Preliminary Numerical Analysis of Mechanical Wave Propagation Due to Elastograph Measuring Head Application in Non-Invasive Liver Condition Assessment

Abstract

The authors of this paper focused their attention on developing numerical models of mechanical wave propagation along human tissue as a result of the application of the measuring head of the FibroScan® elastograph. The FibroScan® diagnostic device is used for diagnostic testing of liver fibrosis and steatosis. This examination is carried out using an in vivo method by directly applying the surface of the ultrasonic measuring probe to the patient’s skin at the site of the liver. The authors’ idea is to use this apparatus for non-invasive testing on the liver used for transplantation. In order to do this, the measuring head cap should be modified so that its application to the liver does not result in damage as a result of mechanical wave excitation. The purpose of the manuscript was to build numerical models of the liver and the tissues surrounding the liver. Then, the corresponding numerical simulations were carried out, the results of which corresponded to the mechanical–acoustic properties of the physical models of the tissues. The obtained results were validated on a set of commercial calibrated phantoms. High agreement of the numerical models was obtained.