Nonlinear Shear Wave Elasticity Estimation via Gradient Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound methods for estimating non-linear shear wave elasticity (NL-SWE) of viscoelastic media, such as soft cancerous tissues, face challenges with user-dependency, noise, and limited data robustness, leading to inaccurate and reproducibility issues in medical imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving collecting shear wave elasticity data at multiple deformation levels, calculating gradients between these levels, and estimating NL-SWE using a gradient-based approach, which is more robust against noise and limited data, and can be performed with conventional ultrasound systems without hardware modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mechanically controlled deformation devices are used to apply regularized stepwise deformation, then measurement precision of NL-SWE is improved, but device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically tracks and identifies deformation levels and collects shear wave data points without requiring manual intervention. The processor autonomously determines when deformation levels have changed and collects appropriate data, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating the need for complex mechanical control devices or specialized practitioner training.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical deformation control devices with a software-based solution that automatically detects deformation levels through ultrasound imaging analysis. Instead of using mechanical actuators to apply controlled deformation, the system uses image processing to identify when deformation has occurred and collects data accordingly, substituting mechanical complexity with computational simplicity.
2Reliability
If multiple compression steps are used to collect more data, then NL-SWE estimation robustness is improved, but loss of time increases and temperature of medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects a sufficient number of shear wave data points at each deformation level without requiring excessive compression steps. By automatically identifying when enough data has been collected at each level and proceeding to the next level, the system achieves robust NL-SWE estimation with minimal examination time and reduced thermal effects from prolonged ultrasound exposure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs periodic data collection at each deformation level rather than continuous collection throughout the entire examination. Shear wave data is collected at specific intervals when deformation levels are identified, allowing the medium to remain relatively stable between measurements and reducing cumulative thermal effects while maintaining data robustness.
3Ease of operation
If manual compression is used to apply deformation, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to user-dependency and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides automatic feedback by analyzing ultrasound images to identify when deformation levels have changed. This feedback mechanism allows practitioners to perform simple manual compression without needing to precisely control the deformation amount, as the system automatically detects the deformation events and uses them for data collection, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving ease of operation.
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 method enhances the accuracy and reproducibility of NL-SWE estimation, reducing examination time and costs, and providing more meaningful information for improved cancer detection without requiring detailed practitioner training or hardware changes.
Implementation Method 1
emitting acoustic waves into a medium, detecting shear waves generated in the medium by the acoustic waves
Implementation Method 2
a deformation estimation module which compares the successive ultrasound images to one another to detect a deformation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3a~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an ultrasonic method for estimating a nonlinear shear wave elasticity of a medium, the method comprising the following steps: • A1. a first collection step in which a first set comprising one shear wave elasticity data point of the medium is collected at a first level of deformation applied to the medium, • A2. a second collection step in which a second set comprising one shear wave elasticity data point of the medium is collected at a second level of deformation applied to the medium different to the first level, • A3. a deformation estimation step in which the difference of deformation between the first and the second level of deformation is estimated, • B1. a calculation step in which a gradient between at least two data points respectively belonging to the first and the second set is calculated as a function of the difference of deformation between the first and the second level of deformation, • B2. an elasticity estimation step in which the nonlinear shear wave elasticity of the medium is estimated as a function of the gradient.