Vascular Wall Shear Index Detection via Multi-Steering Angle Ultrasonic Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional methods for detecting vascular wall shear index, such as color Doppler ultrasonic imaging and phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography, are either inaccurate or costly and inconvenient, making it difficult to obtain precise measurements of this parameter related to arteriosclerosis.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method that uses multiple steering angle ultrasonic waves to transmit and receive echo signals, allowing for the calculation of particle jet velocities and determination of vascular wall shear index, including velocity gradient, wall shear stress, and oscillatory shear index, using a processor to generate and display accurate images and indices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If color Doppler ultrasonic imaging method is used, then the inspection cost is low, but the measurement precision of vascular wall shear index is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasonic detection process into multiple steering angle transmissions (e.g., 0°, 45°, 90°) to independently measure velocity components in different directions. By dividing the measurement into angular segments, the system reconstructs the complete flow velocity vector, enabling accurate calculation of tangential velocity components needed for precise vascular wall shear index measurement without requiring complex single-step imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional single-angle Doppler measurement to multi-dimensional angular measurement by transmitting ultrasonic waves at multiple steering angles. This dimensional expansion from one-angle to multi-angle measurement allows the system to capture velocity components in multiple directions simultaneously, providing sufficient data to calculate the tangential velocity component parallel to the vascular wall for accurate shear index determination.
2Measurement precision
If phase-contrast magnetic resonance angiography is used, then the measurement precision of vascular wall shear index is improved, but the inspection time and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the complex magnetic resonance imaging system with an ultrasonic imaging system that uses multi-steering angle transmission. This substitution maintains measurement precision by using angular diversity to achieve the same velocity component reconstruction that PC-MRA accomplishes through magnetic field methods, but with significantly reduced inspection time and lower cost using conventional ultrasonic equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameters from magnetic resonance signal acquisition to ultrasonic echo signal acquisition at multiple steering angles. By transforming the measurement approach from magnetic field-based phase contrast to acoustic wave-based Doppler measurement with angular variation, the system achieves comparable precision in vascular wall shear index measurement while dramatically reducing inspection time and eliminating the need for expensive MRI equipment.
3Measurement precision
If traditional color Doppler ultrasonic imaging is used, then the device complexity is low, but the ease of operation for obtaining accurate WSS is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by automatically acquiring velocity component data at multiple steering angles and pre-processing these data to calculate the flow velocity vector. This preliminary calculation of velocity components and vector reconstruction is done automatically by the system, preparing the necessary data in advance for straightforward calculation of the tangential velocity component and subsequent WSS determination, thereby simplifying the operator's workflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the measured velocity components from multiple steering angles to iteratively reconstruct the flow velocity vector and calculate the tangential velocity component parallel to the vascular wall. The system feeds back the calculated WSS values to the operator, allowing verification and adjustment if needed, which simplifies the operation by providing automatic calculation and display of the final WSS measurement without requiring manual computation steps.
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 and cost-effective detection of vascular wall shear index, providing detailed images and indices that can be displayed over time, improving diagnostic comfort and reducing the complexity of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
The transmitting circuit may be configured to excite the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves to a region of interest containing a vessel. The receiving circuit may be configured to receive echo signals generated after the transmitting of the ultrasonic waves.
Implementation Method 2
In a traditional detection method, the color Doppler ultrasonic imaging method using Doppler principle is used.
Implementation Method 3
the processor may, according to first echo signals in the multiple steering angles at the multiple points received by the receiving circuit, respectively obtain velocity components in the multiple steering angles at each point of the multiple points and recover a particle jet velocity from the velocity components in the multiple steering angles at each point of the multiple points
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a method for detecting a shear index of a vascular wall using ultrasonic waves, and a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method comprises: transmitting ultrasonic waves to an region of interest comprising a vessel; receiving the ultrasonic waves to obtain echo signals; acquiring an ultrasonic image according to the echo signals; acquiring particle jet velocities of a plurality of points in the vessel, the particle jet velocity comprising flow velocity and flow direction; determining a vascular wall in the ultrasonic image; acquiring a position to be detected of the vascular wall; calculating, according to particle jet velocities of a plurality of points near the position to be detected, the shear index of the position to be detected of the vascular wall; and displaying the ultrasonic image and the shear index of the vascular wall.