Patent ID: 8016757
Filing Date: 2011-09-13
Classification: A61B,A61N,G16H

Abstract:
1. A method for using ultrasound data to calibrate a biological tissue heat transfer model to a specific mass of tissue and a specific thermal source, comprising the steps of: (a) using the specific thermal source to change a temperature of the specific mass of tissue, and collecting a first set of ultrasound data as the specific mass of tissue returns to an ambient temperature; (b) using the first set of ultrasound data to determine a thermal diffusivity parameter corresponding to the specific mass of tissue; (c) using the specific thermal source to change a temperature of the specific mass of tissue to a predetermined value, while collecting a second set of ultrasound data and determining a length of time required to change the temperature of the specific mass of tissue to the predetermined value; and (d) using the thermal diffusivity parameter, the second set of ultrasound data, the length of time, and the biological tissue heat transfer model to determine a thermal source magnitude parameter corresponding to the specific thermal source and the specific mass of tissue, thereby calibrating the biological tissue heat transfer model to the specific thermal source and the specific mass of tissue.