Multiline Beamformer for Shear Wave Dispersion Ultrasound Vibrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current shear wave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) techniques face challenges in detecting low amplitude vibrations due to noise from system electronics and patient motion, and require fast imaging to capture high-frequency shear waves, limiting spatial sampling and increasing procedure time.
Innovation Solution
The use of a multiline beamformer for finer spatial sampling in both elevation and lateral planes, allowing for increased robustness of elasticity measurements and faster data acquisition through parallel-directed receive lines and overlapping tracking pulses, which also correct for intersample wave propagation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional single-line detection sequences are used, then the system can detect shear wave vibrations, but the spatial sampling is insufficient and procedure time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into multiple parallel detection lines that simultaneously sample different spatial locations. Instead of sequentially scanning one line at a time, the system divides the detection aperture into multiple independent receive lines that operate in parallel, thereby increasing spatial sampling resolution without extending procedure time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-line detection to multi-line detection by adding the dimension of parallel spatial sampling. Multiple receive lines are configured at different lateral positions and depths, enabling simultaneous measurement of shear wave displacement across a three-dimensional volume, thus improving spatial sampling resolution while maintaining temporal efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If tracking pulse repetition frequency is increased to capture high-frequency shear waves, then vibration detection accuracy improves, but the number of spatial locations that can be sampled is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The detection volume is segmented into multiple independent detection lines, each capable of sampling at the required high pulse repetition frequency. By distributing the sampling task across multiple parallel lines rather than sequentially scanning many locations, the system maintains high temporal sampling rates while increasing the total number of spatial locations that can be measured.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple detection lines are merged into a unified measurement process, where data from all lines are combined to form a comprehensive three-dimensional map of shear wave displacement. This merging allows the system to achieve both high temporal resolution for accurate vibration detection and high spatial coverage by sampling multiple locations simultaneously.
3Measurement precision
If low amplitude vibrations are measured to detect shear wave displacement, then shear wave speed estimation accuracy improves, but noise from system electronics and patient motion significantly degrades measurement quality
Solution Approach 1:
Displacement measurements from multiple detection lines are merged and averaged to improve signal-to-noise ratio. By combining data from multiple independent measurements, the system enhances the reliability of low amplitude vibration detection while maintaining accurate shear wave speed estimation, as the random noise components tend to cancel out in the aggregation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where displacement measurements from previous time points and adjacent spatial locations are used to predict and correct for noise artifacts in current measurements. This feedback approach helps distinguish true shear wave-induced displacements from noise caused by system electronics and patient motion, thereby improving measurement reliability.
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 robustness of shear wave speed estimation, reduces noise, and shortens procedure time by enabling higher spatial resolution and faster radiofrequency data acquisition, improving the detection of shear wave displacement and tissue elastic properties.
Implementation Method 1
Shear Wave Dispersion Ultrasound Vibrometry (SDUV) is an acoustic radiation force based technique that measures tissue shear elasticity and viscosity
Implementation Method 2
A longitudinal-wave tracking pulse is issued to the ROI to assess, at the sampling point, the amplitude of the shear wave
Data Source
AI summary
Shear wave dispersion ultrasound vibrometry (SDUV) is implemented in some embodiments to form, from a single tracking pulse, in-parallel-directed receive lines (411-426) for making measurements of a monochromatic shear wave. In some embodiments, sampling is performed, over spatial locations by means of passes over the locations, in an interlaced pattern (600) for making measurements of the wave. In some embodiments, measurements are made of the wave and to the measurements are applied a bank of filters (S724) that are tuned to respective candidate wave speeds, all without the need to determine a difference between wave phases at different spatial locations (451-454).