Fibrous Media Mapping via Spatial Coherence Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging by diffusion tensor, are inadequate for quickly and accurately mapping the structure and fiber orientation in complex biological tissues like myocardial, muscle, and brain tissues, especially for imaging moving organs like the heart and young children.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a set of transducers that emit unfocused ultrasonic waves with different wavefronts, synthesizing coherent data at fictitious focal points, and analyzing spatial coherence to determine fiber orientation, allowing for rapid mapping of biological tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If magnetic resonance imaging by diffusion tensor is used to map fiber orientation in biological tissues, then measurement precision of fiber orientation is improved, but productivity is worsened due to the very slow imaging speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the magnetic resonance imaging system with an ultrasonic system that uses acoustic waves to probe tissue microstructure. The ultrasonic transducers emit waves that interact with fibrous structures, and the backscattered signals are analyzed to determine fiber orientation, achieving rapid imaging without sacrificing measurement precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for imaging from magnetic resonance properties to ultrasonic acoustic properties. By analyzing the spatial coherence of ultrasonic backscattered signals rather than diffusion tensor data, the system achieves fast imaging speeds while maintaining the ability to precisely map fiber orientation through coherence function analysis
2Measurement precision
If magnetic resonance imaging is used for imaging moving organs like the heart, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity is worsened because the technique is too slow for moving organs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic emission of ultrasonic waves from multiple transducers at different positions. The systematic periodic scanning allows the system to capture tissue structure information rapidly, enabling imaging of moving organs like the heart while maintaining precise measurement of fiber orientation through coherent signal processing
3Productivity
If conventional ultrasound imaging is used, then productivity is improved due to fast imaging speed, but measurement precision is worsened because fiber orientation information is not visible in standard ultrasound images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces spatial coherence analysis as an intermediary processing step between ultrasonic signal acquisition and fiber orientation determination. The coherence function acts as a mediator that extracts orientation information from the backscattered signals, enabling precise fiber mapping while maintaining the fast imaging speed of conventional ultrasound through efficient signal processing
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 quick and effective mapping of biological tissues, revealing fiber orientation and tissue microstructure not visible in standard ultrasound images, suitable for imaging complex tissues like myocardium, muscles, and brains.
Implementation Method 1
a number N of unfocused incident ultrasonic waves (meaning not focused in the field of view) l having different wavefronts
Implementation Method 2
respective signals RFraw,ij(t) representative of ultrasonic waves reverberated by the medium are captured by the transducers Tij
Implementation Method 3
a function of the spatial coherence between signals captured by the transducers after reverberation of the transmitted ultrasonic wave is calculated
Data Source
AI summary
A method for mapping fibrous media by propagation of ultrasound from a set transducers, wherein: a number of unfocused incident ultrasonic waves having different wavefronts are emitted; the signals reverberated by the medium toward each transducer are captured; coherent signals respectively corresponding, for each transducer, to contributions coming from different fictitious focal points in the medium are determined; and then the orientation of the fibers is determined by comparing a spatial coherence between said coherent signals, in a plurality of directions.