Ultrasound Tissue Hardness Indexing via Reference Normalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic diagnostic techniques struggle to accurately distinguish between benign and malignant tissues due to the influence of compression quantity on strain images, as the same tissue can be misinterpreted based on varying pressure levels, and fail to effectively display the spatial distribution of tissue hardness independent of compression effects.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and method that selects a reference region in the tomographic or elastic image, converts physical quantities into indexed values based on this reference, and generates an indexed elastic image to represent the distribution of these values, thereby eliminating the influence of compression quantity and enhancing the visualization of tissue hardness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If strain images are displayed using compression-based ultrasonic imaging, then tissue hardness information can be obtained, but the strain values are influenced by compression quantity leading to false recognition of tissue discrimination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the strain measurement from an absolute physical quantity to a relative index by dividing the strain value at each measurement point by the strain value at the reference point. This parameter transformation eliminates the influence of compression quantity, as both numerator and denominator experience the same compression effect, thereby resolving the contradiction between obtaining hardness information and ensuring reliable tissue discrimination.
Solution Approach 2:
The reference point acts as an intermediary element that normalizes the strain measurements. By using the strain value at the reference point (which experiences the same compression as other regions) to normalize the strain values at different measurement points, the system eliminates the confounding effect of compression quantity while preserving the relative hardness information needed for accurate tissue discrimination.
2Manufacturing precision
If compression quantity is increased to improve image quality, then tissue boundary identification becomes clearer, but strain values become less reliable for distinguishing tissue types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter transformation by converting absolute strain values to relative index values through division by the reference point strain. This transformation makes the measurement independent of compression quantity, allowing high compression for improved image quality without compromising the reliability of tissue differentiation, since the relative ratio cancels out the compression effect.
3Loss of information
If strain images are used to identify tissue boundaries, then spatial distribution of hardness can be visualized, but the images cannot be compared across different compression levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms strain values into compression-independent index values by normalizing with the reference point strain. This parameter change enables the visualized spatial distribution information to be comparable across different compression levels, as the relative ratios remain constant regardless of the absolute compression quantity applied during imaging.
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 approach allows for the clear, subjective identification of tissue hardness variations and the distinction between diseased and surrounding tissues, improving the sensitivity and accuracy of tissue boundary identification and malignity assessment by normalizing strain values across different compression levels.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe; ultrasonic tomographic data measuring means for adding pressure to the tissues of an object to be examined and measuring the ultrasonic tomographic data of the region
Implementation Method 2
elastic image generating means for obtaining physical quantity correlated with strain of the tissues in a plurality of measurement points of the region based on the ultrasonic tomographic data
Data Source
AI summary
An image showing the spatial distribution of the hardness of a tissue of an object to be examined from which the influence of the pressure amount is eliminated is displayed.From ultrasonic tomography data measured by pressing the tissue, a physical quantity relating to the distortion of the tissue at measurement points of the tissue is determined.An elasticity image of the tissue is created according to the physical quantity.The physical quantities at the measurement points are indexed by using the physical quantity in a reference region determined in the elasticity image as a reference, and an indexed elasticity image showing the distribution of the index value is created.