Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region, include determining a prior probability density function that characterizes at least one physical property of the target region; generating a displacement of the sample in the target region to form a shear wave that propagates orthogonal to a direction of the displacement; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses in the target region at a plurality of lateral positions; estimating a propagation parameter of the shear wave in response to the echo signals and the prior probability density function using statistical inference; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on the estimated propagation parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound device and method for calculating an estimated tissue stiffness based on peak on-axis tissue displacement propagating along the axis of an acoustic radiation force (ARF) excitation region are disclosed. Embodiments estimate stiffness by measuring time-to-peak tissue displacement directly along the acoustic radiation force axis. Embodiments achieve a highly accurate tissue stiffness estimate with minimal stiffness estimation error via use of an ultrasound device having less hardware complexity and which results in reduced sequencing complexity.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a mechanical parameter for a sample having a target region, include determining a prior probability density function that characterizes at least one physical property of the target region; generating a displacement of the sample in the target region to form a shear wave that propagates orthogonal to a direction of the displacement; transmitting tracking pulses in the target region; receiving corresponding echo signals for the tracking pulses in the target region at a plurality of lateral positions; estimating a propagation parameter of the shear wave in response to the echo signals and the prior probability density function using statistical inference; and determining at least one mechanical parameter of the target region based on the estimated propagation parameter.

Abstract: A system for identifying a presence of an object in a tissue region of interest includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets from the region of interest. A contrast identification module is configured to identify a contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set corresponding to an object in the tissue region of interest. An image data enhancement module is configured to identify the object in the second image data set based on the contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set.

Abstract: The ultrasound system includes a controller configured to communicate with an ultrasound transducer such that the ultrasound transducer emits a radiation force excitation ultrasound pulse from the ultrasound transducer that propagates through the region of interest and is sufficient to perturb a fluid in the region of interest; emits a first and second acoustic ultrasound pulse from the ultrasound transducer that propagates away from the ultrasound transducer, through a region of interest and produces respective first and second echo ultrasound signal that propagate from the region of interest to the ultrasound transducer; and receives a first and second data set responsive to the first and second respective echo signals at the ultrasound transducer. A decorrelation module is configured to identify a decorrelation region of decorrelated data that is decorrelated between the first and second data sets, and the decorrelation region indicates a presence of fluid in the region of interest.

Abstract: Methods for determining a mechanical parameter of a sample include detecting shear waves that have been generated in the sample by an applied shear wave source. A time of peak displacement of the shear waves for a plurality of sample positions is determined. At least one mechanical parameter of the sample based on the time of peak displacement for the plurality of sample positions is determined.

Abstract: A system for identifying a presence of an object in a tissue region of interest includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets from the region of interest. A contrast identification module is configured to identify a contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set corresponding to an object in the tissue region of interest. An image data enhancement module is configured to identify the object in the second image data set based on the contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set.

Abstract: Ultrasound systems for identifying a presence of injected fluid in a region of interest are provided. The ultrasound system includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets of a region of interest from an ultrasound transducer array. A decorrelation module is configured to identify a decorrelation region of decorrelated data that is decorrelated between the first and second image data sets. The decorrelation region indicates a presence of injected fluid in the region of interest.

Abstract: Methods for determining a mechanical parameter of a sample include detecting shear waves that have been generated in the sample by an applied shear wave source. A time of peak displacement of the shear waves for a plurality of sample positions is determined. At least one mechanical parameter of the sample based on the time of peak displacement for the plurality of sample positions is determined.

Abstract: A remote palpation technique in breast imaging or the like ican involve the use of multiple applications of radiation force in rapid succession throughout a two-dimensional plane in the target tissue, and the combination of the small, two-dimensional displacement maps from each force location into a single, larger remote palpation image. Apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method is also disclosed.