Basic Study for the Quantitative Diagnosis of Edema Focusing on Ultrasound Propagation Time Waveform Information.
The bioimpedance method measures the resistance of a living body by applying an electric current that is sufficiently weak to cause no abnormalities in the body. This method has the advantage of being able to distinguish edema from obesity by utilizing the difference in resistivity between water and fat.
Therefore, it is desirable to establish a simple, inexpensive, safe, accurate, and rapid method for diagnosing edema. To satisfy these requirements, we conducted basic investigations for the diagnosis of edema using ultrasound. However, ultrasound diagnostic devices are expensive and challenging to operate. In other words, operation and diagnosis are difficult and require training and experience; hence, the diagnostic results of the devices vary from person to person. Ultrasound diagnostic devices produce images based on the velocity and attenuation of ultrasound waves. In most ultrasound diagnostic devices, sound velocity is predetermined.
In other words, it is difficult to diagnose edema quantitatively using only B-mode images from conventional ultrasound diagnostic devices. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to diagnose edema using ultrasound, an easy, inexpensive, safe, accurate, and rapid method. Our goal was to diagnose edema quantitatively by focusing on the propagation time waveform information
of the ultrasound wave rather than using the B-mode images of the ultrasound diagnostic devices. The time waveform of ultrasonic wave propagation varies significantly depending on the medium
in which it propagates. Using this principle, significant results have been achieved in the medical and industrial fields.
Women Health Open J. 2022; 8(1): 9-18. doi: 10.17140/WHOJ-8-147
