ULTRASOUND ON-PROBE VIBRATION SYSTEMS, METHODS AND DEVICES FOR ELASTOGRAPHIC AND VISCOELASTOGRAPHIC MEDICAL IMAGING

Smart overview of the Invention

The patent application introduces a novel approach to medical imaging, specifically targeting elastography and viscoelastography. This technique involves using an ultrasound probe equipped with vibration sources that are distinct from the ultrasound array. These vibration sources enhance the size and depth of vibrational shear wave fields, offering a broader frequency range than conventional methods like Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI). The system supports multi-channel and multi-directional audio-frequency vibrations, facilitating advanced elastographic imaging techniques.

Technical Field

The invention pertains to elastography and viscoelastography systems, focusing on devices that utilize ultrasound probes for medical imaging. Elastography is used to measure tissue stiffness, often overlaying these measurements on images from various imaging systems such as ultrasound, MRI, CT, and OCT. The method involves tracking the propagation of acoustic vibrations induced in the tissue to assess biomechanical properties.

Challenges with Current Techniques

Existing techniques like ARFI face significant limitations such as restricted depth penetration, potential tissue damage, and probe degradation due to high-intensity push pulses. These methods are not suitable for deep tissues, particularly in obese patients. Furthermore, ARFI's spatial resolution decreases with depth, affecting its ability to accurately measure viscoelastic properties such as dispersion.

Proposed Solution

The proposed system comprises an ultrasound probe assembly that incorporates vibratory devices via a vibration isolation component. This assembly can generate both ARFI push pulses and external vibration signals for shear wave elastography imaging. The system includes interfaces for receiving vibration driver signals and for outputting tracked vibration waveforms to an image processor, enabling the generation of viscoelastic property maps.

Benefits and Applications

This innovation addresses the drawbacks of current methods by providing enhanced imaging capabilities with improved depth and frequency range. It minimizes potential damage to tissues and probes while offering more reliable stiffness measurements. The system can be applied in various medical fields requiring detailed assessment of tissue properties, potentially improving diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.