Aneurysmal state detection

A method of operation for an ultrasound system comprising a memory that stores instructions and a processor that executes the instructions, the method comprising:

• receiving time-resolved two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences of vasculature wall tissue captured at different times as pressure is variably applied to a subject of the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences;
• receiving blood pressure measurements of the subject;
• determining changes in response of the vasculature wall tissue between the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences at the different times as the pressure is variably applied to the subject;
• determining, based on the blood pressure measurements and the changes in response of the vasculature wall tissue between the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences as the pressure is variably applied, a non-linear elastic relationship between strains in vasculature wall tissue captured in the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences and varying stresses to which the vasculature wall tissue is subjected based on subject-specific blood pressure;
• and
• detecting an aneurysmal state of the vasculature wall tissue based on the non-linear elastic relationship and the changes in response of the vasculature wall tissue between the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences as the pressure is variably applied.

A tangible, non-transitory computer-readable medium that stores instructions, which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:

• receive time-resolved two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences of vasculature wall tissue captured at different times as pressure is variably applied to a subject of the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences;
• receive blood pressure measurements of the subject;
• determine changes in response of the vasculature wall tissue between the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences at the different times as the pressure is variably applied to the subject;
• determine, based on the blood pressure measurements and the changes in response of the vasculature wall tissue between the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences as the pressure is variably applied, a non-linear elastic relationship between strains in vasculature wall tissue captured in the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences and varying stresses to which the vasculature wall tissue is subjected based on a combination of subject-specific blood pressure and externally applied probe pressure variably applied to the subject;
• and
• detect an aneurysmal state of the vasculature wall tissue based on the non-linear elastic relationship and the changes in response of the vasculature wall tissue between the two-dimensional ultrasound image sequences as the pressure is variably applied.