Ultrasound Elasticity Image Inter-Frame Processing for Frame Rate
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The low refresh frame rate of elasticity images in shear wave elastography methods limits the real-time display and diagnostic convenience due to safety output limitations of ultrasound energy.
Innovation Solution
An inter-frame processing method is applied to generate additional elasticity images from existing frames, increasing the number of frames in the elasticity image sequence, thereby enhancing the display frame rate of ultrasound imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If shear wave elastography method based on acoustic radiation force is used to generate elasticity images, then real-time image display can be achieved, but the refresh frame rate is low due to safety output limitation of ultrasound energy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing inter-frame processing on obtained elastic echo data or elasticity images to generate additional elasticity image frames. This preprocessing approach allows the system to create multiple frames from limited acquired data, thereby improving the display frame rate without requiring additional ultrasound energy transmission that would violate safety limitations.
2Measurement precision
If strain elastography method is used to measure tissue elasticity, then elasticity parameters can be obtained, but the measurement stability deteriorates due to sensitivity to pressure variations requiring higher operator technique
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressure-based strain elastography method with a shear wave-based method that uses acoustic radiation force to generate shear waves in the tissue. This substitution eliminates the need for manual probe pressure application, thereby improving measurement stability and reducing dependency on operator technique while maintaining elasticity parameter measurement capability.
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
The inter-frame processing significantly improves the display frame rate of elasticity images, providing higher refresh rates and improving diagnostic convenience and objectivity in ultrasound imaging.
Implementation Method 1
The shear wave elastography method based on acoustic radiation force is a commonly used method in the market. In this method, special ultrasound pulses are transmitted into the tissue to generate, based on the acoustic radiation force effect, the shear wave propagating in the tissue
Implementation Method 2
transmitting a first ultrasound wave to a target area of an object to be examined to track a shear wave propagating in the target area; receiving an ultrasound echo of the first ultrasound wave returned from the target area
Data Source
AI summary
Ultrasound imaging methods and ultrasound imaging devices are provided, in which an inter-frame processing may be performed on elasticity echo data or the elasticity images to obtain new elasticity images, thereby improving the display frame rate of the elasticity images. The elasticity echo data comprises an ultrasound echo of an ultrasound wave returned from an object, and the elasticity images comprises at least two frames and obtained according to the elasticity echo data.