Patent ID: 9060709
Filing Date: 2015-06-23
Classification: A61B,G16H

Abstract:
1. A method of assessing tissue structure of a cervix using ultrasound comprising the steps of: (a) applying an ultrasonic beam to tissue at multiple of angles to obtain backscatter power measurements from the tissue at a variety of depths so that tissue at each depth is measured at a variety of angles and recording a tissue angle measurement of the ultrasound beam with respect to a central axis of the cervix and a tissue depth measurement perpendicular to the central axis for each of the backscatter power measurements at the variety of depths and angles; (b) quantify a variation in backscatter power measurements both as a function of tissue angle and tissue depth for a plurality of tissue volume elements; (c) process the variation in backscatter power both as a function of tissue angle and tissue depth to determine a distribution among the volume elements of backscatter power loss as a function of tissue angle and tissue depth; and (d) output a diagnostic indication to an operator based on the distribution.