Automated Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound shear wave elastography methods require skilled technician targeting and laborious on-machine processing of images, providing limited interpretational context and being computationally intensive, which restricts their application in diagnosing and monitoring tissue stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for processing and analyzing ultrasound shear wave elastography image files, involving data file reception, parsing, batch processing, and generating viscoelastic tissue parameters, along with associated identifiers, to create interactive reports and maps that provide footwear recommendations based on tissue elasticity trends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If skilled technician targeting and on-machine processing are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automated processing of shear wave elastography images using computer algorithms that automatically identify regions of interest and calculate stiffness values without requiring manual technician intervention. The processing system self-services by taking raw ultrasound images as input and generating diagnostic stiffness measurements as output, eliminating the need for skilled technician targeting while maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical processing (technician-based image analysis) with automated computational processing. Computer algorithms substitute for human technicians in identifying regions of interest, tracking shear wave propagation, and calculating tissue stiffness values, thereby reducing device complexity and operational time while preserving measurement accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If on-machine processing is performed, then measurement accuracy is maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential processing functions from the ultrasound machine itself and implements them as separate automated computational algorithms. By taking out the processing task from the main imaging system and handling it through dedicated computer-based analysis, the system maintains measurement accuracy while significantly reducing the time required for image processing and stiffness calculation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated processing system rushes through the image analysis by using efficient algorithms that quickly identify regions of interest and calculate stiffness values without the slow, manual steps previously required. The system skips time-consuming manual operations while maintaining precision through automated tracking of shear wave propagation and calculation of tissue elasticity parameters.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive image processing is performed, then interpretational context is improved, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into distinct automated stages: initial image acquisition, automatic region of interest identification, shear wave propagation tracking, stiffness calculation, and diagnostic report generation. This segmentation allows comprehensive processing with full interpretational context while maintaining productivity through automated execution of each segment, eliminating the bottleneck of manual analysis.
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 efficient and automated processing of ultrasound shear wave elastography data, providing additional interpretational context and guidance, facilitating the use of ultrasound shear wave elastography in various applications beyond traditional medical uses, such as athletic training and footwear selection.
Implementation Method 1
some SWE apparatuses may apply an initial ultrasound pulse using acoustic radiation force, causing target area tissue to deform in response to the force of the ultrasound pulse
Implementation Method 2
the deformation from such a pulse propagates through the tissue as one or more shear waves. These shear waves through the tissue may be monitored by additional ultrasound pulses to calculate a stiffness value of the tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods described herein include receiving, by a processor, one or more data files from an ultrasound shear wave elastography apparatus configured to capture viscoelastic tissue properties in an area of a subject using ultrasound shear wave electrography, processing the one or more data files to compute viscoelastic tissue parameters related to the area of the subject, compiling the viscoelastic tissue parameters and one or more associated data file identifiers to generate a processed data file, wherein the one or more associated data file identifiers includes at least one of: user characteristics, exercise characteristics, a footwear type, or an apparel type, and generating a recommendation report, wherein the recommendation report includes a footwear recommendation selected based on one or more trends from the viscoelastic tissue parameters.