Method and apparatus for elasticity imaging using remotely induced shear wave

A method for determining the elasticity of muscle tissue, comprising the steps of:

• (a) remotely generating shear waves in the muscle tissue using a focused acoustic wave;
• (b) detecting shear waves generated in the muscle tissue;
• (c) determining at least one propagation parameter of the shear waves in the muscle tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear wave velocity, shear wave attenuation coefficient, amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of muscle tissue particles in the propagating shear wave;
• spatial and temporal dependencies of said amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of muscle tissue particles;
• and
• (d) calculating, based on the results of step (c), at least one mechanical parameter of the muscle tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear elasticity modulus, Young's modulus, dynamic shear viscosity, and mechanical impedance of the muscle of the tissue.

A method for determining the elasticity of brain tissue, comprising the steps of:

• (a) remotely generating shear waves in the brain tissue using a focused acoustic pulse;
• (b) detecting shear waves generated in the tissue;
• (c) determining at least one propagation parameter of the shear waves in the brain tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear wave velocity, shear wave attenuation coefficient, amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of brain tissue particles in the propagating shear wave;
• spatial and temporal dependencies of said amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of brain tissue particles;
• and
• (d) calculating, based on the results of step (c), at least one mechanical parameter of the brain tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear elasticity modulus, Young's modulus, dynamic shear viscosity, and mechanical impedance of the of tissue.

A device for determining elasticity of tissue, comprising:

• transmitting means for transmitting a focused acoustic wave to a focal region so as to induce a shear wave in the tissue at said focal region;
• detecting means for detecting the shear wave induced in the tissue at said focal region;
• means for determining at least one propagation parameter of the shear waves in the tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear wave velocity, shear wave attenuation coefficient, amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of tissue particles in the propagating shear wave;
• spatial and temporal dependencies of said amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of tissue particles;
• and
• calculating means for evaluating at least one mechanical parameter of tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear elasticity modulus, Young's modulus, dynamic shear viscosity, and mechanical impedance of the of tissue.

A device for determining elasticity of muscle tissue, comprising:

• transmitting means for transmitting a focused acoustic wave to a focal region so as to induce a shear wave in the muscle tissue at said focal region;
• detecting means for detecting the shear wave induced in the muscle tissue at said focal region;
• means for determining at least one propagation parameter of the shear waves in the muscle tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear wave velocity, shear wave attenuation coefficient, amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of muscle tissue particles in the propagating shear wave;
• spatial and temporal dependencies of said amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of muscle tissue particles;
• and
• calculating means for evaluating at least one mechanical parameter of muscle tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear elasticity modulus, Young's modulus, dynamic shear viscosity, and mechanical impedance of the of muscle tissue.

A device for determining elasticity of brain tissue, comprising:

• transmitting means for transmitting a focused acoustic wave to a focal region so as to induce a shear wave in the brain tissue at said focal region;
• detecting means for detecting the shear wave induced in the brain tissue at said focal region;
• means for determining at least one propagation parameter of the shear waves in the brain tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear wave velocity, shear wave attenuation coefficient, amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of brain tissue particles in the propagating shear wave;
• spatial and temporal dependencies of said amplitude and velocity of shear displacement of brain tissue particles;
• and
• calculating means for evaluating at least one mechanical parameter of brain tissue selected from the group of parameters consisting of shear elasticity modulus, Young's modulus, dynamic shear viscosity, and mechanical impedance of the of brain tissue.