Elastography Device Cardiac Synchronization Liver Stiffness
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current liver stiffness measurement techniques, such as VCTE, face variability in measurements due to factors other than measurement conditions, respiratory cycles, and liver movements, which can lead to inaccurate assessments.
Innovation Solution
An elastography device that synchronizes measurements with cardiac activity by detecting events in cardiac signals, such as peaks, to determine mechanical properties like liver stiffness at specific times during the cardiac cycle, reducing variability and improving accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple measurements of liver stiffness are collected at different timepoints and averaged, then a representative liver stiffness value is provided, but large variability in measurements occurs due to factors not related to measurement conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by synchronizing liver stiffness measurements with specific phases of the cardiac cycle (e.g., end-expiration, end-diastole). Instead of taking measurements at random or arbitrary timepoints, the system periodically triggers measurements at consistent cardiac phases across multiple cardiac cycles. This ensures that measurements are taken under comparable physiological conditions, reducing variability caused by cardiac-induced liver movement and improving both measurement precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs feedback mechanisms by using cardiac signal detection (ECG, pulse wave, or respiratory signal) to trigger measurements. The system continuously monitors the cardiac signal, detects specific events (such as R-waves or pulse wave peaks), and uses this feedback information to synchronize the timing of liver stiffness measurements. This closed-loop approach ensures measurements are consistently taken at the optimal phase of the cardiac cycle, minimizing physiological variability.
2Productivity
If measurements are triggered manually by the operator at respective times, then several measurements can be obtained, but the variability in measurements remains quite large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the measurement system to automatically trigger and synchronize measurements without requiring manual operator intervention for timing. The cardiac signal detection system automatically identifies appropriate trigger points (such as R-waves or pulse wave peaks), and the measurement device autonomously initiates stiffness measurements at these synchronized timepoints. This eliminates human error in timing and ensures consistent cardiac-phase alignment across all measurements, improving precision while maintaining productivity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the subject's respiratory cycle and liver movements are considered as sources of variability, then measurement conditions can be controlled, but other factors causing variability are not addressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary approach by using cardiac signals (ECG, pulse wave) as a mediator to synchronize measurements with the cardiac cycle. Rather than attempting to directly control or measure all sources of liver movement (including respiratory effects), the system uses the cardiac signal as an intermediate reference that indirectly accounts for physiological variations. This mediator enables consistent measurement timing relative to cardiac events, improving reliability without requiring complex control of all physiological parameters.
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 more precise and accurate determination of liver stiffness by accounting for its variation over time, providing a more reliable indicator of liver health.
Implementation Method 1
The mechanical pulse delivered by the probe's tip generates both a shear wave and of a compression wave. In other words, the elastic waves mentioned above combine a shear wave and a compression wave.
Implementation Method 2
The mechanical pulse delivered by the probe's tip generates both a shear wave and of a compression wave. These two waves have very different propagation speeds
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to an elastography device comprising an electronic unit adapted to determine a plurality of measurements of a mechanical property of a region of a body of a subject, the electronic unit being further adapted to receive a cardiac signal relative to a cardiac activity of the subject, wherein at least one measurement of the mechanical property among the plurality of measurements of the mechanical property is determined upon detection of an event relative to the cardiac signal.