System and method for evaluating tissue

摘要

The present invention provides a sensor system for measuring an elastic modulus and a shear modulus and a method for using the sensor system to evaluate a tissue by determining the presence of and/or characterizing abnormal growths. The method involves applying a set of forces of different magnitudes to one or more locations of tissue, detecting the corresponding displacements due to said applied forces, determining the forces acting on those locations of tissue which are a combination of forces from the applied voltages and the countering forces from tissue deformation, obtaining the elastic modulus and/or shear modulus for a plurality of locations, and determining abnormal growth invasiveness, malignancy or the presence of a tumor from said elastic and/or shear moduli.

主权项

1. A method for evaluating tissue to predict a presence of cancerous tissue, comprising steps of:
applying a shear force to a location on said tissue using at least one sensor comprising a piezoelectric material; detecting a shear displacement resulting from application of said shear force on said tissue using said sensor with a measuring device connected to said piezoelectric material through at least one conductive element; determining a net shear force exerted on said location from a combination of the applied shear force and a countering shear force resulting from tissue deformation; and deducing a shear modulus of said tissue at said location from the net shear force and the shear displacement; applying a compressive force to said location on said tissue using said at least one sensor comprising a piezoelectric material; detecting a compressive displacement resulting from application of said compressive force on said tissue using said sensor with said measuring device; determining a net compressive force exerted on said location from a combination of the applied compressive force and a countering compressive force resulting from tissue deformation; deducing an elastic modulus of said tissue at said location from the net compressive force and the compressive displacement; evaluating said tissue to predict the presence of cancerous tissue, based on at least a ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus, and predicating one of: a non-invasive tumor at a location of abnormal tissue when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is less than 0.7; an invasive tumor at a location of abnormal tissue when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is no less than 0.7; a malignancy for a non-confined tumor when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is no less than 0.7; and a malignancy for a confined tumor when said ratio of said shear modulus to said elastic modulus is no less than 0.3.