Cardiac Motion Analysis Using Speckle Tracking and Confidence Metrics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for quantitative analysis of cardiac motion, such as speckle tracking in echocardiography, face challenges in accuracy due to imaging conditions like acoustic windows, noise, and artifacts, leading to unreliable motion parameters.
Innovation Solution
A method and ultrasonic system that performs motion tracking on speckles within a region of interest to obtain torsion parameters and reliability of these parameters, using a processor to determine speckles, track motion, and display results visually through curve graphs and structure icons, providing a comprehensive evaluation of cardiac motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If speckle tracking is used to obtain two-dimensional velocity information, then measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to noise and artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cardiac tissue analysis into multiple discrete speckle tracking points distributed across the region of interest. By dividing the continuous tissue into discrete tracking locations, the system can independently analyze motion at each point and aggregate results to improve overall measurement precision while maintaining comprehensive measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs tracking on multiple speckles within the region of interest, using more tracking points than the minimum single point would provide. This excessive action of tracking numerous speckles allows statistical aggregation and filtering of noise, thereby improving measurement precision while maintaining the ability to measure complex two-dimensional velocity fields.
2Reliability
If motion tracking is performed on multiple speckles, then reliability of motion parameters is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal processing framework that handles multiple speckle tracking points through the same algorithmic steps: determining speckle positions, calculating displacements, and computing motion parameters. This multi-functional approach processes numerous speckles using consistent methods, improving reliability through data aggregation while avoiding the need for separate complex processing paths for each speckle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses identical processing algorithms copied and applied to each speckle within the region of interest. By replicating the same tracking and analysis routine across multiple speckles, the system improves parameter reliability through multiple measurements while maintaining manageable complexity through algorithmic reuse rather than developing unique processing logic for each point.
3Loss of information
If quantitative analysis is performed on cardiac motion, then diagnostic value is improved, but loss of information increases due to unreliable parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where motion parameters are calculated from multiple speckle tracking results, and the reliability of these parameters is assessed based on the consistency across different speckles. This feedback loop allows the system to identify and weight reliable measurements while filtering out noisy data, thereby reducing information loss while maintaining high diagnostic value through accurate quantitative analysis.
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
Enhances the accuracy and reliability of cardiac motion analysis, enabling more precise evaluation of cardiac function and aiding in early diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a target heart; receiving an ultrasonic echo returned from the target heart
Implementation Method 2
receiving an ultrasonic echo returned from the target heart; determining an ultrasound image of the target heart according to the ultrasonic echo
Implementation Method 3
performing motion tracking on the region of interest, so as to obtain a torsion parameter of the target heart; determining speckles in the region of interest; performing motion tracking on the speckles
Data Source
AI summary
A quantitative analysis method for cardiac motion, and an ultrasonic system, said method comprising: emitting an ultrasonic wave to a target heart; receiving an ultrasonic echo returned from the target heart; determining an ultrasonic image of the target heart according to the ultrasonic echo; acquiring an area of interest in the ultrasonic image; and tracking the motion of the area of interest, so as to acquire torsion parameters of the target heart and the confidence of the torsion parameters. The present invention performs quantitative analysis on the torsion motion of the heart, and also provides the confidence of the analysis result, that is, quantitative evaluation is also performed on the analysis result, assisting the physician in making a more accurate cardiac function evaluation.