Duke University

Mark L Palmeri

Kathryn R Nightingale

Gregg E Trahey

Stephen J Rosenzweig

Peter J Hollender

Roger W Nightingale

Ned C Rouze

Brett C Byram

Veronica Rotemberg

Kristin D Frinkley

A transducer array includes at least one annular shear wave generation transducer that defines an interior area, the at least one annular shear wave generation transducer being configured to generate a shear wave excitation to a region of interest such that the shear wave excitation excites at least a part of a corresponding cylindrical portion of the region of interest and shear waves propagating from the cylindrical portion of the region of interest constructively interfere in an interior region of the cylindrical portion of the region of interest; and at least one tracking transducer positioned in the interior area of the at least one annular shear wave generation transducer, the at least one tracking transducer being configured to detect a shear wave in the interior region of the region of interest.

Ultrasound transducers for constructive shear wave interference and related methods and systems

A transducer array includes at least one annular shear wave generation transducer that defines an interior area, the at least one annular shear wave generation transducer being configured to generate a shear wave excitation to a region of interest such that the shear wave excitation excites at least a part of a corresponding cylindrical portion of the region of interest and shear waves propagating from the cylindrical portion of the region of interest constructively interfere in an interior region of the cylindrical portion of the region of interest: and at least one tracking transducer positioned in the interior area of the at least one annular shear wave generation transducer, the at least one tracking transducer being configured to detect a shear wave in the interior region of the region of interest.

Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region using constructive shear wave displacement is provided. The method includes generating a first shear wave in the target region at a first excitation position and a second shear wave in the target region at a second excitation position; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region at a tracking position that is between the first and second excitation positions; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses at the tracking position in the target region; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on at least one parameter of a constructive shear wave displacement from the first and second shear waves simultaneously displacing tissue at the tracking position.

Methods, systems and computer program products for constructive shear wave ultrasound imaging

Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region, include determining a prior probability density function that characterizes at least one physical property of the target region; generating a displacement of the sample in the target region to form a shear wave that propagates orthogonal to a direction of the displacement; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses in the target region at a plurality of lateral positions; estimating a propagation parameter of the shear wave in response to the echo signals and the prior probability density function using statistical inference; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on the estimated propagation parameter.

Methods, systems and computer program products for estimating shear wave speed using statistical inference

A system for identifying a presence of an object in a tissue region of interest includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets from the region of interest. A contrast identification module is configured to identify a contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set corresponding to an object in the tissue region of interest. An image data enhancement module is configured to identify the object in the second image data set based on the contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set.

Ultrasound methods, systems and computer program products for imaging contrasting objects using combined images

Methods for determining a mechanical parameter of a sample include detecting shear waves that have been generated in the sample by an applied shear wave source. A time of peak displacement of the shear waves for a plurality of sample positions is determined. At least one mechanical parameter of the sample based on the time of peak displacement for the plurality of sample positions is determined.

Methods, systems and computer program products for ultrasound shear wave velocity estimation and shear modulus reconstruction

A remote palpation technique in breast imaging involves the use of multiple applications of radiation force in rapid succession throughout a two-dimensional plane in the target tissue medium (), and combination of the small, two-dimensional displacement maps from each force location into a single, larger remote palpation image (block). Apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method is also disclosed.

Method and apparatus for the identification and characterization of regions of altered stiffness

A remote palpation technique in breast imaging or the like ican involve the use of multiple applications of radiation force in rapid succession throughout a two-dimensional plane in the target tissue, and the combination of the small, two-dimensional displacement maps from each force location into a single, larger remote palpation image. Apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method is also disclosed.

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Dix Hills, NY, United States of America

Mark L Palmeri