Device and method for measuring the viscoelastic properties of a viscoelastic medium
US11331073B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 2018 |
| Grant date | May 17, 2022 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 21, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/543
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A device for vibration controlled transient elastography, in particular to quantify liver fibrosis, includes an ultrasound probe for elastography comprising a probe casing, at least one ultrasound transducer having a symmetry axis, a vibrator, and a force sensor, wherein the vibrator is arranged to induce a movement of the probe casing along the symmetry axis of the ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound transducer being bound to the probe casing with no motion of the ultrasound transducer relative to the probe casing, and wherein the device includes a signal generator configured to issue a contact ready signal when the force applied by the probe on the to-be-measured viscoelastic medium is greater than a minimum contact force threshold. The signal generator may further be configured to issue a measurement ready signal when the force is greater than a minimum measurement force threshold.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.