Patent US4855911A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4855911A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic tissue characterization
Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
•
Filing: 1987-11-16
•
Granted: 1989-08-08
•
Expires: 2007-11-16
Abstract
Abstract Methods and devices for characterizing tissues and the like utilize signals obtained from ultrasonic backscatter processes. The method accounts for frequency-dependent attenuation, spatially-varying media statistics, arbitrary beam geometries, and arbitrary pulse shapes. Statistical analysis is employed to estimate the scatterer number density (SND) of tissues. The method for estimating the scatterer number density incorporates measurements of both the statistical moments of the backscattered signals and the point spread function of the acoustic system.
Inventors
- 👤 Padmakar P. Lele
- 👤 Gerard E. Sleefe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 11:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/11; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02475
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the method comprising: transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components to assign a scatterer number density to said tissue; and characterizing said tissue by comparing said assigned scatterer number density with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
66 words
A method for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the method comprising: transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components to assign a scatterer number density to said tissue; and characterizing said tissue by comparing said assigned scatterer number density with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transmitting an acoustic signal further includes scanning a region of said tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing a backscattered waveform further includes averaging a plurality of backscattered waveforms.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing a backscattered waveform further includes measuring a spatial spread of said waveform by auto correlation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step of analyzing the backscattered waveform further includes measuring a kurtosis obtained from statistical moments of said backscattered waveform and comparing a coefficient of excess with a measurement of a volume associated with a system point spread function.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; means for receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; means for analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components; and means for characterizing said tissue by comparing a scatterer density number with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; means for receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; means for analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components; and means for characterizing said tissue by comparing a scatterer density number with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transmitting means further includes a pulse generating means electrically connected to a transducer for generating an acoustic pulse at a surface of said transducer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transmitting means further include an array of transducers and means for selectively activating said transducers to scan a volume of said tissue.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the transmitting means further includes a transducer end translating means for translating said transducer to scan a volume of said tissue.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the receiving means further includes a transducer for converting said backscattered waveform into an electrical signal.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the receiver means further includes means for sampling said electrical signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sampling means further includes an analog-to-digital converter.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the sampling means further includes averaging means for averaging a plurality of backscattered waveforms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the analyzing means further includes computer means for calculating a kurtosis from statistical moments of the backscattered waveform and for comparing a coefficient of excess with a measurement of a volume associated with a system point spread function.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the computer means further includes an auto correlation means for measuring a spatial spread of said waveform.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 14 wherein the apparatus further includes calibration means for a-priori measurement of the system point spread function.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the characterizing means further included comparison means for comparing said scatterer density number with stored values derived from known histological tissue conditions.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the analyzing means further includes a programmed microprocessor.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
12 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein analyzing means further includes analog hardware.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the method comprising: transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components to assign a scatterer number density to said tissue, said scatterer number density being inversely proportional to a coefficient of excess of said backscattered waveform; and characterizing said tissue by comparing said assigned scatterer number density with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the method comprising: transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components to assign a scatterer number density to said tissue, said scatterer number density being inversely proportional to a coefficient of excess of said backscattered waveform; and characterizing said tissue by comparing said assigned scatterer number density with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 20, wherein said analyzing step includes the step of determining said coefficient of excess of said waveform.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said analyzing step further includes the step of determining a volume of a system point spread function.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 22, wherein said analyzing step further includes the step of combining said coefficient of excess and said volume of the point spread function to determine an estimate of said scatterer number density.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said combining step includes the step of generating an estimate of said scatterer number density which is proportional to said volume of said point spread function and inversely proportional to said coefficient of excess.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; means for receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; means for analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components and for generating a scatterer number density of said tissue, said scatterer number density being inversely proportional to a coefficient of excess of said backscattered waveform; and means for characterizing said tissue by comparing said scatterer number density with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for non-invasive characterization of tissue, the apparatus comprising: means for transmitting an acoustic signal to a tissue; means for receiving a backscattered waveform from said tissue; means for analyzing said backscattered waveform as a sum of individual scatterer components and for generating a scatterer number density of said tissue, said scatterer number density being inversely proportional to a coefficient of excess of said backscattered waveform; and means for characterizing said tissue by comparing said scatterer number density with predetermined parameters to obtain an identification of the tissue character.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said analyzing means includes means for determining said coefficient of excess of said waveform.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said analyzing means further includes means for determining a volume of a system point spread function.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said analyzing means further includes means for combining said coefficient of excess and said volume of the point spread function to determine an estimate of said scatterer number density.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said combining means further includes means for generating an estimate of said scatterer number density which is proportional to said volume of said point spread function and inversely proportional to said coefficient of excess.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4202215A
Cited
US4322974A
Cited
US4407163A
Cited
US4409838A
Cited
US4511984A
Cited
US4509524A
Cited
US4512195A
Cited
US4470303A
Cited
US4472972A
Cited
US4545250A
Cited
US4542744A
Cited
US4655228A
Cited
US4619267A
Cited
US4581935A
Cited
US4658827A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-08-07 | 1993-02-06 | 1993-08-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-08-07 | 1997-02-06 | 1997-08-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-08-07 | 2001-02-06 | 2001-08-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |