Ultrasound Shear Wave Elastography Reverberation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in accurately measuring tissue elasticity due to the occurrence of reverberation, which degrades the reliability of measurements and user convenience.
Innovation Solution
The method involves processing shear wave elastography data by transmitting a focused ultrasound beam, inducing shear waves in tissue, measuring shear wave arrival times, and detecting reverberation based on calculated velocities and arrival times, with the system displaying information about detected reverberation to the user.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If shear wave elastography is performed to measure tissue elasticity, then diagnostic information is obtained, but reverberation occurs which degrades measurement reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates a reverberation determination value based on the relationship between shear wave arrival time and depth, compares it with a reference value, and provides feedback to the user through display or audio output. This feedback mechanism enables the user to adjust the probe position or measurement parameters to avoid severe reverberation, thereby improving measurement reliability while maintaining elasticity measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary calculation of the reverberation determination value before actual elasticity measurement. By evaluating the likelihood of reverberation in advance based on shear wave arrival time characteristics, the system allows the user to adjust probe positioning or measurement parameters proactively, preventing reverberation-related measurement errors before they occur.
2Reliability
If the system detects and notifies reverberation occurrence, then measurement reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically calculates shear wave arrival times from received echo signals, computes the reverberation determination value, and performs comparison with reference values without requiring additional external equipment or complex user operations. The existing ultrasound processing components are utilized to perform these additional calculations, allowing the system to self-evaluate reverberation conditions using already-acquired data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the existing ultrasound signal processing and image reconstruction components to also perform shear wave arrival time measurement and reverberation assessment. The same hardware and software infrastructure that generates ultrasound images is leveraged to calculate elasticity parameters and detect reverberation, avoiding the need for separate dedicated systems and minimizing additional complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the user manipulates the probe to avoid severe reverberation, then measurement accuracy improves, but operation time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system calculates and displays the reverberation determination value before the user finalizes the measurement. This preliminary information allows the user to make informed decisions about probe positioning in advance, avoiding the need for time-consuming trial-and-error adjustments after measurement initiation. The user can quickly identify suitable measurement positions based on the displayed reverberation assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback about reverberation conditions through visual display or audio notification during the measurement process. This immediate feedback enables the user to make rapid adjustments to probe position or measurement parameters, minimizing the time required to achieve optimal measurement conditions without severe reverberation interference.
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 improves the accuracy of elasticity measurements and user convenience by allowing manipulation of the probe to prevent severe reverberation and moving the region of interest to a region with mild reverberation, enhancing the reliability of shear wave elastography imaging.
Implementation Method 1
inducing a shear wave in an object by emitting a focused ultrasound beam
Implementation Method 2
measuring a shear wave arrival time at each of a plurality of measurement points
Implementation Method 3
calculating a propagation velocity of the shear wave based on the measured shear wave arrival time
Implementation Method 4
detecting a reverberation by comparing the calculated propagation velocity with a reference propagation velocity
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a method of processing shear wave elastography data, including: inducing a shear wave in a region of interest of an object by emitting a focused ultrasound beam onto the region of interest of the object; obtaining ultrasound images of the object in which the shear wave is induced, respectively at a plurality of time points; measuring, by using the ultrasound images, shear wave arrival times respectively at a plurality of measurement points that are separated by preset distances from a focal point where the focused ultrasound beam is focused; detecting a reverberation in the region of interest based on the measured shear wave arrival times; and displaying information about the detected reverberation.