Systems and Methods for Assessing Properties of Biological Tubes

A system and method is provided for measuring a mechanical property of a biological tube. The system and method operate to arrange a plurality of piezoelectric elements about the biological tube and apply a predetermined force or transduce an endogeneous or exogeneous force to the biological tube. The system and method also operate to receive a respective signal from each piezoelectric element in the plurality of piezoelectric elements responsive to the application of the predetermined force or a transduced endogenous or exogeneous force and calculate the mechanical property of the biological tube based on the signals received from the plurality of piezoelectric elements. 1. A system for measuring mechanical properties of a biological tube extending along an axis comprising:a tubular substrate dimensioned to extend along the axis of the biological tube and engage the biological tube;an array of piezoelectric elements engaging the tubular substrate;a pressure device configured to apply a predetermined force or transduce an endogenous or exogeneous force to the biological tube and be sensed by the array when the array is engaged with the biological tube, wherein each piezoelectric element is configured to generate a signal in response to sensing application of the predetermined or transduced force; anda processor configured to receive the signal from at least two piezoelectric elements of the array and calculate a mechanical property of the biological tube based on signals received from the at least two piezoelectric elements in the array.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal received from the at least two piezoelectric elements in the array include data related to a position of each of the piezoelectric elements within the array.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tubular substrate is hollow and includes a lumen configured to receive the biological tube.4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the signal includes at least one of sinusoidal signal and coded ...

System and method for measurement of shear wave speed from multi-directional wave fields

A system and method for measuring material properties of a medium includes producing a multi-directional wave field in the medium and detecting, with a detection system capable of detecting wave fields propagating in a medium, the multi-directional wave field in at least two spatial dimensions over at least one time instance. The system and method also include determining a lowest wave speed, calculating at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium, and generating a report indicating the at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium.

Shear wave attenuation from k-space analysis system

The present invention provides a system and method for ultrasound processes using wave attenuation derived from k-space analysis by analyzing spatial frequency domain data.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GRADIENT-BASED K-SPACE SEARCH FOR SHEAR WAVE VELOCITY DISPERSION ESTIMATION

Described here are systems and methods for ultrasound processes using shear wave attenuation and velocity derived from k-space analysis by analyzing spatial frequency domain data. 1. A system for determining a property of a tissue of a subject , the system comprising:an ultrasound transmitter configured to engage a subject and cause a shear wave to propagate through the subject;an ultrasound receiver configured to acquire data from the subject as the shear wave to propagates through the subject; transform the data acquired by the ultrasound receiver into a spatial frequency domain to form k-space data;', 'compute a gradient of the k-space data to form gradient data;', 'process the gradient data to compute shear wave velocity values associated with the shear wave as it propagated through the subject; and, 'a processor configured toa report generator configured to generate a report indicating at least one of the shear wave velocity values and a metric calculated using the shear wave velocity values.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to process the gradient data to identify a zero-crossing in the gradient data and to compute the shear wave velocity values using the identified zero-crossing in the gradient data.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to treat the shear wave as a one-dimensional claim 1 , plane claim 1 , shear wave propagating in a linear viscoelastic medium.8. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound transducer and receiver are part of an ultrasound system configured to perform an ultrasound elastography study.9. A method for estimating at least one of phase velocity and attenuation of shear waves propagating through a subject claim 1 , the steps of the method comprising:(a) controlling a source of energy to generate shear waves within the subject;(b) acquiring, with a medical device, data about the shear waves as the shear waves propagate through the subject;(c) transforming the data to a spatial ...

System and method for shear wave generation with steered ultrasound push beams

A system and method for performing a steered push beam (SPB) technique to create multiple foci generated by the interference of different ultrasound push beams to create shear waves and, based thereon, generate a report indicating mechanical properties about an object.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEASUREMENT OF LONGITUDINAL AND CIRCUMFERENTIAL WAVE SPEEDS IN CYLINDRICAL VESSELS

Systems and methods are provided for measuring and isolating circumferential wave speed within a vessel wall of a substantially cylindrical vessel. The methods include measuring a motion at a first location and a second location opposite the first location and isolating the circumferential wave speed. The methods also include generating a report using the longitudinal or circumferential wave speeds.

System and method for gradient-based k-space search for shear wave velocity dispersion estimation

Described here are systems and methods for ultrasound processes using shear wave attenuation and velocity derived from k-space analysis by analyzing spatial frequency domain data.

System and Method for Model-Independent Quantification of Tissue Viscoelastic Properties Using Ultrasound

A model-independent method for producing a viscoelastic tissue property metric using ultrasound is provided. A mechanical stress, such as an acoustic force, is applied to a tissue using an ultrasound system and tissue displacement resulting from the applied acoustic force is measured. From the tissue displacement measurements, a complex modulus, such as a relative complex modulus, is extracted. A loss tangent is calculated from the extracted complex modulus. Using the calculated loss tangent, viscoelastic tissue property metrics may be calculated. 1. A method for producing a viscoelastic tissue property metric using ultrasound , the steps of the method comprising:a) applying a mechanical stress to a tissue using an ultrasound system;b) measuring a tissue displacement resulting from the applied mechanical stress;c) extracting a complex modulus value from the measured tissue displacement;d) calculating a loss tangent from the extracted complex modulus; ande) calculating a viscoelastic tissue property metric using the calculated loss tangent.2. The method as recited in in which step e) further includes calculating a real part of a wavenumber using a frequency and wave speed of shear waves generated in the tissue by the applied mechanical stress claim 1 , and using the real part of the wavenumber to calculate the viscoelastic tissue property metric.3. The method as recited in in which step e) includes calculating an imaginary part of a wavenumber using the loss tangent and using the imaginary part of the wavenumber to calculate the viscoelastic tissue property metric.4. The method as recited in in which step e) includes:i) calculating a real part of a wavenumber using a frequency and wave speed of shear waves generated in the tissue by the applied mechanical stress;ii) calculating an imaginary part of a wavenumber using the loss tangent and the calculated real part of the wavenumber; andiii) calculating the viscoelastic tissue property metric using the calculated real ...

SHEAR WAVE GROUP VELOCITY ESTIMATION USING SPATIOTEMPORAL PEAKS AND AMPLITUDE THRESHOLDING

Described here are systems and methods for estimating shear wave velocity from data acquired with a shear wave elastography system. More particularly, the systems and methods described here implement a spatiotemporal time-to-peak algorithm that searches for the times at which shear wave motion is at a maximum while also searching for the lateral locations at which shear wave motion is at a maximum. Motion can include displacement, velocity, or acceleration caused by propagating shear waves. A fitting procedure (e.g., a linear fit) is performed on a combined set of these temporal peaks and spatial peaks to estimate the shear wave velocity, from which mechanical properties can be computed. Motion amplitude thresholding can also be used to increase the number of points for the fitting. 1. A computer-implemented method for estimating a shear wave velocity from elastography data acquired with an elastography system , the steps of the method comprising:(a) providing the elastography data to a computer system;(b) generating from the elastography data, a motion profile for each of a plurality of spatial locations in a field-of-view, each motion profile representing motion over a plurality of time points;(c) generating temporal peak data by determining for each spatial location a time point at which motion at the spatial location is at a maximum;(d) generating spatial peak data by determining for each time point a spatial location at which motion at the time point is at a maximum;(e) estimating the shear wave velocity based on a fitting of the temporal peak data and the spatial peak data; and(f) generating an output that indicates the estimated shear wave velocity.2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein step (e) includes fitting the temporal peak data and the spatial peak data using a linear fitting.3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the linear fitting is at least one of random sample consensus (RANSAC) linear fitting claim 2 , weighted RANSAC linear fitting ...

Shear viscosity imaging with acoustic radiation force

Shear waves are generated and measured in viscoelastic phantoms by a single push beam. Using numerical simulations or an analytical function to describe the diffraction of the shear wave, the resulting shear wave motion induced by the applied push beam is calculated with different shear elasticity values and then convolved with a separate expression that describes the effects of viscosity value for the medium. The optimization algorithm chooses the tissue parameters which provide the smallest difference between the measured shear waveform and the simulated shear waveform. A shear viscosity image is generated by applying such optimization procedure at all of the observation points.

Estimating Phase Velocity Dispersion in Ultrasound Elastography Using a Multiple Signal Classification

Methods for estimating the phase velocity of a shear wave from ultrasound data are described. An ultrasound system is used to measure one or more shear waves propagating in a region-of-interest in a subject, and from this data the phase velocity of the one or more shear waves can be estimated. In general, the phase velocity is estimated from a wavenumber spectrum computed from temporal frequency data generated by Fourier transforming the ultrasound data along one or more temporal dimensions. A multiple signal classification (i.e., MUSIC) technique is adapted to separate the temporal frequency data into signal and noise subspaces, from which wavenumber spectra can be estimated based, at least in part, on an estimation function. 1. A method for estimating a phase velocity of a shear wave using an ultrasound system , the steps of the method comprising:(a) providing to a computer system, ultrasound data acquired with an ultrasound system from a region-of-interest in a subject in which a shear wave was propagating when the ultrasound data were acquired, wherein the ultrasound data comprise at least one spatial dimension and at least one temporal dimension;(b) generating temporal frequency data by Fourier transforming the ultrasound data along the at least one temporal dimension;(c) for each temporal frequency in the temporal frequency data, computing an autocorrelation matrix from the temporal frequency data associated with the temporal frequency;(d) separating eigenvectors in each autocorrelation matrix into a shear wave signal eigenvector group associated with shear wave signals and a noise signal eigenvector group associated with noise based on a sorting of eigenvalues in each autocorrelation matrix;(e) computing a wavenumber spectrum based at least in part on the eigenvectors in the noise signal eigenvector group; and(f) estimating a phase velocity of the shear wave based at least in part on the wavenumber spectrum.2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SHEAR WAVE GENERATION WITH STEERED ULTRASOUND PUSH BEAMS

A system and method for performing a steered push beam (SPB) technique to create multiple foci generated by the interference of different ultrasound push beams to create shear waves and, based thereon, generate a report indicating mechanical properties about an object. 1. An ultrasound system for measuring material properties of an object comprising:an ultrasound transducer that includes a plurality of transducer elements; assign an apodization relative to the plurality of transducer elements;', 'based on the apodization, operate the plurality of transducer elements to generate multiple ultrasound push beams to create interference in the object that creates multiple shear waves and associated multiple foci within the object;', 'obtain shear wave elastography data from the object; and', 'calculate a mechanical property of the object using the obtained elastography data., 'a processor configured to2. The system of wherein the processor is further configured to divide an aperture associated with the plurality of transducer elements into a plurality of segments and assign the apodization to each of the segments.3. The system of wherein claim 2 , to assign the apodization claim 2 , the processor is further configured to assign at least one of a weight to an amplitude of signals applied to elements of the plurality of transducer elements in each of the segments claim 2 , a steering angle for elements of the plurality of transducer elements in each of the segments claim 2 , and a focusing delay for elements of the plurality of transducer elements in each of the segments.4. The system of wherein the steering angle includes one of a positive and a negative angle indication.5. The system of wherein the processor is further configured to assign the steering angle using one of a deterministic or a randomized configuration.6. The system of wherein the processor is further configured to divide an aperture associated with the plurality of transducer elements into a plurality of ...

System and method for measurement of shear wave speed from multi-directional wave fields

A system and method for measuring material properties of a medium includes producing a multi-directional wave field in the medium and detecting, with a detection system capable of detecting wave fields propagating in a medium, the multi-directional wave field in at least two spatial dimensions over at least one time instance. The system and method also include determining a lowest wave speed, calculating at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium, and generating a report indicating the at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium.

Shear Wave Elastography with Ultrasound Probe Oscillation

Methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of the ultrasound transducer, are described. The described methods can effectively separate shear wave signals from signals corresponding to residual motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer. The systems and methods described here also provide for real-time visualization of shear waves propagating in the subject. 1. A method for ultrasound elastography using a continuously vibrated ultrasound transducer , the steps of the method comprising:(a) providing a continuous vibration to an ultrasound transducer, whereby vibration of the ultrasound transducer induces a shear wave in an object;(b) acquiring signal data from the object using the ultrasound transducer, wherein the signal data are indicative of the shear wave propagating within the object;(c) processing the signal data using an empirical mode decomposition to extract an intrinsic mode function (IMF) from the signal data, wherein the IMF represents motion of the shear wave in the object that has been separated from motion associated with the vibration provided to the ultrasound transducer; and(d) storing the IMF as shear wave signal data.2. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the signal data are converted to complex-valued signal data before processing the signal data using the empirical mode decomposition.3. The method as recited in claim 2 , wherein the signal data are converted to complex-valued signal data by converting the signal data to a complex representation of motion at a single temporal frequency by applying a Fourier transform to the signal data along a time dimension.4. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein converting the signal data to complex-valued signal data is repeated for each of a plurality of different temporal frequencies to generate a respective plurality of different complex-signal data claim 3 , and steps ...

SHEAR WAVE ATTENUATION FROM K-SPACE ANALYSIS SYSTEM

The present invention provides a system and method for ultrasound processes using wave attenuation derived from k-space analysis by analyzing spatial frequency domain data. 1. A system for determining a property of a tissue of a subject , the system comprising:an ultrasound transmitter configured to engage a subject and cause a shear wave to propagate through the subject;an ultrasound receiver configured to acquire data from the subject as the shear wave to propagates through the subject; transform the data acquired by the ultrasound receiver into a frequency domain to form k-space data;', 'analyze the k-space data to determine an attenuation of the shear wave as it propagated through the subject; and, 'a processor configured toa report generator configured to generate a report indicating at least one of the attenuation of the shear wave as it propagated through the subject and a metric calculated using the attenuation of the shear wave as it propagated through the subject.2. The system of wherein the processor is configured to analyze a magnitude of the k-space data to identify a peak magnitude and use the magnitude profile of the k-space data to determine the attenuation of the shear wave.3. The system of wherein the processor is configured to determine a frequency claim 2 , f claim 2 , of the shear wave and analyze the magnitude of the k-space data to identify the peak magnitude at (k claim 2 ,f)=(f/c claim 2 ,f) claim 2 , wherein k is a wave number variable and f is frequency variable associated with the shear wave claim 2 , and c is the wave speed of the shear wave.5. The system of wherein the processor is configured to treat the shear wave as a one-dimensional claim 1 , plane claim 1 , shear wave propagating in a linear viscoelastic medium.10. The system of wherein the ultrasound transducer and receiver are part of an ultrasound system configured to perform a ultrasound elastography study.11. A system for determining a property of a tissue of a subject claim 1 ...

Systems and methods for ultrasound elastography with continuous transducer vibration

Systems and methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of an ultrasound transducer, are provided. The systems and methods described here can effectively remove motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer, and can also remove the data sampling misalignment caused when a line-by-line imaging mode is used to acquire data, as is done by many conventional ultrasound scanners. Thus, the systems and methods described here provide techniques for transducer motion correction and for aligning motion signals detected by line-by-line scanning ultrasound systems.

Systems and methods for efficiently simulating wave propagation in viscoelastic media

Described here are systems and methods for efficiently simulating wave propagation in one or more viscoelastic media. The systems and methods described here implement an elastodynamic model that includes memory variables for one or more viscoelastic properties. Boundary conditions can also be generated based on a perfectly matched layer (PML) condition. A hybrid implicit/explicit method is used to generate wave simulation data. In this method, equations related to the memory variables and PML are solved using an implicit integrator, and other equations in the elastodynamic model are solved using an explicit method.

Shear wave group velocity estimation using spatiotemporal peaks and amplitude thresholding

Shear wave group velocity estimation using spatiotemporal peaks and amplitude thresholding

Non-metallic ultrasound-detectable markers

Markers (e.g., treatment site markers, biopsy site markers) are composed of a non-metallic material having a composition and/or other features or characteristics such that the markers will generate twinkling artifacts when imaged with ultrasound. In this way, the composition of the markers enables their detection and localization using ultrasound. The markers are generally composed of non-metallic materials that enhance the twinkling artifact.

Shear wave group velocity estimation using spatiotemporal peaks and amplitude thresholding

Described here are systems and methods for estimating shear wave velocity from data acquired with a shear wave elastography system. More particularly, the systems and methods described here implement a spatiotemporal time-to-peak algorithm that searches for the times at which shear wave motion is at a maximum while also searching for the lateral locations at which shear wave motion is at a maximum. Motion can include displacement, velocity, or acceleration caused by propagating shear waves. A fitting procedure (e.g., a linear fit) is performed on a combined set of these temporal peaks and spatial peaks to estimate the shear wave velocity, from which mechanical properties can be computed. Motion amplitude thresholding can also be used to increase the number of points for the fitting.

Shear wave attenuation from k-space analysis system

The present invention provides a system and method for ultrasound processes using wave attenuation derived from k-space analysis by analyzing spatial frequency domain data.

Systems and methods for ultrasound elastography with continuous transducer vibration

Systems and methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of an ultrasound transducer, are provided. The systems and methods described here can effectively remove motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer, and can also remove the data sampling misalignment caused when a line-by-line imaging mode is used to acquire data,, as is done by many conventional ultrasound scanners. Thus, the systems and methods described here provide techniques for transducer motion correction and for aligning motion signals detected by line-by-line scanning ultrasound systems.

Shear wave elastography with ultrasound probe oscillation

Systems and methods for plane wave compounding in ultrasound imaging

Systems and methods for Plane Wave Compounding ("PWC") are provided for improving image quality with reduced phase shift errors. The initial phase difference ("IPD") between two PW transmissions is related to the phase shift error. When the absolute value of IPD is larger than π/2, the phase shift error occurs. An Initial-Phase-Compensated PWC ("IPCPWC") method may be used to compensate the initial phase of echo signals from each PW transmit and maintain the absolute value of IPD smaller than π/2, IPCPWC methods may also include increased motion signal-to-noise ratio and reduced jitter.

System and method for measurement of shear wave speed from multi-directional wave fields

A system and method for measuring material properties of a medium includes producing a multi-directional wave field in the medium and detecting, with a detection system capable of detecting wave fields propagating in a medium, the multi-directional wave field in at least two spatial dimensions over at least one time instance. The system and method also include determining a lowest wave speed, calculating at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium, and generating a report indicating the at least one of wave speed and material properties of the medium.

Acoustic force elastography microscopy

An acoustic radiation elastography microscope includes an ultrasound transducer that generates an acoustic radiation force (ARF) and a suitable motion detection system, such as an optical coherence tomography (OCT) system or an ultrasound system that measures particle motion of shear waves induced in a sample by the ARF.

Systems and methods for ultrasound elastography with continuous transducer vibration

Systems and methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of an ultrasound transducer, are provided. The systems and methods described here can effectively remove motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer, and can also remove the data sampling misalignment caused when a line-by-line imaging mode is used to acquire data,, as is done by many conventional ultrasound scanners. Thus, the systems and methods described here provide techniques for transducer motion correction and for aligning motion signals detected by line-by-line scanning ultrasound systems.

Fast ultrasound imaging method for motion detection using comb detection beams

A comb beam detection transmit scheme is used to significantly increase the frame rate in ultrasound imaging. The comb beam detection is based on simultaneous transmission of several ultrasound beam sets (e.g., sets of focused ultrasound beams) that are spatially arranged in a comb shaped beam pattern over the ultrasound transducer, and scanning these beams in space. For example, to cover an entire region-of-interest, the comb beams are translated along the lateral axis and transmitted at consecutive times. After the scanning, a compounded image is generated from the ultrasound data acquired across the different time frames (i.e., from the different spatial offsets of the comb beam pattern).

Phase velocity imaging using an imaging system

Described here are systems and methods for phase velocity imaging using an imaging system, such as an ultrasound system, an optical imaging system (e.g., an optical coherence tomography system), or a magnetic resonance imaging system. In general, systems and methods for constructing phase velocity images (e.g., 2D images, 3D images) from propagating mechanical wave motion data are described. The systems and methods described in the present disclosure operate in the frequency domain and can be implemented using a single frequency or a band of selected frequencies. If there are multiple mechanical wave sources within the field-of-view, directional filtering may be performed to separate mechanical waves propagating in different directions. The reconstructions described below can be performed for each of these directionally filtered components.

Shear wave phase velocity estimation with extended bandwidth using generalized stockwell transform and slant frequency wavenumber analysis

Shear wave phase velocity is estimated from measurements of shear wave motion obtained using ultrasound shear wave elastography or other suitable elastography techniques. Shear wave dispersion curves are generated using a combined generalized Stockwell transform and slant wave number-frequency analysis. A modified version of the S-transform is used to control the time-frequency resolution of a time-frequency decomposition of a signal.

Phase velocity imaging using an imaging system

Described here are systems and methods for phase velocity imaging using an imaging system, such as an ultrasound system, an optical imaging system (e.g., an optical coherence tomography system), or a magnetic resonance imaging system. In general, systems and methods for constructing phase velocity images (e.g., 2D images, 3D images) from propagating mechanical wave motion data are described. The systems and methods described in the present disclosure operate in the frequency domain and can be implemented using a single frequency or a band of selected frequencies. If there are multiple mechanical wave sources within the field-of-view, directional filtering may be performed to separate mechanical waves propagating in different directions. The reconstructions described below can be performed for each of these directionally filtered components.

Shear wave phase velocity estimation with extended bandwidth using generalized stockwell transform and slant frequency wavenumber analysis

Shear wave phase velocity is estimated from measurements of shear wave motion obtained using ultrasound shear wave elastography or other suitable elastography techniques. Shear wave dispersion curves are generated using a combined generalized Stockwell transform and slant wave number-frequency analysis. A modified version of the S-transform is used to control the time-frequency resolution of a time-frequency decomposition of a signal.

Systems and methods for plane wave compounding in ultrasound imaging

Systems and methods for Plane Wave Compounding ("PWC") are provided for improving image quality with reduced phase shift errors. The initial phase difference ("IPD") between two PW transmissions is related to the phase shift error. When the absolute value of IPD is larger than π/2, the phase shift error occurs. An Initial-Phase-Compensated PWC ("IPCPWC") method may be used to compensate the initial phase of echo signals from each PW transmit and maintain the absolute value of IPD smaller than π/2, IPCPWC methods may also include increased motion signal-to-noise ratio and reduced jitter.

Phase Velocity Imaging Using an Imaging System

Described here are systems and methods for phase velocity imaging using an imaging system, such as an ultrasound system, an optical imaging system (e.g., an optical coherence tomography system), or a magnetic resonance imaging system. In general, systems and methods for constructing phase velocity images (e.g., 2D images, 3D images) from propagating mechanical wave motion data are described. The systems and methods described in the present disclosure operate in the frequency domain and can be implemented using a single frequency or a band of selected frequencies. If there are multiple mechanical wave sources within the field-of-view, directional filtering may be performed to separate mechanical waves propagating in different directions. The reconstructions described below can be performed for each of these directionally filtered components.

Shear wave phase velocity estimation with extended bandwidth using generalized stockwell transform and slant frequency wavenumber analysis

Shear wave phase velocity is estimated from measurements of shear wave motion obtained using ultrasound shear wave elastography or other suitable elastography techniques. Shear wave dispersion curves are generated using a combined generalized Stockwell transform and slant wave number-frequency analysis. A modified version of the S-transform is used to control the time-frequency resolution of a time-frequency decomposition of a signal.

Time-Aligned Plane Wave Compounding of Ultrasound Data

Shear wave elastography and/or other ultrasound imaging procedures are performed using a data acquisition technique in which data are acquired with high SNR while maintaining a high PRFe, using conventional clinical ultrasound scanners. In general, ultrasound data are acquired using plane waves at different angles, after which a time alignment process is applied to the acquired data. The time alignment uses interpolation to obtain data points at higher frame rates, and the time-aligned data is compounded to increase the SNR.

Time-aligned plane wave compounding of ultrasound data

Shear wave elastography and/or other ultrasound imaging procedures are performed using a data acquisition technique in which data are acquired with high SNR while maintaining a high PRF e , using conventional clinical ultrasound scanners. In general, ultrasound data are acquired using plane waves at different angles, after which a time alignment process is applied to the acquired data. The time alignment uses interpolation to obtain data points at higher frame rates, and the time-aligned data is compounded to increase the SNR.

Systems and methods for ultrasound elastography with continuous transducer vibration

Systems and methods for processing data acquired using ultrasound elastography, in which shear waves are generated in a subject using continuous vibration of an ultrasound transducer, are provided. The systems and methods described here can effectively remove motion artifacts associated with vibration of the ultrasound transducer, and can also remove the data sampling misalignment caused when a line-by-line imaging mode is used to acquire data, as is done by many conventional ultrasound scanners. Thus, the systems and methods described here provide techniques for transducer motion correction and for aligning motion signals detected by line-by-line scanning ultrasound systems.

Systems and Methods for Plane Wave Compounding in Ultrasound Imaging

Systems and methods for Plane Wave Compounding (“PWC”) are provided for improving image quality with reduced phase shift errors. The initial phase difference (“IPD”) between two PW transmissions is related to the phase shift error. When the absolute value of IPD is larger than π/2, the phase shift error occurs. An Initial-Phase-Compensated PWC (“IPCPWC”) method may be used to compensate the initial phase of echo signals from each PW transmit and maintain the absolute value of IPD smaller than π/2. IPCPWC methods may also include increased motion signal-to-noise ratio and reduced jitter.

System and method for measurement of shear wave speed from multi-directional wave fields