Constructive Shear Wave Ultrasound Imaging for Reduced Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shear wave ultrasound imaging techniques require significant signal processing overhead to calculate shear wave arrival times and estimate shear wave speeds, limiting their efficiency in determining mechanical properties of samples.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating two or more shear waves at equidistant positions and using tracking pulses to determine mechanical parameters based on constructive shear wave displacement, which increases tissue displacement and improves signal-to-noise ratio by analyzing echo signals at a tracking position between the excitation positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional shear wave arrival time estimation methods are used, then shear wave speed can be calculated, but significant signal processing overhead is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from shear wave speed (requiring arrival time estimation) to direct displacement measurement at constructive interference points. By measuring displacement amplitude and phase at specifically chosen locations where waves constructively interfere, the system obtains mechanical property information without needing to estimate arrival times or calculate wave speeds, thereby reducing signal processing complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the necessary information (displacement amplitude and phase at constructive interference points) rather than processing the complete shear wave signal. By focusing measurements at specific spatial locations and time points where constructive interference occurs, the system eliminates the need for complex arrival time estimation algorithms while retaining the ability to determine mechanical properties
2Reliability
If multiple shear wave sources are used to reduce estimation variance, then unique shear wave morphology is created, but tracking and correlation processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process by identifying specific spatial locations (constructive interference points) where multiple shear waves converge. Instead of tracking the entire complex wavefield from multiple sources, the system focuses measurements at discrete points where the waves constructively interfere, simplifying the tracking process while maintaining the reliability benefits of multiple sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses constructive interference points as intermediaries that naturally combine the effects of multiple shear wave sources. These points act as mediators where the complex interaction of multiple waves is transformed into simple, measurable displacement amplitudes and phases, eliminating the need for complex correlation processing to separate and track individual wave contributions
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
This approach enhances the accuracy and efficiency of determining mechanical parameters such as shear elasticity modulus and shear wave velocity by optimizing the arrival times of shear waves at the tracking position, reducing the signal processing overhead and improving imaging quality.
Implementation Method 1
Acoustic Radiation Force (ARF) shear wave elasticity imaging methods typically use a transverse propagation velocity of mechanical shear waves in materials to estimate mechanical properties of a sample
Implementation Method 2
transmitting tracking pulses in the target region at a tracking position that is between the first and second excitation positions; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region using constructive shear wave displacement is provided. The method includes generating a first shear wave in the target region at a first excitation position and a second shear wave in the target region at a second excitation position; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region at a tracking position that is between the first and second excitation positions; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses at the tracking position in the target region; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on at least one parameter of a constructive shear wave displacement from the first and second shear waves simultaneously displacing tissue at the tracking position.