Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound Quantification Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Doppler ultrasound methods fail to effectively visualize slow low-volume blood flow in capillaries and cannot demonstrate blood flow distribution and perfusion in vascular structures, limiting their ability to image blood flow direction and distribution in various vascular structures.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for contrast-enhanced ultrasound quantification imaging that processes time-dependent ultrasound signals by mapping increasing portions over a threshold and flattening non-increasing portions, generating a sequence of images that displays signal variations to visualize blood flow direction and distribution in vascular structures, including blood vessels of different sizes, and measures relative blood flow velocities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional Doppler ultrasound methods are used, then blood flow velocity can be measured, but slow low-volume blood flow in capillaries cannot be visualized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from velocity-based Doppler detection to contrast agent concentration-based backscatter signal detection. By using contrast-enhanced ultrasound with quantitative analysis of backscatter signal intensity variations over time, the system can detect slow low-volume blood flow in capillaries that is invisible to conventional Doppler methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces contrast agents as an intermediary substance to enhance the detectability of blood flow. The contrast agents accumulate in the bloodstream and provide strong acoustic backscatter signals, enabling visualization of slow low-volume blood flow through quantitative analysis of signal intensity variations rather than relying on velocity-based Doppler effects.
2Reliability
If conventional Doppler ultrasound is used, then moving blood cells can be detected, but blood flow distribution and perfusion in vascular structures cannot be demonstrated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional velocity measurement to two-dimensional spatial distribution mapping by analyzing backscatter signal intensity across multiple locations and time points. This enables visualization of blood flow distribution patterns and perfusion characteristics in vascular structures, providing comprehensive spatial information rather than just velocity data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical velocity-based Doppler detection system with an acoustic backscatter intensity-based detection system. By measuring the intensity of backscatter signals from contrast agents rather than frequency shifts from moving blood cells, the system can map blood flow distribution and perfusion in vascular structures.
3Illumination intensity
If contrast agents are used to enhance ultrasound images, then high-contrast images of blood flow can be achieved, but quantitative measurement of blood flow parameters is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements quantitative analysis by measuring backscatter signal intensity variations over time and using this feedback to calculate blood flow parameters. The system processes the temporal evolution of contrast agent concentration based on signal intensity changes, enabling derivation of quantitative blood flow parameters such as perfusion and flow distribution.
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
The method provides detailed visualization and measurement of blood flow direction and distribution, enabling improved diagnosis and treatment of vascular malformations by comparing generated images with baseline data to pinpoint areas of abnormality.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound transducer configured to emit and receive ultrasound waves reflected from a region of interest and generate ultrasound signals based on the received ultrasound waves
Implementation Method 2
In Doppler ultrasound, the blood flow may be displayed based on the frequency reflected from moving blood cells, which may correspond to the velocity in the fluid flow
Implementation Method 3
Many ultrasound imaging systems utilize injectable ultrasound contrast agents to achieve high-contrast images, which are desirable for visualizing blood flow in organic structures inside the bodies
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for contrast enhanced ultrasound quantification imaging are provided. One of the methods includes: obtaining, for each location in a region of interest, a time-dependent ultrasound signal with respect to the region of interest for a time period; determining, for the each location, a processed time-dependent ultrasound signal based at least on the obtained time-dependent ultrasound signal, wherein: the processed time-dependent ultrasound signal maps one or more portions of the obtained time-dependent ultrasound signal that each locally increase over a threshold, and the processed time-dependent ultrasound signal flattens one or more portions of the obtained time-dependent ultrasound signal that do not each locally increase over the threshold; and generating a sequence of images of the region of interest based at least on the processed time-dependent ultrasound signal of the each location, wherein the generated sequence of images displays signal variations of the processed time-dependent ultrasound signal in one or more structures in the region of interest to render the one or more structures.