via University of Sheffield
- University of Sheffield researchers have developed a new ultrasound method that could help to more easily diagnose abnormal tissue, scarring and cancer
- Technique uses sound waves to measure the level of tension in human tissue for the first time – a key indicator of abnormal tissue and disease
- Ultrasounds create images of organs inside the human body, but current methods aren’t capable of measuring stresses and aren’t enough to diagnose abnormal tissue
- Breakthrough could be used to build new ultrasound machines to help diagnose diseases earlier
A new ultrasound method that can measure the level of tension in human tissue for the first time – a key indicator of disease – has been developed by researchers from the University of Sheffield.
The breakthrough, made by Dr Artur Gower from the University’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, together with researchers from Harvard, Tsinghua University, and the University of Galway, could be used to build new ultrasound machines that are able to better diagnose abnormal tissue, scarring, and cancer.
Ultrasounds use sound waves to create images of organs inside the human body. However, the images produced by the current techniques used in healthcare aren’t usually enough to diagnose whether tissues are abnormal. To improve diagnosis, the researchers developed a way to measure forces such as tension by using an ultrasound machine. Tension is generated in all living tissue, so measuring it can indicate whether tissue is functioning properly or if it’s affected by disease.
The researchers harnessed a technique from a rail project at the University of Sheffield, which uses sound waves to measure tension along railway lines. The technique, used both for rail and medical ultrasound, relies on a simple principle: the greater the tension, the faster sound waves propagate. Using this principle, the researchers developed a method that sends two sound waves in different directions. The tension is then related to the speed of the waves by using mathematical theories developed by the researchers.
Previous ultrasound methods have struggled to show the difference between stiff tissue or tissue under tension. The developed technique is the first capable of measuring tension for any type of soft tissue, and without knowing anything about it. In a new paper, published in the journal Science Advances, the researchers describe the new method and demonstrate how they used it to measure tension inside a muscle.
Dr Artur Gower, Lecturer in Dynamics at the University of Sheffield, said: “When you go to the hospital, a doctor might use an ultrasound device to create an image of an organ, such as your liver, or another part of your body, such as the gut, to help them explore what the cause of a problem might be. One of the limitations of ultrasounds used in healthcare now is that the image alone is not enough to diagnose whether any of your tissues are abnormal.
“What we’ve done in our research is develop a new way of using ultrasound to measure the level of tension in tissue. This level of detail can tell us whether tissues are abnormal or if they are affected by scarring or disease. This technique is the first time that ultrasound can be used to measure forces inside tissue, and it could now be used to build new ultrasound machines capable of diagnosing abnormal tissue and disease earlier.”
Original Article: New ultrasound method could lead to easier disease diagnosis
More from: University of Sheffield | Harvard University | Tsinghua University | National University of Ireland Galway
The Latest Updates from Bing News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
New ultrasound method
- SGMC Health Foundation funds cardiac ultrasound machine
The new machine represents a quantum leap forward in cardiac ultrasound technology, offering unparalleled advancements in functionality and performance, the health system said. Designed with precision ...
- Estes Park Health Foundation launches new cardiac ultrasound fundraising campaign
Estes Park Health Foundation has launched its new Waves of Hope: Cardiac Ultrasound Initiative, with the goal of a new premium, cutting-edge upgrade to its cardiology technology. The current ...
- Exo adds FDA-cleared AI tools to handheld ultrasound system
Exo sees the new capabilities as especially helpful for healthcare providers in rural and under-resourced settings.
- Technion scientists harness ultrasound for drug delivery and tissue implantation
Scientists from the Technion Faculty of Biomedical Engineering in Haifa made a breakthrough in drug delivery and tissue implantation, assisted by ultrasound. Prof Shulamit Levenberg’s research group ...
- African clinics to get Gates’ new portable ultrasound tech
ALARMING mortality rates in pregnancy-related complications in remote areas of Africa are likely to be reduced in the wake of unveiling ground-breaking, portable ultrasound technology by the Bill & ...
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Ultrasound machines
- RCHS veterinary equipment fundraiser nearly halfway to goal
The Routt County Humane Society reports significant strides made in its fundraising for essential veterinary equipment. A total of $29,667 has been raised, and according to the organization, it is a ...
- SGMC Health Foundation funds cardiac ultrasound machine
The SGMC Health Foundation has announced the purchase of a state-of-the-art cardiac ultrasound machine, the Philips EPIQ CVx, at SGMC Health Smith Northview.
- Federal money being given to strengthen neonatal healthcare in metro Atlanta, Sen. Jon Ossoff says
such as purchasing updated cooling machines, all-in-one incubators, and a point-of-care ultrasound machine. The ultrasound, in particular, will allow them to optimize timely diagnosis, care quality ...
- Veterinarians Weigh In on Jailed Ultrasound Operators Case
The debate over what constitutes “practicing medicine” peaked recently with the arrest of ultrasound operators Rusty Herr and Ethan Wentworth, who've been accused of practicing veterinary medicine ...
- ICDP Ghana introduces portable ultrasound machines in rural communities
With the introduction of Portable Ultrasound Machines in rural communities, the initiative was in partnership with Ultrasound Consulting International (UCI) USA, in collaboration with Ghana Health ...