HK1125281B - Medical ultrasonic apparatus having irradiation position-confirming function - Google Patents

Description

Medical ultrasonic device having irradiation position confirmation function

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a medical ultrasonic apparatus. The present invention also relates to a device having a function of confirming whether or not ultrasonic waves can be suitably irradiated to a target position using ultrasonic waves, and particularly relates to an ultrasonic fracture treatment device.

Background

In the use of medical equipment used for treatment or examination, it is important to accurately grasp the position of an affected part. As a method for obtaining in vivo information noninvasively, conventional visualization techniques such as X-ray radiography, MRI, CT scanner, and ultrasonic image diagnosis are commonly used.

There are various types of devices for grasping the position of an affected part in the body. However, in order to use these devices, very much cost or expertise is required, and individual utilization by patients is difficult. In addition, special knowledge is required to determine an appropriate treatment position from the visual information.

In particular, in the case of an ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus used for promoting bone healing, treatment is performed by irradiating an affected part with uniform ultrasonic waves from an ultrasonic transducer (transducer). Ultrasound is generally used for diagnosis or treatment as a safe and convenient physical therapy. On the other hand, there is a problem that the method of irradiating ultrasonic waves is easily changed depending on the mounting position or mounting angle of the transducer, and in this case, ultrasonic waves may not be appropriately irradiated to the affected part. In particular, when ultrasonic waves are irradiated to a fracture site that is not fixed by a splint, it is very difficult to fix the transducer, and it is difficult for a patient to attach the ultrasonic transducer at a position and an angle prescribed by a medical institution, and there are cases where the irradiation position of the transducer is shifted.

When the positional shift or the angular shift of the transducer occurs, it is difficult to perform optimal treatment, and treatment efficiency is significantly reduced, and therefore, development of a method for detecting the irradiation position of the transducer and confirming whether the irradiation position is correct or not for confirming the correct irradiation position becomes an important issue.

For example, JP 2790777 a discloses a technique relating to a bone position detecting device that detects the position of a bone by irradiating an ultrasonic wave to a living body and receiving a reflected wave thereof. This technique describes a method for detecting the bone position in a bone evaluation device, but, for example, when a positional shift of a transducer or the like occurs, the bone surface can be detected, but an ultrasonic irradiation shift from a treatment affected part determined in a medical institution cannot be detected.

In addition, in JP patent publication Hei 10-509605, the following ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus is disclosed: before treatment, the bone is irradiated with an ultrasonic wave for examination, and the reflected wave is received, thereby optimizing the intensity of the ultrasonic wave for treatment. JP-A2000-325383 is also a patent relating to optimization of the intensity of therapeutic ultrasound. These patents disclose an ultrasonic treatment apparatus that irradiates ultrasonic waves used for treatment without using ultrasonic waves for examination and receives reflected waves. These techniques can change the intensity of the therapeutic ultrasound corresponding to the treatment site, but cannot detect the ultrasonic irradiation shift of the treatment affected part due to the positional shift of the transducer or the like.

To realize the confirmation of the correctness of the ultrasonic irradiation position by preventing the reduction of the treatment or examination efficiency, it is an indispensable technique for a medical ultrasonic irradiation apparatus.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention eliminates the problem that it is difficult for a patient to mount a medical apparatus at a position or angle prescribed by a medical institution in the case of examination or treatment using the medical apparatus.

As a result of further analyzing the above problems, the present inventors have found the following method: the reflected wave when the affected part is irradiated with the ultrasonic wave is received to specify the irradiation position, and the reception signal at that time is recorded, and this signal is compared with the reception signal similarly received at the time of subsequent examination or treatment, thereby confirming whether or not the position is a specified correct position.

More specifically, it relates to the following method: when a prescription of a medical institution or the like is set, reflected waves from each tissue such as skin, muscle, bone, and the like when an ultrasonic wave is irradiated from an ultrasonic transducer to an affected part are received by the transducer, and are recorded in advance as a prescribed irradiation position (reference signal), and a received wave obtained when an ultrasonic wave is irradiated to an affected part at the time of a subsequent treatment is compared with the reference signal and analyzed, thereby confirming whether or not the ultrasonic wave can be irradiated at an appropriate prescribed position.

Namely, the present invention relates to:

(1) a medical ultrasonic apparatus for irradiating a treatment or examination region with an ultrasonic pulse, comprising: a first transducer having an ultrasonic irradiation function; a second transducer having a function of receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave irradiated by the first transducer; a memory for recording the received signal; and a comparison operation element for comparing the recording signal with the received signal.

(2) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to the above (1), wherein the treatment or examination site is a fracture site.

(3) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to (1) or (2) above, wherein the second transducer receives a plurality of reflected waves reflected from the vicinity of the treatment or examination site.

(4) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (3), wherein the memory records at least one of the intensity, the reception time, and the pulse width of the received signal.

(5) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to the above (4), wherein the comparison operation element includes a display unit, calculates at least one parameter of an intensity attenuation rate of the received signal, a delay rate of the received signal, and a change rate of the pulse width based on at least one of the intensity, the received time, and the pulse width of the received signal, compares a parameter recorded in advance with the newly calculated parameter, and displays a parameter comparison result.

(6) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (5), wherein the ultrasonic pulse is 100mW/cm²The following low output ultrasonic pulses.

(7) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (6), wherein the display unit displays a warning signal when the comparison result of the comparison operation element deviates from a preset threshold value.

(8) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (7), further comprising a position adjusting means for adjusting an irradiation position of the first transducer when a comparison result of the comparison operation element deviates from a preset threshold value.

(9) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (1) to (8), wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are constituted by the same ultrasonic transducer.

(10) A medical ultrasonic apparatus for irradiating a treatment or examination region with an ultrasonic pulse, comprising: an ultrasonic irradiation unit; a signal receiving unit that receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave irradiated by the ultrasonic wave irradiating unit; a signal recording unit that records the received signal; a comparison unit for comparing the recording signal with the received signal.

(11) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to the above (10), wherein the treatment or examination site is a fracture site.

(12) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to the above (10) or (11), wherein the signal receiving unit receives a plurality of reflected waves reflected from the periphery of the treatment or examination region.

(13) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (10) to (12), wherein the signal recording unit records at least one of an intensity, a reception time, and a pulse amplitude of the received signal.

(14) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to (13) above, wherein the comparison means includes a display means, and the comparison means calculates at least one parameter of an intensity attenuation rate of the received signal, a delay rate of the received time, and a change rate of the pulse width based on at least one of the intensity, the received time, and the pulse width of the received signal, compares a parameter recorded in advance with the newly calculated parameter, and displays a parameter comparison result.

(15) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (10) to (14), wherein the ultrasonic pulse is 100mW/cm²The following low output ultrasonic pulses.

(16) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (10) to (15), wherein the display means displays a warning signal when the comparison result of the comparison means deviates from a preset threshold value.

(17) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (10) to (16), further comprising a position adjusting means for adjusting an irradiation position of the ultrasonic irradiation means when a comparison result by the comparing means deviates from a preset threshold value.

(18) The medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (10) to (17), wherein the ultrasonic irradiation means and the signal receiving means are constituted by the same ultrasonic transducer.

(19) A method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus, characterized in that an ultrasonic pulse is applied to a treatment or examination region from a first transducer, a reflected wave reflected from the periphery of the treatment or examination region is received by a second transducer, and at least one of the intensity, reception time, and pulse amplitude of the received signal is recorded in a memory.

(20) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to (19) above, wherein the treatment or examination site is a fracture site.

(21) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to (19) or (20) above, wherein the second transducer receives a plurality of reflected waves reflected from around the treatment or examination site.

(22) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (19) to (21), wherein at least one parameter of an intensity attenuation rate of the received signal, a delay rate of the received signal, and a change rate of the pulse width is calculated based on at least one of the intensity, the received time, and the pulse width of the received signal, the parameter stored in advance in the memory is compared with the newly calculated parameter, and a result of the comparison of the parameters is displayed on a display unit for display.

(23) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (19) to (22), wherein the ultrasonic pulse is 100mW/cm²The following low output ultrasonic pulses.

(24) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (19) to (23), wherein a warning signal is displayed on the display unit when a comparison result of the comparison operation element deviates from a preset threshold value.

(25) The method of controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (19) to (24), wherein the position adjustment mechanism adjusts the irradiation position of the first transducer when the comparison result of the comparison operation element deviates from a preset threshold value.

(26) The method of controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (19) to (25), wherein the first transducer and the second transducer are constituted by the same ultrasonic transducer.

(27) A method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus, characterized in that an ultrasonic pulse is irradiated from an ultrasonic irradiation means to a treatment or examination region, a signal receiving means receives a reflected wave reflected from the periphery of the treatment or examination region, and a storage means records at least one of the intensity, reception time, and pulse amplitude of the received signal.

(28) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to (27) above, wherein the treatment or examination site is a fracture site.

(29) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to (27) or (28), wherein the signal receiving means receives a plurality of reflected waves reflected from the periphery of the treatment or examination region.

(30) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (27) to (29), wherein at least one parameter of an intensity attenuation rate of the received signal, a delay rate of the received signal, and a change rate of the pulse width is calculated from at least one of the intensity, the received time, and the pulse width of the received signal, and a parameter recorded in advance and the newly calculated parameter are compared, and a result of the parameter comparison is displayed on a display unit that displays the result.

(31) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (27) to (30), wherein the ultrasonic pulse is 100mW/cm²The following low output ultrasonic pulses.

(32) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (27) to (31), wherein a warning signal is displayed on the display unit when a comparison result by the comparison unit deviates from a preset threshold value.

(33) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (27) to (32), wherein the position adjusting means adjusts the irradiation position of the ultrasonic irradiation means when the comparison result of the comparing means deviates from a preset threshold value.

(34) The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to any one of the above (27) to (33), wherein the ultrasonic irradiation means and the signal reception means are constituted by the same ultrasonic transducer.

Drawings

Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 shows an embodiment 1 of the fracture treatment instrument of the present invention.

Fig. 3 shows a structural element 1 of the device of the fracture treatment apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows embodiment 2 of the fracture treatment apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 5 shows an example of received signal analysis according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows a structural element 2 of the device of the fracture treatment instrument of the present invention.

Fig. 7 shows embodiment 3 of the fracture treatment apparatus of the present invention.

Fig. 8 shows a structural element 3 of the device of the fracture treatment instrument of the present invention.

Fig. 9 shows a structural element 4 of the fracture treatment instrument of the present invention.

Fig. 10 shows embodiment 4 of the fracture treatment apparatus according to the present invention.

Fig. 11 is an embodiment of a fixing unit having a position adjusting function.

Fig. 12 shows an example of signals obtained when the medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention is applied to a femur.

Detailed Description

In the medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention, the ultrasonic wave for examination is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer to the affected part in the process of prescribing treatment using the medical device. The transducer used in transmission also serves as a receiving terminal, selectively detects only signals included in a range of a specific signal arrival time among signals of ultrasonic waves reflected by the inside of the body, and records in the treatment device.

When performing treatment, ultrasonic waves for examination are transmitted before the treatment, and reflected waves are detected. The intensity, arrival time, and continuation time of the signal are compared with the recorded signal and analyzed.

When a detection signal equivalent to the signal recorded at the time of prescription is obtained, the medical apparatus is installed at the place, and the examination ultrasound is switched to the treatment ultrasound to perform the treatment. When a signal different from the signal recorded at the time of prescription is obtained, and when a detection signal is not obtained, the ultrasonic wave for inspection is transmitted again, and the detection signal is analyzed. This process is repeated until a suitable signal is obtained.

With the above method, it can be confirmed that the ultrasonic transducer is mounted at the prescribed position for the present invention. In the present invention, it can be confirmed that the ultrasonic wave is irradiated at the prescribed position.

Fig. 1 shows an example of a medical ultrasonic apparatus embodying the present invention. The present invention is not limited to the application examples or the illustrated examples. The medical ultrasonic apparatus shown in fig. 1 includes a control device 25 for controlling transmission of ultrasonic waves and analyzing received signals, and a transducer 4 connected to the control device through a cable 7. The transducer 4 is used for transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves. The transducer 4 may be constituted by a plurality of transducers that individually perform transmission and reception, respectively. When the transducer is constituted by a plurality of transducers, the receiving side may be a sensor capable of receiving ultrasonic waves, such as a highly sensitive microphone (hydrophone) or a pressure sensor, instead of the transducer. In the following examples, a device constituted by one transducer is described, but the present invention is not limited to this.

More specifically, fig. 2 shows an example of the ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus of the present invention.

When starting the treatment, the setting position of the transducer is determined by means of X-ray image diagnosis or the like at the time of prescription setting of a medical institution such as a hospital or the like, and the fracture part 3 of the femur 23 is irradiated with therapeutic ultrasonic waves. At the prescribed position, the transducer 4 is mounted with the transducer fixing unit 8. At this time, an ultrasonic gel (gel)6 is applied between the transducer 4 and the soft tissue 1 as an ultrasonic wave propagating substance. Ultrasonic waves as ultrasonic signals for examination from the fracture treatment device 5 are transmitted to the transducer 4 through the cable 7 and irradiated with ultrasonic waves at a frequency of 1 to 5MHz, preferably 1.5MHz, a burst width (burst width) of 5 to 200. mu.s, preferably 5 to 70. mu.s, more preferably 20. mu.s, a repetition period of 10Hz to 10kHz, preferably 1kHz, and a time-average value and a space-average value of ultrasonic output of 0.75 to 30mW/cm²Preferably 3mW/cm². The irradiation time can be easily adjusted by the control unit, and the irradiation time can be changed according to the purpose, but is, for example, about 1 to 10 seconds. Since the accuracy is improved if the irradiation time is long, the irradiation time is, for example, about 10 seconds at the time of prescription setting, and for example, about 1 to 5 seconds, preferably about 2 seconds, at the time of home use, in view of convenience.

Since soft tissue 1 (fat, muscle, etc.) or bones in the body have different acoustic impedances, ultrasonic waves are reflected at boundaries having different acoustic impedances. The transducer 4 receives the ultrasonic waves reflected at the respective boundaries, and at this time, generates an electric signal. The generated signal is transmitted to the fracture treatment device 5 through the cable 7, and the signal is analyzed, and the result is displayed by the display unit (display unit) 14. When the medical staff judges that the result is an appropriate result, the result is recorded in the recording unit (memory) 12 and processed as a reference signal. For the patient, the device with the recorded signals is used for treatment. When receiving a signal, there is a possibility that a noise signal is received due to various external factors such as movement of a body, an electric field, and a magnetic field.

For example, in a generally widespread ultrasonic image diagnostic apparatus, a short pulse wave of 1 μ s or less is used in order to improve image resolution, but in this case, the influence of the noise is easily received, and it is difficult to accurately grasp the irradiation position of the transducer as a problem to be solved by the present invention. That is, in the case of the image diagnosis examination, since the purpose is to always receive a signal in real time and visualize the signal as an image, there is no serious problem even when noise is mixed in the received signal. As an example of the conventional technique, as disclosed in JP 2005-318921 a, a technique for reducing noise by performing a filtering process or the like on a received signal has been widely developed. However, these techniques are all used to construct an image that can be easily judged by experts. On the other hand, for the purpose of accurately grasping the irradiation position of the transducer of the therapeutic ultrasound device, which is the problem to be solved by the present invention, it is important to compare the received signals at the irradiation position, and therefore, it is more important to improve the signal accuracy. Therefore, in the present invention, by transmitting a signal having a pulse width of a fixed width, for example, 20 μ s, the influence of noise is removed, and the accuracy of the reflected signal from the target can be improved.

The nondestructive inspection used in the industrial field is also different from the present invention, similarly to the ultrasonic image diagnosis. The nondestructive inspection is also performed in real time by using a reflected signal obtained by a transducer, as in the case of ultrasonic image diagnosis. Based on the image, a trained expert makes a judgment of a disease or a flaw. On the other hand, in the present invention, the irradiated portion is determined by comparing the signal with the recorded signal. This makes it possible to achieve positioning with reproducibility without affecting the expertise of the user. Here, an ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus is taken as an example, but the present invention is applicable to a technique that requires medical equipment prescribed for an appropriate position among medical equipment used for examination or treatment, and can be realized noninvasively, i.e., safely, by using low-output ultrasonic pulses.

For example, when a patient is treated at home, the transducer 4 is attached to an attachment position prescribed by a medical institution, ultrasonic waves for examination are irradiated, and the detected signal is compared with a reference signal specified by the medical institution. For the comparison of the signals, as shown in fig. 5, the control unit 9 having a comparison unit (comparison operation element) automatically performs the comparison using the received signal strength 18, the received signal time amplitude 19, and the received signal delay time 20. More specifically, the attenuation rate, the transmission rate, and the signal duration of the signal are calculated from the reception intensity 18 and the reception signal time width 19 of the reflected signal at the irradiation site, and thereby the body tissues such as fat, fascia (fascia), muscle, and bone, and the respective thicknesses thereof are determined, and the attenuation rate of the signal and the time until detection are obtained from the reception intensity 18 and the reception delay time 20, and thereby the respective distances from the irradiation position and the relative positions thereof are determined and recorded.

The detection method of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 5. FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of 1.5MHz, burst width of 20 mus, repetition period of 1kHz, spatial and temporal average of ultrasonic output of 3mW/cm²The reflection signal of the femur upon irradiation with the ultrasonic wave for examination according to (1). In fig. 5, according to the delay time of the signals, it is predicted that the first signal having the shortest time until reception is the boundary of fat and muscle, the second signal is the boundary (fascia) of two kinds of muscle, and the third signal having the longest time until reception is the boundary of muscle and bone. The signal intensity is determined by the difference in acoustic impedance at the boundary where the reflection is performed and the attenuation depending on the distance of the ultrasonic wave propagation. The signal reflected from the boundary between fat and muscle having a small difference in acoustic impedance becomes small, and the signal reflected from the boundary between muscle and bone having a difference in acoustic impedance of two or more times becomes large. The influence of attenuation of a reflected signal from a shallow boundary surface is small, but the influence of attenuation of a reflected signal from a deep boundary surface in the body is large. According to the above signal processing, canThe thickness and/or relative positional relationship of each tissue can be determined. In the example of fig. 5, the region irradiated with the ultrasonic waves is a layer of fat, muscle, other muscle, or bone. Further, by using the received signal time width, for example, the continuity of the signal is recognized, and the accumulation of the signal exceeding a threshold value or the average value of the signal intensity is analyzed, whereby the burst noise can be removed. In addition, although the reflected signals from a plurality of substances are synthesized and received when materials having different acoustic impedances are present in the vicinity, the signals synthesized from the time width of the received signal and the acoustic impedance characteristics of each tissue can be decomposed and detected as each reflected signal.

Fig. 12 shows an example. FIG. 12 shows the spatial and temporal averages of ultrasonic output at 1.5MHz, burst width of 20. mu.s, repetition period of 1kHz, and time average of 3mW/cm²The transmission signal 27 and the reception signal 28 when the ultrasound for examination is irradiated to the femur. In this example, it can be determined that the received signal 28 is a reflection of the fascia, and the other received signal 29 is a reflection of the bone.

The body tissues at the irradiation positions thus obtained are compared with the thicknesses, positional relationships, and distances from the skin, to determine whether or not the body tissues are at the correct positions prescribed by the medical institution. When the position or angle of the transducer is different from the setting, for example, the intensity of the signal in fig. 5 may increase or decrease or disappear, or the detection time may be delayed. In this case, whether or not the difference is determined to be an offset when the difference is generated to what extent can be set appropriately for each patient, and for example, an error range of ± 10% as the signal intensity and an error range of ± 5% as the arrival time can be specified. When the deviation from the reference signal is a reflected wave signal out of the set error range, the display means (display unit) 14 notifies the patient that the treatment position for the patient is different from the initially set position. When the error range of the reference signal is within the error range, the ultrasonic wave for examination is changed to the ultrasonic wave for treatment, and the ultrasonic wave for treatment is irradiated from the transducer with the frequency of 1.5MHz, the burst width of 200 mus,The repetition period is 1kHz, and the time average value and the space average value of ultrasonic output are 30mW/cm²The ultrasound of (3), start the treatment. Further, the patient can confirm and reset the irradiation position at the medical institution at regular intervals, and thus optimum ultrasonic irradiation can be continuously performed.

Fig. 3 shows an example of the device components.

With the fracture treatment device 5, the properties of the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the transducer 4 are determined by the signals transmitted from the transmission circuit 10 through the cable 7. In addition, an electric signal generated when the transducer 4 detects an ultrasonic wave is detected by the receiving circuit 11 through the cable 7 and stored in the recording unit (memory) 12. The power supply unit 13 is a unit that is built-in with a power supply or can receive external power supply, and serves as a drive source of the ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus. The display unit (display unit) 14 is a unit that provides information such as the state of the fracture treatment apparatus 5 and the irradiation state of the ultrasonic waves. The above elements are adjusted by the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 also has a function of a comparison unit (comparison operation element) as a signal.

Fig. 4 shows an application example of the wireless ultrasonic fracture treatment device, taking femoral fracture treatment as an example. The transducer 4 can be freely arranged by wirelessly processing the cable 7 connecting the fracture treatment device 5 and the transducer 4. Further, although it is necessary to remove clothes during treatment depending on the treatment site, the treatment in a state of wearing clothes is facilitated by the wireless ultrasonic irradiation device 16.

The ultrasonic signal at the time of treatment is transmitted to the transducer 4 via the wireless communication unit 15. The signal received by the transducer 4 is transmitted to the wireless ultrasonic irradiation device 16, the signal is transmitted to the wireless fracture treatment device 17 using the wireless communication means 15, and the result is displayed by the display means (display unit) 14.

At this time, when the irradiation position deviation is detected, the irradiation position can be adjusted by the position adjusting means (position adjusting mechanism). The adjustment of the irradiation position may be performed manually or automatically. In the case of automatic adjustment, the automatic adjustment is performed by an irradiation position adjustment unit 22, and the irradiation position adjustment unit 22 is controlled by the control unit 9. The irradiation position automatic adjustment unit 22 is realized by using, for example, a conductive polymer material 26 that expands and contracts by applying a voltage to the fixing unit 8. Fig. 11 shows a specific example. In the case where a belt (belt) is used as the fixing means 8, ultrasonic waves can be irradiated downward in fig. 11. By configuring the conductive polymer material 26 such that one or more portions of the fixing means 8 are expanded and contracted, and adjusting the irradiation position by the irradiation position automatic adjustment means 22, the installation position of the transducer 4 on the body surface can be adjusted by the expansion and contraction of the conductive polymer material 26. Specifically, expansion and contraction in the arrow direction in fig. 11 can be realized. The distance that can be adjusted by this expansion and contraction depends on the type and size of the conductive polymer material, but it is sufficient if the expansion and contraction is about 1mm to 5 cm. Further, if the conductive polymer material 26 is used at a position on the back surface (in the direction in which the ultrasonic wave is not irradiated) of the transducer 4, adjustment for pressing the transducer 4 against the body surface can also be performed. Further, the number of expansion and contraction portions of the expandable and contractible conductive polymer material 26 increases, and thus finer adjustment and optimization of the ultrasonic irradiation position can be performed. The multiple telescopic parts can be respectively and simultaneously or independently telescopic. The stretchable conductive polymer material 26 is, for example, polypyrrole.

Fig. 6 shows the device structure of the wireless fracture treatment device.

The properties of the ultrasound waves irradiated by the transducer 4 are determined by the transmission circuit within the wireless ultrasound irradiation device 16. In addition, an electric signal generated in a case where the transducer 4 detects the ultrasonic wave is detected by the receiving circuit 11. The wireless communication unit 15 is present in the wireless ultrasonic irradiation device 16 and the wireless fracture treatment device 17, and can transmit and receive signals. The signal detected by the receiving circuit is transmitted to a recording unit (memory) 12 in the wireless fracture treatment device 17 via a wireless communication unit 15 and stored. The power supply unit 13 is a unit that is built-in with a power supply or can receive external power supply, and serves as a drive source for each of the wireless ultrasonic irradiation device and the wireless fracture treatment device. The display unit (display unit) 14 is a unit that provides information such as the state, communication status, and ultrasonic wave irradiation status of the wireless ultrasonic wave irradiation device 16 and the wireless fracture treatment device 17. When a deviation of the irradiation position is detected, the position of the transducer 4 can be automatically adjusted by the irradiation position automatic adjustment unit 22, and the above elements are controlled by the control unit 9.

Fig. 7 shows an application example of the ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus with a recording medium, taking the femoral fracture treatment as an example.

The signal received when the prescription setting at the time of starting the treatment can be stored by the recording medium 21. For example, when the patient performs treatment at home, the patient only retrieves the recording medium 21 and sets the apparatus in a fracture treatment apparatus of the patient during treatment.

When starting treatment, the recording medium 21 storing the reference signal is set in the fracture treatment apparatus, and the ultrasonic wave for examination is irradiated at the mounting position prescribed by the medical institution, and the detected signal is compared with the reference signal determined by the medical institution in the same manner as in the case shown in the example of fig. 2. In addition, the patient periodically confirms and resets the irradiation position in the medical institution, and thus, the optimal ultrasonic irradiation is continued. In this case, since only the recording medium 21 is brought to the medical institution, the treatment management can be easily performed.

Fig. 8 shows an example of the device components.

In the fracture treatment device 5, the properties of the ultrasonic waves irradiated from the transducer 4 are determined by the signal transmitted from the transmission circuit 10 through the cable 7. The electric signal generated when the transducer 4 detects the ultrasonic wave is detected by the receiving circuit 11 through the cable 7 and stored in the recording medium 21 by the recording unit (memory) 12. The power supply unit 13 is a unit that is built-in with a power supply or can receive external power supply, and serves as a drive source of the ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus. The display unit (display unit) 14 is a unit that provides information such as the state of the fracture treatment apparatus 5 and the irradiation state of the ultrasonic waves, and the above elements are adjusted by the control unit 9.

Fig. 9 shows an example of the device components.

In the transducer 4 integrated with the fracture treatment device 5, the properties of the irradiated ultrasonic waves are determined by the signal from the transmission circuit 10. In addition, an electric signal generated when the transducer 4 detects the ultrasonic wave is detected by the receiving circuit 11 and stored in the recording unit (memory) 12. The power supply unit 13 is a unit that is built-in with a power supply or can receive external power supply, and serves as a drive source of the ultrasonic fracture treatment apparatus. The display unit (display unit) 14 is a unit that provides information such as the state of the fracture treatment apparatus 5 and the irradiation state of the ultrasonic waves. The above elements are adjusted by the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 also has a function of a comparison unit (comparison operation element) as a signal.

Fig. 10 shows an application example of the integrated ultrasonic fracture treatment device, taking a femoral fracture treatment as an example.

The ultrasonic fracture treatment device 5 and the transducer 4 are integrated with the cable 7 removed. Since the ultrasonic fracture treatment device 5 itself can be used by being fixed to the body, it can be used without selecting the installation place of the treatment device.

The medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention can be used for other medical purposes, not only for fracture treatment. For example, examination, treatment, or the like of muscles, fats, organs, and the like at a specific position can be performed, and the application to not only bone tissue can be realized. In addition, the present invention can be used in combination with other medical examination apparatuses or treatment devices, and can provide examination or treatment with high reproducibility to a target position. For example, after the position is confirmed by the medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention, if a laser treatment instrument is used, the laser beam having a straight line can be effectively irradiated to the target site. In addition, even when puncturing is performed, the medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention can be used to position a target site with high reproducibility. The medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention can perform position adjustment with high reproducibility when using a medical device whose position needs to be specified.

Industrial applicability

By using the medical ultrasonic apparatus of the present invention, the position of the intended irradiation or the like can be confirmed with high reproducibility. This can be expected to ensure and effectively perform examination or treatment. Further, the patient is notified of the fact that the examination or treatment can be performed at the appropriate position, and an improvement effect of the treatment matching can be expected.

Claims (16)

1. A medical ultrasonic apparatus for confirming an irradiation position of an ultrasonic wave, which irradiates an ultrasonic pulse to a treatment or examination region, comprising:

an ultrasonic irradiation unit;

a signal receiving unit that receives a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave irradiated by the ultrasonic wave irradiating unit;

a signal recording unit that records a signal of at least one of the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal, or at least one of the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal, and a reception time; and

a comparison unit for comparing the reference signal determined and pre-recorded at the time of prescription with the received signal,

the irradiation position of the ultrasonic irradiation means is confirmed based on the comparison result of the comparison means.

2. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 1,

the treatment or examination site is a fracture site.

3. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 1 or 2,

the signal receiving unit receives a plurality of reflected waves reflected from around the treatment or examination site.

4. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 1,

the apparatus includes a display unit, and the comparison unit calculates at least one of an intensity attenuation rate and a pulse width change rate of the received signal, or at least one of an intensity attenuation rate and a pulse width change rate of the received signal, and a delay rate of the reception time, based on at least one of the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal, or the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal, compares a parameter recorded in advance with the parameter calculated newly, and displays a parameter comparison result.

5. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 1 or 2,

the ultrasonic pulse is 100mW/cm²The following low output ultrasonic pulses.

6. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 4,

the display unit displays a warning signal when the comparison result of the comparison unit deviates from a preset threshold value.

7. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 4,

the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is provided with a position adjusting means for adjusting the irradiation position of the ultrasonic irradiation means when the comparison result of the comparing means deviates from a preset threshold value.

8. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 4,

when the comparison result of the comparison means deviates from a preset threshold value, the ultrasonic wave for inspection is irradiated again from the ultrasonic wave irradiation means.

9. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 4,

when the comparison result of the comparison means is within a predetermined error range, therapeutic ultrasound is irradiated from the ultrasound irradiation means.

10. The medical ultrasonic device according to claim 1 or 2,

the ultrasonic irradiation unit and the signal receiving unit are constituted by the same ultrasonic transducer.

11. A method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus for confirming an irradiation position of an ultrasonic wave,

the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a signal receiving unit that receives a reflected wave reflected from the periphery of a treatment or examination region, a recording unit that records a signal of at least one of the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal or at least one of the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal and a reception time, and a comparing unit that compares a reference signal determined at the time of prescription and recorded in advance with the received signal, and confirms the irradiation position of the ultrasonic irradiating unit based on the comparison result of the comparing unit.

12. The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 11,

the treatment or examination site is a fracture site.

13. The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 11 or 12,

the signal receiving unit receives a plurality of reflected waves reflected from around the treatment or examination site.

14. The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 11,

at least one of the intensity attenuation rate and the pulse width of the received signal, or at least one of the intensity and the pulse width of the received signal, and the delay rate of the reception time are calculated based on the received signal, at least one of the intensity attenuation rate and the pulse width of the received signal, or at least one of the intensity attenuation rate and the pulse width of the received signal, and the newly calculated parameter are compared with each other, and the parameter comparison result is displayed on a display unit for displaying.

15. The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 11 or 12,

the ultrasonic pulse is 100mW/cm²The following low output ultrasonic pulses.

16. The method for controlling a medical ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 11 or 12,

the ultrasonic irradiation unit and the signal receiving unit are constituted by the same ultrasonic transducer.