Corneal Ultrasound Speckle Tracking for Early Stiffness Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ophthalmological techniques lack effective methods to utilize ultrasound imaging for quantifying biomechanical attributes of the cornea and anterior sclera, particularly for diagnosing conditions like keratoconus, which is difficult to diagnose due to the time required for symptoms to meet diagnostic standards.
Innovation Solution
A computerized ultrasound imaging system is used to acquire ultrasound images, track speckle patterns, and quantify tissue displacements to create stiffness maps and strain plots, correlating these with intraocular pressure changes to identify tissue weaknesses and disease severity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ophthalmological techniques are used for diagnosing keratoconus, then diagnostic accuracy can be achieved, but the time required for diagnosis is excessive and symptoms must meet strict diagnostic standards before intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical measurement systems with ultrasound elastography technology. The ultrasound system uses acoustic waves to measure corneal biomechanical properties, specifically storage modulus values, which provides a different physical basis for diagnosis. This substitution enables earlier detection before strict diagnostic standards are met, as the technique can quantify biomechanical changes continuously over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the diagnostic parameter from traditional structural measurements to biomechanical properties (storage modulus). By measuring the cornea's mechanical response to deformation rather than just its structural shape, the system can detect early keratoconus changes that occur before structural abnormalities become severe enough to meet conventional diagnostic criteria, thus reducing the time to diagnosis.
2Loss of time
If ultrasound imaging is used to quantify biomechanical attributes, then early detection of eye diseases is enabled, but the technology and methodology are complex and require specialized equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies ultrasound elastography technology that can be integrated into existing ophthalmological practice. The system uses standard ultrasound equipment with additional software capabilities for biomechanical analysis, making it adaptable to current clinical settings rather than requiring entirely new specialized equipment. This multi-functionality approach enables early detection while managing device complexity through integration with existing infrastructure.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative biomechanical evaluation is performed, then spatially resolved stiffness maps can be generated to identify weakest regions, but the measurement and processing requirements are demanding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cornea into multiple regions of interest, generating spatially resolved stiffness maps that identify specific weakest regions. By dividing the corneal surface into discrete areas and analyzing each region's biomechanical properties independently, the system achieves precise localization of weakness without requiring analysis of the entire cornea as a single unit, thus managing processing complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
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 method enables early detection and grading of eye diseases by providing quantitative and spatially resolved biomechanical evaluations of the cornea, allowing for timely intervention and treatment monitoring.
Implementation Method 1
acquire a plurality of ultrasound images of the eye
Implementation Method 2
acquire radiofrequency data of the ultrasound images of the eye
Implementation Method 3
apply ultrasound speckle tracking to the radiofrequency data; identify tissue displacements corresponding to a change in intraocular pressure
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasound images of a patient's cornea or sclera include speckles that can be tracked between frames to measure tissue displacement, such as during a heartbeat that changes intraocular pressure. Speckle tracking techniques and noise reduction filters allow for the strain within the tissue to be calculated and compared to known thresholds to determine stiffness. These measures will be used to diagnose keratoconus and other ophthalmology disorders at an early stage, as an abnormally low stiffness or heterogeneity in stiffness will indicate high risk for progression of certain diseases.