Ultrasound Measurement Apparatus for Vascular Wall Interface Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound measurement apparatuses face challenges in accurately and stably measuring the Intima Media Thickness (IMT) of blood vessels due to the lumen-intima interface having a weaker signal strength, often buried in noise, and the anterior and posterior walls being affected by multiple reflections, leading to blurred contours and decreased measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound measurement apparatus that includes units for specifying the positions of both the media-adventitia and lumen-intima interfaces using reflected wave signals, with a credibility determination unit that evaluates the change in position accompanying pulsation to accurately distinguish and determine the vascular wall interfaces, thereby enhancing measurement precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If brightness peak search method is used to automatically calculate IMT, then automation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates when many positions cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by comparing the detected interface position with the expected position based on vascular wall thickness norms. The credibility determination unit uses this feedback to evaluate whether the detected position is reliable, and adjusts the measurement approach accordingly to maintain precision while preserving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter being measured from simple brightness peak detection to a credibility-based evaluation that considers multiple factors including signal strength, position consistency, and vascular wall thickness plausibility. This parameter transformation allows the system to maintain automation while improving measurement precision by filtering out unreliable detections.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If reflected wave signal strength is used to detect vascular wall interfaces, then detection capability is improved for strong signals, but reliability deteriorates for weak signals buried in noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary credibility evaluation mechanism that mediates between the raw reflected wave signal and the final interface position determination. This intermediary layer assesses the reliability of each detection and can invoke alternative detection methods or adjustments when credibility is low, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving detection capability across varying signal strengths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies prior cushioning by establishing credibility evaluation criteria and alternative detection strategies before the actual measurement process. When weak signals are detected, pre-prepared compensation methods are activated to maintain reliability, rather than relying solely on the potentially unreliable peak detection.
3Strength
If multiple reflection effects are present in anterior wall measurement, then signal strength is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to blurred contours
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the interface detection process into multiple candidate position evaluations with individual credibility assessments. By dividing the detection task and evaluating each segment's reliability separately, the system can identify and exclude positions affected by multiple reflection artifacts, thereby maintaining precision even when strong reflected signals are present.
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 precise specification of vascular wall interfaces and determination of their credibility, leading to improved accuracy in IMT measurements and reduced errors, even in varying vascular wall thickness and composition.
Implementation Method 1
a reflected wave signal (RF signal) applied to and reflected from the carotid artery is received by the ultrasound probe
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducers arranged therein is applied to the neck to irradiate an ultrasound beam
Data Source
AI summary
A first interface of a media-adventitia interface and a second interface of a lumen-intima interface are specified on the basis of reflected waveform data in an n-th frame, a first interface of a media-adventitia interface and second interfaces of a lumen-intima interface are specified on the basis of reflected waveform data in an m-th frame, a first interface displacement amount and second interface displacement amounts between the n-th and m-th frames are determined, a reference displacement amount is calculated from the same reflected waveform data by phase difference tracking as the displacement amount of a vascular wall, and evaluation values for evaluating interface specification credibility are calculated from the first interface displacement amount, the second interface displacement amounts, and the reference displacement amount.