Compound Elastography Calibration for Large-Area Shear Modulus Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastography methods, such as quasi-static and shear-wave elastography, face limitations in large imaging areas, low frame rates, and reliance on operator experience, leading to inconsistent and less accurate tissue modulus measurements.
Innovation Solution
A compound method combining shear-wave and quasi-static elastography, utilizing pre-scanning for benchmarking, real-time scanning with fixed frequency compression, and electric propulsion for probe control, to achieve accurate and efficient large region imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If point shear-wave elastography (pSWE) is used to obtain reliable shear modulus measurements, then measurement precision is improved, but the measurable area is very small which limits clinical diagnosis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the target region into multiple sub-regions and performs point shear-wave elastography measurements at different locations. By dividing the large area into smaller measurable segments and combining the results, the system achieves both high measurement precision in each sub-region and comprehensive coverage of the entire target area.
2Area of stationary object
If 2D shear-wave elastography is used to achieve large imaging area, then the measurable area is improved, but the high number of excitations and hardware constraints result in slow imaging speed and low frame rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 2D imaging area into multiple 1D scan lines and acquires data sequentially along each line. This segmentation approach reduces the hardware constraints and excitation requirements compared to full 2D SWE, enabling faster imaging while maintaining large area coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic compression excitation with fixed frequency to generate shear waves. By applying rhythmic, periodic mechanical excitation during the blank time period, the system efficiently generates shear waves that propagate through the tissue, enabling rapid data acquisition across the imaging area.
3Area of stationary object
If quasi-static elastography is used to obtain elastic modulus information, then the imaging area is improved, but the results are relative values that cannot qualitatively calculate the elastic modulus and are greatly affected by operator experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the accurate shear modulus measurements from point shear-wave elastography as an intermediary reference standard. This intermediary provides absolute calibration values that convert the relative elastic modulus measurements from quasi-static elastography into accurate quantitative values, eliminating operator experience dependence.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the shear modulus measurements from SWE are used to calibrate and correct the quasi-static elastography results. The system continuously refines the elastic modulus calculations by comparing against the SWE reference values, improving measurement accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If compound imaging combining SWE and QSE is performed, then accurate shear modulus measurement is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two elastography methods (SWE and QSE) into a unified compound imaging system. By combining the absolute measurement capability of SWE with the large area coverage of QSE, the system achieves accurate quantitative elastic modulus mapping across the entire imaging area. The method integrates data from both techniques through a unified calibration and correction framework.
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 large region imaging with high frame rates and accurate shear modulus measurement, reducing operator dependence and improving diagnostic efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
using an electric propulsion device to drive the probe back and forth when performing quasi-static imaging in steps S01 and S02, so as to apply a compression force with a fixed frequency to the exam part from the probe
Implementation Method 2
Transmitting shear waves from the probe to perform point shear-wave elastography during the blank time period, so as to obtain real-time relative values of elasticity of a large region tissue and shear modulus of a small region tissue of the exam part respectively
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a compound method of shear-wave elastography (SWE) and quasi-static elastography (QSE). The method includes: firstly, pre-scanning is carried out on a target region to obtain a rough comparison relation curve, then real-time scanning is carried out. The rough comparison relation curve is optimized and corrected to obtain an accurate comparison relation curve. Finally, the real-time shear modulus of a large area is calculated according to the real-time elastic relative value of the large area, so that accurate real-time elastography is realized.