Abstract
BackgroundThe resources of ultrafast technology can be used to add another analysis to ultrasound imaging: assessment of tissue viscoelasticity. Ultrafast image formation can be utilized to find transitory shear waves propagating in soft tissue, which permits quantification of the mechanical properties of the tissue via elastography. This technique permits simple and noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of disease.MethodsThis article presents a method to estimate the viscoelastic properties and rigidity of structures using the ultrasound technique known as shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI). The Verasonics Vantage 128 research platform and L11-4v transducer were used to acquire radio frequency signals from a model 049A elastography phantom (CIRS, USA), with subsequent processing and analysis in MATLAB.ResultsThe images and indexes obtained reflect the qualitative measurements of the different regions of inclusions in the phantom and the respective alterations in the viscoelastic properties of distinct areas. Comparison of the results obtained with this proposed technique and other commonly used techniques demonstrates the characteristics of median filtering in smoothing variations in velocity to form elastographic images. The results from the technique proposed in this study are within the margins of error indicated by the phantom manufacturer for each type of inclusion; for the phantom base and for type I, II, III, and IV inclusions, respectively, in kPa and percentage errors, these are 25 (24.0%), 8 (37.5%), 14 (28.6%), 45 (17.8%), and 80 (15.0%). The values obtained using the method proposed in this study and mean percentage errors were 29.18 (− 16.7%), 10.26 (− 28.2%), 15.64 (− 11.7%), 45.81 (− 1.8%), and 85.21 (− 6.5%), respectively.ConclusionsThe new technique to obtain images uses a distinct filtering function which considers the mean velocity in the region around each pixel, in turn allowing adjustments according to the characteristics of the phantom inclusions within the ultrasound and optimizing the resulting elastographic images.
Highlights
The resources of ultrafast technology can be used to add another analysis to ultrasound imaging: assessment of tissue viscoelasticity
Initially, images were obtained which confirmed the displacement of the supersonic shear wave in the phantom in two directions
Displacement occurred in a linear manner in real time to demonstrate the process of generating shear waves
Summary
The resources of ultrafast technology can be used to add another analysis to ultrasound imaging: assessment of tissue viscoelasticity. Ultrafast image formation can be utilized to find transitory shear waves propagating in soft tissue, which permits quantification of the mechanical properties of the tissue via elastography. This technique permits simple and noninvasive diagnosis and monitoring of disease. Ultrasound (US) is being used to develop methods to verify tissue elasticity This technique allows noninvasive and simple diagnosis and monitoring of diseases without altering patients’ examination routine [1]. Ultrasound provides both morphology (images in grayscale) and functional imaging of soft tissues (image stream). Reconstructing the image from the shear wave could quantify the mechanical properties of these tissues [3]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
