Ultrasound Shear Wave Stiffness Imaging via Reference Region Mediator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elastography techniques face challenges in accurately measuring tissue stiffness due to body movement and shear wave reflection or refraction, leading to unreliable stiffness images.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus that includes a transmission unit to produce displacement in tissue using acoustic radiation force, a reception unit to observe displacement, and an image generator to calculate and display stiffness distribution by determining the propagation speed of shear waves, with features like linear image generation and display controllers to enhance image reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic radiation force is used to produce shear wave displacement, then absolute elastic modulus can be obtained, but measurement reliability deteriorates when shear wave is reflected or refracted in tissue
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary reference region with known or differently characterized mechanical properties adjacent to the measurement region. By comparing shear wave propagation characteristics between the measurement region and this reference region, the system can identify and compensate for artifacts caused by wave reflection or refraction at tissue interfaces, thereby maintaining measurement reliability even when such phenomena occur in the measurement region
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures and compares multiple parameters including shear wave propagation speed, displacement magnitude, and displacement timing characteristics across different regions. By analyzing changes in these parameters between the measurement region and reference region, the system can detect abnormal variations caused by wave reflection/refraction and adjust measurements accordingly to maintain reliability
2Measurement precision
If shear wave propagation speed is measured to determine stiffness, then absolute elastic modulus is obtained, but measurement accuracy deteriorates due to body movement
Solution Approach 1:
The reference region serves as a mediator to distinguish between displacement caused by body movement and displacement caused by shear wave propagation. By comparing the displacement patterns in the measurement region with those in the reference region (which experiences the same body movement but different shear wave characteristics), the system can isolate and eliminate the body movement component from the measurement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct mechanical measurement of tissue stiffness with an acoustic field-based measurement approach. By using ultrasonic waves to generate and detect shear waves, the system can measure tissue mechanical properties without direct mechanical contact, thereby reducing the impact of external body movements on the measurement
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
The apparatus provides reliable stiffness imaging by accurately measuring tissue stiffness, reducing the impact of body movement and wave refraction, and allows for the visualization of stiffness distribution and reliability assessment.
Implementation Method 1
causes an ultrasonic probe to transmit a displacement-producing ultrasonic wave for producing displacement in living tissue based on acoustic radiation force
Implementation Method 2
causes the ultrasonic probe to transmit an observation ultrasonic wave for observing displacement in living tissue
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmission unit, a reception unit, a generator, and a display controller. The transmission unit causes an ultrasonic probe to transmit a displacement-producing ultrasonic wave and causes the probe to transmit a displacement-observing ultrasonic wave. The reception unit generates reflected-wave data based on a reflected wave received by the probe. The generator calculates displacement at each of a plurality of positions in the scan area over a plurality of time phases, based on the reflected-wave data, determines a time phase when the calculated displacement is substantially maximum, for each of the positions, and generates image data representing positions where the determined time phases are substantially the same as each other, among the positions. The display controller superimposes an image based on the image data on a medical image corresponding to an area including the scan area.