Ultrasonic Shear Wave Imaging With Two-Step Region Exclusion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic imaging apparatuses face challenges in accurately calculating shear wave elastic values due to regions like blood vessels and bones within the body, where displacement changes occur independently or not at all, and are affected by movements such as shaking, blood vessel movement, respiration, and heartbeat, leading to inaccurate calculations.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs a two-step signal approach: irradiating a second observation signal before and after a push pulse to identify inefficiency regions like blood vessels, and then using a first observation signal to calculate shear wave elastic values, excluding these regions from the image display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a push pulse is used to generate shear waves for elastic value calculation, then tissue stiffness can be diagnosed, but inaccurate measurements occur in regions like blood vessels and bones where displacement changes occur independently or not at all
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by irradiating a second observation signal before the push pulse to capture baseline displacement data. This allows the system to identify regions with independent displacement (blood vessels, bones) before shear wave generation occurs, so these regions can be excluded from elastic value calculation. The preliminary observation establishes a reference state that enables subsequent accurate measurement only in valid tissue regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes inefficient regions (blood vessels, bones, and other areas with independent displacement) from the shear wave elastic image based on displacement data from the second observation signal. By separating these problematic regions from the measurement process, the system ensures that only reliable tissue regions contribute to the final elastic value calculation, thereby improving overall measurement reliability.
2Measurement precision
If observation signals are used to calculate shear wave elastic values, then tissue stiffness imaging is achieved, but body movements such as shaking, respiration, and heartbeat cause inaccurate calculations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary observation by irradiating the second observation signal before the push pulse to establish baseline displacement characteristics. This preliminary data captures the natural movement patterns of tissues including blood vessels and surrounding structures. By comparing subsequent displacement data against this baseline, the system can distinguish between physiological movements and actual shear wave-induced displacement, thereby compensating for body movement interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The second observation signal acts as an intermediary that provides reference displacement data for regions affected by body movements. This intermediary measurement enables the system to identify and exclude regions where displacement is dominated by physiological movements rather than shear wave propagation, thus filtering out harmful movement effects from the elastic value calculation.
3Productivity
If a single observation signal is used after push pulse, then shear wave elastic values can be calculated, but inefficient regions cannot be identified and removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the observation process into two distinct phases: a preliminary observation phase (second observation signal before push pulse) to identify inefficient regions, and a measurement phase (first observation signal after push pulse) to calculate elastic values. This segmentation allows the system to perform different functions at different times, improving both efficiency and accuracy by dedicating specific observation signals to specific tasks.
Solution Approach 2:
The second observation signal performs preliminary identification of inefficient regions before the push pulse is applied. By establishing which regions are suitable for measurement in advance, the system can then focus computational resources on calculating elastic values only in valid regions during the measurement phase, improving both accuracy and processing efficiency.
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 method allows for a more accurate and reliable shear wave elastic image by removing inaccurate measurement areas, providing a highly reliable image to users.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that calculates an accurate shear wave elastic value by calculating the displacement of an object tissue using a push pulse
Implementation Method 2
receives information of an echo signal reflected from the object to obtain an image of a region inside the object
Implementation Method 3
calculate the elastic value of the shear wave using the change in tissue displacement caused by the shear wave
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of obtaining a more accurate shear wave elastic image by removing inefficient areas such as blood vessels using a shear wave observation signal in a section where an object is not affected by a push pulse, and a method for controlling the same. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes: an ultrasonic probe configured to irradiate a push pulse, irradiate a first observation signal to the object after the push pulse is irradiated, and irradiate a second observation signal to the object; a controller configured to determine an inefficiency region of the object, and generate a shear wave elastic image based on the determined inefficiency region for each region of the object; and a display configured to display the generated shear wave elastic image.