Breast Hardness Deriving Device Using Multi-Pressure Ultrasound Imaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound imaging technologies for breast tissue elastography are inconsistent due to variations in operator pressure, making it difficult to achieve consistent measurement of breast tissue hardness.

Innovation Solution

A hardness deriving device and method that acquires multiple ultrasound images of the breast at different pressures, analyzing pixel changes to derive tissue hardness, and displays elastographic images with color-coded hardness information, allowing for consistent measurement and alerting for tissues exceeding a threshold hardness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual pressing by operator is used for elastography, then operator can control the pressing process, but the degree of pressing varies according to operator skill leading to inconsistent detection results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperator controlVSAvoidbreast hardness detection consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical pressing by the operator with an automated pressing mechanism that applies uniform pressure through a paddle. The pressing force is controlled by a pressing force generation unit that can apply predetermined pressures automatically, eliminating variability introduced by different operators' skills and techniques.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the pressing parameter from variable manual pressure to controlled, quantifiable pressure levels. By using multiple predetermined pressing forces and automatically controlling the pressing depth and duration, the system standardizes the mechanical input parameter to achieve consistent elastography measurements across different operators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If uniform pressing is applied to enable consistent elastography measurement, then measurement consistency improves, but the ability to detect relative hardness variations may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelastography measurement consistencyVSAvoidrelative hardness detection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the elastography measurement process into multiple discrete pressure levels. By acquiring ultrasound images at different predetermined pressing forces (first pressing force, second pressing force, etc.), the system creates multiple measurement datasets that can be analyzed to detect both absolute hardness and relative hardness variations in breast tissue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds the dimension of multiple pressure levels to the elastography measurement. Instead of single-pressure elastography, the apparatus performs multi-pressure elastography where images are acquired at different pressing depths and forces, enabling the detection of hardness variations through comparative analysis across pressure dimensions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If multiple ultrasound images are acquired at different pressures, then tissue hardness can be consistently measured, but imaging time and process complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast tissue hardness measurementVSAvoidimaging time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing mechanism operates periodically with predetermined cycles, applying different pressing forces in a systematic sequence. The pressing force generation unit automatically transitions between different pressure levels and maintains each pressure for a predetermined time to acquire the necessary ultrasound images, optimizing the timing and reducing total imaging duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary positioning and setup of the pressing mechanism before image acquisition begins. The pressing paddle is pre-positioned and the pressing force parameters are predetermined, allowing the multi-pressure elastography sequence to execute efficiently without requiring adjustments or delays during the actual imaging process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables consistent and accurate measurement of breast tissue hardness, reducing variability caused by operator skill and pressure, and provides visual alerts for potentially malignant tissues.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasound imaging device that performs ultrasound imaging of a breast by scanning the breast with ultrasound waves

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Data Source

PatentUS11129594B2Hardness deriving device, medical imaging system, hardness deriving method and hardness deriving program storage medium

Publication Date: 2021.09.28 FUJIFILM CORP

AI summary

A hardness deriving device includes: an acquisition section configured to acquire plural ultrasound images obtained by ultrasound imaging a breast in a state in which the breast is pressed by a pressing member at a plurality of different pressures; and a deriving section configured to find an amount of change at corresponding points between the plural ultrasound images acquired by the acquisition section, and to derive information indicating a hardness of tissue of the breast based on the amount of change at the corresponding points.