Deformable Tube Ultrasonic Transducer Positioning for Small Tissue Elastography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for measuring viscoelastic properties of small biological tissues face challenges such as tissue compression, difficulty in maintaining optimal positioning, and overestimation of measurements due to manual handling and size limitations, particularly in small organs like the mouse liver.
Innovation Solution
A device with a deformable tube to hold and position the ultrasonic transducer perpendicularly and in contact with the tissue, allowing precise measurement of viscoelastic properties, including a support system, spring system, and synchronization with biological frequencies to minimize compression and ensure accurate data collection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a probe with ultrasonic transducer is manually positioned to measure viscoelastic properties, then the device can measure large organs, but the positioning becomes imprecise and compression occurs on small organs
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable tube is introduced as an intermediary component between the rigid support and the tissue surface. This tube can adapt its shape to conform to small organ surfaces while maintaining the rigid support's structural benefits, thereby eliminating direct contact between the rigid probe and the delicate tissue, and preventing compression artifacts.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe design transitions from a completely rigid structure to a hybrid structure with a deformable tube that can dynamically adapt its configuration. The tube's ability to deform allows the probe to maintain optimal contact with organs of varying sizes and shapes, improving positioning precision without sacrificing the stability provided by the rigid support.
2Ease of operation
If the user manually holds the probe to ensure contact and perpendicularity, then measurements can be taken, but contact variations distort measurements and reduce repeatability
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable tube provides self-adjusting contact with the tissue surface through its inherent elasticity and deformability. Once positioned, the tube maintains consistent contact and perpendicularity automatically, eliminating the need for continuous manual adjustment and ensuring repeatable measurements without user intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe design changes the physical state of the contact interface from rigid to deformable. This parameter change allows the contact interface to adapt to surface variations while maintaining consistent acoustic coupling, thereby improving measurement reliability without compromising ease of operation.
3Volume of moving object
If the ultrasonic transducer is positioned close to the vibration source, then the setup is compact, but diffraction causes overestimation of elasticity measurements
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable tube serves as a spatial intermediary that separates the vibration source from the ultrasonic transducer while maintaining a compact overall device volume. This intermediate structure allows for sufficient spacing between components to avoid diffraction effects, yet keeps the device portable and manageable.
4Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid support structure is used to hold the transducer, then positioning stability is achieved, but adaptation to small organ surfaces is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into two distinct functional components: a rigid support structure for stability and a deformable tube for surface adaptation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function optimally - the rigid part provides structural stability while the deformable part conforms to organ surfaces of any size or shape.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe employs a composite structure combining rigid and deformable materials. This composite design integrates the advantages of both material types - the rigidity needed for stable positioning and the flexibility required for surface adaptation - into a single functional unit.
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 precise and non-invasive measurement of viscoelastic properties in small tissues by maintaining consistent contact and perpendicularity, reducing measurement variability and overcoming size limitations, while being easy to use and cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration generator 2 generating a low-frequency elastic wave in a tissue, for example by vibration
Implementation Method 2
analyzing the propagation of this low-frequency elastic wave by means of high-frequency ultrasonic waves emitted and received by an ultrasonic transducer 4
Implementation Method 3
said device includes a spring system for applying an elastic force on at least one element of the articulated tube
Data Source
AI summary
An elastography device for quantitatively and/or qualitatively measuring the viscoelastic properties of any medium, includes a deformable tube for positioning the ultrasonic transducer located at the end of the deformable tube and for holding it so as to ensure, during at least one measurement, perpendicularity and contact between the ultrasonic transducer and the medium.