Pulmonary Elastography Using Balloon Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current clinical workflows for lung cancer diagnosis and treatment are complex and time-consuming, and ultrasound-based elastography has not been effectively applied to detect lung cancer due to limitations in imaging air-filled lung tissues.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound-based pulmonary elastography system with a contact device, such as an inflatable balloon, is used to maintain contact with lung tissue, allowing for the transmission of shear waves and photoacoustic waves to quantify tissue stiffness, overcoming the challenges of air-filled cavities and enabling accurate diagnosis without the need for biopsy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasound is used for imaging soft tissue, then tissue stiffness can be measured for cancer diagnosis, but air cavities and air spaces within the lungs cannot be seen due to the speed of sound difference in air
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a contact device (balloon catheter) as an intermediary between the ultrasound probe and the lung tissue. The balloon is inflated with fluid to eliminate air gaps, providing acoustic coupling that allows ultrasound waves to propagate through the lung tissue for elastography imaging.
2Reliability
If a contact device is introduced to enable ultrasound contact with lung tissue, then elastography can be performed, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact device integrates multiple functions: it serves as both a positioning catheter for navigating to the target location and as an acoustic coupling medium carrier (balloon). This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate devices and simplifies the overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If clinical workflow for lung cancer diagnosis is followed using current methods, then accurate diagnosis can be achieved, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines bronchoscopy (for navigation and access) with elastography (for tissue characterization) into a single integrated procedure. This merging eliminates the need for separate diagnostic steps and reduces overall diagnosis time while maintaining accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If biopsy is used for tissue evaluation, then cancer diagnosis can be confirmed, but the procedure is invasive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical biopsy procedure (physical tissue sampling) with a non-invasive elastography-based mechanical wave method. Ultrasound shear waves are used to measure tissue stiffness, which provides cancer detection capability without the need for invasive tissue extraction.
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 enables fast and efficient diagnosis of lung cancer, allowing for accurate determination of benign or malignant tissue and cancer staging, potentially reducing mortality by facilitating early treatment.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasound probe configured to evaluate tissue of a target area by transmitting a signal and receiving a response
Implementation Method 2
A compression device is coupled to the ultrasound probe to generate a compression on the tissue
Implementation Method 3
Elastography uses stiffness or strain images of soft tissue to effectively and efficiently diagnose cancer
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for pulmonary elastography includes an ultrasound probe (120) configured to evaluate tissue of a target area by transmitting a signal and receiving a response. A contact device (126) is coupled to the ultrasound probe to provide contact between the ultrasound probe and the tissue. An image processing module (110) is configured to output one or more elastograms according to the response.