Shear Wave Elastography for Anisotropic Media
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Solution Overview
Problem
Shear wave elastography methods struggle with reproducibility and reliability when imaging anisotropic media containing fibers, as the propagation of shear waves varies with the relative angle to fiber directions, leading to non-reliable and non-reproducible measurements and images.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an initial ultrasonic acquisition step to acquire physical parameters, a spatial characterization step to determine spatial characteristics of the anisotropic medium, and a shear wave imaging step that includes generating and observing shear waves based on these characteristics to improve image quality and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional shear wave elastography is used to image anisotropic media, then imaging capability is provided, but measurement reliability and reproducibility deteriorate due to angle-dependent shear wave propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the shear wave propagation characteristics adaptable to the medium's anisotropy. By characterizing the spatial characteristics of the anisotropic medium and adjusting the shear wave propagation accordingly, the system dynamically adapts to different fiber orientations and spatial configurations, eliminating the fixed angle-dependency of conventional methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the propagation parameters of the shear wave based on the characterized spatial characteristics of the anisotropic medium. By modifying wave propagation parameters according to the medium's anisotropy, the system achieves reliable measurements across different angles and orientations
2Measurement precision
If shear wave propagation is performed without spatial characterization, then imaging speed is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates in anisotropic media
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing spatial characterization of the anisotropic medium before conducting shear wave imaging. This preliminary step captures the spatial characteristics (such as fiber orientations and density) that are then used to guide the shear wave propagation, ensuring high measurement precision from the outset
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical shear wave propagation with a characterized and guided approach. By substituting the unguided mechanical process with one informed by spatial characterization data, the system achieves precise measurements while managing complexity through systematic preprocessing
3Reliability
If shear wave propagation direction is not aligned with spatial characteristics, then imaging simplicity is maintained, but image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the imaging system to automatically characterize the spatial properties of the anisotropic medium and self-adjust the shear wave propagation parameters. This automation eliminates the need for manual alignment procedures, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high image quality through adaptive optimization
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 enhances the quality, reliability, and reproducibility of shear wave elastography images and measurements by aligning shear wave propagation with the spatial characteristics of the anisotropic medium, thereby stabilizing the measured parameters.
Implementation Method 1
an excitation substep during which a shear wave is generated inside the anisotropic medium
Implementation Method 2
the propagation of said shear wave is observed simultaneously at a multitude of points in the observation field
Implementation Method 3
shear wave propagates differently in anisotropic medium containing fibers compared to homogeneous medium since their propagation parameters depend not only of the physical characteristics of the medium but also of the relative angle of the shear wave front with fibers directions
Data Source
AI summary
A shear wave elastography method for imaging an observation field in an anisotropic medium, including an initial ultrasonic acquisition step during which initial physical parameters are acquired in at least one region of interest; a spatial characterization step during which a set of spatial characteristics of the anisotropic medium is determined on the basis of the initial physical parameter; an excitation substep during which an shear wave is generated inside the anisotropic medium on the basis of the set of spatial characteristics; and an observation substep during which the propagation of the shear wave is observed simultaneously at a multitude of points in the observation field.