Ultrasound Contrast Agent Matrix for Vascular Network Quantification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for diagnosing tumor malignancy, such as biopsies, are invasive and lack specificity, while non-invasive techniques like ultrasound struggle to provide reliable characterization of angiogenic microvasculature due to limitations in resolution and penetration depth.
Innovation Solution
The method involves injecting ultrasound contrast agents, specifically microbubbles, into a medium and using an ultrasound transducer array to transmit acoustic pulses and receive backscattered signals, extracting coherent and incoherent contributions to quantify vascular network properties like vessel density and anisotropy, enabling non-invasive assessment of tumor micro-architectural properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ultrasonic methods are used for cancer diagnosis, then the method is inexpensive and non-invasive, but the specificity is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ultrasound contrast agents (microbubbles) as intermediaries to enhance the interaction between ultrasound waves and vascular structures. These microbubbles serve as mediators that amplify the backscattered signals from blood vessels, enabling conventional ultrasound to detect microvascular architecture with high specificity while maintaining its non-invasive advantage
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the ultrasound system by using contrast agents that alter the acoustic impedance and scattering properties of blood vessels. This parameter change enables the ultrasound to resolve microvascular structures at the micrometer scale, transforming conventional ultrasound from a low-specificity method to a high-resolution microvascular imaging technique
2Measurement precision
If micro-CT scanning is used to visualize microvasculature, then high resolution is achieved, but exposure to high intensity X-ray radiation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the X-ray radiation-based micro-CT imaging system with an acoustic-based ultrasound system. By using mechanical sound waves instead of ionizing radiation, the patent achieves microvascular visualization without exposing patients to harmful X-rays, while maintaining the ability to resolve fine vascular structures through the use of contrast agents
3Measurement precision
If optical coherence tomography is used to visualize vasculature, then very good spatial resolution is achieved, but penetration depth is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses acoustic waves (sound pressure waves) instead of optical waves to image vasculature. Acoustic waves have much longer wavelengths and can penetrate deeper into biological tissues compared to light. By using ultrasound contrast agents to enhance the acoustic scattering from blood vessels, the patent achieves both deep penetration and adequate spatial resolution
4Productivity
If advanced optical coherence tomography technologies are used, then acquisition speed is increased, but penetration depth remains limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces optical-based imaging systems with an acoustic-based ultrasound system. Ultrasound waves inherently penetrate deeper into tissues than light waves, and when combined with contrast agents that enhance backscattering, the system achieves both deep penetration and fast real-time imaging capabilities
5Measurement precision
If micro-MRI imaging is used for high resolution imaging of vasculature, then imaging capability is improved, but data acquisition speed is very slow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces MRI imaging with ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound provides real-time or near-real-time imaging at frame rates suitable for dynamic vascular studies, whereas MRI acquisition is inherently slow. The use of contrast agents compensates for the lower intrinsic resolution of ultrasound, enabling fast vascular imaging without sacrificing necessary detail
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 allows for non-invasive, high-resolution quantification of vascular network properties, improving the specificity of tumor diagnosis and monitoring treatment responses without the need for ionizing radiation, offering a faster alternative to existing imaging techniques.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a plurality of acoustic pulses into the medium using an ultrasound transducer array
Implementation Method 2
receiving a plurality of backscattered signals with the ultrasound transducer array in response to each respective acoustic pulse
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for measuring micro-architectural properties of vascular networks are described herein. An example method can include injecting an ultrasound contrast agent into a medium, and transmitting a plurality of acoustic pulses into the medium using a ultrasound transducer array. Each respective acoustic pulse can be transmitted from one or more elements of the ultrasound transducer array. The method can also include receiving a plurality of backscattered signals with the ultrasound transducer array in response to each respective acoustic pulse, and obtaining a response matrix including the backscattered signals. The method can further include extracting a coherent or incoherent contribution to the backscattered signals from the response matrix, and quantifying a property of a vascular network based on the coherent or incoherent contribution to the backscattered signals.