Tissue characterization method and apparatus
First Claim
1. A method for non-invasively determining a type of tissue or a state of a tissue in a living entity comprising the steps of:
- (a) using an imaging technique to generate an image of the tissue matter to be analyzed;
(b) selecting a region of interest on said image of said tissue matter to be analyzed;
(c) positioning a device for transmitting an ultrasonic signal at a desired frequency in a desired location relative to said tissue matter to be analyzed;
(d) transmitting a first ultrasonic signal at a first frequency through said region of interest using said device;
(e) transmitting a second ultrasonic signal at a second frequency through said region of interest using said device;
(f) detecting echo signals at said first and second frequencies reflected by said tissue matter; and
(g) analyzing said echo signals to determine at least one attenuation coefficient for said tissue matter.
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for non-invasively determining a type of tissue and its state within a living entity are disclosed. The method includes the steps of using an imaging technique to generate an image of the tissue matter to be analyzed, selecting a region of interest on the image; positioning a device for transmitting ultrasonic signals at desired frequencies in a desired location relative to the tissue matter; transmitting ultrasonic signals at at least two different frequencies through the region of interest; detecting echo signals reflected by the tissue matter; and analyzing the echo signals to determine attenuation data for the tissue matter. The apparatus includes an imaging device for generating an image of the tissue matter to be analyzed, a device for selecting the region of interest, a device for transmitting ultrasonic signals, a receiver for detecting the echo signals, a display device for displaying the echo signals, and a computer for analyzing and calculating the attenuation data.
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Citations
36 Claims
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1. A method for non-invasively determining a type of tissue or a state of a tissue in a living entity comprising the steps of:
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(a) using an imaging technique to generate an image of the tissue matter to be analyzed; (b) selecting a region of interest on said image of said tissue matter to be analyzed; (c) positioning a device for transmitting an ultrasonic signal at a desired frequency in a desired location relative to said tissue matter to be analyzed; (d) transmitting a first ultrasonic signal at a first frequency through said region of interest using said device; (e) transmitting a second ultrasonic signal at a second frequency through said region of interest using said device; (f) detecting echo signals at said first and second frequencies reflected by said tissue matter; and (g) analyzing said echo signals to determine at least one attenuation coefficient for said tissue matter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. An apparatus for non-invasively determining the nature of tissue matter within a patient and/or the state of said tissue matter, said apparatus comprising:
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means for generating an image of said tissue matter; means for selecting a region of interest on said generated image of said tissue matter to be analyzed; a transducer for transmitting ultrasonic signals having at least two different frequencies through said region of interest; means for detecting echo signals created by ultrasonic signals at said different frequencies passing through and being reflected by said tissue matter; and means for analyzing said echo signals at said different frequencies and determining at least one attenuation coefficient for said tissue matter from the analysis of said echo signals. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A method for non-invasively determining a type of matter or a state of said matter comprising the steps of:
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(a) using an imaging technique to generate an image of the matter to be analyzed; (b) selecting a region of interest on said image of said matter to be analyzed; (c) positioning a device for transmitting a wave signal at a desired frequency in a desired location relative to said matter to be analyzed; (d) transmitting a first wave signal at a first frequency through said region of interest using said device; (e) transmitting a second wave signal at a second frequency through said region of interest using said device; (f) detecting echo signals at said first and second frequencies reflected by said matter; and (g) analyzing said echo signals to determine at least one attenuation coefficient for said matter.
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35. An apparatus for non-invasively determining the nature of matter and/or the state of said matter, said apparatus comprising:
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means for generating an image of said matter; means for selecting a region of interest on said generated image of said matter to be analyzed; means for transmitting wave signals at desired frequencies through said region of interest; means for detecting echo signals created by said wave signals passing through and being reflected by said matter; and means for analyzing said echo signals and determining at least one attenuation coefficient for said matter from the analysis of said echo signals.
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36. A method for non-invasively determining a type of earthen material or a state of said material comprising the steps of:
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(a) positioning a device for transmitting a wave signal at a desired frequency in a desired location relative to said material to be analyzed; (b) transmitting a first wave signal at a first frequency through said material using said device; (c) transmitting a second wave signal at a second frequency through said material using said device; (d) detecting echo signals at said first and second frequencies reflected by said material; and (e) analyzing said echo signals to determine at least one attenuation coefficient for said material.
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Specification