluation results are shown by overlaying oval shapes surrounding areas or coloring areas in the image where there is high hardness data or where there is significant change in shape, such as defects.

[0037] (5) Before and after the exercise, before and after the load is applied or the posture is changed, the video data of the motor function tissue around the joint at a specific location is saved together with the acquired time data and the input code data. The processing device By comparing video data before and after exercise, and before and after applying load or changing posture, and obtaining information on changes in elasticity at each location around a specific joint, video analysis can be used to evaluate which parts of which muscles in which biological tissues (muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments) are experiencing damage or high loads.

[0038] (An attachment that can be attached to the head of an ultrasound probe) a first attachment that can be attached to a head portion of the ultrasonic probe; a second attachment for holding a vibrator that applies mechanical vibration to a surface of a living body, In the transmitting and receiving direction of the probe probe of the ultrasonic probe attached by the first attachment, than the probe surface of the ultrasonic probe attached by the first attachment, The vibrator of the vibrator held by the second attachment is protruded by a predetermined preset value of protrusion amount, and A biological stiffness measurement processing program capable of maintaining the distance between the probe surface and the oscillator at a constant value within a predetermined preset range.

[0039] In order to mechanically vibrate biological tissue using an oscillator, it is necessary to transmit the vibration to tissues below the epidermis and subcutaneous fat layers on the surface of the body. By protruding the oscillator from the surface of the body using the above-mentioned means, it is possible to apply pressure to the skin on the surface of the body, maintaining the surface tissue in a compressed state with high vibration propagation efficiency, while reliably vibrating the biological tissue mechanically. Furthermore, by maintaining a certain distance from the excitation point that is not too far, it is possible to reliably obtain the vibration propagation velocity at any measurement point within a range of approximately 10 cm from the epidermis of the vibrating biological tissue.

[0040] (Cushioning material for the second attachment) a first attachment having an insertion frame into which a head portion of an ultrasonic probe can be inserted from a side periphery; a second attachment that holds a vibrator that applies mechanical vibration to a living body surface in the holding hole and at a tip of the holding hole, The vibrator is fixed to the inner surface and tip surface of the holding hole of the second attachment with a buffer material interposed between the base and tip of the vibrator.

[0041] the first attachment has a fitting frame having a tapered frame hole into which a head of an ultrasonic probe is fitted, the second attachment has a holding hole that receives and holds a columnar vibration base of the vibration exciter, The present invention is also characterized in that an adjustment connection portion is provided between the first attachment and the second attachment, which allows sliding adjustment of the positional relationship between the tapered frame hole and the holding hole in the hole axis direction.

[0042] The adjustable connecting portion maintains the retaining hole axis in a parallel or inclined direction approaching the front side in relation to the frame hole axial direction of the fitting frame, and maintains the retaining hole at an arbitrary set protrusion amount so that it protrudes a predetermined set amount further forward than the tapered frame hole.

[0043] the first attachment has a fitting frame having a tapered frame hole into which a head of an ultrasonic probe is fitted, the second attachment has a holding hole that receives and holds a columnar vibration base of the vibration exciter, The present invention is also characterized in that an adjustable connecting portion is provided between the first attachment and the second attachment, which allows bending and adjustment of the angular relationship between the tapered frame hole and the holding hole in the hole axis direction. The adjustable connecting portion maintains the retaining hole so that it protrudes a predetermined set amount further forward than the tapered frame hole, and in relation to the frame hole axis direction of the fitting frame, the retaining hole axis is maintained at an arbitrary set angle so that it faces parallel or in a direction inclined at an arbitrary angle toward the forward side (relative to the frame hole axis direction of the fitting frame).

[0044] The tapered frame hole of the first attachment and the holding hole of the second attachment have one or more slits formed on the inner surface of the hole, which are characterized by being in an elastically deformed state when the ultrasonic probe is inserted or the vibrator is held and housed. The natural vibration frequency can be adjusted, and resonance can be prevented.

[0045] (Connecting jig) The biological stiffness measurement processing program described above is characterized in that it further comprises a protruding piece that protrudes parallel to the transmitting and receiving surface of the probe so that the transmitting and receiving unit of the probe maintains a constant angle approximately perpendicular to the scanning surface. Also, it is characterized in that the tapered frame hole of the first attachment and the holding hole of the second attachment are formed as a continuous space without a partition on one side and the other side of one frame hole, and are deformable and adjustable by external force and maintain the adjusted deformed state.

[0046] The objective is to develop a noise reduction technology that can obtain images of biological tissue stiffness using the CD-SWI method even with ultrasound diagnostic equipment that produces a lot of noise. In noise reduction processing, it is important to focus on the time and frequency characteristics of the original signal obtained by the ultrasound diagnostic equipment that are specific to the CD-SWI method, and to extract and emphasize only the signals that have these characteristics. This invention actively utilizes the characteristic of the original signal in stiffness images obtained by the CD-SWI method, that "the excitation to excite shear waves in biological tissue is performed with a continuous sine wave of a specific frequency." Specifically, we have developed a Moving Target Inversion (MTI) that is specialized for sine wave excitation. By introducing noise reduction technology specialized for sinusoidal excitation, which includes two methods: a Target Indicator (Target Indicator) filter and flow velocity estimation specialized for sinusoidal excitation, it is possible to obtain stiffness images and perform quantitative measurements of stiffness even with a biostiffness measurement processing program with high noise, such as a tablet-type biostiffness measurement processing program.

[0047] For example, a control device 2 connected in parallel to two detection devices P1 and P2 by wire includes a memory unit R, a processing device M2, and an input device I2, and signals corresponding to the channels of each receiver are connected to the processing device 1 by a cable C. The processing device 1 is provided with a switch S, an adjustment device V, a speaker, and locking units for the detection devices P1 and P2, and is connected to the processing device M1 and input device I by wire or wirelessly.

[0048] A vibrating transducer (S) excites shear waves in biological tissue, which propagate through the tissue. At the same time, an ultrasound probe (P) transmits ultrasound waves. The ultrasound waves reflected from the tissue and received by the ultrasound probe exhibit a slightly modulated frequency due to the Doppler effect caused by the excitation. The transducer is equipped with an amplifier, an oscillator, and a control device that determines the oscillation frequency. The signal obtained by the ultrasound probe is processed and saved as video data by an imaging device. After quadrature detection, the signal is input as an IQ signal to a processing device (AW) such as a PC or tablet. The present invention relates to noise reduction technology incorporated into this processing device. The final image is displayed by a processing device (W).

[0049] (Biofunctional tissue (musculoskeletal system) evaluation program) The evaluation program for biological functional tissue (musculoskeletal system) of the present invention comprises any one of the above biological stiffness measurement processing programs for acquiring probe data without contact, and an evaluation device for analyzing and evaluating the acquired probe data. The biological stiffness measurement processing program in this biological functional tissue (musculoskeletal system) evaluation program method is used to test the stiffness of locomotor function tissues related to joint function, such as muscles, tendons, and ligaments, as well as to detect joint capsules, synovial membranes, glenoid fossa, and articular cartilage.

[0050] The biological hardness measurement processing program includes: an acquisition unit for vibration propagation velocity data by a head unit of an ultrasonic probe; an A / D conversion unit for the propagation velocity data acquired by the acquisition unit; A measurement processing program including a calculation unit that calculates data after A / D conversion of propagation velocity data and converts it into visualization data, and a memory unit that stores the visualization data, The calculation unit continuously acquires image frames consisting of one B-mode image followed by 16 color Doppler images at each unit time and overwrites and saves them in a memory unit within a set range, and is characterized by having a continuous analysis unit that analyzes the acquired image set using a unit image set of 18 to 31 images including one B-mode image.

[0051] The biological hardness measurement processing program A first analysis unit is continuously provided for analyzing the acquired image set using a unit image set of 18 to 31 images including one B-mode image, A biological stiffness measurement processing program, characterized by having a second analysis unit that has a series of acquired image sets that are shifted from the first analysis unit by an amount of shift of 18 to 31 images.

[0052] The biological stiffness measurement processing program is characterized in that the acquired ultrasonic data is aspherical data.

[0053] The present invention stores image data of the motor function tissue around a specific joint before and after exercise, before and after applying load or changing posture, together with the acquired time data and input code data, The processing device The system compares video data before and after exercise, and before and after applying load or changing posture, and outputs an evaluation result of the functional health of the motor function tissue based on one or more of the following: changes in elasticity based on stiffness indexes, changes in volume based on length and width measurements, and changes in curvature at each position of the central curve in the longitudinal direction of the motor function tissue.

[0054] The evaluation results are shown by quantifying or displaying in text an explanatory text or as an image which motor function tissue that controls the movement of a musculoskeletal system of a specific living organism is impaired when viewed from the joint center. The tendons and ligaments in a musculoskeletal system are subject to passive forces from external muscles, controlling posture changes and movement relative to the muscles. While muscles can only contract, tendons and ligaments can stretch and contract. Stretching or contracting tendons and ligaments generate muscle reaction forces. Taking this into consideration, by detecting changes in elasticity during tendon and ligament stretching (how much the elasticity of each motor function tissue increases as a result of stretching) and comparing these changes before and after exercise, or during relaxation and contraction, it is possible to evaluate whether the musculoskeletal system is receiving external forces and whether the ligaments are stretching and generating muscle reaction forces. Based on this, it is possible to output evaluation results such as the health of motor function tissue units and the risk of injury. For example, measurements are taken of the locomotor system around a specific joint of a specific living individual before and after posture changes (whether or not there is extension and flexion), muscle loading (whether or not there is weight loading), and a specific period of walking, running, sports competition, or other exercise, to obtain video data on the surface elasticity and internal elasticity of the locomotor function tissue. By comparing these data before and after and measuring the amount and rate of change in elasticity, it is possible to evaluate which parts of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments are functioning normally and which parts of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments are functioning abnormally, based on numerical or positional elements.

[0055] When displaying the evaluation results, together with or in addition to the numerical value of the evaluation results or the explanatory text, it is also possible to display video data of before and after a change in posture, before and after applying load to the musculoskeletal system, and before and after the elasticity of the motor function tissue changes due to exercise as first video data and second video data, either as an overlaid display with transparency, or as an animated video display with continuous changes.

[0056] The evaluation of the functional integrity of motor function tissue is based on the following points: the change in elasticity relative to adjacent change positions at each position along the length of the tissue structure, i.e., the rate of change, is within a certain range (for example, within 30%); the outer shape is smooth and the rate of change in the slope of the outer curve is within a certain range (for example, 20% or less); and the dispersion of hardness data within the motor function tissue area indicates the presence of missing parts such as chips or cracks, the presence of damaged parts such as depressions or holes, and the presence of parts with a large change in elasticity that are more solidified than the surrounding tissue structures.

[0057] For example, Figure 8a shows an example of video data displaying shear waves at various depth positions from the surface of a living body where an ultrasound probe is pressed. The shaded area specified to the right of the center of the video data represents the ROI (Region of Interest) where propagation velocity analysis was performed using velocity image ROIs as a means of quantifying the elasticity of the living tissue within that area, and the shade indicates the velocity at each point. The velocity values ​​within this ROI are displayed as numerical values ​​after statistical processing in the lower left.

[0058] The left side of Figure 8a shows the image mode selection display for switching between image modes. In addition to the "velocity image" of Figure 8a, it is possible to switch to the "propagation image" of Figure 8b or a "propagation direction image" (not shown) that displays the propagation direction. Figure 8b is a propagation image in which areas of the same velocity range are displayed as a striped pattern in contour lines, and it shows a two-dimensional image of the elastic structure within the tissue. Areas in the propagation image where the propagation stripe pattern is compressed and narrow can be assumed to be areas of adhesion or fixation with muscles.

[0059] Furthermore, by using a processing device to measure elasticity changes at high resolution using the least squares error method, it is now possible to measure even extremely high shear wave velocities in motor function tissues such as tendons and ligaments, making it possible to measure even areas where the motor function tissue has become extremely stiff due to, for example, weight loading or changes in posture.

[0060] Figure 9a shows the ROI regions after dividing the measurement area into multiple micro ROIs (ROIs with horizontally elongated shapes along the fibers) and estimating the propagation velocity for each micro ROI region using the least squares error method. The region enclosed by the second to fifth dotted lines from the top within the frame corresponds to the medial collateral ligament of the elbow. As shown on the right side of Figure 9a, the downward direction of the vertical axis corresponds to the depth from the surface of the body.

[0061] Figure 9b is a graph showing the quantification of the shear wave velocity of the medial collateral ligament of the elbow shown in Figure 9a. The shear wave velocity is high around depths of 13.5 to 14.5, indicating that there are stiffened areas. In this way, the elastic state of the human body can be quantified by performing a quantification process, and the state of the motor function tissue, such as damage or rupture of the tendon, can be estimated.

[0062] Figure 10 shows an example of the use of the vibrator and ultrasound probe in this evaluation system, as well as an example of the output video data. Using a mark placed on the surface of the living body near the medial elbow joint as a reference, the image on the right in Figure 10 shows a velocity image obtained by measuring the area around the skeletal muscle of the biceps brachii for 3.5 seconds with a resolution of 10 mm.

[0063] Figure 11 shows an example of the image output for evaluating tendon stiffness with a required resolution of 3-5 mm (left), and for evaluating cartilage and human body stiffness with a required resolution of 1-2 mm (right), obtained by using C-SWE to process this image data to increase resolution, speed up imaging, and enhance functionality.

[0064] High-resolution, high-precision processing is possible with inexpensive equipment, and real-time elasticity measurement has made it possible to perform highly accurate functional diagnostic evaluations of motor function tissues.

[0065] In particular, by changing the measurement depth of the probe, it is possible to estimate not only the surface hardness of the motor function tissue but also the hardness inside the tissue. By comparing the changes in surface hardness and internal hardness of the motor function tissue in the same location of the same living body with images taken before and after a period or time, it is possible to estimate ligament inflammation and damage, tendon rupture, muscle rupture, as well as their precursors and the presence or absence of internal bleeding. It is also possible to estimate the condition and function of the muscles that cause the movement of joint structures.

[0066] In addition to the above, the ultrasonic signals received by each transducer are spectrally analyzed, and through a learned multi-layer neural network analysis, the foreign object is classified into one of several object spectrum models differing in size or hardness, and the classified object spectrum model is displayed on a map with a color or shape that corresponds one-to-one to the classified object spectrum model, creating a map display tailored to the detection surface.By detecting signals by overlapping each of the multiple receivers arranged two-dimensionally with adjacent receivers, the general shape and thickness (depth) of the foreign object can be clearly recognized.

Claims

1. A system for evaluating biological functional tissue around a specified joint of a living organism, comprising: a vibrator that applies a constant vibration to the "motor function tissue," which is biological tissue involved in the motor function around a joint of the living organism, by pressing it against the biological surface at a specified location; a measurement probe that applies a constant vibration to the motor function tissue and presses the probe surface against the biological surface near the biological surface at the specified location, thereby continuously measuring the propagation speed of mechanical vibration waves traveling through the motor function tissue at a specified depth from the biological surface by probe-type ultrasonic transmission and reception; a visualization device that visualizes, stores, outputs, and displays the shear wave data from the measuring instrument; and a processing device that continuously stores images of the visualized shear wave data and compares multiple saved images of hardness information for multiple types of motor function tissue specified around a specified joint in the same or similar living organism to quantify the amount of change.

2. An evaluation system that measures a specific motor function tissue from among muscles, tendons, and ligaments among biological tissues around a specific joint of a specific living organism, and outputs an evaluation result of the motor function of the living organism through measuring the hardness of the measurement target tissue and quantifying and visualizing the measurement data, The processing device specifies one or more points among the corners or centers of the outer edge of a skeletal muscle or bone in a predetermined joint to which a measurement target tissue is connected as joint specific points, and stores the image data obtained by the visualization process in a state where the image data is superimposed on the joint specific points, and uses the joint specific points as reference points when comparing multiple images. The system for evaluating functional tissue of a living body around a predetermined joint of a living body according to claim 1.

3. The motor function tissues at predetermined locations of a specific living body before and after exercise are defined as a first evaluation target tissue and a second evaluation target tissue, respectively; 2. The evaluation system for biological functional tissue around a specified joint of a living body as described in claim 1, wherein the vibration by the vibrator and the propagation velocity of the mechanical vibration wave by the measurement probe are measured, and the shear wave data of the first evaluation target tissue and the second evaluation target tissue are saved as first image data and second image data, respectively, and the first image data and the second image data are compared to analyze the differences in the shape and hardness of the motor function tissue based on one or more points that are the outline of the shape of a skeletal muscle or bone at the end or distal end of the motor function tissue in a specific direction and have a shape element common to each image data, and the joint specific point is used as a reference point.

4. For each piece of video data at different times, Identifying biological tissue information around one joint and a joint specific point that identifies a characteristic part of the shape of each biological tissue information; The identified specific joint point is used as a key point common to each piece of video data, and the coordinates around the key point, the position change information of the bone before and after movement, and the elasticity information or elasticity change information of the specific motor function tissue included in the biological tissue information are indexed, Comparing comparable video data from video data at different times, The evaluation system for biological functional tissues around a specified joint of a living body as described in claim 1, characterized in that the comparison results of indices of elasticity information or elasticity change information, based on the base position of each biological tissue around a joint, are displayed along with a comparison of continuous images.

5. Before and after exercise, before and after applying load or changing posture, the video data of the motor function tissue around the joint at a specific location is saved together with the acquired time data and the input code data. The processing device 2. The evaluation system according to claim 1, which compares video data before and after exercise, and before and after applying load or changing posture, to obtain information on changes in elasticity at each location around a specific joint, thereby evaluating through video analysis which part of the motor function tissues, among the muscles, tendons, and ligaments around a joint, is suffering from damage or high load.

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