Ultrasonic Diagnostic Device Surface Wave Tissue Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic diagnostic techniques are inadequate for evaluating the properties of membranous tissues and surface tissues in the body, particularly in cases where the tissue thickness is smaller than the wavelength of the elastic wave, as they fail to consider the influence of surface waves and adhesions between tissues.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic device that sets measurement points on the surface of biological tissues to measure surface wave displacement and calculate index values indicating physical properties, such as velocity and elastic modulus, using ultrasonic waves to evaluate membranous tissues and detect adhesions between tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic techniques use longitudinal waves to visualize tissue morphology, then tissue structure can be imaged, but the ability to evaluate elastic properties of membranous tissues is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the wave type parameter from longitudinal waves to surface waves (Rayleigh waves) for evaluating membranous tissues. This parameter change enables accurate elastic property evaluation of superficial tissues while maintaining the ability to image deeper structures using conventional longitudinal waves, thus resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If shear waves are used to evaluate tissue elastic modulus, then elastic properties can be measured, but the technique cannot accurately evaluate surface tissues with thickness smaller than wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using surface waves specifically for superficial tissues (membranous tissues with thickness smaller than wavelength) while using shear waves for deeper tissues. This localized approach matches the wave type to the tissue depth, enabling accurate evaluation across different tissue thicknesses without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the wave propagation mode parameter from body waves (shear waves) to surface waves (Rayleigh waves). Surface waves are confined to the surface region with exponential amplitude decay with depth, making them ideal for evaluating superficial tissues where shear waves would penetrate too deeply and lose spatial resolution.
3Loss of information
If measurement is performed during elastic wave propagation, then dynamic tissue properties can be captured, but the influence of surface waves and adhesions cannot be properly considered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the previously problematic surface wave interference into a beneficial signal by deliberately using surface waves for evaluation. Instead of treating surface waves as noise to be filtered out, the invention exploits their surface confinement特性 to specifically evaluate membranous tissues, turning what was considered harmful interference into the primary measurement signal.
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 accurate evaluation of membranous tissue properties and detection of adhesions, improving early diagnosis of conditions like bladder and heart abnormalities, and facilitating minimally invasive surgeries by providing essential preoperative information on tissue adhesions.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic wave is generated in a subject and measuring a tissue displacement in accompany with propagation
Implementation Method 2
Ultrasonic waves propagating in a biological body are mainly divided into longitudinal waves and transverse waves
Implementation Method 3
in the radiation pressure method, an acoustic radiation pressure is applied to the biological body by using focused ultrasonic waves that allow ultrasonic waves to be locally concentrated in the tissue, and the shear wave is allowed to be generated using a tissue displacement that occurs instantaneously
Implementation Method 4
measuring, in a state in which an elastic wave is propagated to the biological tissue, at least a surface wave of the elastic wave by measuring a displacement of the biological tissue at the measurement point
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique for evaluating properties of a membranous tissue or a surface of the tissue in a biological body by ultrasonic waves. A method of the invention includes setting one or more measurement points on a surface of the biological tissue to be inspected; measuring, in a state in which an elastic wave propagates to the biological tissue, at least a surface wave of the elastic wave by measuring a displacement of the biological tissue at the measurement point by using an ultrasonic wave; and calculating an index value indicating physical properties of the biological tissue by using the measured displacement.