Tissue Elasticity Mapping Through Image Registration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods struggle to accurately diagnose chronic diseases like COPD in early stages due to minimal functional disturbances and subtle tissue property changes that are not well reflected in medical images.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for determining tissue-specific properties by providing and registering multiple images of a region of interest, identifying specific tissue regions, and calculating elastic registration outputs to accurately assess tissue elasticity, using techniques like Jacobian determinant maps and anisotropic deformation indices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple separate measurements are performed to determine different tissue properties (elasticity, viscosity, surface properties), then comprehensive tissue characterization is achieved, but measurement time and procedural complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue property characterizationVSAvoidmeasurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple measurement functions (elasticity, viscosity, surface properties) into a single probe system that performs all measurements simultaneously during one procedural insertion, eliminating the need for multiple separate measurements and reducing total measurement time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The probe is designed as a universal measurement device capable of determining multiple different tissue properties through a single integrated system, allowing one probe to perform functions that previously required multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple separate measurements are performed to determine different tissue properties, then comprehensive tissue characterization is achieved, but device complexity and number of components increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetissue property characterizationVSAvoidmeasurement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple measurement functions are merged into a single integrated probe assembly, reducing the number of separate devices and components needed while maintaining the capability to measure all required tissue properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A universal probe design performs multiple measurement types through integrated sensors and processing circuitry, simplifying the overall system architecture compared to using multiple specialized devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If conventional measurement approaches are used without tissue-specific calibration, then measurement process is simplified, but measurement accuracy for specific tissue types deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement process simplicityVSAvoidtissue-specific measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically adjusts measurement parameters and calibration factors based on the detected tissue type, optimizing measurement accuracy for each specific tissue while maintaining ease of operation through automated parameter selection

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If a single measurement provides limited tissue property information, then measurement time is reduced, but diagnostic information completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidtissue property information
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The single probe performs multiple measurement functions simultaneously, providing comprehensive tissue property information (elasticity, viscosity, surface properties) in one measurement event, thus maintaining high productivity while avoiding information loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3912128B1System for determining a tissue-specific property
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP3912128B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3912128B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention refers to providing a system that allows to very accurately determine the state of a disease, like COPD, in a patient. The system (100) comprises a unit (101) for providing images of the region of interest corresponding to different states of the region of interest, a unit (102) for elastically registering the images to each other resulting in an elastic registration output, a unit (103) for determining a specific tissue region in an image, a unit (104) for determining a specific elastic registration output for the specific tissue region based on the determined elastic registration output, and a unit (105) for determining an elastic indicator for the specific tissue type based on the specific elastic registration output. Thus, a state of a disease that influences the elastic properties of the specific tissue type can be determined very accurately.