Ultrasonic Shear Research Articles

The effect of energy modality on tissue identification from surgical smoke by differential ion mobility spectrometry

Surgical smoke analysis offers a way to provide assisting information to the surgeon intraoperatively, which can be potentially used to assess cancer tumor margins in surgical oncology and alert the operator of accidental organ injuries caused by electrosurgical (ES) instruments. Surgical smoke content is affected by the energy instrument it is produced by. Classification of surgical smoke by differential ion mobility spectrometry (DMS) was evaluated with 6 porcine tissue types and 5 energy instruments. Instruments consisted of mono- and bipolar instruments, ultrasonic shears and a –blade. Machine learning was used to classify tissues by training binary classifier linear discriminant analysis (LDA) to distinguish a marked tissue class from the rest. The greatest binary classification accuracies were obtained with the monopolar instruments and the lowest with the bipolar instrument, 93.5 % and 77.5 % respectively. The analysis of surgical smoke with DMS is possible with a variety of energy instruments, however with varying performance. This implies that DMS based tissue identification is generalizable across different surgical instruments and surgical specialties.

Nonlinear Crack-Wave Modulations in Shear Horizontal Wave Propagation for Fatigue Crack Detection

The nonlinear interaction of shear horizontal waves with fatigue cracks is investigated for structural damage detection. The focus is on the non-classical modulation effect in the presence of damage. The major principle of the method is explained theoretically and supported by a semi-analytical solution. The method is tested experimentally in aluminium beams with fatigue cracks. A combination of high-frequency ultrasonic and low-frequency vibration shear excitations are introduced to monitored beam components using low-profile piezoceramic shear actuators. Nonlinear vibro-acoustic responses are gathered using laser vibrometry. Vibration excitation frequencies are selected using experimental and numerical modal analysis. A series of vibro-acoustic experiments is performed for fatigue crack detection. The results show that the non-classical nonlinear vibro-acoustic effect – based on shear horizontal wave propagation – can be used for crack detection. In addition, the method also allows for damage localisation.

Investigation of the Effects of Gamma Radiation and Y2O3 on the Elastic Properties of Al2024 Composites by Ultrasonic Method

In this study, the effect of Y2O3 contribution and γ-irradiation on the elastic properties of pure Al2024 and Al2024/Y2O3 composites was precisely investigated with the help of determined density and ultrasonic wave velocities. Ultrasonic longitudinal and shear wave velocity measurements of the samples were performed at room temperature using the ultrasonic pulse-echo method at 20 and 5 MHz frequencies, respectively. X-ray diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy examined the microstructural properties and phase characterizations of metal matrix composite (MMC) samples. A gamma cell type 60Co source was used to irradiate MMC samples in the air at room temperature. The absorbed dose rate was measured to be approximately 1.5 kGy/h, and the total delivered dose was 50 kGy. According to the findings obtained from the research, the contribution of Y2O3 to pure Al 2024 at 0.5, 1, and 5 wt.% ratios and exposure to gamma rays of 50 kGy caused a decrease in VL, L, K, and μ values and a significant increase in ρ, VS, G, HV, H, and E values. The highest Young’s modulus values compared with pure Al2024 were obtained in both unirradiated and irradiated Al2024/0.5Y2O3 composites.

Safety and effectiveness of using Disposable Ultrasonic shears to coagulate 5–7 mm blood vessels: protocol for a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial

BackgroundThe ultrasonic scalpel is widely used during surgery. It is safe and effective to close the pulmonary artery branch vessels of 7 mm or below with an ultrasonic energy device as reported. However, there have been no multicenter randomized clinical trial to assess the safety and effectiveness of using ultrasonic scalpel to coagulate 5–7 mm blood vessels in thoracic surgery.MethodsThis is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, parallel controlled, non-inferiority clinical trial. A total of 144 eligible patients planning to undergo lung or esophageal surgery will be randomly allocated to the experimental group and the control group. The investigational product (Disposable Ultrasonic Shears manufactured by Reach Surgical, Inc.) and the control product (Harmonic Ace + 7, 5 mm Diameter Shears with Advanced Hemostasis) will be used in each group. The primary endpoint is the success rate of coagulating target blood vessels during surgery. Secondary endpoints include postoperative rebleeding, intraoperative bleeding volume, drainage volume, surgical duration, etc. Postoperative follow-up before and after discharge will be performed.DiscussionThis clinical trial aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using the investigational product (Disposable Ultrasonic Shears manufactured by Reach Surgical, Inc.) and that of the control product (Harmonic Ace + 7, 5 mm Diameter Shears with Advanced Hemostasis) to coagulate 5–7 mm blood vessels in thoracic surgery.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov: NCT06002737. The trial was prospectively registered on 16 August 2023, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06002737.

Internal Hole Defect Detection Based on Laser Ultrasonic Shear Wave

Internal Hole Defect Detection Based on Laser Ultrasonic Shear Wave

Simulation of ultrasonic shear effect on the viscoelastic soft scale of heat exchangers

The shear effect on the viscoelastic soft scale of heat exchangers is simulated in this study, focusing on a chemical company’s heat exchanger and the associated fouling on its inner tube shell wall. The finite element software ABAQUS simulates the ultrasonic descaling process, incorporating viscoelastic soft scale materials into the calculations through software fitting functions. Based on ABAQUS data transfer technology, the model was first subjected to implicit static analysis, followed by explicit kinetic analysis containing pre-stress. The vibration propagation of ultrasonic waves on the heat exchanger model was simulated under different working conditions. Distribution of shear stresses of the fouling on different paths of the pipeline wall was obtained, and the results revealed the influence of different parameters of the ultrasonic waves on the shear descaling effect, which provides a reference for selecting appropriate parameters to improve the efficiency of ultrasonic descaling.

Endosonography Elastography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Restaging and Response Assessment of Rectal Cancer After Neoadjuvant Therapy.

The objective of this academic research is to assess the efficacy of conventional endorectal ultrasound (ERUS), ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques in evaluating the impact of neoadjuvant therapy (nCRT). Forty-five patients with advanced low rectal cancer (T ≥ 3) were included. Before and after nCRT, ERUS, SWE, and MRI evaluations were conducted. The T staging of ultrasound (uT) and MRI (mT) were evaluated and compared with the pathological T staging (ypT). The accuracy of the 2 diagnostic methods for T staging, and T downstaging was evaluated. The ultrasound elasticity difference and relative elasticity before and after treatment and pathological T downstaging were compared, and its cutoff value and the area under the curve were assessed. In terms of T staging accuracy after chemoradiotherapy, the values for ERUS, ERUS combined with SWE, and MRI were 64.4%, 71.1%, and 62.2%, respectively. No significant difference was observed among these groups ( P > 0.05). The accuracy of uT downstaging was 84.4%, and that of mT downstaging was 88.9%. The receiver operating characteristic curve of uLD and elastic differences and relative elasticity of T downstaging after treatment were 0.754, 0.817, and 0.886, respectively (all P < 0.05). Both ERUS and MRI can evaluate ypT downstaging. The indicators for evaluating T downstaging are uLD, elasticity difference, and relative elasticity, providing more reference for clinical assessment of nCRT efficacy.

Green production of functionalized few-layer borophene decorated with cerium-doped iron oxide nanoparticles for repeatable hydrogen peroxide detection

Functionalized few-layer borophene (FFB) was prepared using gallnut extract and coffee waste extract as natural exfoliating and stabilizing agents in an environmentally friendly ultrasonic and high shear exfoliation. Here, a facile precipitation method was employed to grow iron oxide nanoparticles doped with cerium (Ce-FeONPs) onto the surface of FFB. This intriguing combination of materials yielded Ce-FeONPs nanoparticles that exhibited exceptional peroxidase-like activity, efficiently catalyzing the conversion of 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to a blue oxidized TMB (oxTMB) in the presence of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Additionally, the introduction of FFB contributes a reducibility effect to the catalytic oxidation of TMB, facilitating the restoration of the oxTMB to TMB. Thus, FFB-Ce-FeONPs showcase intriguing properties encompassing both oxidative and reductive characteristics, suggesting their potential as a reagent for repeated detection of H2O2. Moreover, a colorimetric sensing system enabled the liner detection of H2O2 spanning a concentration range from 0.08 to 1 mM, with a detection limit of 0.03 mM. Noteworthily, FFB-Ce-FeONPs demonstrated sustained efficacy over ten successive recycling cycles, as indicated by consistent slopes and observable color changes. In summary, this work reports the first application of nanoenzymes in repetitive H2O2 detection. Even after ten multiple cycles, the detection limit remains virtually unaltered, underscoring the robustness and enduring effectiveness of the engineered nanomaterial. The proposed simultaneous oxidation and reduction strategies for detecting H2O2 showed a commendable capability in ten cycles of H2O2 detection, thus providing a promising approach in the field of H2O2 detection.

Quantitative analysis of laser-generated ultrasonic wave characteristics and their correlation with grain size in polycrystalline materials

Abstract The quantitative relationship between nanosecond pulsed laser parameters and the characteristics of laser-generated ultrasonic waves in polycrystalline materials was evaluated. The high energy of the pulsed laser with a large irradiation spot simultaneously generated ultrasonic longitudinal and shear waves at the epicenter under the slight ablation regime. An optimized denoising technique based on wavelet thresholding and variational mode decomposition was applied to reduce noise in shear waves with a low signal-to-noise ratio. An approach for characterizing grain size was proposed using spectral center frequency ratio (SCFR) based on time-frequency analysis. The results have demonstrated that the generation regime of ultrasonic waves is not solely determined by the laser power density; even at high power densities, a high energy with a large spot can generate an ultrasonic waveform dominated by the thermoelastic effect. It is ascribed to the intensification of the thermoelastic effect with the proportional increase in laser irradiation spot area for a given laser power density. Furthermore, both longitudinal and shear wave SCFRs are linearly related to grain size in polycrystalline materials; however, the shear wave SCFR is more sensitive to finer-grained materials. This study holds great significance for evaluating metal material properties using laser ultrasound.

Current status and future perspectives of robotic liver surgery.

Robotic liver resection has been reported in case series since the early 2000s. The surgical robot is capable of precise operation using articulated forceps with seven degrees of freedom. The robot also eliminates tremors and provides a good surgical field with highly detailed 3D high-definition images. The clinical results demonstrating their usefulness have been increasing year by year. Initially, a shorter hospital stay was observed in comparison with open hepatectomy. Recent reports have also shown lower conversion and complication rates in comparison with laparoscopic hepatectomy. The clamp and crush method with bipolar forceps, sealing devices, ultrasonic shears, and the combined procedure of Cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator and robotic forceps as hybrid procedures have been reported as effective methods of parenchymal transection in robotic surgery. Theoretically, the advantages of the robotic platform allow for more complex liver resection around hilar structures and major blood vessels, as well as for vascular reconstruction or biliary reconstruction. The application of robotic liver surgery for hilar cholangiocarcinoma, living donor hepatectomy, and living donor liver transplantation has been reported. Robotic liver surgery is becoming more popular for certain indications; however, it is important to further evaluate its long-term surgical and oncological outcomes and costs in comparison with conventional laparoscopic and open liver surgery, based on accumulated experience.

Directivity and Excitability of Ultrasonic Shear Waves Using Piezoceramic Transducers-Numerical Modeling and Experimental Investigations.

In this paper, piezoceramic-based excitation of shear horizontal waves is investigated. A thickness-shear d15 piezoceramic transducer is modeled using the finite-element method. The major focus is on the directivity and excitability of the shear horizontal fundamental mode with respect to the maximization of excited shear and minimization of Lamb wave modes. The results show that the geometry of the transducer has more effect on the directivity than on the excitability of the analyzed actuator. Numerically simulated results are validated experimentally. The experimental results show that transducer bonding significantly affects the directivity and amplitude of the excited modes. In conclusion, when the selected actuator is used for shear excitation, the best solution is to tailor the transducer in such a way that at the resonant frequency the desired directivity is achieved.

Effectiveness and economic outcomes in patients undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with a new surgical shear with an integrated energy system: A retrospective study based on a tertiary hospital database in China

ObjectiveThis study aimed to demonstrate a new surgical shear with an integrated energy system (Harmonic ACE®+7) value by determining its effectiveness and economic outcomes compared with conventional ultrasonic shears (CUSs) in a real-world setting. MethodsThis was a retrospective study of adults with prostate cancer undergoing laparoscopic radical prostatectomy with the ACE®+7 shear or CUSs between August 2019 and April 2021 at Shanghai Ruijin Hospital (the headquarters and Luwan Center in China). Demographic and diagnosis information, intraoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes, and total and categorical costs were collected. Propensity score matching was performed to form the study population for each clinical group. Data were compared between the two groups using t-test and Chi-squared test. ResultsThe ACE®+7 was associated with a lower mean number of hemostatic clips used per surgery compared with CUSs (12.8 vs. 19.8, p<0.001), a moderate but not significant difference in mean postoperative drainage duration (6.6 [standard deviation, SD 2.2] days vs. 7.9 [SD 4.1] days, p=0.082), a reduction on mean total drainage volume (275.5 [SD 374.3 mL vs. 492.9 [SD 1495.0] mL, p=0.321), and a lower mean rate of postoperative hemostatic drug usage (16.0% vs. 52.0%, p<0.001). There was no significant difference in total costs between the ACE®+7 and CUS groups. ConclusionThis study provides real-world data demonstrating that the ACE®+7 shear with an integrated energy system improves clinical outcomes compared with CUSs and can offer cost savings for hospitals and health systems. Using the ACE®+7 during laparoscopic radical prostatectomy allows physicians to help their patients achieve better outcomes and not spend additional money.

The Effect of Salpingectomy on Ovarian Reserve Using Two Different Electrosurgical Instruments: Ultrasonic Shears Versus Bipolar Electrocautery.

Background Salpingectomy is a common surgical procedure in gynecology performed for various indications. Given its proximity to the ovaries and shared vascular supply, concerns have arisen regarding compromised ovarian reserve post-salpingectomy. Objective We aim to study the effect of two different energy sources (group 1: salpingectomy using bipolar electrocautery followed by division with scissors versus group 2: salpingectomy with ultrasonic shears) on residual ovarian reserve. The effect on ovarian reserve was assessed using serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), antral follicle count (AFC), and ovarian size pre- and postoperatively. Materials and methods According to the inclusion criteria, 68 women were included in the study and randomized into the bipolar electrocautery group and the ultrasonic shear group. The final analysis included 34 women in the bipolar electrocautery group and 32 in the ultrasonic shear group. Preoperatively, the ovarian reserve of all women was assessed using FSH, AMH, AFC, and ovarian size. These parameters were then reassessed at three months postoperatively, and the percentage change was analyzed. Results The mean baseline serum AMH and serum FSH values in the bipolar electrocautery group were 3.9 ± 2.9 ng/ml and 6.6 ± 2.1 IU/L, respectively, comparable with the values in the ultrasonic shear group, where serum AMH was 3.2 ± 2.9 ng/ml and serum FSH was 7.3 ± 3.9 IU/L. AFC and ovarian size were comparable between the two groups preoperatively (bipolar electrocautery group AFC was 8 ± 2.2, ovarian size on the right side was 3.3 ± 0.7 cm and on the left was 3.2 ± 0.6 cm; ultrasonic shear group AFC was 5.7 ± 2.3, ovarian size on the right side was 3.4 ± 0.8 cm and on the left was 3.2 ± 0.8 cm). After three months of postoperative analysis, AFC showed a significant fall from the preoperative value in the bipolar electrocautery group compared to the ultrasonic shear group (AFC reduced from 8 ± 2.2 to 5.5 ± 2.3 vs. 8.6 ± 0.5 to 7.9 ± 2.3; p=0.002). The other parameters showed no statistically significant change. Conclusion Our study suggests that ultrasonic shear is safer than bipolar electrocautery for preserving ovarian reserve after salpingectomy. However, further research is needed to confirm these findings.

Effective Stretching Positions of the Piriformis Muscle Evaluated Using Shear Wave Elastography.

Piriformis syndrome is often associated with muscle spasms and shortening of the piriformis muscle (PM). Physical therapy, including static stretching of the PM, is one of the treatments for this syndrome. However, the effective stretching position of the PM is unclear in vivo. This study aimed to determine the effective stretching positions of the PM using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. Observational study. Twenty-one healthy young men (22.7 [2.4]y) participated in this study. The shear elastic modulus of the PM was measured at 12 stretching positions using shear wave elastography. Three of the 12 positions were tested with maximum internal rotation at 0°, 20°, or 40° hip adduction in 90° hip flexion. Nine of the 12 positions were tested with maximum external rotation at positions combined with 3 hip-flexion angles (70°, 90°, and 110°) and 3 hip-adduction angles (0°, 20°, and 40°). The shear elastic modulus of the PM was significantly higher in the order of 40°, 20°, and 0° of adduction and higher in external rotation than in internal rotation. The shear elastic modulus of the PM was significantly greater in combined 110° hip flexion and 40° adduction with maximum external rotation than in all other positions. This study revealed that the position in which the PM was most stretched was maximum external rotation with 110° hip flexion and 40° hip adduction.

Ultrasonic Shears Decrease Postoperative Hematomas in Head and Neck Microvascular Reconstruction.

To evaluate postoperative hematoma and takeback rates in a large series of microvascular reconstructions. We sought to determine whether the use of ultrasonic shears reduced these rates. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary referral hospital. A total of 2288 patients undergoing free flap reconstruction for head and neck defects between 1995 and 2022 were reviewed. Patients undergoing dissection with and without ultrasonic shears were compared to determine postoperative hematoma and takeback rates. The overall hematoma rate was 1.3% (29/2288) for the entire cohort. The postoperative hematoma rates with and without ultrasonic shears were 0.63% (9/1418) and 2.3% (20/870), relative risk = 0.28, P = .0015. Of 870 patients undergoing surgery without ultrasonic shears, 14 (1.61%) were taken back to the operating room for control of bleeding compared to 8 of 1418 (0.56%) in the ultrasonic shears cohort. Our large series of patients undergoing microvascular reconstruction shows a decrease in postoperative hematoma rate and takeback for bleeding with the adoption of ultrasonic shears. Ultrasonic shears are an effective tool that can help decrease perioperative morbidity secondary to hematoma after head and neck tumor resection and microvascular reconstruction.

A probabilistic approach to modelling ultrasonic shear wave propagation in locally anisotropic heterogeneous media

A probabilistic approach to modelling ultrasonic shear wave propagation in locally anisotropic heterogeneous media

Analysis of the main indicators and risk factors of ultrasonic shear wave elastography for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis among adults.

This study was conducted to explore the main indicators of ultrasonic shear wave elastography (SWE) for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis (OA) and its influencing factors. We collected 910 patients between January 2018 and November 2023 from the department of ultrasound, Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University. Logistic regression was used to analyze the effects of age, gender, body mass index (BMI), smoking, alcohol, hypertension and diabetes on the diagnosis of OA by SWE. The results showed that medial meniscal projection distance (MMPD) and OA had a positively correlated dose-response relationship (OR = 2.12, 95%CI (1.53, 3.95), trend p < 0.05). Also, medial meniscus elastometry (MME) had a positive dose-response correlation with OA (OR = 8.98, 95%CI (3.89, 11.52), trend p < 0.05). In addition, regarding the analysis of factors influencing the diagnosis of OA, the risk of OA was significantly higher in the older age group [OR = 1.11, 95%CI (1.01, 1.25)], and the risk of diagnosis in OA was high in the high BMI group [OR = 1.8, 95%CI (1.23, 3.01)]. In diagnosing OA, MMPD and MME can be used as reliable indicators, while people of advanced age and high BMI have a high possibility diagnosed with OA.

Ultrasonic shear wave elastography predicts the quality of the residual tendon before the rotator cuff repair

Background and purposeEffective evaluation of rotator cuff tear residual tendon quality is the key to surgical repair. However, until now, the evaluation of rotator cuff tissue by ultrasonic shear wave elasticity (SWE) has been controversial. This prospective study analyzed the association between preoperative SWE and arthroscopic residual tendon quality scores.MethodsThe shear wave velocity (SWV) of the deltoid muscle, the supraspinatus tendon, and the supraspinatus muscle were measured in full-thickness rotator cuff tear patients. Tendon quality was scored according to tear size, tendon margin, tendon thickness, and footprint coverage during arthroscopy. The arthroscopic scores were used as the gold standard, and the SWV ratio of tendon and muscle (supraspinatus tendon/deltoid and supraspinatus muscle/deltoid) were calculated and correlated with the arthroscopic scores.ResultEighty-nine patients (129 shoulders) were enrolled, including 89 operation shoulders and 40 control shoulders. In the group of operation shoulders, both the SWV ratios of tendon (SWV-RT) and the SWV ratio of muscle (SWV-RM) were negatively correlated with arthroscopic scores (The correlation coefficient (R) ranged from -0.722 to -0.884 and -0.569 to -0.689). The SWV-RT and SWV-RM of the operation shoulders were significantly lower than that of the control shoulders (p < 0.05).ConclusionSWE could be used to predict the quality of the residual tendon before the rotator cuff repair. SWV of the supraspinatus tendon and muscle was a useful parameter to predict the quality of the residual tendon.Critical relevance statementMeasuring the shear wave velocity of the supraspinatus tendon and muscle with SWE is useful for predicting the quality of the residual tendon which is one of the key factors for a successful rotator cuff repair.Key points• Evaluating the quality of the residual tendon is important before surgery.• Elasticity measurements were negatively correlated with the arthroscopic score.• SWE is useful for predicting the quality of the residual tendon.Graphical

Research on sector scanning imaging technology of EMAT for through-hole defects in aluminium plates

ABSTRACT To overcome the drawbacks of traditional electromagnetic acoustic transducers (EMATs) that depend on mechanical scanning, adding to both cost and complexity, this study introduces a sector scanning imaging method utilizing Electromagnetic Ultrasonic Shear Vertical (SV) waves. A simulation model for EMAT was developed, optimizing through variable frequency and unidirectional line focusing coils. The simulation revealed that a novel composite magnetic structure significantly enhanced the magnetic flux density to 1.318 T, a 159.44% increase over conventional magnets, leading to a 102.08% rise in ultrasonic signal intensity and a marked improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio. By converting echo signal time data into spatial coordinates, the technology enables high-resolution defect imaging. The variable frequency-EMAT (VF-EMAT) technique accurately identified defects, with minor discrepancies from actual defect centers, showcasing its precision. The unidirectional line focusing-EMAT (ULF-EMAT) method further improved defect detection accuracy and shape restoration. However, the technique’s reliance on the main-pulse limits its ability to detect near-surface defects, suggesting an avenue for future research.

Relation between quadrupole ultrasonic resonance and shear viscoelasticity of polymer droplets with different glass transition temperatures

Abstract When observing the ultrasonic signal transmitted through a suspension of particles dispersed in a liquid, a peak is observed in the frequency spectrum of the attenuation coefficient of the ultrasonic energy. This peak mainly reflects shear elasticity, even though longitudinal ultrasound is used. Hence, the shear modulus of a single particle dispersed in a liquid can be obtained in a non-contact manner. In this study, we used ultrasound to analyze the process of polymer particle formation from an oil-in-water emulsion, in which a polymer solution containing an organic solvent is used as the oil phase, and the organic solvent is evaporated in water. Furthermore, the liquid-to-solid transition was quantified for microparticles consisting of various polymeric materials (liquid, rubber, and glass), and the relationship between the glass transition temperature, peak behavior of ultrasonic attenuation coefficient, and shear modulus was clarified.