The specific embodiment
(the 1st embodiment)
Below, describe about the 1st embodiment that is suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.Present embodiment is an example of having folded the ultrasonic probe of a plurality of diagnosis vibrators with the ultrasonic emitting surface layer of vibrator in treatment.
As shown in Figure 1, ultrasonic unit 1 is made of with ultrasonic transmitting element 24, display part 18, input part 20, control part 21 etc. with ultrasound unit 9, treatment diagnosis.Diagnosis has: have the diagnosis ripple receiving and transmitting part 12 of diagnosis with the ripple emission part with ultrasound unit 9; And the image construction portion of containing layer image formation portion 14 and blood-stream image formation portion 16.Treatment has: treatment ripple receiving and transmitting part 25 and alarm portion 27 etc. with ultrasonic transmission/reception unit 24.And, connecting diagnosis with ripple receiving and transmitting part 12 and treatment ripple receiving and transmitting part 25, with ultrasonic probe 10.
Diagnosis is used for diagnosing with hyperacoustic driving signal to ultrasonic probe 10 emissions with ripple receiving and transmitting part 12, generation, accepts simultaneously from the reflective echo signal of ultrasonic probe 10 outputs.Layer image formation portion 14 reconstitutes layer image based on the reflected back tone signal.Blood-stream image formation portion 16 reconstitutes the blood flow picture thereby obtain blood flow rate according to the Doppler shift of reflective echo signal.
Treatment emission part 25 generates the driving signal that is used for treatment is injected to ultrasound wave ultrasonic probe 10.Alarm portion 27 has warning function, and it instructs according to input or sounds a buzzer, perhaps warning.Display part 18 looks like layer image and blood flow to be presented in the display frame of display.Input part 20 has the indicator of keyboard or mouse etc. and forms.
Ultrasonic probe 10 is to launch to diagnose usefulness and treatment to use hyperacoustic parts, and it is included in the earphone (headset).Earphone 11 is by ultrasonic probe 10 and show water bag 32a, 32b, circulation road 36 and comprise the probe cooling end etc. of radiating part 34 and constitute.Water bag 32a, 32b form a bag shape, and portion holds within it has cooling medium in (for example water).In addition, about water bag 32a, 32b, be not limited to bag shape.Into radiating part 34 is led with the water in water bag 32a, the 32b in circulation road 36.Radiating part 34, the water-cooled that makes importing is in the extraneous gas.
Below the detailed formation of the ultrasonic unit 1 that like this constitutes describes simultaneously with action.At first, earphone 11 is installed in the head of subject.Like this, water bag 32a, the 32b of earphone 11 are fixed under near head epidermis (for example the temple) state of contact with subject.Then, ultrasonic probe 10 contacts with the back side of water bag 32a.
Next, self diagnosis offers ultrasonic probe 10 with the driving signal of ripple receiving and transmitting part 12 in the future.According to the driving signal that provides, diagnosis is penetrated to subject by ultrasonic probe 10 with ultrasound wave.The diagnosis ultrasound wave that penetrates, biological tissue by head inside or blood flow etc. are reflected or scattering.Ultrasound wave is used in this diagnosis, is accepted by ultrasonic probe 10 as the reflective echo signal.The reflective echo signal of accepting reconstitutes as layer image by layer image formation portion 14.The layer image that reconstitutes is presented on the monitor of display part 18.By the layer image that observe to show, the position of particular treatment position (for example cerebral thrombosis) correctly just.
Then, the position of the therapentic part of layer image (for example cerebral thrombosis) is by setting from input part 20 inputs.Based on the position coordinates of the cerebral thrombosis of setting, generate the driving signal with (ripple) emission part 25 by treatment.The driving signal that generates, the treatment that offers ultrasonic probe 10 is with ripple emission part 25.Like this, will from the treatment of ultrasonic probe 10 with ultrasonic irradiation to cerebral thrombosis, just can the noinvasive dissolving cerebral thrombosis.
If the cerebral thrombosis dissolving, then the unimpeded again back of blood vessel blood begins to flow.Diagnosis is reflected or scattering as the emission echo signal by beginning mobile blood with ultrasound wave.The Doppler shift of its reflective echo signal is obtained by blood-stream image formation portion.Reconstitute blood flow picture (for example 2 doppler flow inaging pictures, pulse Doppler FFT instrumentation image) and show based on the Doppler shift of obtaining.
In such ultrasonic unit, when being split up into diagnostic sounder and treatment, two probes are contacted side by side with water bag 32a with the probe difference.In this case, because contact position difference according to two probes, can produce diagnosis with ultrasound wave and the difference of treatment, therefore when carrying out ultrasonic therapy, need be noted with the operation of probe and diagnostic sounder treatment with hyperacoustic scanning coordinate.To this, in the present embodiment, make diathering machine and treatment form incorporate ultrasonic probe with the stacked back of vibrator by employing, just treatment can be radiated on the therapentic part definitely with ultrasound wave.
Secondly, be elaborated about ultrasonic probe 10.As shown in Figure 2, ultrasonic probe 10, from subject one side begin to stack gradually diathering machine 52, treatment constitutes with vibrator 54, cooling end 56.Treatment produces the ultrasound wave of upper frequencies (for example about 2MHz) with the ultrasound wave of vibrator 50 generation lower frequencies (for example about 500kHz), diathering machine 52.Therefore, a hyperacoustic side who produces by diathering machine 52, than more being difficult to penetrate barrier with the ultrasound wave that vibrator 50 produces by treatment, so diathering machine 52, be layered in to treat and use the top nearer of vibrator 50 with the distance subject.
Treatment is arranged a plurality of vibrating elements 50a~50d with vibrator 50 and is formed.Each treatment is with vibrating elements 50a~50d, formed by the piezoelectric ceramics of square shape, and is parallel with the longitudinally of ultrasound wave outgoing plane 51 and with configuration uniformly-spaced.The treatment of configuration will become mechanical vibration from the driving conversion of signals for the treatment of with sending part 24 with vibrating elements 50a~50d, and treat the ultrasound wave of usefulness to therapentic part (for example cerebral thrombosis) offset launch.
Diathering machine 52 is arranged and is formed by a plurality of vibrating elements 52a~52p.Each diagnosis is formed by the piezoelectric ceramics of square shape with vibrating elements 52a~52p, and is littler with the vibrating elements 50a~50d of vibrator 50 than the treatment of the resolution that is used to improve the layer image that reconstitutes.Then, on each ultrasound wave outgoing plane 51, be assigned a plurality of diagnosis vibrating elements 52a~52p.For example, as shown in Figure 2, diagnosis is distributed on the ultrasound wave outgoing plane 51 of treatment with vibrating elements 50a with vibrating elements 52a~52d.That is, diagnosis makes the face of the opposition side of ultrasound wave outgoing plane 53 be engaged in the ultrasound wave outgoing plane 51 of treatment with vibrating elements 50a with vibrating elements 52a~52d.And diagnosis is with vibrating elements 52a~52d, and is empty with equal intervals at the horizontal direction of ultrasound wave outgoing plane 51, and parallel with the long axis direction of ultrasound wave outgoing plane 53 and be configured.About diagnosis too with diagnostic element 52e~52p.Each diagnosis vibrating elements 52a~52p of configuration, to become from the electrical signal conversion of for example pulse type of receiving and transmitting signal portion 12 will vibrate after the mechanical vibration to subject deflection emission, convert thereof into the pulse of the signal of telecommunication behind the reflective echo signal of accepting simultaneously to take place by subject with ultrasound wave.
Back lining materials 54 constitutes with the low impedance layers of the thickness of hyperacoustic half-wavelength etc. by having treatment, is set to and to treat the opposition side of ultrasound wave outgoing plane of usefulness vibrating elements 50a~50d overlapping.Like this, from the ultrasound wave of treatment with ejaculation the vibrating elements 50, the ultrasound wave to the opposition side that penetrates direction sends advances to subject by back lining materials 54 reflection backs.Therefore, can expeditiously treatment be penetrated to subject with ultrasound wave.
And cooling end 56 is arranged on the back side of back lining materials 54, and is promptly overlapping with the opposition side that the ultrasound wave of vibrator 50 penetrates direction with treatment.Cooling end 56 is formed by Peltier element etc., in case have electric current to flow then after absorbing heat according to Peltier effect it is rejected heat to extraneous gas.The temperature that like this, just can suppress ultrasonic probe 10 rises.
Example about the size of such ultrasonic probe 10 illustrates with reference to Fig. 3.As shown in Figure 3, the treatment thickness t of vibrating elements 50a~50d
1, the diagnosis thickness t of vibrating elements 52a~52p
2, treatment is with the line-spacing p of vibrating elements 50a~50d
1, and diagnosis with the line-spacing p of vibrating elements 52a~52p
2, just be set at close with the value of calculating according to following formula (1) and even (4).
t
1=λ1/2=c/2f
1 (1)
t
2=λ
2/2=c/2f
2 (2)
p
1=cw/2f
1 (3)
p
2=cw/2f
2 (4)
Wherein, f
1Be the treatment frequency of ultrasonic that penetrates with vibrator 50 from treatment, λ
1Be treatment hyperacoustic wavelength, f
2Be the diagnosis frequency of ultrasonic that penetrates by diathering machine 52, λ
2Be the hyperacoustic wavelength of diagnosis, c is the longitudinal wave velocity that ultrasound wave penetrates direction for the thickness direction for the treatment of with vibrator 50, and cw is in the water or the velocity of sound in the biology.
In the present embodiment, frequency f
1Be 500kHz, frequency f
2Be 2MHz.Therefore, velocity of sound c is that 3.3mm/ μ s, velocity of sound cw are 1.538mm//μ s if make, and then according to formula (1) and even formula (4), draws thickness t
1Be 3.3mm, thickness t
2Be 0.83mm, line-spacing p
1Be 1.54mm, line-spacing p
2Be 0.39mm.And, be 64 if diagnose number with vibrating elements, then the capable size of ultrasonic probe 10 as shown in Figure 3 is ultrasound wave aperture D, is D=64 * p
2=24.6mm.According to such size, even for example, with the ultrasound wave penetrance preferably near the skull peristome of thinner thickness (for example the temple) be limited to that for example 30mm is square, then hyperacoustic aperture D of ultrasonic probe 10 also can be in this scope.Therefore, can reduce diagnosis that the thickness because of skull causes with ultrasound wave and the hyperacoustic energy loss of treatment.
In the above-mentioned example, ultrasound wave aperture D=64 * p of 64 with regard to order diagnosis with the number of vibrating elements
2The situation of=24.6mm is described, but diagnosis also can be a natural number arbitrarily with the number N of vibrating elements, diagnosis is increased with the number N of vibrating elements after ultrasound wave bore D=N * p
2Become big, opposite diagnosis diminishes with the number N minimizing back ultrasound wave bore D of vibrating elements.
And, be to improve sound effect, can make treatment with the interval d1 of vibrating elements and diagnose interval d2 to narrow down as far as possible with diagnostic element.
Can decide the frequency of ultrasonic of being utilized according to the viewpoint of effect and safety.For example, when treatment is 720mW/cm with the marginal value of hyperacoustic ultrasonic intensity, for the temperature rising that makes biological tissue below 2 ℃, therefore, frequency f 1 is adjusted into below the 580kHz.Like this, just can make the value of the heat number (T1) of the index of representing hyperacoustic heat effect intensity is below 2.And then frequency f 1 is adjusted into more than 390.Like this, for the hyperacoustic Mechanics of Machinery effect that causes making because of the bubble that produces in the blood vessel etc. the ruined cause of histiocyte, just can make the mechanical index (MI) as the index of its intensity of expression is below 0.25.
Have 4 treatments in Fig. 2 and the embodiment shown in Figure 3 and be described, suitable change can be arranged about the configured number of each vibrating elements with vibrating elements 50a~50d and 16 diagnosis ultrasonic probe 10 with vibrating elements 52a~52p.As Fig. 2 and shown in Figure 3,, just phase control mode and circuit mode can be oversimplified if the line-spacing for the treatment of with vibrating elements is an integer with diagnosing the line-spacing ratio with vibrating elements.
In the embodiment as shown in Figure 4, dispose 4 treatments, imbed treatment with the gap of vibrating elements and as the pedestal of diagnosis, therefore be provided with deadener 53 with vibrating elements for formation with vibrating elements and 15 diagnosis vibrating elementss.As the example of material of deadener 53, can enumerate particle that tungsten etc. is trickle or microsphere and be scattered in material in the epoxy resin.As shown in Figure 4, if it constitutes treatment with the line-spacing of vibrating elements with to diagnose the line-spacing ratio with vibrating elements be integer, then can realize the configuration that both grid can not be shunk back, thereby can control to such an extent that graing lobe (grating lobe) can be not overlapping.
Secondly, the action about ultrasonic probe 10 describes with reference to Fig. 5.Generally speaking, if drive treatment simultaneously, then can be accepted as noise by diathering machine 52 with ultrasound wave with the treatment that vibrator 50 sends from treatment with vibrator 50 and diathering machine 52.Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 5, treatment can alternately be penetrated every a setting-up time with ultrasonic beam (T wave beam) and diagnosis ultrasonic beam (D wave beam).In addition, can also suitably change the ejaculation time of T wave beam and D wave beam, just can not produce noise.
At first, for example penetrating within 0.2 second from the D wave beam (for example frequency 2MHz) of diathering machine 52.After the D wave beam penetrates, can for example penetrate in 3 seconds with the T wave beam (for example frequency 500kHz) of vibrator 50 from treatment.By so repeatedly action, form layer image and 2 blood-stream images by the D wave beam, form therapentic part by the T wave beam simultaneously.In addition because as long as form layer image or 2 blood-stream images then can, so ejaculation time of D wave beam, for example be set in 0.01~0.2 second the scope.In addition, the ejaculation time of T wave beam, for example suitable setting the in 1~10 second scope.And, be to improve the resolution of layer image, can make the D wave beam its form, for example be that the train of pulse ripple that 1/2~20 pulsed beam is combined together to form sends to set at interval with wavelength.The T wave beam, it forms with continuous ultrasonic waves transmitted emission, to guarantee given mechanical index.
According to present embodiment,, therefore can improve the control accuracy of treatment with hyperacoustic irradiation position owing to can make from treatment consistently with scanning coordinate from the D wave beam of diathering machine 52 with the T wave beam of vibrator 50.Therefore, can guarantee to be shone by the T wave beam by the therapentic part of D wave beam ad-hoc location.
And, owing to can make treatment consistent with the center in the aperture of diathering machine 52 with the center in the aperture of vibrator 50, and do not need to carry out discrete Coordinate Conversion etc., so controlling organization can be oversimplified.
And then, by electric control, ultrasonic probe 10 can not be moved along the body surface of subject, thereby adopt the D wave beam to reconstitute layer image, adopt the T wave beam to treat simultaneously to therapentic part.Therefore, can shorten the efficient of raising ultrasonic therapies such as treatment time.For example,, then need dissolving cerebral thrombosis at short notice from the morbidity beginning in case cerebral infarction takes place, if according to present embodiment, just can be rapidly and dissolving cerebral thrombosis correctly.
(the 2nd embodiment)
Describe with reference to Fig. 6 about the 2nd embodiment that is suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.When the difference of present embodiment and the 1st embodiment is that blood begins to flow after the thromboembolism, perhaps stops treatment and use ultrasound wave, perhaps make to treat to diminish with hyperacoustic amplitude etc.Fig. 6 illustrates the pie graph of the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment.
Generally speaking, by treatment with ultrasound wave during, even the blood back that begins to flow probably also has the hyperacoustic situation of irradiation treatment after thromboembolism with thromboembolism.Therefore, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, be provided with blood flow detection portion 22.Blood flow detection portion 22 is the intensity to the Doppler shift signal of the reflective echo signal that takes place from therapentic part, promptly detects the parts of blood flow rate, when detected blood flow rate surpasses setting value (α), to treatment transmitter unit 24 output control instructions.
For example, be judged to be the blood flow rate that is detected by blood flow detection portion 22 when surpassing setting value (α), control instruction just can not output to treatment ultrasonic transmitting element 24.Therefore, treatment is kept or is increased and treat with hyperacoustic energy (for example amplitude or frequency) with ripple emission part 25.On the other hand, when the blood flow rate that is judged to be detection surpasses setting value, control instruction is outputed to treatment ultrasonic transmitting element 24, treat then, just reduce hyperacoustic energy of treatment usefulness or stop ejaculation with ripple emission part 25.At this moment, perhaps give a warning (for example buzzer or sound), perhaps alert message is presented on the display part 18 by alarm portion 27.
According to present embodiment, just can detect thromboembolism after blood begun mobile situation.Like this, when blood began to flow, the minimizing treatment was with hyperacoustic amplitude or frequency etc. or stop ejaculation automatically.Therefore, just can prevent that treatment is with ultrasound wave irradiation treatment position too much.
In addition, when giving a warning sound or alert message, also can be by manually stopping the treatment ultrasound wave.And, adopt 10 pairs of present embodiments of ultrasonic probe of the 1st embodiment to be illustrated, but ultrasonic unit of the present invention also can be applicable to the situation that its diagnostic sounder and treatment separate separately with probe.
(the 3rd embodiment)
About being suitable for the 3rd embodiment of ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit, describe with reference to Fig. 7.The difference of present embodiment and the 1st embodiment is, when the temperature-rise ratio design temperature of ultrasonic probe is high, perhaps reduces treatment with frequency of ultrasonic or amplitude, perhaps stops to penetrate.Fig. 7 represents the pie graph of the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment.
Generally speaking, penetrate from ultrasonic probe 10 diagnosis with and treatment when using ultrasound wave, the part of hyperacoustic energy of ejaculation will convert thermal energy in the inside of ultrasonic probe 10.Therefore, the anxiety that exists the temperature of ultrasonic probe 10 to rise.Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, be provided with temperature detecting part 28.Temperature detecting part 28 is that the temperature to ultrasonic probe 10 detects, when the temperature that detects surpasses setting value, to treatment with transmitter unit 24 output control instructions.
For example, rise when surpassing setting value (for example 2 ℃) being judged to be the temperature that detects by temperature detecting part 28, control instruction is outputed to treatment ultrasonic transmitting element 24.Therefore, treatment will be kept or increase and treat with hyperacoustic energy (for example amplitude or frequency) with ripple emission part 25.On the other hand, being judged to be temperature when rise surpassing setting value, control instruction is outputed to treatment ultrasonic transmitting element 24, treatment is with ripple emission part 25 then, just reduces the energy of treatment usefulness or stops to penetrate.At this moment, perhaps give a warning (for example buzzer or sound), perhaps alert message is presented at display part 18 by alarm portion 27.
According to present embodiment, just can be automatically the temperature of ultrasonic probe 10 be risen and suppress, avoid causing side effect to biological tissue's generation because temperature rises.In addition, replace temperature detection, can detect the temperature of the water bag 32a of Fig. 1 ultrasonic probe 10.In a word, the temperature that treatment is correlated with vibrator 50 or diathering machine 52 detect and get final product.
In addition, when giving a warning sound or alert message, also can be by manually stopping the treatment ultrasound wave.And, adopt 10 pairs of present embodiments of ultrasonic probe of the 1st embodiment to be illustrated, but the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment also can be applicable to the situation that its diagnostic sounder and treatment separate separately with probe.
(the 4th embodiment)
Describe with reference to Fig. 8 about the 4th embodiment that is suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.The difference of present embodiment and the 2nd embodiment is, in blocking part being treated with ultrasound wave by treatment, also uses thrombolytic agent simultaneously, and when thromboembolism, perhaps reduces the injection rate of thrombolytic agent, perhaps stops.Fig. 8 is the pie graph of the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment.
Generally speaking, in the thrombus treatment of blocking part,, will promote that simultaneously thromboclastic thrombolytic agent is injected into subject to thrombosis irradiation treatment ultrasound wave.At this moment, blood begins the anxiety that mobile back thrombolytic agent also can be injected into subject after thromboembolism even exist.
Here, in the present embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, lytic agent is set injects control unit 30.Lytic agent injects control unit 30, has: inject control part 31, operational part 29, alarm portion 33 etc.Injecting control part 31 is to control by 26 pairs of injection rates that are injected into the thrombolytic agent of subject of injection probe.Operational part 29 calculates the injection rate of the thrombolytic agent that injects subject based on the control instruction from blood flow detection portion 22.Alarm portion 33, based on the control instruction from blood flow detection portion 22, buzzer, perhaps warning perhaps give a warning.
For example, be judged to be the blood flow rate that is detected by blood flow detection portion 22 when surpassing setting value (α), control instruction can not output to lytic agent and inject control unit 30.Therefore, inject control part 31, keep or increase the injection rate of thrombolytic agent.On the other hand, when the blood flow rate that is judged to be detection surpasses setting value (α), then control instruction is outputed to lytic agent and inject control unit 30, inject control part 31 then, based on the injection rate of calculating by operational part 29, reduce the injection rate of thrombolytic agent or stop to inject action.And, perhaps sound a buzzer or sound, perhaps warning in the display frame of monitor 18 by warning portion 33.
According to present embodiment, when blood flow begins to flow after thromboembolism, automatically reduce or stop the injection rate of thrombolytic agent.Therefore, can avoid thrombolytic agent because of surplus to cause the side effect that biological tissue is produced.
In addition, when warning or alert message take place, can manually stop the injection of thrombolytic agent again.And, can in the display frame of monitor 18, show the injection rate of thrombolytic agent again in real time.Like this, the operator just can hold the injection rate of thrombolytic agent objectively.
And, just adopt the present embodiment of the ultrasonic probe 10 of the 1st embodiment to be described above, but the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment also can be applicable to the situation that its diagnostic sounder and treatment separate separately with probe.
(the 5th embodiment)
About being suitable for the 5th embodiment of ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit, describe below with reference to Fig. 9 and Figure 11.Present embodiment and the 1st embodiment difference be, cooling end is provided with the position in the side of treatment with vibrator and diathering machine.Fig. 9 illustrates the ultrasonic probe of present embodiment.
As shown in Figure 9, cooling end 56a, 56b are arranged on 2 sides of treatment with vibrator 50 and diathering machine 52.According to present embodiment, suit among cooling end 56a, the 56b to flow through electric current if make, just the heat of ultrasonic probe 10 can be rejected heat to extraneous gas.Therefore can suppress to make the temperature of ultrasonic probe 10 to rise below setting value (for example 2 ℃), simultaneously can the Continuous irradiation ultrasound wave in the long time for therapentic part.Its result can shorten treatment time etc. and improve therapeutic efficiency.
And, about cooling end 56, if can then can be arranged on the optional position again and cool off with diagnosis and treatment with vibrator 50 or diathering machine 52 coolings.For example, as shown in figure 10, cooling end 56c can be set, to cover the sidewall on every side that surrounds ultrasonic probe 10.
And then, can also shared metal forming of while except that cooling end.For example, as shown in figure 11, metal forming 60 is set at the ultrasound wave outgoing plane of the diathering machine 52 of Fig. 9.And the metal forming 60 of configuration contacts with cooling end 56a, 56b.Like this, the heat by diathering machine 52 sends is absorbed by metal forming 60.The heat that absorbs imports to cooling end 56a, 56b by metal forming 60.The heat that derives is dispelled the heat according to the Peltier effect of cooling end 56a, 56b.Therefore, the temperature that can suppress ultrasonic probe 10 rises.In addition, metal forming 60 is for number μ m, by can the material that hyperacoustic ejaculation exerts an influence not being constituted with the thickness of conductor (for example metal).
And because the ultrasound wave outgoing plane of diathering machine 52 is covered by metal forming 63, institute is so that ultrasonic probe 10 when contacting with the subject body surface, and the temperature of ultrasonic probe 10 is not directly delivered to subject.Therefore, avoided temperature because of ultrasonic probe 10 to cause the side effect that subject is produced.
(the 6th embodiment)
Below just describe about the 6th embodiment that is suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.The difference of present embodiment and the 1st and even the 5th embodiment is, because of the side effect of having avoided biological tissue is produced, and therefore can be with its treatment ultrasonic emitting as the ripple of bursting.
For example, in treatment during cerebral infarction,, after reflecting, the inwall of the skull of direction of advance just returned from ultrasonic probe 10 incident treatment ultrasound wave in brain.This be because, skull than its acoustic impedance of biological tissue of brain inside than higher.The treatment of reflection with ultrasound wave (following be echo) because of with overlaps mutual interference from ultrasonic probe 10 incident treatment in brain with ultrasound wave (following be incidence wave), so in brain meeting generation standing wave.When the standing wave part has bigger intensity (amplitude), probably can the biological tissue in the brain be had side effects.
Here, in the present embodiment, treat, generate the driving signal of the ripple of bursting according to basic waveform with ripple emission part 25.Offer treatment with vibrator 50 by the driving signal that will generate, just the ripple of bursting can be transmitted into subject from treatment with vibrator 50.At this moment, set the ejaculation time ratio of the ripple of bursting and lack (for example 10 μ s), setting the stop time simultaneously is long (for example 100 μ s~300 μ s).In addition, time of penetrating for the ripple of bursting that for example impulse wave of 2 μ m is combined persistent period of 1 wavelength.
For example, the stop time of setting the ripple of bursting is greater than 100 μ s when being 100 μ s the inherent time to echo returns till of brain.In addition, can preestablish, burst the ejaculation time or the stop time of ripple with suitable change by input part 20,
According to present embodiment, at the incident ripple T that bursts
nAfter reflection is returned, the ensuing ripple T that bursts of incident
N+1Therefore, the ripple T that bursts
nWith the ripple T that bursts
N+1Do not have overlapping, so can avoid side effect that biological tissue is produced.
Especially, about the treatment ultrasound wave, because frequency is for example 500kHz, the attenuation ratio when therefore advancing in brain is less.Therefore, because echo and incident intensity of wave are almost equal, the strength ratio of the interference wave that therefore becomes is bigger.This point according to present embodiment, can be avoided treating with hyperacoustic echo and incident interference of wave.
And, use ultrasound wave about diagnosis, because generally speaking, frequency setting is for for example more than the 2MHz, so the attenuation ratio in the traveling process is bigger in brain.So the strength ratio of the interference wave of generation is less, but same with ultrasound wave with treatment, the stop time that can set the impulse wave or the ripple of bursting is long.
Also have, the ejaculation time of the ripple of bursting is for example 10 μ s, yet also can suitably change.In a word, even when incidence wave and echo have had mutual interference, as long as make the persistent period of interference wave can avoid side effect that biological tissue is produced than weak point.
In addition, more than just adopt the ultrasonic probe 10 of the 1st embodiment to be described, but the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment, also applicable to diagnostic sounder and treatment with probe and the situation of separating separately.
(the 7th embodiment)
Below, describe with reference to Figure 12 about the 7th embodiment that is suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.The difference of present embodiment and the 6th embodiment is, in the process of the time of ejaculation, makes treatment also slowly become big with frequency of ultrasonic.Figure 12 is the pie graph of the treatment of Fig. 1 with ripple emission part 25.
As shown in figure 12, treatment is with ripple emission part 24, (followingly is made of for amplifier 76a~76m) etc. clock pulse generator 70, modulation signal generator 72, phase-shift circuit 74a~74m (m is a natural number), amplifier.In addition, phase-shift circuit 74a~74m also can be formed by delay circuit etc.And m is corresponding with the number of vibrating elements 50a~50m with the treatment that constitutes ultrasonic probe 10.
At first, generate the basic waveform of continuous wave by clock pulse generator 70.The basic waveform that generates is carried out phase shifting by phase-shift circuit 74a~74m.Then, each basic waveform after amplifier 76a~76m amplification, is input to treatment vibrator 50 as driving signal.By the driving signal of input, penetrate the treatment ultrasound wave with vibrator 50 from treatment.Along with the process of the time of ejaculation, generate modulation signal by modulation signal generator 72.The modulation signal that generates is input to each phase-shift circuit 74a~74m.Phase-shift circuit 74a~74m is according to the modulation signal of input, and modulation makes the frequency of basic waveform become big.Modulated waveform is input to treatment vibrator 50 as driving signal.Like this, the modulated treatment that frequency is bigger is penetrated with vibrator 50 from treatment with ultrasound wave.For example, when beginning to penetrate (T=0), if frequency of ultrasonic is f
0, wavelength is λ 0, then generates modulation signal by modulation signal generator 72, so that the frequency of ultrasonic of (T=10 μ s) is 4f behind the process certain hour
0, wavelength is λ
0/ 4.After such action repeatable operation, with the treatment ultrasound wave that vibrator 50 penetrates, become its frequency at the modulated ripple of time-axis direction from treatment.
According to present embodiment, even for example overlap at skull internal reflection ripple and incidence wave, the echo of coincidence is also different with the incident wave frequency.Therefore, because the interferogram of echo and incidence wave is unfixing, so interfere and the interference intensity of wave that can suppress to produce by echo and incidence wave.
And, time about the change frequency can suitably be set, but in the present embodiment, the mode that treatment seldom also is not fixed with hyperacoustic interferogram, the ultrasonic wave energy that penetrates began to penetrate in the skull until the time till the brain intrinsic action (for example 10 μ s) from showing of brain, should the time treatment be modulated with frequency of ultrasonic every one.In a word, as long as based on basic waveform, at time-axis direction frequency is modulated and to get final product.
In addition, can suitably set about the modulation value of frequency.For example, changing frequency, to make the wavelength of echo and incidence wave be 1/4~1/2 when staggered, and incidence wave and echo are interfered mutually and cancelled out each other.Therefore, can suppress further to suppress to interfere intensity of wave to become big.
Also have, more than just adopt the present embodiment of the ultrasonic probe 10 of the 1st embodiment to be described, but the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment also goes for the situation that diagnostic sounder and treatment separate separately with probe.
(the 8th embodiment)
About being suitable for the 8th embodiment of ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit, describe below with reference to Figure 12 and Figure 13.The difference of present embodiment and the 7th embodiment is, treatment is staggered every a setting-up time with hyperacoustic incident direction.Figure 13 is the expression treatment does not have the principle of interference with hyperacoustic incidence wave and echo a key diagram.
That is, when using ripple emission part 24 to generate the driving signals,, predefined delayed data is offered phase-shift circuit 74a~74m respectively every a setting-up time (for example 0.1 second) by the treatment of Figure 12.Like this, owing to be partial to the ultrasound wave that vibrator 50 penetrates from treatment, so the ejaculation direction of ultrasound beamformer changes.In addition, the angle (θ) about the ejaculation direction that changes ultrasound beamformer can suitably change.
According to present embodiment, as shown in figure 13, as long as treatment disappears on same straight line with the direction of advance of hyperacoustic incidence wave and the direction of advance of echo.That is, incidence wave and echo because direction is different, therefore can be avoided incidence wave and reflection interference of wave.
In addition, in the present embodiment, having set the setting-up time that changes hyperacoustic ejaculation direction is 0.1 second, but also can suitably set.For example, then in blood vessel, can produce air pocket (cavitation bubble) by interference wave if incidence wave and echo overlap and interfere.It is destroyed that the air pocket that generates slowly becomes big back.The influence of the air pocket of being damaged probably can cause biological tissue is had side effects.Therefore, preferably before producing air pocket, change hyperacoustic ejaculation direction.
In addition, just adopt the present embodiment of the ultrasonic probe 10 of the 1st embodiment to be described above, but the ultrasonic unit of present embodiment also is suitable for its diagnostic sounder and treat with probe and the situation of separating separately.
More than, based on the 1st and even the 8th embodiment the present invention has been described, but has been not limited to this.For example, except that the situation of treatment cerebral infarction, the treatment myocardial infarction also can be suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.During myocardial infarction, ultrasonic probe is connected with chest in treatment, the thrombosis ejaculation that towards the coronary artery of heart, produces from the gap of the rib of chest diagnose with and the treatment ultrasound wave.
And, except that thrombus, even under the situation of the unusual solid content (for example calculus) that dissolving is made up of inorganic matter that forms in vivo or salt, also can be suitable for ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit.
In addition, can both adopt ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit in the treatment of various cerebral infarction.For example, in the cerebral infarction, comprise LKO (Lucknow) infraction, tremulous pulse medicated porridge sample thrombotic infarc and cardiogenic thromboembolism etc., so-called LKO infraction, be at the arteriole of brain because hypertension and after impaired, the little infraction nest that forms in the deep of brain causes because of its tremulous pulse is obstructed.Tremulous pulse medicated porridge sample thrombotic infarc is to make in the tremulous pulse stenosis narrowly because of arteriosclerosis bigger in carotid artery or the skull (atherosclerosis), is causing that the obturation of blood flow causes after forming thrombosis on this narrow position.Cardiogenic cerebral embolism is to cause because of the clot (thrombosis) that forms in heart flows to the obturation that produces blood flow in the tremulous pulse of brain after peeling off.Any cerebral infarction all needs to dissolve the thrombosis of blocking part at short notice from the morbidity beginning, if adopt ultrasonic probe of the present invention and ultrasonic unit, and then can rapid and easy thrombus.
According to above explanation, the present invention can realize a kind of ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic unit of suitable ultrasonic therapy.