Shear Wave Propagation Speed Determination in Tissue Elastography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the propagation speed of shear waves in tissue regions of interest suffer from low accuracy due to signal-to-noise ratio attenuation, leading to irregular waveforms and inaccurate elasticity measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that acquire motion data from preset positions, determine the regularity of the shear wave waveform, and adjust excitation parameters to maintain a regular waveform, ensuring accurate propagation speed determination by identifying and utilizing solid-state tissue regions for shear wave generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If shear wave propagation speed is determined at each preset position in tissue region of interest, then elasticity measurement is obtained, but accuracy is low due to signal-to-noise ratio attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a regularity assessment mechanism as an intermediary between signal acquisition and propagation speed determination. By evaluating waveform regularity at each preset position before calculating propagation speed, the system filters out unreliable measurements caused by signal-to-noise ratio attenuation, thereby improving measurement accuracy without requiring additional hardware or signal sources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback loop where the regularity assessment results feed back into the propagation speed determination process. When waveform regularity falls below a threshold, the system identifies this as unreliable data and adjusts its measurement strategy, creating a self-correcting mechanism that maintains high accuracy despite varying signal-to-noise ratios across different tissue regions
2Measurement precision
If excitation parameters are adjusted to maintain regular waveform, then propagation speed accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary regularity assessment on the acquired waveforms before proceeding with propagation speed calculation. By evaluating waveform quality in advance and only processing regular waveforms, the system avoids wasting time on inaccurate measurements while maintaining high accuracy for valid measurements, thus optimizing the overall measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively processing only those measurement positions where waveform regularity meets the required threshold. Rather than attempting to correct all irregular waveforms through repeated excitations, the system efficiently skips unreliable positions and focuses computational resources on valid measurements, reducing total measurement time while maintaining accuracy
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 shear wave propagation speed measurements by maintaining a regular waveform, aligning the determined speed with the tissue's real elasticity, thereby enhancing diagnostic precision.
Implementation Method 1
Shear wave elastography based on acoustic radiation force is an ultrasonic elastography technology for evaluating elasticity of tissue
Data Source
AI summary
A shear wave propagation speed determination method and device. The method comprises: when a shear wave propagates along a tissue region of interest, acquiring motion data of each preset position point in the tissue region of interest (step 301); determining a value of the motion data of each preset position point (step 302), wherein the magnitude of the value represents regularity of a propagation waveform of the shear wave; and if the value meets a first preset condition, determining, on the basis of the motion data of each preset position point in the tissue region of interest, a propagation speed of the shear wave at each preset position point in the tissue region of interest (step 303). The invention improves accuracy in determination of the propagation speed of a shear wave.