Quantitative strain imaging and elasticity reconstruction

Ultrasound (US) based tissue elasticity imaging introduces a new challenging inverse problem measurements of internal tissue motion induced by a small external compression and the knowledge of corresponding force and/or displacement boundary conditions. On this basis, the problem can be stated as determine the elasticity distribution that best accounts for the observed internal displacements. Here, using computer simulation of the elasticity equations and an echographic image formation model, the authors outline the basic principles of this new imaging modality.