Shear Wave Elastography for Anisotropic Tissue Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional shear wave elastography techniques are inadequate for characterizing complex anisotropic tissues like cardiac tissue due to the lack of a uniform scanning protocol and understanding of shear wave propagation, leading to inconsistent and unreliable measurements.
Innovation Solution
The system acquires initial measurements at various imaging planes with different orientations to determine the orientation of tissue structures, selects planes aligned or orthogonal to these structures, and generates composite shear wave elastography measurements by tracking shear waves along these planes, improving measurement consistency and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional shear wave elastography uses a single measurement at an indiscriminately selected image plane, then the measurement process is simple and quick, but the measurement precision and reliability are inadequate for characterizing anisotropic tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the tissue characterization process into multiple independent measurements taken at different image planes (at least three planes including transverse and longitudinal views). Each plane provides a separate stiffness measurement, and the final tissue characterization is derived by combining these segmented measurements, thereby capturing the anisotropic properties that a single plane would miss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-plane (2D) measurement to multi-plane (3D) measurement by acquiring shear wave elastography data across multiple image planes with different orientations. This dimensional expansion allows comprehensive characterization of anisotropic tissue by measuring stiffness properties in multiple spatial dimensions
2Reliability
If multiple measurements are acquired at different imaging planes to characterize anisotropic tissue, then measurement reliability improves, but the time required for the scanning protocol increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary acquisition of B-mode images and shear wave speed measurements at multiple image planes before conducting the full shear wave elastography characterization. These preliminary measurements guide the selection of optimal planes for detailed SWE analysis, reducing the total number of measurements needed while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent requires acquisition of at least three measurements at different planes, which may seem excessive compared to conventional single-plane methods, but this partial excess ensures sufficient sampling of the anisotropic tissue properties to achieve reliable and reproducible characterization
3Adaptability or versatility
If shear wave elastography is performed without considering tissue fiber orientation, then the procedure is straightforward, but the measurements fail to capture the directional dependence of tissue properties in anisotropic tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual indicators (color-coded overlays or graphical representations) to display the detected fiber orientation on the ultrasound images. These visual cues guide the operator in aligning the imaging planes with the tissue architecture, making the complex task of orientation detection intuitive and accessible
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by displaying the detected fiber orientation and suggesting optimal imaging plane orientations to the operator. This feedback loop enables the operator to adjust the probe position and angle to achieve the desired alignment, thereby capturing the anisotropic properties effectively
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 more robust and reproducible characterization of anisotropic tissue properties, enhancing the accuracy of shear wave elastography in complex tissues such as the myocardium.
Implementation Method 1
monitoring the propagation of shear waves through the tissue to determine the properties of the tissue
Implementation Method 2
applying a force (acoustically or mechanically) in a given region of biological tissue
Data Source
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AI summary
Ultrasound systems and methods for shear wave elastography (SWE) imaging are described which may improve the scan protocol for SWE imaging of anisotropic tissue. One or more initial measurements may be acquired to determine the orientation of the anisotropic tissue. The system acquires shear wave speed and/or stiffness measurements from at least two perpendicular intersecting planes through the anisotropic tissue and reports, a shear wave speed and/or stiffness measurement along the perpendicular intersecting planes and/or a composite measurement based upon the plurality of individual shear wave speed and/or stiffness measurement obtained at the different image planes. Improvements to the SWE imaging protocol may be achieved by providing guidance by way of an improved graphical user interface, to assist the sonographer in acquiring measurements at suitable imaging planes for more accurately characterizing the anisotropic tissue. The SWE imaging protocol may be an automatic or semi-automatic protocol.