Ultrasound Elastography Apparatus Shear Wave Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The free-hand elastography method in ultrasound diagnostics faces challenges in applying consistent pressure, leading to inaccuracies in elastography images due to uneven pressure distribution, which affects the diagnosis of tumors and other tissue abnormalities.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound apparatus and method that allows users to adjust the transmission position of the ultrasound signal based on user input or region of interest (ROI), providing accurate elastography images by indicating the transmission position and focal depth, and guiding the movement of the probe to optimize shear wave generation and image accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the free-hand elastography method is used, then the operation is simple, but the pressure application is uneven leading to measurement inaccuracies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical pressure application method with an automated ultrasound-based pushing mechanism. The ultrasound pushing beam generates acoustic radiation force to apply controlled mechanical stress to the tissue, eliminating the need for manual probe pressure while maintaining operational simplicity. This substitution resolves the contradiction by providing both automated precise force application and ease of use through software control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of force application by using ultrasound intensity and duration as controllable parameters instead of manual pressure. The system allows adjustment of pushing beam intensity, focal depth, and application duration through software, enabling precise control over the mechanical stress applied to tissue. This parameter-based control achieves measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through digital interfaces.
2Ease of operation
If the transmission position of ultrasound signal is not adjusted, then the operation is simple, but the elastography image accuracy is reduced due to uneven pressure distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the ultrasound transmission position and focal depth based on real-time imaging feedback. The system automatically or manually adjusts the pushing beam parameters to optimize shear wave generation at different tissue depths and locations. This dynamic adaptability ensures accurate elasticity measurement across varying tissue conditions while maintaining ease of operation through automated positioning algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the elastography image quality and shear wave propagation characteristics are monitored in real-time. The system uses this feedback to automatically adjust the transmission position, focal depth, and pushing intensity to optimize measurement accuracy. This closed-loop control resolves the contradiction by maintaining high precision through continuous adjustment while keeping the operation simple through automated feedback-driven optimization.
3Device complexity
If manual pressure application is used, then the device complexity is low, but the reliability of elastography measurement is reduced due to inconsistent pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical pressure application system with an ultrasound-based acoustic radiation force system. This substitution increases device complexity by requiring ultrasound pushing capability but dramatically improves reliability by providing consistent, controllable, and repeatable force application through acoustic fields. The automated nature of ultrasound force generation eliminates human variability in pressure application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the mechanical pressure system into a parameter-controlled acoustic system where force magnitude, duration, and spatial distribution are precisely controlled through ultrasound parameters. This allows consistent and repeatable force application across multiple measurements and patients, significantly improving measurement reliability while the software-based control keeps the overall system design relatively simple.
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 enhances the accuracy of elastography images by allowing precise control over the ultrasound signal transmission, improving the detection of tissue abnormalities and reducing errors in elasticity value calculations, particularly in regions with varying tissue hardness like tumors and cysts.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a first ultrasound signal (a push beam) used to push the object
Implementation Method 2
obtain a tomography image of a soft tissue or an image of a blood flow by using information of an ultrasound signal reflected from an internal tissue of the human body
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
A method of providing an ultrasound elastography image that includes inducing a shear wave by transmitting a first ultrasound signal pushing an object to the object, transmitting a second ultrasound signal tracing the shear wave to the object to receive a response signal to the second ultrasound signal from the object; acquiring an elastography image of the object, based on the response signal, and providing the elastography image of the object and transmission position information of the first ultrasound signal.