Viscoelastic Parameter Measurement via Shear Wave Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for detecting liver fibrosis primarily focus on elastic parameters, neglecting viscosity parameters, which affects the accuracy of early lesion detection in liver tissues.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that apply a mechanical vibration at a single frequency to generate a shear wave in the liver tissue, using ultrasonic waves to acquire maximum displacement data and fit it into a maximum displacement attenuation curve to determine the viscoelastic parameter, which reflects both elasticity and viscosity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If only elastic parameter measurement is performed, then the detection method is simple, but the measurement precision of liver fibrosis is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines elastic parameter measurement and viscosity parameter measurement into a single integrated detection system. The shear wave generation module generates shear waves while the ultrasonic detection module simultaneously measures both elastic properties (shear wave speed) and viscosity properties (amplitude attenuation), resolving the contradiction by merging multiple measurement functions into one system that improves precision without proportionally increasing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from single-dimensional elastic parameter measurement to two-dimensional viscoelastic parameter measurement by adding viscosity parameter detection. This dimensional expansion allows the system to capture both elastic modulus and viscosity coefficient, significantly improving liver fibrosis detection accuracy while using the same basic shear wave generation and ultrasonic detection infrastructure
2Reliability
If viscosity parameter is neglected, then the detection process is simplified, but the reliability of early lesion detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses ultrasonic wave amplitude attenuation measurement to detect viscosity parameters, replacing complex mechanical rheometry with non-invasive acoustic measurement. This substitution maintains high reliability for early lesion detection by capturing viscosity effects through the relationship between ultrasonic amplitude decay and tissue viscosity, without requiring complex mechanical measurement systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces shear waves as an intermediary medium to simultaneously probe both elastic and viscosity properties of liver tissue. By generating shear waves and analyzing their propagation characteristics (speed for elasticity, amplitude decay for viscosity), the system reliably detects early lesions while keeping the measurement process integrated and manageable
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 enhances the accuracy of liver fibrosis measurement by providing richer tissue parameter information, enabling more precise detection of fibrosis degrees.
Implementation Method 1
applying a mechanical vibration at a single predetermined frequency to the viscoelastic medium to generate a shear wave in the viscoelastic medium
Implementation Method 2
during propagation of the shear wave in the viscoelastic medium, emitting single-source ultrasonic waves to the viscoelastic medium and receiving ultrasonic echo signals
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention provides a method and device for detecting a viscoelastic parameter of a viscoelastic medium. The method comprises: applying a mechanical vibration at a single predetermined frequency to the viscoelastic medium to generate a shear wave in the viscoelastic medium (101); emitting ultrasonic waves to the viscoelastic medium, and receiving ultrasonic echo signals (102); acquiring maximum displacement data of the shear wave at various depths according to the ultrasonic echo signals (103), each of the maximum displacement data representing a maximum oscillation amplitude of the shear wave when the shear wave propagates to different depths in the viscoelastic medium; fitting each of the maximum displacement data to obtain a maximum displacement attenuation curve (104); and determining the viscoelastic parameter of the viscoelastic medium according to the maximum displacement attenuation curve (105). Thus, a viscoelastic parameter related to both elasticity and viscosity can be acquired to increase a measurement dimension of a tissue, facilitating the provision of richer tissue parameter information and measurement dimensions, and providing a more accurate measurement result of tissue fibrosis.