Device and method for measuring the viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic medium

Abstract

A device (DEV) is disclosed for vibration controlled transient elastography, in particular to quantify liver fibrosis, the device comprising: an ultrasound probe (1) for elastography comprising a probe casing, at least one ultrasound transducer (US) having a symmetry axis (A), a vibrator (VIB), and a force sensor (FS), wherein the vibrator is arranged to induce a movement of the probe casing alongthe symmetry axis of the ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound transducer being bound to the probe casing with no motion of the ultrasound transducer relative to the probe casing, and wherein the device comprises a signal generator (9) configured to issue a contact ready signal when the force applied by the probe on the to- be-measured viscoelastic medium is greater than a minimum contact force threshold. The signal generator may further be configured to issue a measurement ready signal when the force is greater than a minimum measurement force threshold.

Description

technical field [0001] The invention relates to a device for measuring the viscoelasticity of viscoelastic media, such as human or animal organs. In particular, the invention can be used to measure the viscoelasticity of the liver, which allows the quantification of the amount of fibrosis present in said liver. The invention also relates to a method for measuring the viscoelasticity of a viscoelastic medium. Background technique [0002] Chronic hepatitis, alcoholic, viral, or otherwise, has a fibrotic effect, which is important to evaluate and determine the optimal time to treat hepatitis. [0003] One of the most reliable and valid techniques for measuring liver stiffness is transient elastography (see for example "WFUMB guidelines by G. Ferraioli et al. published in Ultrasound in Med. And Biol." 41, 5, 2015 and recommendations for clinical use of ultrasound elastography part 3: liver (WFUMB Ultrasound Elastography Clinical Use Guidelines and Recommendations Part 3: Live...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

This protocol is not suitable for applying transient shear pulses to tissue, only for continuous wave shear wave oscillations

Furthermore, the elastography probe consists of two separate components, which is a serious drawback for in-vivo applications

For example, the above probes are difficult to manipulate due to the presence of multiple

[0016] Also, depending on the operator, it can be difficult to control the force applied when placing the ultrasound transducer on the patient's body

Therefore, the device cannot accurately and reproducibly measure without regard to the operator

[0017] Additionally, the electric actuators of the device may be damaged if excessive force is exerted on the patient's body

[0018] Finally, the acoustic energy delivered to the patient by the transducer's ultrasonic transducer can be high, and unnecessary use can result in injury to the patient, electrical failure, and premature failure of the ultrasonic transducer

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