Nonlinear Elastography Tumor Classification via Controlled Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for tumor classification, such as X-ray imaging, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy, face limitations including radiation exposure, low sensitivity and specificity, cost inefficiency, invasiveness, and inability to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors effectively, particularly in cases of dense breast tissue or hard tumors.
Innovation Solution
A non-invasive method using 3D ultrasound elastography with a device comprising a 3D ultrasound transducer and a compression stage, applying controlled compression to estimate tissue strain and construct quantitative strain images and volumes, employing a nonlinear biomechanical model to classify tumors as benign or malignant based on strain difference values and nonlinear parameter analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If biopsy procedures are used to obtain tissue samples and histologically diagnose tumors, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but the procedure becomes invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical invasive biopsy procedure with a non-invasive ultrasound elastography system that uses acoustic waves to measure tissue mechanical properties. The ultrasound transducer emits sound waves that propagate through tissue, and the resulting strain measurements under compression provide diagnostic information without physical tissue removal or invasion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the diagnostic parameter from histological examination of tissue samples to measurement of tissue strain characteristics under compression. By applying controlled compression forces and measuring the resulting strain distribution using ultrasound, the system obtains diagnostic information about tumor stiffness and elasticity without invasive procedures.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional ultrasound imaging is used alone, then the procedure is non-invasive, but sensitivity and specificity rates are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges conventional ultrasound imaging with elastography technology to create a hybrid system. The ultrasound transducer simultaneously performs anatomical imaging and measures tissue strain under compression, combining the advantages of both modalities to achieve high sensitivity and specificity while maintaining non-invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies controlled compression to the tissue before performing ultrasound strain imaging. This preliminary compression action creates measurable strain differences between malignant and benign tumors, enabling the system to distinguish between tumor types with high accuracy before final diagnosis is made.
3Device complexity
If linear elastic tissue model is used for strain imaging in tumor classification, then the method is simple, but classification parameters show overlap between benign and malignant tumors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from using a simple linear elastic tissue model to a nonlinear elastic tissue model that better represents actual breast tissue mechanical behavior. This parameter change in the constitutive model allows the system to capture the complex stress-strain relationships in breast tissue, improving the ability to distinguish between benign and malignant tumors based on their different mechanical properties.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If shear wave elastography is used to visualize tumors and classify based on estimated elasticity parameters, then non-invasive classification is achieved, but very hard tumors cannot be diagnosed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies controlled compression to the tissue before performing ultrasound strain imaging. This preliminary compression action creates measurable strain differences even in very hard tumors that cannot be adequately diagnosed by shear wave elastography alone, enabling the system to diagnose hard tumors non-invasively.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic compression loading to generate strain waves that propagate through tissue of varying hardness. By applying controlled dynamic compression and measuring the resulting strain distribution, the system can characterize both soft and hard tumors, overcoming the limitation of shear wave elastography which fails for very hard tumors.
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 provides a safe, accurate, and less painful method for tumor classification, reducing unnecessary biopsies and improving the distinction between malignant and benign tumors, with the nonlinear parameter model effectively differentiating between tumor types based on their mechanical behavior.
Implementation Method 1
3D ultrasound elastography with a device comprising a 3D ultrasound transducer
Implementation Method 2
applying controlled compression to estimate tissue strain
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and a device to image and characterize human tumors, and to classify the tumors as either malignant or benign. The method includes using a multi-compression technique upon the tissue or organ combined with a 3D ultrasound strain imaging of the compressed tissue or organ for acquiring raw data and analyzing the raw data using a computer processing unit equipped with a nonlinear biomechanical tissue model for tumor classification. A device is provided having a compression stage for delivering multi-compression with continuous force measurements, and a 3D ultrasound transducer strain imaging probe, wherein the imaging probe and the compression stage are in communication with a computer processing unit.