Ultrasound thermal mapping based on a hybrid method combining cross-correlation and zero-crossing tracking
Chang-Wei Huang1, Der-Hsien Lien, Ben-Ting Chen
1Department of Civil Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, 200 Chung Pei Road, Chung Li City, 32023, Taiwan.
The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America
|August 10, 2013
Summary
A new hybrid method uses diagnostic ultrasound to estimate tissue temperature changes during thermal treatments. This technique offers improved accuracy for non-invasive monitoring in hyperthermia therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Medical Imaging
- Acoustics
Background:
- Accurate temperature monitoring is crucial for effective thermal therapies like hyperthermia.
- Conventional methods for detecting temperature-induced echo shifts, such as cross-correlation and zero-crossing tracking, have limitations in practical applications.
- There is a need for improved non-invasive methods to estimate tissue temperature during thermal treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and validate a hybrid method for estimating temperature with spatial mapping using diagnostic ultrasound.
- To combine the advantages of cross-correlation and zero-crossing tracking algorithms for enhanced temperature estimation accuracy.
- To assess the feasibility of the hybrid method for non-invasive temperature monitoring during hyperthermia therapy.
Main Methods:
- A hybrid algorithm integrating cross-correlation and zero-crossing tracking was developed for echo shift detection.
- In vitro experiments on porcine muscle were conducted for preliminary validation and temperature calibration.
- In vivo thermal mapping of rabbit thigh muscle during high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) heating was performed.
Main Results:
- In vitro experiments showed the hybrid method's estimated temperature change differed by less than 1°C from thermocouple measurements for temperature increases under 10°C.
- In vivo studies demonstrated good agreement between the predicted high-temperature area and the HIFU transducer's focal point.
- The hybrid algorithm exhibited computational efficiency comparable to fast cross-correlation but with superior accuracy.
Conclusions:
- The proposed hybrid method provides accurate non-invasive temperature estimation with spatial mapping capabilities.
- This technique shows promise as an alternative for monitoring temperature changes during hyperthermia therapy.
- The method's improved accuracy and comparable computational efficiency make it suitable for clinical applications.
