Multi-Parametric Ultrasound Imaging for Prostate Biopsy Guidance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current medical imaging techniques, such as TRUS, face challenges in distinguishing malignant tissues from healthy tissues due to isoechoic issues and speckle/shadows, leading to high false negative rates in prostate cancer biopsies, and require multiple imaging modalities with complex registration processes that introduce logistical and alignment errors.
Innovation Solution
A multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) system that combines standard B-mode, elastography, Doppler, and perfusion imaging during a single procedure, using a positioning device to align and register multiple 2D images into a 3D volume, allowing for enhanced tissue contrast and real-time guidance for biopsy or therapy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple imaging modalities (MRI, CT) are combined with TRUS to improve tissue contrast, then diagnostic accuracy improves, but device complexity and registration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (TRUS, MRI, CT) into a unified multi-parametric ultrasound system that integrates different imaging techniques into a single coordinated procedure, eliminating the need for separate registration steps while maintaining enhanced tissue contrast and diagnostic accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a universal imaging platform that can perform multiple imaging functions (anatomical imaging, elastography, Doppler, perfusion) within a single procedure using a single probe system, reducing complexity while providing comprehensive diagnostic capabilities
2Reliability
If multiple imaging modalities are used to improve tissue contrast, then false negative rate decreases, but procedure time and logistics increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging modalities into a single integrated procedure where TRUS, MRI, and CT imaging are performed sequentially without requiring separate registration steps, reducing total procedure time while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic coverage and lowering false negative rates
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary imaging acquisitions in a standardized sequence during a single procedure, preparing all necessary image data beforehand to eliminate the need for time-consuming registration processes during the diagnostic workflow
3Ease of operation
If standard TRUS is used for biopsy guidance, then ease of operation is maintained, but tissue differentiation capability deteriorates due to isoechoic issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges standard TRUS with advanced imaging modalities (elastography, Doppler, perfusion imaging) into a unified system that maintains the ease of TRUS operation while adding enhanced tissue differentiation capabilities through complementary imaging parameters that can detect isoechoic malignancies
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes imaging parameters by acquiring multiple ultrasound images at different parametric settings (B-mode, elastography, Doppler, perfusion) to provide comprehensive tissue characterization that goes beyond standard echoic differentiation, enabling detection of malignancies that appear isoechoic in conventional TRUS
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
The mpUS system improves tissue contrast and reduces false negative rates by providing a comprehensive 3D image of prostate anatomy and physiology, enabling accurate targeting and potential reduction in treatment side effects by allowing for targeted focal therapy.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe is positioned proximate to a prostate of a patient. a first set of ultrasound images are acquired during a first rotation of the ultrasound probe
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasound images are made by sending pulses of ultrasound into tissue using a probe. The sound echoes and scatters off the tissue
Implementation Method 3
The sound echoes and scatters off the tissue; with different tissues boundary reflecting varying degrees of sound
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.