This technology describes the use of a single transducer for harmonic motion imaging to assess the mechanical properties of tissues for disease detection and monitoring.
Noninvasive imaging techniques for assessing the mechanical properties of tissues is critical for the detection and monitoring of disease. Current methods of harmonic motion imaging utilize two transducers, which results in devices that are cumbersome in clinical settings and yield measurements that are susceptible to signal artifacts and noise. Conventional imaging methods are also limited by probe depth, tissue stiffness, and spatial resolution, which can restrict use for critical patient care, such as tumor detection and chemotherapy monitoring.
This technology describes the use of a single transducer (ST) for harmonic motion imaging (HMI) to assess the viscoelastic and anisotropic properties of tissues. ST-HMI measurements are robust against noise and are recorded on a pixel-by-pixel basis, which results in the improved spatial resolution of mechanical features in comparison to conventional ultrasound imaging techniques. With this technology, mechanical properties can be assessed with greater probe depth for the study of deep and stiff tissues, as well as for tissue imaging in obese patients, for whom conventional imaging techniques are limited.
This technology has been validated by in vivo imaging of breast cancer in a mouse model and in human subjects.
IR CU20327
Licensing Contact: Ron Katz