Shear Wave Measurement in Soft Tissue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for measuring physical parameters in mammal soft tissues, such as elasticity and temperature, are not quick, easy, or non-invasive enough, particularly for vascular walls and thermal treatments.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using an array of ultrasonic transducers to propagate shear waves in soft tissues, measuring shear wave propagation parameters like shear modulus and viscosity, and determining parameters of non-linearity of elasticity or temperature based on these measurements, induced by cardiac cycle pressure variations or external heating, respectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional methods are used to measure physical parameters in mammal soft tissues, then measurement accuracy may be maintained, but the measurement process is not quick and easy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical measurement systems with ultrasonic wave propagation methods. By using ultrasonic transducers to generate and detect shear waves, the system achieves rapid, non-invasive measurements of tissue elasticity and temperature without requiring complex mechanical apparatus or invasive procedures, thus improving both measurement speed and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent measures physical parameters (elasticity, temperature) by monitoring changes in shear wave propagation characteristics. By tracking how shear wave speed and attenuation change with tissue properties, the system enables quick indirect measurement of physical parameters without direct contact or invasive probes, enhancing both productivity and ease of use.
2Measurement precision
If invasive methods are used to measure tissue parameters, then measurement precision may be improved, but the procedure becomes more complex and less non-invasive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces invasive mechanical measurement probes with non-invasive ultrasonic shear wave generation and detection. The ultrasonic transducers generate shear waves that propagate through tissue, and their characteristics are analyzed to determine tissue properties, achieving accurate measurements without physical intrusion or complex invasive procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses shear waves as an intermediary medium to transmit information about tissue properties. The ultrasonic transducers generate shear waves that interact with tissue, and the modified wave characteristics carry information about tissue elasticity and temperature back to the detectors, enabling non-invasive precise measurement through this wave intermediary.
3Loss of information
If multiple physical parameters are measured simultaneously, then diagnostic information is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent continuously generates and detects shear waves throughout the measurement process, allowing simultaneous extraction of multiple tissue parameters from the ongoing wave propagation data. By maintaining continuous ultrasonic excitation and detection, the system measures elasticity, temperature, and other properties concurrently without sequential steps, reducing total measurement time while maximizing diagnostic information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the shear wave propagation measurement system multi-functional by extracting multiple tissue parameters (elasticity, temperature, viscosity) from a single measurement process. The same ultrasonic transducers and detection system used for elasticity measurement also provide temperature and other physical property data, enabling simultaneous multi-parameter diagnosis without additional equipment or time.
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
Enables quick, easy, and non-invasive measurement of soft tissue elasticity and temperature, facilitating the assessment of vascular wall fragility and temperature control in treatments like HIFU or RF ablation.
Implementation Method 1
a shear wave propagation parameter of the soft tissue is measured by using an array of ultrasonic transducers during propagation of at least a shear wave in the soft tissue
Implementation Method 2
causing the array of transducers to emit into the soft tissue a succession of ultrasound compression waves... causing ultrasound signals received from the observation field to be detected in real time
Data Source
AI summary
Method for measuring a physical parameter in soft tissues of a mammal, in which a mechanical shear wave is propagated through the soft tissues and observation of the propagation leads to determine values of a shear wave propagation parameter. The physical parameter is computed on the basis of these values.