EP0160580A1 - Echographic transducer using an oscillating piezoelectric disc on which a deformable membrane forming a lens is mounted - Google Patents

Echographic transducer using an oscillating piezoelectric disc on which a deformable membrane forming a lens is mounted Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0160580A1
EP0160580A1 EP85400328A EP85400328A EP0160580A1 EP 0160580 A1 EP0160580 A1 EP 0160580A1 EP 85400328 A EP85400328 A EP 85400328A EP 85400328 A EP85400328 A EP 85400328A EP 0160580 A1 EP0160580 A1 EP 0160580A1
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Prior art keywords
piezoelectric element
axis
liquid
membrane
lens
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EP85400328A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0160580B1 (en
Inventor
Jacques Dory
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EDAP International SA
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EDAP International SA
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/35—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using mechanical steering of transducers or their beams
    • G10K11/352—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using mechanical steering of transducers or their beams by moving the transducer
    • G10K11/355—Arcuate movement
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/30—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using refraction, e.g. acoustic lenses

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

Abstract

1. An echographic probe comprising a transducer formed from a case (1), containing a coupling liquid and having a window (2) for the passage of an ultrasonic beam, in which are immersed a piezoelectric element (3) in the form of a disk, an electric motor means and a mechanical transmission means (32 to 36) between the shaft (31) of the motor and the piezoelectric element, a deformable membrane (4) coupled to the mobile piezoelectric element (3) so as to form therewith a chamber containing a liquid with a refraction index for the acoustic waves different from that of the coupling liquid, thus forming a first lens, said chamber being connected, by means of a duct, to a fixed liquid reservoir (7), said fixed reservoir being associated with means (8) for varying the volume of the liquid which it contains, so that the first lens be deformable, characterized in that the coupling liquid has an index different from that of water with respect to the acoustic waves and in that said window (2) is formed by a relatively rigid hemispherical membrane so as to form a second non deformable lens, in that the movement of said piezoelectric element is an oscillation about an axis (XX') passing through the center of the half sphere which the membrane forms and offset with respect to the plane of said disk, so that said deformable membrane (4) is situated close to said hemispherical membrane and opposite thereto, and in that the duct comprises a mobile flexible portion (5-6) which allows the oscillating movement of the first lens.

Description

L'invention se rapporte aux sondes d'échographie comportant un transducteur composé d'un boîtier contenant un liquide de couplage et muni d'une fenêtre de passage d'un faisceau ultrasonore, dans lequel sont immergés un élément piézoélectrique, de préférence en forme de disque, un organe moteur électrique et une liaison mécanique transformant la rotation de l'arbre du moteur en mouvement oscillant de l'élément piézoélectrique.The invention relates to ultrasound probes comprising a transducer composed of a housing containing a coupling liquid and provided with a window for the passage of an ultrasonic beam, in which a piezoelectric element is immersed, preferably in the form of disc, an electric motor and a mechanical link transforming the rotation of the motor shaft into an oscillating movement of the piezoelectric element.

Ces sondes sont utilisées dans les appareils d'échographie médicale où le faisceau ultrasonore engendré par l'élément piézoélectrique effectue un balayage angulaire plan relativement rapide. Dans les demandes de brevet français n° 80.16717 déposée le 29 Juillet 1980 pour "Sonde d'échographie à balayage sectoriel comportant deux liquides de couplage", et n° 80.16718 déposée le 29 Juillet 1980 pour "Sonde d'échographie à balayage sectoriel mécanique", on a décrit des sondes de ce genre, comportant une liaison mécanique particulièrement simple et avantageuse. Bien que l'invention s'appliquera de préférence .aux sondes comportant cette liaison mécanique spéciale, il doit être bien compris que son application pourrait être plus générale. Dans certaines applications, il est souhaitable de pouvoir focaliser le faisceau ultrasonore émis par la sonde à distance variable et avec une précision aussi grande que possible, pour obtenir la "mise au point" dans une zone d'examen particulière. Il est connu, à cet effet, de fermer la fenêtre de passage susvisée au moyen d'une membrane convexe formant lentille acoustique lorsque le liquide contenu dans le boîtier présente, en ce qui concerne la vitesse de propagation des ultrasons, des propriétés différentes de celles de l'eau qui constitue l'élément principal des tissus observés. On peut évidemment obtenir une focali- sation variable en faisant varier la courbure de la membrane par différents moyens.These probes are used in medical ultrasound devices where the ultrasonic beam generated by the piezoelectric element performs relatively rapid planar angular scanning. In French patent applications No. 80.16717 filed July 29, 1980 for "Sector scan ultrasound probe with two coupling liquids", and No. 80.16718 filed July 29, 1980 for "Mechanical sector scan ultrasound probe" , probes of this kind have been described, comprising a particularly simple and advantageous mechanical connection. Although the invention will preferably apply to probes comprising this special mechanical connection, it should be understood that its application could be more general. In certain applications, it is desirable to be able to focus the ultrasonic beam emitted by the probe at a variable distance and with as great a precision as possible, in order to obtain the "focusing" in a particular examination area. It is known, for this purpose, to close the aforementioned passage window by means of a convex membrane forming an acoustic lens when the liquid contained in the housing has, as regards the speed of propagation of the ultrasound, properties different from those water which constitutes the main element of the tissues observed. It is obviously possible to obtain a variable focus by varying the curvature of the membrane by different means.

L'inconvénient de cette solution antérieure est que la distance focale varie légèrement au cours du balayage ; ce qui sera une cause d'astigmatisme.The disadvantage of this prior solution is that the focal distance varies slightly during scanning; which will cause astigmatism.

L'invention vise à s'affranchir de cet inconvénient en constituant la lentille au moyen d'une membrane déformable solidarisée à l'élément piézoélectrique mobile de façon à constituer avec lui une chambre contenant un liquide d'indice de réfraction pour les ondes acoustiques différent de celui du liquide de couplage, et en reliant ladite chambre mobile à un réservoir fixe de liquide au moyen d'une canalisation comportant une portion mobile souple, ledit réservoir fixe étant associé à des moyens de faire varier le volume du liquide qu'il contient.The invention aims to overcome this drawback by constituting the lens by means of a deformable membrane secured to the movable piezoelectric element so as to constitute with it a chamber containing a liquid with a refractive index for different acoustic waves. that of the coupling liquid, and by connecting said movable chamber to a fixed reservoir of liquid by means of a pipe comprising a flexible movable portion, said fixed reservoir being associated with means for varying the volume of the liquid which it contains .

D'autres particularités, ainsi que les avantages de l'invention, apparaîtront clairement à la lumière de la description ci-après.Other features, as well as the advantages of the invention, will become apparent in the light of the description below.

Au dessin annexé :

  • La figure 1 illustre schématiquement un mode d'exécution préféré de l'invention, et
  • La figure 2 réprésente une forme d'exécution du dispositif qui fait osciller le traducteur.
In the attached drawing:
  • FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention, and
  • Figure 2 shows an embodiment of the device which causes the translator to oscillate.

Le boîtier cylindrique 1 qui contient un liquide de couplage est fermé par une membrane sphérique 2 transparente aux ultrasons et relativement rigide.The cylindrical housing 1 which contains a coupling liquid is closed by a spherical membrane 2 transparent to ultrasound and relatively rigid.

Un disque en céramique piézoélectrique 3 est monté de manière à osciller autour d'un axe XX' passant par le centre de la sphère 2 et perpendiculaire au plan de la figure. Un tel montage peut être obtenu au moyen d'un dispositif du genre décrit dans le brevet français susvisé, et qui est représenté schématiquement à la figure 2.A piezoelectric ceramic disc 3 is mounted so as to oscillate around an axis XX 'passing through the center of the sphere 2 and perpendicular to the plane of the figure. Such an arrangement can be obtained by means of a device of the type described in the aforementioned French patent, and which is shown diagrammatically in FIG. 2.

L'arbre moteur 31 entraîne, par l'intermédiaire d'une tige 32 qui tourne dans un plan perpendiculaire à l'arbre 31, une biellette inclinée 33 dont l'extrémité opposée, située sur l'axe de l'arbre 31, coopère avec une chape 34 au centre de celle-ci. La chape 34 est par ailleurs reliée aux extrémités d'un premier diamètre d'un disque 35 (que l'on a représenté évidé en forme de croix pour l'alléger). Comme on l'a expliqué dans le brevet susvisé, le disque 35 oscille autour d'un second diamètre perpendiculaire au premier, des paliers étant'prévus aux extrémités de ce second diamètre pour définir un axe fixe XX' d'oscillation.The drive shaft 31 drives, by means of a rod 32 which rotates in a plane perpendicular to the shaft 31, an inclined link 33 whose opposite end, located on the axis of the shaft 31, cooperates with a yoke 34 in the center of it. The yoke 34 is also connected to the ends of a first diameter of a disc 35 (which has been shown hollowed out in the form of a cross to lighten it). As explained in the aforementioned patent, the disc 35 oscillates around a second diameter perpendicular to the first, bearings being 'provided at the ends of this second diameter to define a fixed axis XX' of oscillation.

Une tige 36, montée perpendiculaire à la surface du disque 35 en son centre, porte à son extrémité opposée le disque 3 qui va subir un mouvement oscillant autour de l'axe XX' décalé par rapport à son plan.A rod 36, mounted perpendicular to the surface of the disc 35 in its center, carries at its opposite end the disc 3 which will undergo an oscillating movement around the axis XX 'offset from its plane.

Le disque 3 porte sur sa face en regard de la membrane 2 une membrane souple 4 et la chambre en forme de calotte sphérique ainsi définie est reliée par une canalisation souple 5 (avantageusement en matière plastique) qui se déplace dans la demi-sphère 2. La canalisation mobile 5 est raccordée à une canalisation fixe 6 qui traverse le boîtier cylindrique 1 et aboutit, à l'extérieur de ce dernier, à un soufflet 7 contenant un liquide dont l'indice, vis à vis des ondes acoustiques, est différent de celui du liquide de couplage.The disc 3 carries on its face opposite the membrane 2 a flexible membrane 4 and the chamber in the form of a spherical cap thus defined is connected by a flexible pipe 5 (advantageously made of plastic) which moves in the hemisphere 2. The movable pipe 5 is connected to a fixed pipe 6 which passes through the cylindrical casing 1 and ends, outside of the latter, at a bellows 7 containing a liquid whose index, with respect to acoustic waves, is different from that of the coupling liquid.

On a ainsi constitué une lentille 4. Pour faire varier le rayon de courbure de celle-ci, on a prévu de faire varier le volume du soufflet 7 au moyen d'un pointeau 8 monté à vis dans un alésage fileté 9, lui même monté dans un boîtier 10 et subissant aussi une translation perpendiculaire aux bases du soufflet.A lens 4 has thus been formed. In order to vary the radius of curvature thereof, provision has been made to vary the volume of the bellows 7 by means of a needle 8 mounted with screws in a threaded bore 9, itself mounted. in a housing 10 and also undergoing a translation perpendicular to the bases of the bellows.

Dans le mode d'exécution décrit, le liquide de couplage à lui même un indice supérieur à celui des tissus examinés, si bien que la demi-sphère 2 forme lentille convergente. Au cours de l'oscillation du transducteur 3 la position relative des surfaces des deux lentilles situées à proximité l'une de l'autre et en regard l'une de l'autre reste constante, si bien que le foyer de l'ensemble est situé à distance constante du centre de la sphère et de la surface d'émission des ultrasons.In the embodiment described, the coupling liquid itself has a higher index than that of the tissues examined, so that the hemisphere 2 forms a converging lens. During the oscillation of the transducer 3, the relative position of the surfaces of the two lenses located close to one another and facing each other remains constant, so that the focal point of the assembly is located at a constant distance from the center of the sphere and the ultrasonic emission surface.

Un tel dispositif est facile à réaliser et tout à fait fiable dans son fonctionnement, même lorsque le transducteur oscille à une fréquence relativement élevée.Such a device is easy to produce and completely reliable in its operation, even when the transducer oscillates at a relatively high frequency.

Il va de soi que divers autres montages du transducteur oscil± lant pourront être imaginés et que l'on pourra utiliser, pour la fenêtre 2, de l'eau comme liquide de couplage, sans s'écarter de l'esprit de l'invention. La fenêtre 2 n'est pas nécessairement sphérique lorsqu'elle ne forme pas lentille.It goes without saying that various other arrangements of the oscil ± lant transducer could be imagined and that one could use, for window 2, water as coupling liquid, without departing from the spirit of the invention. . Window 2 is not necessarily spherical when it does not form a lens.

Claims (4)

1. Sonde d'échographie comportant un transducteur composé d'un boîtier (1) contenant un liquide de couplage et muni d'une fenêtre (2) de passage d'un faisceau ultrasonore dans lequel sont immergés un élément piézoélectrique (3) en forme de disque, un organe moteur électrique et une liaison mécanique (32 à 36) transformant la rotation de l'arbre (31) du moteur en mouvement oscillant de l'élément piézoélectrique, autour d'un axe parallèle au plan du disque, caractérisée par une membrane déformable (4) solidarisée à l'élément piézoélectrique mobile (3) de façon à constituer avec lui une chambre contenant un liquide d'indice de réfraction pour les ondes acoustiques différent de celui du liquide de couplage, et ladite chambre étant reliée à un réservoir fixe (7) de liquide au moyen d'une canalisation comportant une portion mobile souple (5-6), ledit réservoir fixe étant associé à des moyens (8) de faire varier le volume du liquide qu'il contient.1. Ultrasound probe comprising a transducer composed of a housing (1) containing a coupling liquid and provided with a window (2) for the passage of an ultrasonic beam in which a shaped piezoelectric element (3) is immersed disk, an electric motor member and a mechanical link (32 to 36) transforming the rotation of the motor shaft (31) into an oscillating movement of the piezoelectric element, about an axis parallel to the plane of the disk, characterized by a deformable membrane (4) secured to the movable piezoelectric element (3) so as to constitute with it a chamber containing a liquid of refractive index for the acoustic waves different from that of the coupling liquid, and said chamber being connected to a fixed reservoir (7) of liquid by means of a pipe comprising a flexible movable portion (5-6), said fixed reservoir being associated with means (8) for varying the volume of the liquid which it contains. 2. Sonde selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le liquide de couplage a un indice différent de celui de l'eau vis à vis des ondes acoustiques, la fenêtre (2) étant constituée par une membrane hémisphérique relativement rigide, caractérisée en ce que le mouvement oscillant de l'élément piézoélectrique se fait autour d'un axe (XX') passant par le centre de la demi-sphère que forme la membrane et décalé par rapport au plan du disque, de manière que la membrane déformable (4) soit située à proximité de ladite membrane hémisphérique et en regard de celle-ci.2. A probe according to claim 1, in which the coupling liquid has an index different from that of water with respect to acoustic waves, the window (2) being constituted by a relatively rigid hemispherical membrane, characterized in that the oscillating movement of the piezoelectric element takes place around an axis (XX ') passing through the center of the hemisphere formed by the membrane and offset from the plane of the disc, so that the deformable membrane (4) is located near and opposite said hemispherical membrane. 3. Sonde selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisée en ce que ledit réservoir est constitué par un soufflet (7) dont on fait varier le volume en le comprimant plus ou moins au moyen d'un organe réglable en translation (8).3. Probe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said reservoir consists of a bellows (7) whose volume is varied by compressing it more or less by means of a member adjustable in translation (8). 4. Sonde selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que l'organe moteur d'entraînement de l'élément piézoélectrique comporte un arbre (31) disposé sur l'axe de symétrie du boîtier et de la demi-sphère, ladite liaison mécanique comprenant une biellette (33) entraînée dans un mouvement conique autour dudit axe par un organe (32) de liaison mécanique agencé pour autoriser la rotation de la biellette sur elle-même à l'exclusion de sa translation suivant sa propre direction, des moyens de réaliser un axe de rotation fixe (XX') d'un disque ou d'une portion de disque (35), ledit axe de rotation étant situé dans le plan dudit axe et perpendiculaire à celui-ci, une chape (34) montée pivotante autour d'une axe diamétral dudit disque perpendiculaire audit axe de rotation (XXI), ladite chape comportant un étrier solidaire de l'extrémité de la biellette non liée à l'arbre (31), et une tige (36) montée perpendiculairement au disque (35) au centre de celui-ci, l'élément piézoélectrique étant un disque (3) fixé en son centre à l'extrémité opposée de la tige (36).4. Probe according to claim 2, characterized in that the driving member for driving the piezoelectric element comprises a shaft (31) disposed on the axis of symmetry of the housing and the hemisphere, said mechanical connection comprising a link (33) driven in a conical movement around said axis by a mechanical link member (32) arranged to allow the rotation of the link on itself excluding its translation in its own direction, means for producing a fixed axis of rotation (XX ') of a disc or of a portion of disc (35), said axis of rotation being located in the plane of said axis and perpendicular thereto, a yoke (34) pivotally mounted around a diametral axis of said disc perpendicular to said axis of rotation (XX I ), said yoke comprising a stirrup secured to the end of the link not linked to the shaft (31), and a rod (36) mounted perpendicular to the disc (35) in the center thereof, the piezoelectric element being ad isque (3) fixed in its center to the opposite end of the rod (36).
EP19850400328 1984-04-04 1985-02-22 Echographic transducer using an oscillating piezoelectric disc on which a deformable membrane forming a lens is mounted Expired EP0160580B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8405296 1984-04-04
FR8405296A FR2562747B1 (en) 1984-04-04 1984-04-04 SOLIDARY OSCILLATING PIEZOELECTRIC DISC ECHOGRAPHY PROBE OF A DEFORMABLE MEMBRANE FORMING FOCUSING LENS

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EP0160580A1 true EP0160580A1 (en) 1985-11-06
EP0160580B1 EP0160580B1 (en) 1989-03-15

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EP19850400328 Expired EP0160580B1 (en) 1984-04-04 1985-02-22 Echographic transducer using an oscillating piezoelectric disc on which a deformable membrane forming a lens is mounted

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EP (1) EP0160580B1 (en)
JP (1) JPS6141441A (en)
BR (1) BR8501219A (en)
DE (1) DE3568885D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2562747B1 (en)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0036353A1 (en) * 1980-03-07 1981-09-23 Cgr Ultrasonic Ultrasonic imaging probe with acoustic lens and echographic imaging system comprising such a probe
EP0045265A2 (en) * 1980-07-29 1982-02-03 Jacques Dory Probe for echography with sectional mechanical scanning
WO1982004157A1 (en) * 1981-05-23 1982-11-25 Lierke Ernst Guenter Installation for transmiting and receiving focused ultrasonic waves

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5943172B2 (en) * 1980-06-30 1984-10-20 アロカ株式会社 ultrasonic probe
FR2487664A1 (en) * 1980-07-29 1982-02-05 Dory Jacques Ultrasonic echography probe with mechanical sectoral scan - uses angular oscillation of motor driven disc and link to piezoelectric vibrator

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0036353A1 (en) * 1980-03-07 1981-09-23 Cgr Ultrasonic Ultrasonic imaging probe with acoustic lens and echographic imaging system comprising such a probe
EP0045265A2 (en) * 1980-07-29 1982-02-03 Jacques Dory Probe for echography with sectional mechanical scanning
WO1982004157A1 (en) * 1981-05-23 1982-11-25 Lierke Ernst Guenter Installation for transmiting and receiving focused ultrasonic waves

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2562747A1 (en) 1985-10-11
EP0160580B1 (en) 1989-03-15
BR8501219A (en) 1985-11-12
DE3568885D1 (en) 1989-04-20
JPS6141441A (en) 1986-02-27
FR2562747B1 (en) 1987-09-11

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