Ultrasound Probe Vibration Isolation for Deep Tissue Elastography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) elastography is limited by depth penetration, tissue damage risk, probe durability issues, and reduced spatial resolution due to high-intensity push pulses and frequency limitations, making it ineffective for deeper tissue scans, especially in obese patients and for detecting small cancer masses.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ultrasound elastography diagnostic apparatus with a probe assembly that includes a vibration isolation component and vibratory devices capable of generating ARFI and external vibration shear wave elastography imaging (EV-SWEI) signals, allowing for deeper tissue penetration and improved frequency range up to 5000 Hz, reducing tissue and probe damage, and enabling continuous vibration for enhanced imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-intensity push pulses are used in conventional ARFI elastography, then spatial resolution is improved, but tissue damage risk increases and depth penetration is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an external vibration source as an intermediary device that generates shear waves in the tissue without requiring high-intensity push pulses from the ultrasound probe. This mediator (external vibrator) allows the ultrasound probe to operate at low intensity for safe, deep tissue imaging while still achieving high spatial resolution through the generated vibration signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical push-pulse system (acoustic radiation force) with an external vibration mechanism. Instead of using high-intensity acoustic pulses to mechanically push tissue, the system uses an external vibrator to induce shear waves, allowing low-intensity ultrasound imaging to detect tissue mechanical properties with high precision.
2Measurement precision
If high-intensity push pulses are used in conventional ARFI elastography, then stiffness measurement capability is improved, but probe durability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The external vibration source acts as a mediator that performs the demanding mechanical work of generating shear waves, protecting the ultrasound probe from exposure to high intensities. The probe only needs to detect vibrations at low power levels, maintaining its durability while preserving stiffness measurement capability through the externally generated vibration signals.
3Length of stationary object
If conventional ARFI is used for deeper tissue scans, then imaging depth is improved, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to frequency limitations
Solution Approach 1:
The external vibration source applies periodic vibrations at optimized frequencies that penetrate deep into tissue while maintaining sufficient frequency content for high spatial resolution. The periodic nature of the vibration allows deep penetration similar to conventional ARFI, while the frequency characteristics are optimized to preserve spatial resolution capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the vibration frequency parameters by using an external source that can operate at optimized frequencies for both deep penetration and high resolution. Unlike conventional ARFI where frequency is limited by push pulse constraints, the external vibrator can maintain higher frequencies at depth, preserving spatial resolution while achieving deep imaging.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional ARFI technique is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but tissue damage and probe damage occur due to high voltage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elastography function into two separate components: an external vibration source that generates shear waves and an ultrasound probe that only performs safe, low-intensity imaging. This segmentation allows the probe to avoid high-voltage operations that cause damage, while the external vibrator handles the mechanically demanding vibration generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The external vibration source serves as an intermediary that performs the harmful high-voltage vibration generation, protecting the ultrasound probe from damage. The probe remains simple and safe to operate, while the mediator handles the potentially damaging functions.
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 solution enables non-destructive, deeper tissue imaging with improved spatial resolution and viscoelastic property measurement, effectively detecting smaller cancer masses and abnormalities without the need for invasive procedures, while extending probe lifespan and reducing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe configured to detect vibrations passing through subject tissue
Implementation Method 2
one or more vibratory devices configured to generate at least one of: (a) an acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) push pulse; and (b) an external vibration shear wave elastography imaging (EV-SWEI) vibration
Implementation Method 3
a vibration isolation component... coupled to the ultrasound probe via the vibration isolation component
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and devices are provided for inducing acoustic vibration into the human body for the purpose of elastography and viscoelastography medical imaging. This method places the vibration sources on the ultrasound probe separate from the ultrasound array. Compared to ARFI, the methods described herein increase the size and depth of the vibrational shear wave fields and the range of frequencies within the shear wave field and allows for multi-channel and multi-directional audio-frequency vibration sources. Embodiments enable the implementation of various external vibration methods for shear wave elastography and viscoelastography. Additional embodiments enable ARFI push pulses to be generated by the vibration sources, along with the implementation of methods for ARFI elastography and its variants.