Probe handling assistance and automatic measurement of fat and muscle thickness in non-medical ultrasonograph

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K12792
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90150:Medical assistive technology-related
• Research Institution: Kindai University
• Principal Investigator: Toshihiro Shinohara 近畿大学, 生物理工学部, 准教授 (20434863)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 非医療用超音波画像装置 / プローブ操作支援 / 脂肪厚計測 / 筋肉厚計測 / 自動計測

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aims to establish methods for correctly applying the probe of ultrasonography to the correct position and measuring the subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness to "make it easy for anyone to use ultrasonography." For this purpose, methods were proposed for guiding the probe to the correct position by registration between the correct position and the current probe position with features in infrared images, judging if the probe is correctly applied to the skin, and measuring the subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness by segmentation of body tissues in ultrasound images using AI. Experiments were conducted on the probe guidance on the posterior thigh, the judgment of the probe application, and the measurement of the subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness on the anterior upper arm. As a result, the subcutaneous fat and muscle thickness could be measured with the same accuracy as the visual inspection. The experimental results indicate the validity of the proposed methods.

Free Research Field

医療福祉工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

介護、リハビリ、健康増進、美容、スポーツなど非医療分野における超音波画像装置のニーズは高いものの、非医療分野への用途拡大のための研究、特に超音波プローブ操作支援の取り組みはこれまでに例がなかった。この点、当該研究では、「誰でも容易に超音波画像装置を扱えるようにする」ための方策を提案した。
超音波画像装置の用途が広がりは、政府の掲げる「健康・医療戦略」における健康長寿社会の実現に大きく貢献する。また、医療分野においても、医師が慢性的に不足している過疎地域や開発途上国における深刻な医療問題の解決の大きな一助となり、SDGsの「3．すべての人に健康と福祉を」に大きく貢献できる発展性がある。