Abstract
We present an automated method for acquiring images and contrast parameters based on mechanical properties of breast lesions and surrounding tissue at load frequencies less than 1 Hz. The method called sub-Hertz analysis of viscoelasticity (SAVE) uses a compression device integrated with ultrasound imaging to perform in vivo ramp-and-hold uniaxial creep-like test on human breast in vivo. It models the internal deformations of tissues under constant surface stress as a linear viscoelastic response. We first discuss different aspects of our unique measurement approach and the expected variability of the viscoelastic parameters estimated based on a simplified one-dimensional reconstruction model. Finite-element numerical analysis is used to justify the advantages of using imaging contrast over viscoelasticity values. We then present the results of SAVE applied to a group of patients with breast masses undergoing biopsy.
Original language | English (US) |
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Article number | 8240706 |
Pages (from-to) | 2237-2247 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering |
Volume | 65 |
Issue number | 10 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Oct 2018 |
Keywords
- Viscoelasticity
- breast lesion
- creep
- retardation time
- ultrasound
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biomedical Engineering