Ultrasound Harmonic Signal Extraction for Tissue Deformation Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound-based elasticity imaging methods face challenges in accurately estimating tissue deformation due to clutter, which increases variance and biases displacement estimates, and requires improvement in axial resolution.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound system that delivers tracking pulses and obtains data sets from an ultrasound transducer array, using a harmonic data analyzing circuit to extract harmonic signals by combining echo signals from phase-inverted waveforms, thereby reducing fundamental signals and increasing harmonic signals, and a displacement estimator circuit to estimate tissue deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound tracking pulses are used, then tissue deformation can be estimated, but clutter increases variance and biases displacement estimates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates clutter from the ultrasound signal by using phase-inverted waveform pairs. The harmonic data analyzing circuit processes echo signals from these paired waveforms to separate and remove clutter components, retaining only the tissue deformation information. This extraction principle directly addresses the contradiction by removing the harmful clutter while preserving the useful deformation signal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple echo signals from phase-inverted waveform pairs to create a composite harmonic signal. By synthesizing signals from multiple transmissions with different phases, the system enhances the desired tissue deformation signal while suppressing clutter, thereby improving measurement precision without being affected by clutter.
2Measurement precision
If conventional tracking pulses are used, then displacement estimates can be obtained, but axial resolution is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temporal and phase parameters of the tracking pulses by using phase-inverted waveform pairs transmitted at different times. This parameter modification allows the harmonic data analyzing circuit to process signals in a way that enhances axial resolution, converting temporal and phase differences into improved spatial discrimination capability.
3Measurement precision
If phase-inverted waveforms are transmitted alternately, then fundamental signals are reduced and harmonic signals are increased, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic transmission of phase-inverted waveform pairs in an alternating sequence. This periodic action with specific timing and phase relationships automatically generates the desired harmonic signal enhancement while reducing fundamental signals. The regular, repeating pattern simplifies the control logic despite the sophisticated signal processing required, as the system follows a predictable cyclical transmission scheme.
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 solution reduces clutter and improves axial resolution, allowing for more accurate tissue deformation estimation and enhanced visualization of blood vessels and tissue interfaces, with improved sensitivity and reduced acoustic pressure requirements.
Implementation Method 1
The harmonic data analyzing circuit is configured to extract one or more harmonic data sets by combining the echo signals, and the two or more tracking waveforms differ in at least one transmit parameter such that, when the echo signals corresponding to the two or more waveforms are combined by the harmonic data analyzing circuit, at least one of a fundamental and a harmonic signal portion is increased and or decreased
Implementation Method 2
the controller is configured to emit an acoustic radiation force excitation to the region of interest with an ultrasound transducer array
Implementation Method 3
the controller is configured to apply a compression and/or vibration to the region of interest by strain imaging, elastography and/or sonoelasticity
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound system for estimating tissue deformation in ultrasound elasticity imaging includes a controller configured to deliver a plurality of tracking pulses and to obtain a plurality of data sets for a region of interest from an ultrasound transducer array; a harmonic data analyzing circuit configured to receive the plurality of data sets and to extract one or more harmonic data sets including harmonic signals from the plurality of image data sets; and a displacement estimator circuit configured to estimate tissue deformation in the region of interest responsive to the one or more harmonic data sets.