Method and apparatus for non-invasively deriving and indicating of dynamic characteristics of the human and animal intracranial media

• US 6,387,051 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Uab Vittamed
• Original Assignee: Uab Vittamed
• Inventors: Ragauskas, Arminas, Daubaris, Gediminas
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US09/663,313
• Time in Patent Office: 606 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/442, 600/438, 600/443, 600/447
• US Class Current: 600/438
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/031 Intracranial pressure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/4064 Evaluating the brain A61B5/031, A61B5/369, A61B5/14553 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/0808 for diagnosis of the brain
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4227 characterised by straps, belts, cuffs or braces
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/465 adapted to display user selection data, e.g. icons or menus

Abstract

An ultrasonic method for indicating a characteristic of intraparenchymal brain tissue includes the transmission of broadband ultrasound from a transmitting transducer positioned on one side of a patient'"'"'s cranium to a receiving transducer located on another side of the cranium with decomposition of the received signal into narrowband components and determination therefrom of group delay, phase angle and attenuation as a basis for derivation of the characteristic of the intraparenchymal tissue within the cranium.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic investigating method for determining an indication of a characteristic of the intraparenchymal tissue comprising the steps of:

transmitting a broad band ultrasonic pulse from an ultrasonic transducer located on one side of the cranium of a person to an ultrasonic detector located on another side of the cranium for generating a received signal on the output of the detector;

decomposing the received signal into narrowband components;

determining parameters from said components including group delay, phase angle and attenuation of the components through their travel within said cranium; and

deriving from said parameters a characteristic of said intraparenchymal tissue within said cranium.

2. The method of claim 1 and further including the steps of:

determining the overall travel times of the components through said cranium;

determining the travel times of the components through intermediate matter located adjacent sides of and within the cranium;

removing the travel times of the components through said intermediate matter from the overall travel times to derive an indication of the travel time of the components through said intraparenchymal tissue.