Multipulse Elastography Shear Wave Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elastography methods, such as ARFI, struggle to precisely measure the mechanical properties of viscoelastic media due to rapid attenuation of shear waves and limited characterization of tissue frequency content, especially when modulating ultrasonic emissions.
Innovation Solution
A multipulse elastography method involving the definition, generation, and monitoring of multiple shear waves with varying characteristics like central frequency, amplitude, and time profile, allowing for precise modulation and characterization of viscoelastic media over a wide frequency range.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If ARFI elastography is used to generate shear waves through ultrasonic radiation pressure, then tissue displacement can be induced, but the shear wave attenuates very quickly and propagates over less than one wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mechanical pulse generator as an intermediary device that converts electrical signals into mechanical pulses, which then generate shear waves in the tissue. This mediator allows for better control of shear wave generation compared to direct ultrasonic radiation pressure, enabling the shear waves to propagate further while maintaining control over the excitation parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs multiple mechanical pulses with varying parameters (amplitude, frequency, duration) to generate shear waves. By changing these parameters, the system can optimize shear wave propagation distance and characteristics, overcoming the limitation of single-parameter ultrasonic excitation that results in rapid attenuation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic emission parameters are modulated to control tissue displacement, then different displacement characteristics can be obtained, but the frequency content and maximum displacement cannot be precisely modulated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic mechanical pulses with adjustable characteristics (amplitude, frequency, duration, waveform shape) that can be precisely controlled. This dynamic approach allows independent modulation of displacement amplitude and frequency content, providing both versatility and precision that static or简单地 modulated ultrasonic parameters cannot achieve.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the excitation into multiple discrete mechanical pulses, each with independently controllable parameters. This segmentation allows precise control over the frequency content and displacement characteristics by adjusting individual pulse parameters, rather than relying on complex modulation of continuous ultrasonic emissions.
3Ease of operation
If a single frequency shear wave is used for elastography, then the measurement process is simplified, but the tissue cannot be fully characterized over a wide frequency range
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic mechanical pulsing with varying frequencies to generate shear waves at multiple frequency components. By using a series of periodic pulses with different characteristic frequencies, the system maintains operational simplicity while achieving wide frequency range tissue characterization through the superposition of multiple shear wave frequency components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a single mechanical pulse generation system that can produce shear waves across a wide frequency range by adjusting pulse parameters. This multi-functional capability allows the same device to characterize tissue properties at multiple frequencies, combining the simplicity of a single system with the versatility of broad frequency coverage.
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 precise quantitative measurement of mechanical properties, overcoming the limitations of prior methods by characterizing tissues over a broader frequency range without mutual disturbance of shear waves.
Implementation Method 1
monitor the propagation of at least two shear waves generated by said at least two mechanical pulses
Implementation Method 2
tissues are moved by the action of a force produced by the radiation pressure generated by an ultrasonic beam
Implementation Method 3
ARFI (Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse) elastography is also known in which tissues are moved by the action of a force produced by the radiation pressure generated by an ultrasonic beam
Implementation Method 4
monitor the propagation of at least two shear waves generated by said at least two mechanical pulses using ultrasonic signal emission and acquisition means
Data Source
AI summary
A multipulse elastography method for the quantitative measurement of at least one mechanical property of a viscoelastic medium having an ultrasonic signal after ultrasonic illumination, the method including defining characteristics of at least two mechanical pulses; generating the at least two mechanical pulses for which characteristics are defined in a viscoelastic medium; monitoring a propagation of at least two shear waves generated by the at least two mechanical pulses using acquisition and emission of ultrasonic signals, in the viscoelastic medium, and calculating at least one mechanical property of said viscoelastic medium using said acquisitions of said ultrasonic signals.