Systems and methods for the detection of fluid build-up resulting from an injury using ultrasound imaging
Inventors
Salinas, Jose • Grisell, Ronald D. • Veazey, Sena R. • Vega, Saul J.
Assignees
United States Department of the Army
Publication Number
US-11911208-B2
Publication Date
2024-02-27
Expiration Date
2039-08-21
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Abstract
Improved systems and methods for diagnosing an injury of a patient. The system and methods provide for more accurate scans of the injury thereby enabling a combat medic, a medical technician, or even untrained individuals to quickly diagnose the injury. By providing more accurate information, the systems and methods provide the technician with additional information regarding treatment options, such as whether to transport the patient or treat the patient in place, potential for aspiration, and other information about dangerous fluid build-up such as size, depth, and types of surrounding tissues, thereby increasing survivability of the patient. The systems and methods can also provide a diagnosis of the injury as well as suggestions on actions to take to treat the patient.
Core Innovation
The invention provides improved systems and methods for diagnosing injuries in patients using ultrasound imaging. The systems are compact and suitable for battlefield or accident scenes, enabling quick and more accurate diagnosis of internal injuries such as hemorrhages, fluid build-up, and other abnormalities. These systems use one or more transducer probes and vibration devices to apply beams and vibrations to the injury area, generating image data that can be processed to detect abnormalities and support treatment decisions.
The problem solved relates to the difficulty of detecting small hemorrhages and internal injuries accurately and rapidly, especially in battlefield or trauma situations. Traditional imaging technologies like fluoroscopy are bulky and ineffective for small hemorrhages, and standard Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma (FAST) examinations lack sensitivity for small fluid pools. This invention addresses these challenges by enabling more precise detection of fluid build-up through enhanced signal processing and imaging techniques.
The system employs dual transducer probes or combinations of ultrasound and vibration devices to induce vibrations or sloshing motions in fluid pools within tissue, capturing distinct Doppler frequency shifts caused by fluid movement relative to surrounding tissues. Image data is generated and then processed using pattern recognition, noise filtering, and anatomical data correlation to accurately identify internal bleeding, edema, pneumothorax, hemothorax, and other conditions. The system provides diagnostic alerts and treatment guidance to medic or even untrained users, increasing patient survivability by informing immediate care and transport decisions.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes one independent method claim and one independent system claim for diagnosing internal injuries using ultrasound and vibration technologies. The claims cover inventive features related to the use of vibration waves combined with ultrasound beams, processing of Doppler image data, and provision of diagnostic alerts based on detected abnormalities.
Combining vibration waves with ultrasound beams for enhanced detection
A method and system that apply a beam of vibration waves from a vibration device near an injury area to induce sloshing motion in fluid, combined with an ultrasound beam from an ultrasound device that crosses with the vibration beam. This combination results in improved detection of fluid movement relative to surrounding homogeneous tissue, enhancing identification of internal abnormalities such as bleeding and fluid build-up.
Processing ultrasound image data to diagnose injuries
Processing circuitry generates image data based on signals from reflections of the ultrasound beam, processes the image data by comparing frames to predetermined patterns, and provides a diagnosis of the injury with alert generation when abnormalities (e.g., internal bleeding, hemothorax, pneumothorax, edema, exudate, or pericardial effusion) are detected. This includes generating a probability indicator of injury and basing diagnosis on anatomy data of patients.
Adjusting vibration frequency and spatial arrangement to optimize imaging
The vibration frequency output by the vibration device is adjusted as a function of the image data to optimize detection. The ultrasound transducer applies the beam orthogonally to the injury area, while the vibration device is placed at a lateral distance D from the transducer probe to prevent interference, with D typically ranging from 20 cm to 40 cm. This spacing ensures effective crossing of vibration waves and ultrasound beams at the injury site for improved imaging.
Use of a single vibration device and transducer for compact and efficient diagnosis
Utilization of a single vibration device configured to apply vibration waves and a single ultrasound device for applying ultrasound beams facilitates a compact system that can effectively induce fluid motion and capture image data without requiring multiple probes. The vibration device produces one modulated frequency at a time, supporting streamlined detection.
These inventive features collectively provide a novel and effective approach for diagnosing internal injuries by inducing and detecting fluid motion in tissue with combined vibration and ultrasound beams, enhanced image processing based on fluid motion patterns and anatomy data, and optimized device configurations for battlefield or emergency use.
Stated Advantages
Enables quicker and more accurate diagnosis of internal injuries, including small hemorrhages that are typically hard to detect.
Supports use by combat medics, medical technicians, or even untrained individuals, facilitating rapid treatment decisions on-site.
Provides diagnostic information including the size, depth, and type of surrounding tissues related to dangerous fluid build-up, improving treatment guidance such as transport decisions and aspiration potential.
Compact system design reduces size and equipment footprint, making the system deployable in battlefield or accident scenarios.
The system integrates with and enhances existing FAST examinations for trauma victims, improving their diagnostic effectiveness.
Documented Applications
Use on the battlefield for combat medics to rapidly diagnose internal injuries from explosions, shrapnel, bullets, or glass to prevent death from internal bleeding or hemorrhagic shock.
Emergency and trauma settings at accident scenes for quick evaluation and diagnosis by medical and non-medical personnel to determine treatment urgency and options.
Supplementation of existing trauma ultrasound examinations, such as FAST, to improve detection of small or difficult-to-see fluid accumulations.
Remote medical support scenarios where untrained personnel can be guided through diagnosis and treatment steps using the system's outputs and alerts.
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