DE3111196A1 - DEVICE FOR THE EXAMINATION OF THE GASTAL ARM CANAL - Google Patents

Description

SUBMITTED

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 4

description

The invention relates to an apparatus for examination purposes. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus for the internal examination of the gastrointestinal canal.

Various methods and devices are known for obtaining information about the gastrointestinal canal.

The most widespread of all known methods for examining the gastrointestinal canal is X-ray technology with the help of barium. This consists of introducing barium into the canal, making it opaque to X-rays. Pathological changes can then be indirect be seen by the change in the wall / which through Fluoroscopy and can be seen on various radiographs. Both for x-rays and fluoroscopy appropriate sections of the patient must be subjected to substantial doses of ionizing radiation. Apart from that of the dangers of radiation for both the patient and the person being examined are the main ones Disadvantage is that in many cases it is difficult to make a definitive diagnosis because the information obtained is only indirect is.

Another method relies on advances in fiber optics. Here, a small diameter probe is used to support the Contains fiber optics, inserted into the gastrointestinal canal. An experienced doctor can remove the wall of the

130065/0729

Glawc, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 33'j "j | 196

Look at the canal optically. Although there are no radiation problems here, there are still several Conditions exist that limit the application of the method. Again, the doctor can only see the wall of the Look at the canal. In addition, the field of view is very limited, reflecting the physical limits of the characteristics of fiber optic systems originates. Both disadvantages reduce the effectiveness of detecting pathological changes.

An immediate result of the limited field of view is that, depending on the level of experience of the doctor, injury or pathological changes can be overlooked. In addition, no record of the examination result can be made which means that discussion with others based on what could be seen is impossible. Images of the study are also not available for future reference.

According to the invention, therefore, a probe with an ultrasonic transducer arrangement is provided created, which is introduced into the canal for the examination of the gastrointestinal canal, wherein a fluid is introduced between the arrangement and the wall of the channel in order to couple the arrangement and the wall to one another. The assembly is then energized to produce an ultrasound image of the canal.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a Probe created for the internal examination of the gastrointestinal canal is suitable and a head that is connected to a flexible hose or cable, an ultrasound arrangement, which is mounted on the head and has a plurality of transducers that are circumferentially spaced around the Head around

130065/0729

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 6

are arranged, and has transmission means through which Signals from the transducers are passed to processing circuitry so as to generate an image.

In the invention, a probe is inserted which is approximately the same Has the size of a fiber optic probe, the probe according to the invention acoustically with the gastrointestinal canal with a suitable Fluid is coupled. The probe can generate an electroacoustic three-dimensional image of the structures, surrounding the transducer assembly. This means that the complete picture is obtained without the need for the Rotate transducer assembly within the patient.

If desired, the spatial position of the probe within the body can be determined and recorded. To this The location can be determined from which a certain image or image marked with a corresponding identifier was obtained. With the help of these images can diagnose and determine the location of injuries and pathological changes carried out within the gastrointestinal canal, behind the wall of the same and also in neighboring organs directly will.

The invention is described below on the basis of an advantageous embodiment for example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of the invention

according device for the examination of a gastrointestinal canal;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of part of FIG

130065/0729

Glawe, Delfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 7

Device shown in Figure 1, including parts of the device for larger ones Clarity has been omitted;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 2;

4 shows a schematic representation of a transverse

section of the device of FIG. 3.

As shown in the drawings, the inspection apparatus 10 includes a probe 12 and a signal processing device on, which is indicated generally at 14. The structure of the probe can best be seen in FIGS. The probe has a head 16 and a main part 18. The main part 18 is made from an elongated tube or hose 20 which extends in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the tube is flexible, but sufficiently rigid that the sample is advanced along the gastrointestinal canal can be. The tube 20 has a closed peripheral wall 22 that gently fits into an outer surface 24 of the head 16 passes. The head 16 has two ultrasonic crystal arrangements 48, 50 on. The arrangement 48 has a number of ultrasonic crystals 52, which circumferentially around the Head 16 are spaced around; through this an ultrasound image of the part of the canal should be obtained, surrounding the head 16. The assemblies 48, 50 are through Miniature crystal drivers operated electrically with a electrical cables 54 are connected / that runs through the hose 20 to a processing circuit 56 *. The processing circuit 56 is operable to operate any Crystal 52 of assembly 48 is selectively energized and. processes the signals picked up by the crystal. The so Recorded signals can be recorded by a recording device 58 to be recorded. The image of the channel can be viewed on the observation unit 60 can be considered. The crystals 52 become

130065/0729

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 8

sequentially energized / so that a real time sample is obtained will. This scan consists of a number of contiguous sections through which an area of 3 60 degrees is scanned. Each section is made by appropriately summing the signals from crystal 52 over time obtain.

For example, in Fig. 4 there is shown a group of crystals 52a, b, c, d, e. By processing circuit 56, initially the crystal 52b is excited. A short time afterwards, the crystals 52a and 52c are excited to focus the wave transmitted by the crystal 52b was produced. The wavefront is partially reflected by the channel wall and by the crystal 52b which generates an output signal which is passed through the cable 54 to the processing circuit 56 and there in a Is processed so that a display in the viewer 60 is possible. The time between the excitation of the crystal and the occurrence of the signal generated by the reflected wavefront has elapsed is a measure of the Removal of the channel wall from crystal 52b. The wave front can also partially go through the canal wall and be reflected by neighboring organs, allowing further consideration of the canal and neighboring organs is possible, a partial reflection occurring in each case at points of a change in density of the strapped material.

The output of processing circuit 56 is therefore displayed as a series of points lying on a radial line extending from the center corresponding to the axis of the head 16 through a point corresponding to the location of the Crystal 52b corresponds.

13006S / 0729

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page? 9

After the signal is received, the processing circuitry selects 56 and excites the crystal 52c. Shortly thereafter, the crystals 52b, 52d are excited to create the wavefront to focus. A signal is then received from signal 52c which is processed so as to form a second series from points on a second radial line corresponding to the line of sonication of crystal 52c. the Processing circuitry then further energizes subsequent crystals 52 to produce a 360 degree view of the canal. These Scanning is fast, i.e. more than 20 times per second, so that a real-time image of the channel is produced.

The operation of the processing circuitry by which the crystals are selected and excited is known and therefore not intended further described. The crystals 52 are formed from a series of disks of piezoelectric material and will usually consist of at least 50 pieces, although more can be used for greater resolution.

The assembly 50 / which is normally parallel to the end of the probe is also controlled by processing circuitry 56 to capture an image of the channel immediately in front of head 16 to create. This image can be observed on the image display device 60 while the probe 12 is advanced so that the head 16 can be advanced in the correct direction.

Due to the ability of the wavefront to pass through what is present in the channel Passing material through can be the nature and extent of an obstruction during advancement of the probe 12 be determined in order to avoid the risk of damage or injury,

... 10

130065/0729

• ■ '"- 311Π96

AO

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 10

In the interior 26 of the tube or the hose 20, four cable assemblies 28 are arranged, which are spaced equally are arranged around the wall 22. Each of these cable assemblies 28 has a sheath 30 and a cable 32. the Sheath 30 is attached to wall 22, cable 32 is attached to a lower surface 34 of head 16.

The cable 32 can slide relative to the sheath 30 so that the relative orientation of the head 16 and the body 18 can be changed.

Each cable assembly 28 is connected at its lower end to a comparator 36, which as a result of a manual input signal can be operated to move the cable relative to the sheath and emit a signal that indicates the relative movement between the cable and the sheath. Each comparator 36 is connected to a position recorder 38, which also contains a signal from a translation converter 40. The translation converter 40 detects the Movement of the probe in the direction of its longitudinal axis so that the position recorder 38 determines the direction of movement of the head can record with the aid of the comparator 36 and the translation of the probe in this direction. This enables a Representation of the path on which the probe is moving; as a result, the shape of the gastrointestinal canal can be reconstructed will.

In the interior 26 of the tube or the hose 20 three tubes 42 are arranged, which around the axis of the tube or the Hose 20 are equally spaced and extend into the head. The tubes 42 terminate between an end face 44 and a bottom surface 34 and are with the outer surface

130065/0729

Giawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 11

24 connected by a nozzle 46. The tubes 4 2 are connected to a fluid supply 48 through which fluid is selectively fed into one or more of the tubes 4 2 can be inputted to dispense the fluid through the corresponding nozzle 46 can be.

A biopsy tube 62 is arranged in the head 16 on the longitudinal axis of the probe so as to facilitate the introduction of a biopsy needle to allow samples to be taken from the channel. In addition, the tube 62 can be used for local Remove air from the duct by applying negative pressure to the other end of the tube.

In operation, the probe 12 is moved along the channel while observing the image generated by the assembly 50 the head is manipulated accordingly during the forward movement. During this forward movement the draws Position recorder 38 records the movement of the probe along the canal, thus creating a record of the path that the probe has moved. At the same time, fluid is supplied from the fluid supply 49 to the nozzles 46 and through the biopsy tube 62 in order to effect acoustic coupling for the arrangement 50 in this way.

The arrangement 50 is also useful for determining what nature an obstruction has in the channel, how far it is Obstacle extends, and, of course, what action is taken must become.

When the probe 12 has reached the desired position in the channel, the assembly 48 is energized and fluid is removed from the fluidr Supply 49 is passed along the tubes 42 and from the nozzles

130065/0729

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 12

4 6 ejected to create a localized fluid environment. Through the fluid, e.g. a liquid, the crystals 52 and the channel wall are acoustically coupled. The supply of the fluid takes place with interruptions instead, as necessary to maintain the coupling and quality of the image. The head 16 can be centered in the channel by selective delivery of fluid to one of the nozzles 4 6, then the head through the shock from the nozzle is moved away from the adjacent duct wall.

This probe 12 is then gradually withdrawn, with the image of the channel produced by the assembly 48 is recorded. The output of the position recorder 38 may be recorded with the image of the transducer assembly 48 so that an indication of the position of the probe 12 within the channel corresponding to the image is obtained. A correlation between the data of the position recorder and the image recorder can thus be obtained.

One sees, therefore, that a three-dimensional picture of the canal and the parts of the body that extend beyond it up to the adjacent organs extend, is preserved, which can also be used later.

If desired, the position of the probe within a channel can be recorded by a radio transmitter that is connected to the head is formed in one piece. In this case the translation converter, comparator or position recorder can be used waive. As a further alternative, the head 16 can be magnetically moved through the channel by external magnets.

130065/0729

Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 13

which are arranged around the body and selectively controlled so as to orientate the head 16 change. If a completely independent passage of the probe 16 through the channel is required, the probe can take the form a capsule with an integrally connected power source. The data representing images of the array 48 can then be broadcast as a radio signal received outside of the channel. In this case, the Coupling between the assembly 48 and the channel can be obtained by entering a fluid along with the capsule that can pass through the channel with the capsule.

When using the sample, an internal examination of the canal is therefore possible by using an acoustic coupling a localized fluid environment is provided. This solves the problems that occur when performing externally Ultrasound scanning may occur and be caused by gas pockets within the patient. By the invention The method and apparatus will thus obtain accurate information that will be recorded and sequentially Necessity can also be viewed again.

130065/0729

Claims (13)

Claims [Λ J probe for examining the gastrointestinal canal, characterized in that it is provided with an ultrasonic transducer arrangement (4 8, 50), can be inserted into the canal and is designed so that a fluid is between the arrangement (48, 50) and the wall of the Channel for coupling the arrangement (48, 50) and wall can be introduced and that the arrangement (48, 50) can be excited to generate an ultrasound image. 2. Probe according to claim 1, characterized in that the image is recorded for subsequent playback can. 3. Probe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that that the position of the probe (12) can be correlated with the image, in particular the recorded image. 4. Probe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that after insertion of the probe (12) into the channel, the probe (12) is movable along the channel, while 130065/0729 NEAR RANGE T Glawe, DeIfs, Moll & Partner- - ρ 9-957 / 8Γ- page 2 the arrangement (48, 50) is excited, the image being observable during this movement and the position of the probe (12) can be correlated with the observed image during this movement. 5. Probe according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that that they have an arrangement (48, 50) of a plurality of circumferentially arranged Transducers (52a, 52b, ...) which can be excited one after the other in such a way that a real-time image of the channel is generated will. 6. Probe for the internal examination of a gastrointestinal canal, thereby characterized in that it has a head (16) connected to a flexible cable (20), that an ultrasonic arrangement (48, 50) is attached to the head (16), the a plurality of transducers (52a, 52b, ...) arranged circumferentially around the head (16), and that transmission means (54) for transmitting signals from the transducers (52a, 52b, ...) to a processing circuit (56) are provided for generating an image. 7. A probe according to claim 6, characterized in that the probe (12) has an ultrasonic arrangement (50) on a front surface (44) of the probe (12) for generating an image in the direction of movement of the probe (12). 8. Probe according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that that the head (16) has fluid outlet means (42, 46) for discharging fluid into the channel around the head (16). 9. Probe according to one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that that the fluid delivery devices (42, 46) have a plurality of nozzles (46) which are spaced from one another in the circumferential direction have, and that an axial tube (62) is provided in the probe (12) through the local accumulations of air from the Channel can be removed and the 13006S / 0729 ... Glawe, DeIfε, Moll & Partner - ρ 9957/81 - page 3 can accommodate a biopsy needle. 10. Probe according to claim 9, characterized in that devices for changing the flow rate through the nozzles (46). 11. Probe according to one of claims 6 to 10, characterized in that that manipulating devices for changing the orientation of the head (16) with respect to the cable (20) are provided. 12. Device for the internal examination of a gastrointestinal canal, characterized in that it comprises processing circuitry (56), a probe (12) having a head (16) which connected to a flexible cable (20), an ultrasound assembly (48, 50) mounted on the head (16) and a plurality of transducers (52a, 52b, ...) which are shown in Circumferentially spaced around the head (16) and having transmission means (54) by which the probe (12) is connected to the processing circuit (56) wherein the processing circuit (56) selectively energizes the transducers (52a, 52b, ...) so that one after the other around the head (16) can be scanned around and a 360 degree real-time image of the channel can be produced. 13. Device according to one of claims 6 to 12, characterized in that that through the processing circuit (56) a group of the transducers (52a, 52b, ...) for focusing a wavefront can be activated, which is output by one of the transducers (52a, 52b, ...). 130065/0729