Advanced Elastography

Project: Measure bulk modulus and density without deforming an object

 

Description: Effective Bulk Modulus Elastography (EBME) uses impedance mismatch ratios to determine both the effective density and bulk modulus of an object in comparison with the ambient material. Contrasting materials are more easily spotted.

 

Applications: Non-destructive testing (NDT)

 

Process: In conjunction with University of North Texas, developed EBME algorithm to be applied to sound waveforms. Tested EBME for hard materials like metals and plastics and soft materials like gels and soft tissue.

 

 

Status: Patent pending. Actively testing EBME in commercial use settings for validation. Peer-review publication

EBME vs. A-mode in hard material composite
Top - Copper (left), PVC (middle), and Aluminum (right) represent set of hard material composites. Middle - Standard ultrasound image scan of composite Bottom - EBME scan of same material composite
Standard A-mode ultrasound in soft materials
Top - PNIPAm hydrogel tissue phantom with three zones of polymer content representing tendons (left), muscle (middle), and healthy liver (right). Logarithmic (middle) and linear (bottom) intensity scale for standard A-mode ultrasound. This image is in comparison to the EBME for same soft material composite
EBME effectiveness in soft materials
Top - PNIPAm hydrogel tissue phantom with three zones of polymer content representing tendons (left), muscle (middle), and healthy liver (right). Effective bulk modulus (middle) and density (bottom) using EBME