Method and Apparatus for Rapid Acquisition of Elasticity Data in Three Dimensions
Patent Number: US20140243668
Executive Summary:
General Description:
The present invention provides a way of rapidly acquiring three-dimensional elasticity images by acquiring a limited number of planes of data extending along and arrayed angularly about a central axis. This acquisition technique allows, for example, monitoring of ablation on a real-time basis but may also be used for other 3-D imaging purposes. The radial acquisition pattern provides a good trade-off between reducing the required data acquisition while still providing the resolution necessary to identify ablation region boundaries or other similar volume edges.
The present invention may provide an apparatus for acquiring three-dimensional elasticity data having an ultrasonic probe assembly adapted to direct an ultrasound beam into an elastic material and receive ultrasonic echoes generally along an axis to acquire a set of planes of ultrasound data such that the axis lies substantially within each plane, and the planes are angularly spaced around the axis. An electronic computer receives the ultrasound data to compute measures of material elasticity at multiple points within each plane and reconstruct the multiple points of material elasticity of multiple planes into a three-dimensional representation of elasticity of the material.
Scientific Progress:
The invention provides a 3-D ultrasound image acquisition and reconstruction system compatible with wave speed analyses of radially propagating shear waves.
Future Directions:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Patent Status:
Patent Citations:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US5485842A/en
https://patents.google.com/patent/US5546807A/en
Inventor Bio: Tomy Varghese
https://www.medphysics.wisc.edu/directory/varghese.php
Executive Summary:
- Invention Type: Diagnostic and Device
- Patent Status: Pending
- Patent Link: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20140243668/
- Research Institute: University of Wisconsin
- Disease Focus: Surgery
- Basis of Invention: The present invention relates to ultrasonic imaging techniques for obtaining information about tissue elasticity and a method of rapidly acquiring three-dimensional elasticity reconstructions. Elastography is an imaging modality that reveals the stiffness properties of tissues
- How it works: Ultrasonic imaging techniques for obtaining information about tissue elasticity
- Lead Challenge Inventor: Tomy Varghese
- Inventors: Tomy Varghese, Atul Nishikant Ingle
- Development Stage: Preclinical
- Novelty:
- The invention provides improved processing of sparse and noisy ultrasound data in a way that simultaneously accommodates an interpolation and smoothing of the data in three dimensions
- Clinical Applications:
- Effects shown in tissue preparations
General Description:
The present invention provides a way of rapidly acquiring three-dimensional elasticity images by acquiring a limited number of planes of data extending along and arrayed angularly about a central axis. This acquisition technique allows, for example, monitoring of ablation on a real-time basis but may also be used for other 3-D imaging purposes. The radial acquisition pattern provides a good trade-off between reducing the required data acquisition while still providing the resolution necessary to identify ablation region boundaries or other similar volume edges.
The present invention may provide an apparatus for acquiring three-dimensional elasticity data having an ultrasonic probe assembly adapted to direct an ultrasound beam into an elastic material and receive ultrasonic echoes generally along an axis to acquire a set of planes of ultrasound data such that the axis lies substantially within each plane, and the planes are angularly spaced around the axis. An electronic computer receives the ultrasound data to compute measures of material elasticity at multiple points within each plane and reconstruct the multiple points of material elasticity of multiple planes into a three-dimensional representation of elasticity of the material.
Scientific Progress:
The invention provides a 3-D ultrasound image acquisition and reconstruction system compatible with wave speed analyses of radially propagating shear waves.
Future Directions:
- Further studies in mouse and human models are required to address the clinical relevance
Strengths:
- Electrical probe adapted for percutaneous insertion into tissue at a tumor site communicating with a high-frequency power source to ablate tissue at the tumor site
Weaknesses:
- Preclinical data in mouse models is lacking
Patent Status:
- Priority date 2013-02-28
- Filing date 2013-02-28
- Publication date 2014-08-28
Patent Citations:
https://patents.google.com/patent/US5485842A/en
https://patents.google.com/patent/US5546807A/en
Inventor Bio: Tomy Varghese
https://www.medphysics.wisc.edu/directory/varghese.php
