Virtual Marker Kinematics for Real-Time Tissue Strain Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging technologies are limited in their ability to assess tissue displacement and strain in real-time, particularly for muscles, ligaments, fascia, and tendons, lacking methods for simultaneous assessment and requiring natural markers that are not always present.
Innovation Solution
A virtual marker (VM) displacement and deformation scheme measures tissue and fluid kinematics in a Lagrangian frame of reference, using ultrasound, MRI, or CT-scan images without the need for natural markers, enabling simultaneous measurement of displacement and strain.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If natural markers are used for tissue displacement measurement, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to requirement of marker placement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image processing to create virtual markers by copying and tracking natural tissue features visible in ultrasound images. Instead of requiring physical markers to be placed on tissue, the system captures natural tissue echogenicity patterns and creates digital replicas that can be tracked through image sequences, achieving marker-like functionality without physical intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables tissues to serve themselves by using their own natural acoustic properties and visible features in ultrasound images as tracking markers. The image processing algorithm automatically identifies and tracks tissue boundaries and internal features without requiring external markers or manual intervention, making the measurement process self-sufficient
2Loss of time
If ultrasound imaging is used for tissue assessment, then real-time measurement capability is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to limited ability to assess deformation and strain
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the tissue region into multiple interrogation windows or zones within the ultrasound image. Each window independently tracks displacement and strain parameters, allowing simultaneous measurement of multiple kinematic variables across different tissue regions. This segmentation enables comprehensive deformation assessment while maintaining real-time imaging capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from one-dimensional displacement measurement to two-dimensional strain tensor measurement by analyzing image pixel data in both horizontal and vertical dimensions. The image processing calculates not only displacement magnitude but also strain components in multiple directions, adding dimensional complexity to the measurement without sacrificing real-time performance
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a system and method for a system and method for an image processing-based approach has been developed for in vivo quantification of tissue and body fluid kinematics when certain human movements, physical loads and physiological stresses are experienced. Due to the absence of artificial or physical markers in those tissues or fluids during typical imaging (ultrasound, CT-scan or MRI), a virtual marker displacement and deformation scheme has been developed to measure movement and strain of both tissues and body fluids.