Ultrasonic Imaging Pixel Hemodynamics
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic contrast media limit imaging time due to bubble extinction under high-sound pressure, making continuous imaging of liver hemodynamics challenging, especially in distinguishing hepatic artery and porta hepatis, and requiring advanced techniques for precise hemodynamic visualization.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus that performs pixel-by-pixel measurement of hemodynamics using time-intensity curves (TIC) and constructs color maps to display vessels in contrast-enhancement phases, allowing for precise visualization and differentiation of hemodynamic phases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high-sound pressure irradiation is used to enhance contrast signal, then contrast enhancement is achieved, but bubble extinction occurs and imaging time is limited to several seconds
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the sound pressure parameter from high to low, transitioning from a regime that extinguishes bubbles to one that allows continuous bubble vibration. This parameter change enables the bubbles to persist in the bloodstream, allowing continuous imaging of the same section without the time limitation imposed by bubble extinction under high-sound pressure conditions.
2Measurement precision
If conventional contrast media are used, then vascular network is highlighted, but continuous imaging of hemodynamic phases is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous imaging by using low-sound pressure irradiation that prevents bubble extinction. The bubbles remain viable and visible throughout the imaging process, allowing continuous observation of hemodynamic phases including arterial, portal vein, and tissue phases, thereby achieving continuous useful action rather than intermittent imaging.
3Measurement precision
If time-intensity curve measurement is performed pixel-by-pixel, then hemodynamic information is extracted, but processing time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the liver tissue into multiple pixel elements and performs TIC measurement independently on each pixel. This segmentation allows parallel processing and enables extraction of hemodynamic information from every pixel, providing comprehensive spatial distribution data while managing processing complexity through systematic division of the measurement task.
4Measurement precision
If contrast medium is used to enhance vascular structures, then tumor detection is improved, but distinction between hepatic artery and porta hepatis remains difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds the temporal dimension by measuring TICs that show brightness changes over time. This time dimension allows differentiation between hepatic artery and porta hepatis based on their distinct hemodynamic phases, while the spatial dimension is maintained through pixel-by-pixel measurement. The combination of temporal and spatial information enables precise distinction between vascular structures that cannot be achieved with static contrast enhancement alone.
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 continuous imaging and improved precision in distinguishing hepatic artery and porta hepatis phases, providing detailed hemodynamic information essential for diagnosing tumors and visualizing blood vessels.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus that transmits pulsating ultrasonic waves to the inside of a living body and visualizing internal information on the living body
Implementation Method 2
the bubbles resonate with ultrasonic waves of several megahertz employed in a medical field, and bring about scattering waves in a frequency band equivalent to that of a transmitting/receiving pulsating signal
Implementation Method 3
Conventional ultrasonic contrast media are to enhance a contrast-enhancement signal by crushing bubbles through high-sound pressure irradiation
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including: a time-gain controller (TGC) that compensates an amplitude fading occurring in the process of propagation inside a living body; a scan converter (SC) that constructs image data; a TIC measurement unit that measures a TIC of each pixel; an evaluation index input unit that inputs an index for evaluating hemodynamics on the basis of a TIC; a mapping parameter estimation unit that estimates a mapping parameter comparable to an evaluation index; a TIC image construction unit that constructs a two-dimensional image on the basis of the mapping parameter; and a pixel detection unit that extracts a region corresponding to a color map from a TIC image, and utilizing a TIC measured with each pixel so as to measure a difference in hemodynamics.