Shear Wave Elastography Probe Tracking for Anisotropic Tissue Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound systems face challenges in accurately imaging anisotropic tissues due to difficulties in controlling and recording the orientation of the probe with respect to the tissue, which affects the precision of mechanical property measurements.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging system equipped with a position tracking system and processor that tracks the probe's position relative to the tissue, providing visual indicators to align the imaging plane with target planes, and dynamically updates the display to guide precise probe placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the probe orientation is manually controlled during imaging, then the operator has flexibility in positioning, but the precision of probe orientation control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates a position tracking system that continuously monitors probe position and orientation, providing real-time feedback through visual indicators on the display. This feedback loop enables the operator to make precise adjustments while maintaining operational flexibility, resolving the contradiction between manual control flexibility and orientation precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical orientation control with an automated optical tracking system that uses cameras and markers to detect probe position. This substitution maintains operator flexibility in positioning while achieving precise orientation measurement through electronic detection rather than manual estimation.
2Reliability
If multiple imaging angles are used to characterize anisotropic tissue, then the completeness of tissue property characterization improves, but the complexity of the imaging procedure increases
Solution Approach 1:
The position tracking system serves multiple functions: it tracks probe position, calculates imaging angles, provides visual alignment guidance, and records orientation data. This multi-functionality allows comprehensive multi-angle imaging without proportionally increasing system complexity, as a single tracking system performs all necessary tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically calculates imaging angles and generates visual indicators based on tracked probe position, eliminating the need for manual angle measurement and calculation by the operator. This self-service capability simplifies the imaging procedure while enabling comprehensive multi-angle data collection.
3Ease of operation
If visual indicators are dynamically updated to guide probe alignment, then the ease of probe positioning improves, but the processing load on the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicators are updated at discrete intervals based on probe position changes rather than continuously, reducing processing load while maintaining effective guidance. The system calculates new indicators only when the probe position changes significantly, balancing ease of alignment with energy efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes ultrasound systems and methods for imaging anisotropic tissue with shear wave elastography at a variety of angles with respect to the tissue. An example ultrasound imaging system includes a probe coupled to a position tracking system for tracking a position of the probe with respect to a subject, and a processor in communication with the probe. The processor may receive position tracking data from the position tracking system. The processor may define at least one target plane in anisotropic tissue, determine a difference between a current position of the probe and the position of the target plane, and provide a visual indicator of the difference, wherein the processor dynamically updates the visual indicator responsive to a change in the position of the imaging plane with respect to the target plane.