Method for determining a property of an object and associated device

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for determining at least one property of an object, the method comprising a step of: a) obtaining first data relative to the object by an ultrasound imaging technique imaging the object at a frame rate superior to 300 Hz, characterized in that the method further comprises a step of: b) obtaining second data relative to the object by imaging the object with at least one of a X-ray and a γ-ray, and c) determining the at least one property of the object based on the first data and the second data.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention concerns a method for determining at least one property of an object. The present invention also relates to an associated device.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Conventional Ultrasound Imaging (CUI) is the most widely used imaging modality in the clinic as it is portable, real-time, low-cost, and fully non-invasive.[0003]CUI is used in multiple modes that provide different kinds of contrast sources. The B-mode is the standard anatomical imaging mode and relies on the acoustic impedance of tissue, which, while providing limited specificity, has the notable advantage of allowing for the visualization of rapidly moving structures such as the heart. A distinctive feature of these B-mode ultrasound images is the presence of speckle of which the signature can be tracked from one frame to the other and can be used to quantify blood flow and tissue motion in ‘Doppler’ modes, as long as high frame rates are achieved.[0004]Unfortuna...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method that combines ultrasound imaging with X-ray or γ-ray technology to achieve better treatment of diseases. This combination helps to get a more accurate understanding of the molecules involved in the disease and allows for better targeting with the treatment. Overall, this technique provides better outcomes for patients and improves the effectiveness of treatment.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, a fundamental trade-off exists in CUI: to achieve a higher frame rate and thus a high quality functional imaging, a small field of view has to be defined.

It is a relatively time-consuming process that leads to imaging rates near the real-time threshold of approximately 30 images per second.

However, UUI is a physiological imaging technique and as such is unable to achieve sensitive molecular imaging.

To reach such goal, research in the ultrasound field is intensive.

However, Ultrafast Doppler Tomography requires long acquisition times, and is thus limited in applications in which dynamic information would be useful (e.g. to track brain activation).

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