US 12,376,819 B2
In-vivo quantification of fat content in an organ of a living subject using ultrasound
Kevin J. Parker, Rochester, NY (US); and Juvenal Ormachea, Bellevue, WA (US)
Assigned to UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER, Rochester, NY (US)
Filed by University of Rochester, Rochester, NY (US)
Filed on Mar. 18, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/655,372.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/164,107, filed on Mar. 22, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0296207 A1, Sep. 22, 2022
Int. Cl. A61B 8/08 (2006.01); A61B 8/00 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/08 (2013.01) [A61B 8/485 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for estimating a percent volume of fat within a liver of a living subject, comprising the following steps:
a. physically generating ultrasound shear waves of known frequency and amplitude in the liver using diagnostic ultrasound imaging technology, wherein the ultrasound shear waves propagate therein;
b. physically measuring a speed with which the ultrasound shear waves propagate within the liver;
c. physically measuring an attenuation of the amplitude of the ultrasound shear waves caused by the liver;
d. estimating, using computer software, a real part and an imaginary parts of the tissue modulus from the measured speed and interaction in the liver by applying (Eqns. 5 and 6):

OG Complex Work Unit Math
e. comparing, using computer software, the real and imaginary parts of the tissue modulus to a viscoelastic composite model of the liver to estimate the percent volume of viscous material within the liver, wherein the viscoelastic composite model considers the liver to be a composite material in which a fat fraction is distributed within the liver; and
f. quantifying, the percent volume of viscous material within the liver from the viscoelastic composite model and the real and imaginary parts of the tissue modulus.