Dynamic X-Ray Elastography for Quantitative Tissue Stiffness Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing X-ray elastography techniques lack the capability to provide quantitative elasticity information, limiting their effectiveness in clinical applications where X-ray imaging is required.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic X-ray elastography method and apparatus that synchronizes X-ray pulses with shear waves generated in tissue, using a pulsed X-ray source to produce both absorption and mechanical property images, enabling the generation of two-dimensional stiffness maps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If static elastography using X-ray imaging is used, then X-ray imaging capability is provided, but quantitative elasticity information cannot be obtained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms static elastography into dynamic elastography by introducing time-varying mechanical deformation through vibration. The system applies dynamic shear waves to the tissue and uses pulsed X-ray imaging to capture the dynamic deformation process, enabling quantitative elasticity measurement while maintaining X-ray imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic vibration to generate shear waves that propagate through the tissue. By applying sinusoidal vibration at specific frequencies, the system creates repeatable deformation patterns that can be captured by synchronized pulsed X-ray imaging, allowing for quantitative analysis of tissue elasticity
2Measurement precision
If dynamic elastography with continuous imaging is used, then quantitative elasticity information can be obtained, but radiation dose increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic vibration to generate shear waves and synchronizes pulsed X-ray imaging with the vibration cycle. By capturing images only at specific phases of the vibration cycle rather than continuously, the system obtains sufficient data for quantitative elasticity analysis while significantly reducing the total radiation dose compared to continuous imaging
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous vibration to generate persistent shear waves in the tissue, while using intermittent pulsed imaging to capture the deformation. This approach ensures the mechanical measurement process continues uninterrupted while minimizing radiation exposure by using brief imaging pulses only when needed
3Loss of information
If conventional X-ray imaging is used, then anatomical structure is visualized, but mechanical properties of tissue cannot be assessed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conventional X-ray imaging with elastography by integrating a vibration source that generates shear waves into the X-ray system. The pulsed X-ray source captures both the anatomical structure and the dynamic deformation caused by shear waves, allowing simultaneous acquisition of structural and mechanical property information from a single integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the X-ray imaging system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both conventional anatomical imaging and dynamic elastography. The same pulsed X-ray source and detector used for structural imaging are also used to capture deformation patterns, allowing the system to provide both anatomical visualization and mechanical property assessment
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 the acquisition of quantitative tissue stiffness maps, providing superior discrimination of cancerous lesions from healthy tissue with reduced radiation dose and improved spatial resolution.
Implementation Method 1
Dynamic elastography uses shear wave propagation to map both stress and strain in the tissue in response to dynamic mechanical deformation
Implementation Method 2
generating X-rays from an X-ray source and directing the X-rays toward the region of interest of the subject
Implementation Method 3
detecting X-rays using an X-ray detector and generating X-ray images of the region of interest
Implementation Method 4
a quantitative elasticity map is generated by inferring the spatial and temporal variation in the tissue displacement from the velocity of the propagating shear wave
Data Source
AI summary
X-ray absorption of breast cancers and surrounding healthy tissue can be very similar, a situation that sometimes leads to missed cancers or false-positive diagnoses. To increase the accuracy of tomosynthesis and cancer diagnosis, dynamic X-ray elastography using a novel pulsed X-ray source synchronized to shear waves generated in a sample is described in the present disclosure. This imaging modality provides both absorption and mechanical properties of the imaged sample. A vibration source is used to vibrate the sample while a synchronously pulsed cold cathode X-ray source images the mechanical deformation. The generated stroboscopic images are further used to derive stiffness maps of the sample in addition to the conventional X-ray image.