Shear Wave Tissue Analysis Using Adaptive Beam Forming
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic imaging techniques struggle to effectively detect and image internal injuries such as traumatic brain injuries and bone fractures, which often show no apparent physical symptoms and can remain undetected until they advance to a more serious state, due to limitations in measuring viscosity changes and shear-wave dispersion in tissues.
Innovation Solution
The system employs transverse ultrasonic wave excitation sources and receivers positioned exterior to the tissue, using adaptive beam-forming signal processing to mitigate clutter interference and estimate shear-wave dispersion due to viscosity and mass changes, generating reports indicative of tissue health.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic imaging techniques are used, then the system can detect tissue abnormalities, but it cannot effectively detect internal injuries such as TBI and bone fractures that show no apparent physical symptoms
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection process by using separate transverse wave excitation sources and receivers positioned at specific offsets, allowing independent optimization of each component for detecting subtle tissue property changes without requiring complex integrated systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the measurement parameter from conventional longitudinal wave imaging to transverse wave shear wave dispersion measurement, which is more sensitive to viscosity changes and tissue property alterations associated with internal injuries, thereby improving detection accuracy
2Measurement precision
If transcranial ultrasonic imaging is performed to detect TBI and organ bleeding, then internal damage can be detected, but the imaging is challenging due to viscosity abnormalities from contusion and blood coagulation
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the harmful effect of blood coagulation and contusion-induced viscosity changes into a beneficial diagnostic signal by measuring shear wave dispersion, which is specifically altered by these pathological processes, allowing detection of internal bleeding and tissue damage
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses transverse wave shear waves as an intermediary mechanism to probe tissue properties, as these waves are particularly sensitive to viscosity changes caused by blood coagulation and contusion, enabling indirect detection of pathological conditions without direct contact with affected areas
3Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic approaches are used to detect bone stress-fractures, then the system can image bone structure, but it cannot effectively detect defects that reduce shear-wave travel speeds and augment attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes from measuring bone structure with conventional ultrasonic imaging to measuring shear wave dispersion parameters (travel speed and attenuation) that are specifically altered by bone mass changes and stress-fractures, making previously undetectable defects measurable
4Reliability
If ultrasonic receivers are positioned close to the excitation source, then signal strength is maintained, but clutter interference with desired shear-wave signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses asymmetric positioning of transverse wave excitation sources and receivers at specific offset distances, which geometrically separates the desired shear-wave signals from clutter interference, reducing the need for complex signal processing while maintaining signal quality
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 accurate detection and imaging of internal damage by reducing distortions caused by tissue heterogeneity, providing clinical feedback for timely diagnosis and treatment of injuries like TBI and bone fractures.
Implementation Method 1
positioning an ultrasonic wave excitation source exterior to the tissue to provide an ultrasonic signal input
Implementation Method 2
An ultrasonic receiver array is positioned at an offset distance from the ultrasonic wave excitation source exterior to the tissue to receive signal returns and arrivals
Implementation Method 3
Adaptive beam forming signal processing is applied to the signal returns and arrivals to remove distortions by targeting velocity contrasts caused by heterogeneity in the tissue
Implementation Method 4
Shear-wave dispersion due to viscosity changes in the tissue or mass changes in the tissue may be estimated using the signal returns and arrivals
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for determining tissue changes. Shear waves are transmitted across the tissue in response to an ultrasonic signal input exterior to the tissue surface. Adaptive beam forming signal processing is applied to signal returns and arrivals to remove distortions by targeting velocity contrasts. Shear-wave dispersion, such as due to viscosity and mass changes in the tissue, are then estimated and compared to reference data to determine tissue health.