Ultrasonic Elastography Tissue Press State Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic diagnostic techniques fail to present the press state applied to a tissue of interest at a cross-sectional site of an object with high precision, as they either rely on distortion data from surrounding tissues or pressure sensor measurements that do not directly reflect the press state on the tissue of interest.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method that includes an ultrasonic probe, a phasing and adding unit, a measurement target setting unit, a positional variation tracing unit, and a display unit to generate and display a graph representing the transition of the press state applied to a measurement target, allowing for precise visualization of the press state applied to the tissue of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If distortion distribution of surrounding tissues is used to estimate press state, then the measurement can be performed without additional sensors, but the press state of the tissue of interest cannot be determined with high precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates the measurement target (tissue of interest) from the surrounding tissue area. By defining a specific region of interest and tracking only the displacement within this isolated area, the system eliminates interference from surrounding tissues and achieves precise measurement of the press state applied to the specific tissue of interest.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the measurement area into a specific region of interest corresponding to the tissue of interest. By dividing the overall measurement area and focusing analysis only on the segmented region where the tissue of interest is located, the system achieves precise press state measurement without being affected by distortion data from surrounding tissues.
2Measurement precision
If pressure sensor values from the pressing face are used, then the measurement can be directly obtained, but the press state applied to the tissue of interest cannot be directly reflected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the measurement target (tissue of interest) itself as an intermediary to indirectly measure the press state. Instead of relying on pressure sensor values from the probe surface that do not directly reflect tissue conditions, the system tracks the displacement of the tissue of interest, which serves as a mediator that directly experiences and reflects the actual press state applied to it.
Solution Approach 2:
The tissue of interest serves itself as the measurement target. By tracking the displacement of the tissue of interest during pressing, the system allows the tissue itself to provide the measurement information, eliminating the need for indirect pressure sensor measurements that do not accurately reflect the actual press state on the tissue.
3Ease of operation
If manual pressing operation is used, then the operator can control the pressing force, but the pressurization state varies greatly according to operator's hand operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides real-time feedback to the operator by displaying the measured press state through the displacement tracking of the tissue of interest. This feedback mechanism allows the operator to adjust their pressing force based on actual tissue response, ensuring consistent and proper press state while maintaining operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically tracks and displays the press state in real-time during the pressing operation. By continuously measuring displacement and updating the displayed information, the system adapts to the operator's hand operations and provides live feedback, enabling the operator to maintain proper press state despite variations in manual operation.
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 the operator to accurately determine the press state applied to the tissue of interest, supporting proper pressing operations by directly reflecting the transition of the press state in the displayed graph, thereby ensuring precise and effective tissue evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from an object
Implementation Method 2
receives a reflection echo signal of an ultrasonic wave corresponding to the structure of a biometric tissue
Implementation Method 3
a phasing and adding unit for generating RF signal frame data of a cross-sectional site of the object on the basis of a reflection echo signal
Implementation Method 4
a measurement target position tracing unit for tracing a positional variation of the set measurement target
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention has an ultrasonic probe for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from an object while the object is pressed, a phasing and adding unit for generating RF signal frame data of a cross-sectional site of the object on the basis of a reflection echo signal measured by the ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic image generating unit for generating an ultrasonic image of the cross-sectional site of the object on the basis of the RF signal frame data, a measurement target setting unit for setting a measurement target to the RF signal frame data or the ultrasonic image, a measurement target position tracing unit for tracing a positional variation of the set measurement target, a displacement image generating unit for generating a graph representing transition of a press state applied to the measurement target on the basis of the positional variation of the measurement target, and a display unit for displaying the generated graph.