US Patent 7223241 Method and apparatus for elasticity imaging

A computational efficient algorithm for compression analysis of free-hand static elasticity imaging performed using medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging equipment offers tissue compression quality and quantity feedback to the operator. The algorithm includes a criterion for automatic selection of the most advantageous pre- and post-compression frame pairs delivering elasticity images of optimal dynamic ranges (DR) and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR). The use of the algorithm in real time eases operator training and reduces significantly the amount of artifact in the elasticity images while lowering the computational burden.