Ultrasound Shear Wave Tissue Classification Preprocessing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound shear wave imaging faces inaccuracies in distinguishing fluid and solid tissue due to similar decorrelation effects from acoustic energy stirring and tissue motion, leading to unreliable shear wave velocity measurements, especially in fluid or fluid tissue regions.
Innovation Solution
A method for classification preprocessing in medical ultrasound shear wave imaging that measures displacement over time in response to an impulse excitation, calculates signal-to-noise ratio and maximum displacement, and classifies tissue types to accurately differentiate between fluid, fluid tissue, and solid tissue, thereby masking out unreliable shear wave information from fluid or fluid tissue regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If acoustic energy stirring is used to generate fluid motion for distinguishing fluid from solid tissue, then fluid regions can be separated from solid tissue regions, but the motion of solid tissue produces similar decorrelation effects that limit the ability to distinguish between them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tissue classification problem by dividing it into distinct categories (fluid, solid, and non-determinative regions) based on displacement characteristics. By computing displacement at multiple locations and comparing them against thresholds, the system creates separate classification zones that address the ambiguity in distinguishing fluid from solid tissue caused by similar decorrelation effects
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary classification of tissue regions before conducting shear wave velocity measurements. By first identifying and masking non-determinative regions (including both fluid and solid tissue that cannot be reliably distinguished), the system prepares the data in advance to prevent inaccurate measurements in ambiguous areas, thereby improving overall measurement precision
2Reliability
If shear wave velocity measurement is performed in fluid or fluid tissue regions, then complete tissue coverage is achieved, but significant errors and arbitrary values result due to fluid effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes unreliable data from fluid and non-determinative regions by applying masks to exclude these areas from shear wave velocity calculations. This extraction of problematic regions ensures that only reliable measurements from clearly identified solid tissue regions are included in the final imaging, maintaining measurement reliability while accepting reduced coverage area
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the classification parameters by using displacement magnitude and displacement ratio thresholds to identify different tissue types. By adjusting these parameters, the system can optimize the balance between measurement reliability and coverage area, allowing flexible adaptation to different imaging scenarios and tissue characteristics
3Loss of information
If correlation coefficient between successive echo signals is computed to distinguish solid tissue from stirred fluid, then fluid regions can be identified, but the motion of solid tissue produces the same magnitude of decorrelation that limits distinguishing ability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves beyond single-point correlation analysis by computing displacement at multiple locations and comparing displacement ratios between them. This dimensional expansion from single-point to multi-point analysis provides additional information that helps distinguish fluid from solid tissue even when individual points show similar decorrelation effects
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 enhances the accuracy of shear wave imaging by effectively distinguishing solid tissue from fluid and fluid tissue, allowing for more precise measurement of shear wave velocity and reducing inaccuracies in imaging, thereby improving diagnostic reliability.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic impulse excitation is transmitted into a patient
Implementation Method 2
configured to scan with ultrasound a region of the patient
Implementation Method 3
acoustic energy is used to generate streaming in fluid. A correlation coefficient between successive or sequential echo signals is computed to distinguish solid tissue from the stirred fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Classification preprocessing is provided for medical ultrasound shear wave imaging. In response to stress, the displacement at one or more locations in a patient is measured. The displacement over time is a curve representing a shift in location. One or more characteristics of the curve, such as signal-to-noise ratio and maximum displacement, are used to classify the location. The location is classified as fluid or fluid tissue, solid tissue, or non-determinative. Subsequent shear imaging may provide shear information for locations of solid tissue and not at other locations.