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US5678565A
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Ultrasonic elasticity imaging method and device
Assignee: SARVAZYAN ARMEN P DR
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Filing: 1996-02-27
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Granted: 1997-10-21
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Expires: 2016-02-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and a device for noninvasively identifying a region of the tissue having a different elasticity than the surrounding tissue by simultaneously measuring strain and stress patterns in the tissue portion using an ultrasonic imaging system combined with a pressure sensing array. In a particular embodiment, a pressure sensing array made of a sound transparent film inserted between the ultrasonic scanner probe and the tissue measures pressure pattern on the surface of the tissue when the tissue portion is deformed while the scanner detects internal strain pattern. The ultrasonic scanner probe with the attached pressure sensing array serves as a pressure exerting member causing a deformation of the tissue and creating stress and strain in the tissue portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Armen Paruir Sarvazyan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 21:51
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/005; A61B1/0051; A61B1/0052; A61B5/00; A61B5/0048; A61B5/0053; A61B5/03; A61B5/036; A61B5/06; A61B5/061; A61B5/064; A61B5/43; A61B5/4306; A61B5/4312; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0825; A61B8/0833; A61B8/48; A61B8/485; G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036; G01S7/52042; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/0247; A61B2562/04; A61B2562/046
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of identifying a region within a tissue portion having a different elasticity than the surrounding tissue comprising: causing a deformation of the tissue and creating stress and strain in the tissue portion by an ultrasonic scanner probe pressed against the tissue portion; determining both of the properties of the created stress and strain in the tissue portion by measuring pressure distribution using a pressure sensing array to obtain a stress pattern on the surface of the tissue portion and imaging internal tissue structure by said ultrasonic scanner to provide the internal strain pattern after deformation, wherein the pressure sensing array and the ultrasonic scanner probe are located at the same location on the surface of the tissue portion; defining a model of the tissue portion with homogeneous tissue and with given boundary conditions for the tissue portion; calculating patterns of the both of the properties of stress and strain for the defined model; comparing the determined patterns obtained in the determining step and the respective calculated patterns obtained in the calculating step, the differences between the patterns indicating the presence and location of a different elasticity region of tissue within the tissue portion; and evaluating elasticity characteristics of the tissue portion by varying a spatial distribution of modulus of elasticity in the defined model to minimize the difference between the determined patterns from the determining step and the respective calculated patterns for the defined model, thereby solving an inverse mechanical problem and obtaining spatial distribution of elasticity modulus in the tissue portion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
254 words
A method of identifying a region within a tissue portion having a different elasticity than the surrounding tissue comprising: causing a deformation of the tissue and creating stress and strain in the tissue portion by an ultrasonic scanner probe pressed against the tissue portion; determining both of the properties of the created stress and strain in the tissue portion by measuring pressure distribution using a pressure sensing array to obtain a stress pattern on the surface of the tissue portion and imaging internal tissue structure by said ultrasonic scanner to provide the internal strain pattern after deformation, wherein the pressure sensing array and the ultrasonic scanner probe are located at the same location on the surface of the tissue portion; defining a model of the tissue portion with homogeneous tissue and with given boundary conditions for the tissue portion; calculating patterns of the both of the properties of stress and strain for the defined model; comparing the determined patterns obtained in the determining step and the respective calculated patterns obtained in the calculating step, the differences between the patterns indicating the presence and location of a different elasticity region of tissue within the tissue portion; and evaluating elasticity characteristics of the tissue portion by varying a spatial distribution of modulus of elasticity in the defined model to minimize the difference between the determined patterns from the determining step and the respective calculated patterns for the defined model, thereby solving an inverse mechanical problem and obtaining spatial distribution of elasticity modulus in the tissue portion.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for determining variations in elasticity of bodily tissue comprising: means for applying pressure to an accessible surface of said tissue to provide at least two conditions of compression loading of the tissue to be examined, said means comprising an ultrasonic scanner probe; means for measuring both of the properties of the created stress and strain in the tissue portion, said means comprising a pressure sensing array to provide pressure pattern on the surface of the tissue portion, and an ultrasonic scanner to provide the internal strain pattern in the tissue portion after deformation, wherein the pressure sensing array and the probe of the ultrasonic scanner are adapted to be located at the same location on the surface of the tissue portion; and means for processing the measured data and obtaining spatial distribution of elasticity modulus in the tissue portion.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
141 words
A device for determining variations in elasticity of bodily tissue comprising: means for applying pressure to an accessible surface of said tissue to provide at least two conditions of compression loading of the tissue to be examined, said means comprising an ultrasonic scanner probe; means for measuring both of the properties of the created stress and strain in the tissue portion, said means comprising a pressure sensing array to provide pressure pattern on the surface of the tissue portion, and an ultrasonic scanner to provide the internal strain pattern in the tissue portion after deformation, wherein the pressure sensing array and the probe of the ultrasonic scanner are adapted to be located at the same location on the surface of the tissue portion; and means for processing the measured data and obtaining spatial distribution of elasticity modulus in the tissue portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 2, wherein said pressure sensing array is made out of a sound transparent film positioned between the tissue and the surface of an ultrasonic scanner probe facing the tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the pressure sensing array is made out of piezoelectric polymer film.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 3, wherein the pressure sensing array is a pressure sensitive resistor based array.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for determining variations in elasticity of bodily tissue comprising the steps: applying pressure by ultrasonic scanner probe to an accessible surface of said tissue to provide at least two conditions of compression loading of the tissue to be examined; measuring both of the properties of the created stress and strain in the tissue portion, using a pressure sensing array to provide pressure pattern on the surface of the tissue portion, and an ultrasonic scanner to provide the internal strain data in the tissue portion after deformation; and processing the measured data and obtaining spatial distribution of elasticity modulus in the tissue portion.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
104 words
A method for determining variations in elasticity of bodily tissue comprising the steps: applying pressure by ultrasonic scanner probe to an accessible surface of said tissue to provide at least two conditions of compression loading of the tissue to be examined; measuring both of the properties of the created stress and strain in the tissue portion, using a pressure sensing array to provide pressure pattern on the surface of the tissue portion, and an ultrasonic scanner to provide the internal strain data in the tissue portion after deformation; and processing the measured data and obtaining spatial distribution of elasticity modulus in the tissue portion.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-10-20 | 2001-04-21 | 2001-10-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-10-20 | 2005-04-21 | 2005-10-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-10-20 | 2009-04-21 | 2009-10-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |