Tissue Characterization Apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for improving the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by non-invasively determining a type of tissue matter within a living entity consisting of application of two different ultrasound diagnostic methods simultaneously, in a sequence or alternate through the same transducer is disclosed. The apparatus uses a B-scan tissue image visualization as a guiding image to apply a tissue characterization method to determine an attenuation data for tissue matter and includes the steps of applying arbitrary waveform generator to produce a B-scan image of the tissue matter to be analyzed, selecting a region of interest on said image, detecting reflected signals from said region of interest, analyzing the reflected signals to determine attenuation data for the tissue matter. The same advanced combined diagnostic examination can be achieved by using any existing on the market ultrasound diagnostic apparatus with a B-scan transducer by using interface adapter-switch consisting of switching of some piezo-elements of said B-scan transducer to the tissue characterization method for the period of application of said tissue characterization apparatus to determine a type of the tissue matter being under examination within a living entity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvement of the quality of existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by combining B-scan visualization technique with a Two-Frequency Attenuation Method technique to obtain high quality ultrasound diagnostic examination including non-invasively determination the type of the issue matter being under investigation.

For many years specialists in ultrasound diagnostic field trying to develop an ultrasound diagnostic method and apparatus which can provide information to differentiate type of tissue through measuring attenuation data in a living body or by finding a pattern of the tissue images. There are many attempts to reach that goal by using spectrum analyzes of reflected, signals like U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,489 to Yost et al., European Patent No. 11840135 to Hironaka and many others that could not come up with an objective and reliable method for clinical applications. Some specialists like European Patent No. PCT/IB2014/067105 to Schneider, European Pat. No. PCT/CA2014/2014/050480 to Sadeghi, U.S. patent Ser. No. 14/096,960 to Anuja, European Pat. No. PCT/US2014/011631 to Chen and others tried to find a pattern in a tissue images to differentiate the type of tissue. All attempts to find some positive information to improve B-scan visualization examination to differentiate type of tissue was not successful since reflected echo-signals depend not only on attenuation information from inside of the tissue structure but also on the angle of incident of the ultrasound pulses to reflected surface, its geometry and roughness. Attempts to find a system employing ultrasound methods for determination the nature of tissue within a living body is still continuing. One such system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,767 to Yukov. This system determines a type of tissue by using developed by the author “Two-Frequency Method” which based on applying two different frequencies and by registering reflected signals to calculate attenuation coefficient of the tissue through formula:

a(f2)−a(f1)=[A1(f2)/A2(f2)−A1(f1)/A2(f1)]/2I dB/Cm/MHz,

where a(f1) and a(f2)—attenuation coefficient on frequencies f1 and f2 accordingly; A1(f1), A2(f1) and A1(f2), A2(f2) are amplitudes of the reflected said apparatus signals from front and rare boundaries of a layer on frequencies f1 and f2 accordingly; I—is a thickness of a layer.

Author describes requirements for the reflected signals to be processed through mathematical algorithm since as mentioned there is no direct dependency between reflected signals and attenuation information. For that purpose author suggests to obtain objective information related to attenuation data through analyses of the shape, width and registered time of reflected signals on applied two different frequencies. Chinese Patent No. CN1113631C to Korotkoff discloses a two-frequency method and apparatus which based on developed “Two-Frequency Method” described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,767. Author suggests subtraction of reflected signals automatically on two different frequencies and displaying the results as two-dimensional attenuation image on the screen. As mentioned since there is no direct dependency between reflected signals and attenuation information the apparatus in Chinese Pat. No. CN1113631C for automatic two-dimensional attenuation image display cannot obtain objective attenuation information and it will be impossible to apply in the clinical environment as an objective diagnostic method.

Author of U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,767 to Yukov suggests using the Two-Frequency Method as a Tissue Characterization Method together with a B-scan tissue structure image information, makes it easier to find a spot of interest for attenuation measurement. Author also suggests to use the same B-scan transducer simultaneous, in sequence or alternate for B-scan image visualization method and as a transducer for Two-Frequency Attenuation Method to calculate attenuation data from a spot of interest as a tissue characterization information. Author did not mention that there is a fundamental differences between requirements for B-scan transducers and Two-Frequency Attenuation Method transducers. B-scan transducer requires different type of excitation pulses which must be very sharp and short to achieve high resolution of tissue structure image. In contrast, the excitation pulse for Two-Frequency Method transducer consist of a several sine-waves. Another big difference is a multiple piezo-element requirement for B-scan transducer in contrast Two-Frequency Method transducer requires only one piezo-element (only one emitter-receiver source). Because of these differences there are limitations for applying regular B-scan transducer for both methods. Very sharp and short excitation pulses of B-scan imaging system leads to a very high resolution of the tissue structure images. However, in many cases there is still not enough information to differentiate the type of abnormalities in the patient's body. B-scan imaging system needs some extra information to resolve this problem. One of this information is an attenuation data which has a different value depend on type of the tissue.

The combination of application of B-scan image visualization method and a Two-Frequency Attenuation Method as a Tissue Characterization Method can improve quality of the ultrasound diagnostic examination and will make it possible to determine the type of the tissue non-invasively in a living entity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to improve the quality of the existing diagnostic examination by providing apparatus which combines the application of a B-scan image visualization method and a tissue characterization method where B-scan image applies as a guiding image to use said tissue characterization method to overcome the aforementioned problems.

It is a further object of the present invention to improve the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by providing apparatus which combines the application of B-scan visualization method and tissue characterization method by using the same B-scan transducer for both said methods simultaneously, in a sequence or alternate which enables medical specialists conveniently apply said B-scan image information as a guiding image to use tissue characterization method to accurately determine a type of tissue undergoing investigation.

It is still a further object of the present invention to improve the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by applying in a sequence or alternate existing on the market any type of B-scan imaging apparatus and a tissue characterization apparatus through the same B-scan transducer by using reliable interface adapter-switch; or by placing next to each other the bodies of two separate transducers of said two diagnostic apparatus during examination procedure to accurately determine a type of tissue undergoing investigation.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent from the following description and drawings wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.

In accordance with the present invention the improved quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination broadly comprises the steps of: applying a B-scan for visualization of a B-scan tissue imaging and using said B-scan transducer simultaneously for a tissue characterization imaging; placing said B-scan transducer on a patient's body; displaying B-scan tissue images on a monitor; analyzing said B-scan tissue images; selecting a region of interest on said displayed B-scan images on said monitor; displaying tissue characterization information on said B-scan tissue images and/or as A-mode signals displayed on a screen next to the screen of said B-scan images on said monitor; automatically processed or visually analyzed said A-mode signals from said chosen region on the screen of said monitor next to said B-scan image display will let to obtain objective attenuation data to determines a type of tissue being under investigation.

The apparatus for improved quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination can be performed also by using B-scan imaging apparatus with a B-scan transducers and by creating inside of said of B-scan transducers a row of A-mode transducers to apply said row of A-mode transducers for tissue characterization method in a sequence or alternate and use said B-scan images as a guiding image for application of said tissue characterization method to determine type of tissue being under investigation.

The apparatus for the improved quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination also can be performed by using existing on the market any B-scan apparatus with a B-scan transducer and by creating inside of said B-scan transducer a single A-mode transducer through reliable interface adapter-switch to apply tissue characterization apparatus or by placing next to each other the bodies of said B-scan transducer and an A-mode transducer of the tissue characterization apparatus and to apply in a sequence or alternate said B-scan apparatus and said tissue characterization apparatus and to use said B-scan image as a guiding image to apply said tissue characterization method to determine type of the tissue being under investigation.

Details of the apparatus of present invention which is to improve quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination are set forth in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals depict like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a combined apparatus which can perform simultaneous application of B-scan imaging method and Tissue Characterization method.

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of the interface adapter-switch to apply B-scan imaging apparatus and a tissue characterization apparatus through B-scan transducer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a combined apparatus functioning simultaneously as a B-scan imaging method and as a Tissue Characterization method with one B-scan transducer for both said methods which is the object of the present invention.

The combined apparatus of B-scan imaging method and Tissue Characterization method designed based on the technical requirements for the Two-Frequency Attenuation Method which is the Tissue Characterization Method.

According to said technical requirements each piezo-element of a B-scan transducer must function separately and independently as an A-mode transducer. In accordance with said requirements the excitation pulses from a waveform generator must consist of several sine-waves for each chosen two different frequencies in a sequence and must excite separately said each independently functioning piezo-element of said B-scan transducer. Connecting said independently functioning piezo-elements of said B-scan transducer to a linear scanning system creates a B-scan image of the tissue being under examination and the same reflected signals which create said B-scan image of the tissue is simultaneously applied as A-mode signals for said Tissue Characterization method to calculate the attenuation data.

The apparatus 10 as shown on FIG. 1 includes means 11 an arbitrary waveform generator for generating pulses at desired two different frequencies with a desired width and shape. The apparatus 10 further includes linear scanning system 12 with a multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer 13 designed based on the technical requirements for the Two-Frequency Method which is a Tissue Characterization Method. Each piezo-element of said B-scan transducer 13 emits and receives signals on two different chosen frequencies with said certain width and shape from said arbitrary waveform generator 11. Operator can place said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer 13 on the surface of the body of the patient 14 being under investigation and display in a sequence two B-scan images on two different frequencies for visualization on a monitor 15 by using computer system 16 with a program memory and known on the market control systems with all features necessary for examination and analyzes of said B-scan images which can be displayed in a sequence or any one of them by choice. On the screen of said 15 monitor Operator can analyze any spot of interest on said B-scan images through tissue characterization method to determine the attenuation data for said spot of interest of the tissue being under examination. The analyses of the A-mode signals from said chosen spot and calculation of the attenuation data from said chosen spot can be processed automatically and displayed as overlaid on said chosen spot on the screen of said B-scan images on said monitor 15. A living body consist of different types of tissues with a layers and boundaries. B-scan imaging method displays the structure of the tissue layers and their boundaries. In many cases these information is not enough to differentiate the type of tissue. The tissue characterization apparatus can differentiate the type of tissue but only through reflected signals from boundaries of the layers because existing technology does not have enough accuracy to measure attenuation in the tiny structures of the tissue. The tissue characterization method requires two reflected signals to calculate the attenuation data between said reflected signals: one reflected signal from front boundary of the layer and second reflected signal from rare boundary of said layer. The B-scan transducer 13 as said above consist of multiple piezo-elements functioning independently for B-scan imaging and for tissue characterization method simultaneously. Operator must know each piezo-element has its own image display. To measure attenuation in a spot of interest found through B-scan image means to find two reflected signals coming from the same piezo-element. Operator must click on chosen reflected signal on the B-scan image and line will appear to show the direction of reflected signals coming from which piezo-element. Operator must find and click on the second reflected signals which should come from the same piezo-element and it should be a rare boundary of the chosen layer. The attenuation data will be displayed by choice on B-scan image screen of said monitor 15 as overlaid color image or as numerical data between said chosen reflected signals or displayed as numerical data on a smaller screen next to said B-scan image display on said monitor 15. If needed Operator is able to see and analyze the reflected signals from said corresponding piezo-element as an A-mode signals which can be displayed on the screen of said monitor 15 next to the screen of said B-scan images display. On the top of said B-scan imaging screen on said monitor 15 there are numerical numbers corresponding to each piezo-element of said B-scan transducer 13. By clicking the number Operator can activate the direction line of the piezo-element. Operator also can use a Voice Recognition block 17 to activate the direction line of any piezo-element by pronouncing a number to find a corresponding piezo-element. Operator also can use A-mode Analyzer block 20 to make analyses of said A-mode signals automatically. The display on the screen of said monitor 15 said B-scan tissue images simultaneously with overlaid said tissue characterization information will improve greatly the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination.

In accordance with the present invention the combined apparatus of B-scan imaging method and tissue characterization method can be provided also by using regular high resolution B-scan apparatus with multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer connected to any type of scanning system. Creating inside of said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer a row of an A-mode transducers connected to separate linear scanning system and a waveform generator producing pulses on two different frequencies and to apply in a sequence or alternate said row of A-mode transducers through switches for the period of time of using said tissue characterization method. To create said A-mode transducers inside of said, for example 128 multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer, requires to connect through switches some piezo-elements placed next to each other, for example 12 piezo-elements, and to use this group of said connected piezo-elements as one A-mode transducer for said tissue characterization method. By creating a row of said A-mode transducers along the length of said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer can be applied for said B-scan imaging and said tissue characterization imaging where B-scan image can be used as a guiding image for applying said tissue characterization method to improve the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination. The present combined apparatus shares many functionalities described in the combined apparatus of the FIG. 1

In accordance with the present invention the combined application of a B-scan examination and a tissue characterization examination can be provided also by using existing on the market any B-scan apparatus with any type of multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer and by creating through reliable interface adapter-switch a single A-mode transducer inside of said any type of multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer to apply in a sequence or alternate a tissue characterization apparatus.

FIG. 2 illustrate a block diagram of an interface adapter-switch which can connect together some of the piezo-elements of said B-scan transducer to make said connected group of said piezo-elements as an A-mode transducer for the tissue characterization apparatus for the period of its application. The adapter-switch illustrated in FIG. 2 works through Analog Switch 1 which is a TTL logic level signal. When it is driven with a logic “1” the System 2 of the ultrasound apparatus is connected to the transducer Head 3. Also, it is “pulled up”, when nothing is connected to the input, said ultrasound apparatus System 2 is connected to the transducer Head 3. When it is driven with a logic “0” (or shorted to ground) all elements are disconnected from said ultrasound apparatus System 2 and the “IN” signal from tissue characterization apparatus 4 through B-port of said Analog Switch 1 is connected to the central elements of said transducer Head 3. For the relay can be used high voltage switch IC which provides switching of the center chosen amount of piezo-elements between a B-scan apparatus and a Tissue Characterization apparatus. The remaining amount of piezo-elements have a single switch for each piezo-element so that all piezo-elements of the B-scan transducer see the same impedance when driven by the B-scan apparatus. These switches are opened disconnecting the B-scan apparatus's system from the transducer when the external transceiver is connected to the center chosen amount of piezo-elements.

In accordance with the present invention the combined application of a B-scan imaging method and a Tissue Characterization method can be provided also by using any existing on the market B-scan apparatus with any type of B-scan transducer and a tissue characterization apparatus with A-mode transducer and by placing the bodies of said B-scan transducer and said A-mode transducer together next to each other as one combined transducer. By applying said B-scan apparatus and said tissue characterization apparatus separately but in a sequence or alternate through, for instance a Foot Pedal switch Operator can visualize a B-scan image of the tissue being under investigation and to use said B-scan image as a guiding image to choose a spot of interest. After spot of interest is found Operator can slide the combined transducer to bring said A-mode transducer part to said chosen spot of interest and apply said tissue characterization apparatus to determine the type of tissue being under investigation.

It is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with this invention an apparatus for non-invasively determining a type of tissue matter within a living entity which fully satisfies the objects, means and advantages set forth herein-before. While the invention has been described in combination with specific embodiment thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A combined apparatus which improves the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by applying the same B-scan transducer for simultaneously visualization of B-scan tissue imaging and tissue characterization imaging where said B-scan imaging is used as a guiding image for said tissue characterization imaging application to determine the type of tissue being under investigation, said apparatus comprising: (a) a B-scan transducer with a multiple piezo-elements functioning separately and independently from each other which can be applied simultaneously for B-scan imaging and tissue characterization imaging examination;(b) a linear scanning system connected to said B-scan transducer which placed on the surface of the body to be examine;(c) a waveform generator producing two pulses in a sequence on chosen two different frequencies with certain width and shape and supplying said two pulses in a sequence to said B-scan transducer;(d) a monitor for displaying B-scan images and tissue characterization image on the screen separately or simultaneously and next to said screen another smaller screen to display an A-mode reflected signals for analyses to obtain objective attenuation data for tissue characterization imaging to determine a type of tissue non-invasively in a living entity.

2. A combined apparatus of claim 1 wherein said B-scan transducer is a regular B-scan transducer with multiple piezo-elements and connected to a B-scan apparatus to produce high resolution B-scan imaging and by creating inside of said regular B-scan transducer a row of an A-mode transducers which connected in a sequence or alternate to a linear scanning system and arbitrary waveform generator producing pulses on two different frequencies for the period of application of a tissue characterization imaging and where said B-scan imaging is used as guiding image to apply said tissue characterization method to determine type of the tissue being under investigation non-invasively in a living entity.

3. An apparatus which improves the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by applying a B-scan imaging apparatus with a multiple piezo-elements B-scan transducer and a tissue characterization apparatus comprising an interface adapter-switch wherein said interface adapter-switch creates a single A-mode transducer inside of said multiple piezo-elements B-scan transducer by connecting together several said piezo-elements to function as an A-mode transducer in a sequence or alternate for the period of application of said tissue characterization apparatus and to use said B-scan image as a guiding image information to apply through said interface adapter-switch said tissue characterization imaging to determine type of the tissue being under investigation non-invasively in a living entity.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said A-mode transducer for tissue characterization apparatus comprises a piezo-element inserted into said multi piezo-elements B-scan transducer.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: (d) analyzing said B-scan imaging displayed separately from said tissue characterization imaging on the screen of said monitor;(e) selecting a spot of interest on said B-scan imaging displayed separately on said monitor;(f) Turning ON the display of said tissue characterization imaging information;(g) using numerical numbers placed on the top of the B-scan imaging screen or using a Voice Recognition block to display on said B-scan imaging screen the direction line from which piezo-element are registering the two reflected signals chosen for attenuation measurement of said tissue characterization method.(h) analyzing displayed tissue characterization imaging information together with said B-scan imaging on the screen of said monitor and/or analyzing said tissue characterization information on said smaller screen next to said screen displaying said B-scan imaging and said tissue characterization imaging(i) determining type of the tissue being under investigation non-invasively in a living entity.

6. A method which improves the quality of the existing ultrasound diagnostic examination by applying a B-scan apparatus and a tissue characterization apparatus together through bodily joined transducers and to use B-scan image information to find a spot of interest to apply said tissue characterization method which comprises the steps of: (a) positioning next to each other the bodies of said B-scan transducer and said A-mode transducer;(b) applying said B-scan apparatus and said tissue characterization apparatus in a sequence or alternate;(c) placing said joined transducers on body of the patient;(d) using B-scan transducer which is a part of joined transducers to display a B-scan image of the tissue being under investigation;(e) using said B-scan image display as a guiding image to choose a spot of interest;(d) adjusting by sliding the position of said joined transducers to bring direction of A-mode transducer to said chosen spot of interest to determine type of the tissue being under investigation non-invasively in a living entity.