Generation and assessment of shear waves in elasticity imaging

摘要

A method for generation and analysis of shear waves in a subject with an ultrasound system. Multiple short ultrasound push pulses are applied, as a set and optionally more than once, to one or more push origins at the subject to produce first and second shear waves of large amplitudes and desired spatial distributions, which are separated in space and time and which have opposite polarity such that initial movements of the subject tissue, respectively caused by the first and second shear waves, occur in opposite directions. At least one mechanical property of the subject (including that represented by shear wave group velocity, phase velocity, and attenuation of a shear wave) is determined based at least in part on a distance between wavefronts of the first and second shear waves.

主权项

1. A method for characterizing a subject with an ultrasound system, the method comprising:
applying a set of short ultrasound push pulses to a first push origin at the subject; detecting with the ultrasound system, after the set of short ultrasound push pulses has been completely applied, ultrasound echo energy representing first and second temporally resolved shear waves propagating through the subject from the first push origin; and calculating a mechanical property of the subject using echo data representing detected ultrasound echo energy, wherein the first and second temporally resolved shear waves have opposite polarities.