System and method for assessing body-tissue properties using a medical ultrasound transducer probe with a body-tissue parameter measurement mechanism

Abstract

A system and method for diagnostic ultrasound imaging with a probe combining one or more ultrasound imaging transducer elements and a body-tissue parameter measurement mechanism to detect body-tissue properties. At least one ultrasound transducer element provides an ultrasound image field of view of at least a portion of the body-tissue being measured by the parameter measurement mechanism. The parameter measurement mechanism is typically a mechanically or electrically operated mechanism attached to the probe near at least one ultrasound transducer element in order to combine information from the body-tissue parameter measurement mechanism and ultrasound transducer element for easier identification of abnormal body-tissue properties (e.g., tumors, dead, or diseased body-tissue).