Methods and systems for spatially modulated ultrasound radiation force imaging

摘要

Methods for determining the shear modulus of a tissue of an individual are disclosed. In one embodiment, an acoustic pulse is transmitted and a reference echo signal is received. A first push pulse is transmitted at a second location of the individual. A second push pulse is transmitted at a third location of the individual. A series of tracking pulses are transmitted at the first location and a tracking echo signal is received from each tracking pulse. The effect of the first and second push pulses on the tissue is determined through analysis of the tracking echo signals. The shear modulus of the tissue is calculated based on the effect of the push pulses on the tissue. A system for imaging a region of tissue is presented.

主权项

1. A method of determining the shear modulus of a tissue of an individual, the method comprising the steps of:
(a) transmitting at least one acoustic pulse at a first location of the individual and receiving a reference echo signal resulting from the at least one acoustic pulse; (b) transmitting a first push pulse at a second location of the individual; (c) transmitting a second push pulse that has a temporally distinct spatial peak from the first push pulse at a third location of the individual, wherein the first location, second location, and third location are each spatially distinct; (d) transmitting a series of tracking pulses at the first location and receiving a tracking echo signal from each tracking pulse; (e) determining the effect of the first and second push pulses on the tissue of the individual at the first location by analyzing the tracking echo signals; and (f) calculating the shear modulus of the tissue of the individual based on the effect of the first and second push pulses on the tissue of the first location compared to the reference echo signal.