Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging With Motion-Based Measurement Validation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Shear wave elasticity imaging methods in ultrasound are prone to measurement failure or inaccuracy due to small vibration amplitudes and fast attenuation, exacerbated by motion interference during imaging.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging device that tracks shear waves and obtains both elasticity and motion parameters, allowing for accurate elasticity results by considering motion parameters to filter out unreliable data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shear wave elasticity imaging is performed with small vibration amplitudes, then the imaging can be performed with less tissue disruption, but the measurement accuracy deteriorates due to fast attenuation and motion interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary motion detection before elasticity imaging, uses the detected motion information to evaluate whether the imaging conditions are suitable, and adjusts or cancels the imaging process based on the motion assessment feedback, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement stability and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs motion detection and evaluation before conducting the actual elasticity imaging, assessing the motion state in advance to determine whether to proceed with imaging, thus preventing inaccurate measurements caused by motion interference
2Reliability
If motion detection and evaluation steps are added to the imaging process, then the measurement reliability is improved by filtering unreliable data, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasound imaging device performs multiple functions using the same hardware system: it can perform both motion detection and elasticity imaging, and can switch between different imaging modes (elasticity imaging, conventional imaging, or cancellation) based on motion evaluation, thereby improving reliability without requiring entirely separate dedicated systems
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
Enhances the accuracy of shear wave elasticity imaging by using motion parameters to validate the reliability of elasticity measurements, thereby improving diagnostic precision.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting a first ultrasound wave to a target area of an object being examined to track a shear wave propagating in the target area; receiving an ultrasound echo of the first ultrasound wave returned from the target area
Implementation Method 2
receiving an ultrasound echo of the first ultrasound wave returned from the target area to obtain a first echo data
Implementation Method 3
the shear wave is generated, and propagates in the tissue, and the propagation parameter (such as the propagation speed) is detected so as to represent the hardness difference between the tissues
Implementation Method 4
since the vibration amplitude of the shear wave generated in the human tissue is usually small (such as a few um-hundreds of um), and is attenuated very fast
Data Source
AI summary
Shear wave elasticity imaging methods and ultrasound imaging devices are provided. The method may include: generating a shear wave in a target area of an object being examined; transmitting a first ultrasonic wave to the target area and receiving first echo data; determining an elasticity parameter of the target area according to the first echo data; obtaining a motion parameter of the target area; and displaying the elasticity parameter and the motion parameter.