Development of Ultrasound Elastography

Abstract

It is well known that tissue stiffness (elasticity) changes from the early stages in many diseases such as cancer tumors, arteriosclerosis, and liver cirrhosis. For this reason, if the distribution of tissue elasticity can be visualized in addition to tissue morphology and functional information such as blood flow by conventional medical images, namely CT, MRI, and ultrasound, it will be useful for early diagnosis, differential diagnosis of benign and malignant, and evaluation of therapeutic effects such as chemotherapy. To meet these clinical needs, we promoted research and development of ultrasonic elastography through industry-academia-government collaboration, and in 2003 achieved the practical application as the worldʼs first clinical device. In addition, we have developed diagnostic guidelines for the dissemination of new technologies to clinical practice. As a result, many ultrasound devices now have an elastography function, and are widely used in clinical fields as a new diagnostic imaging method for breast cancer, chronic hepatitis, and so on.