JPH01129845A - Shock wave treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily confirm the substance to be crushed in an object to be examined, by arranging an ultrasonic transducer within a shock wave transmitting region reaching a converging point from the shock wave transmitting surface of a shock wave transducer and bringing an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface into contact with the object to be examined to collect the tomographic image data of the object to be examined. CONSTITUTION:A shock wave applicator 17 has a shock wave transducer 15 forming the converging point 41a of a shock wave for crushing a substance to be crushed, for example, the calculus in an object 32 to be examined, the water tank 33 provided on the side of the shock wave transmitting surface 15a of the shock wave transducer 15 and an ultrasonic transducer 15 arranged in the shock wave transmitting region 41 reaching the converging point 41a from the shock wave transmitting surface 15a of the shock wave transducer 15 and forming a sound field region 42 containing the converging point 41a in such a state that an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface 16a is brought into contact with the surface 32S of an object 32 to be examined to collect the tomographic image of the object 32 to be examined. Since the ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving surface 16a is directly brought into contact with the surface 32S of the object to be examined, the effect of the bottom part or water of the water tank is excluded and a sharp tomographic image can be obtained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention provides a shock wave therapy device that destroys and treats objects to be crushed, such as cancer cells, stones, etc., inside a subject using the focused energy of shock waves. Regarding.

(Prior art) Conventionally, as an ultrasonic treatment device, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-049843
There are some that have been disclosed. FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic applicator constituting this ultrasonic treatment device.

The ultrasonic applicator 1 shown in the figure includes a concave transducer 2 having a curvature of 10 cm in diameter and a rear hole of a predetermined shape in the center, and a backing material uniformly bonded to the back surface of the concave camera element 2. It consists of 3.

The second ultrasonic transducer 4 is fixed in the handling hole and has a transducer array 4a formed by arranging thin transducers.
with a sector probe facing the curved surface of the concave vibrator 2.

5 in the figure is a MW coupler, which is filled with water,
It consists of a bag 6 made of a thin membrane having an acoustic impedance approximately equal to that of water.

On the other hand, an ultrasonic treatment device equipped with an ultrasonic applicator 7 as shown in FIG. 7 is also used.

That is, the ultrasonic applicator 7 shown in the same figure is
A concave transducer 9 similar to the concave transducer 2 shown in FIG. The device includes an aquarium 10 whose interior is filled with water, and a mechanical probe 11 provided within the aquarium 10.

Note that 12 in the figure indicates the focused state of the ultrasonic waves formed by the concave sensor 9.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) First, in the ultrasonic applicator 1 shown in FIG. It is placed on the same curved surface as the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface or at a position set back from that surface.

In an ultrasonic applicator with such a configuration, first, the second
The ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the ultrasonic transducer 4 are as follows.
Since the interior of the acoustic coupler 5 is filled with water and a thin film that contacts the subject is interposed, scattering, attenuation, etc. cannot be avoided. Therefore, the display image displayed on the display section (not shown) is affected by noise, making it difficult to recognize the object to be crushed.

Further, when the object to be crushed is displayed on the display section, the display position of the object to be crushed is displayed below both sides of the object, so there is a problem that it is difficult to confirm the object to be crushed.

On the other hand, the second ultrasonic transducer shown in FIG. 7 has the problems shown in FIG. 6 as well as drawbacks due to being a mechanical probe, namely, a decrease in displayed image quality and an increase in the size of the mechanical part.

There were problems such as being weak against vibrations. Generally speaking, the ultrasonic applicator shown in the figure has a drawback in that it is difficult to handle because it is fixed to the bed 8.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a shock wave therapy device that allows easy recognition of objects to be crushed within a subject.

"Structure of the Invention" (Means for Solving the Problems) The structure of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a shock wave therapy device equipped with a shock wave applicator that transmits shock waves toward a subject. In the shock wave applicator, the shock wave applicator includes a shock wave transducer that forms a focal point of shock waves for crushing non-fragile objects within the subject, a water tank provided on the shock wave transmission surface of the shock wave transducer, and a water tank that forms a shock wave transmission surface of the shock wave transducer to the focal point. an ultrasonic transducer that is disposed within a shock wave transmission region, and that forms a sound field region including the focal point with its ultrasonic wave transmission/reception surface in contact with the surface of the object, and collects tomographic image data of the object; It is said to be equipped with the following.

(Function) The function of the present invention having the above-mentioned object is to arrange an ultrasonic transducer within a shock wave transmission region from a shock wave transmission surface to a focal point of a shock wave transducer, and to transmit ultrasonic waves of this ultrasonic transducer. Tomographic image data of the subject is collected with the transmitting/receiving wave surface in contact with the subject.

(Example) An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, an example in which ultrasonic waves are used as shock waves will be explained.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a shock wave therapy device according to an embodiment.

In the figure, the shock wave treatment device includes a shock wave transducer 15 that transmits shock waves made of ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic wave that forms a sound field region different from the shock wave transmission region formed by this shock wave transducer, as will be described in detail later. An ultrasonic applicator 17 including an ultrasonic transducer 16 that transmits and receives waves, and a shock wave transducer 15
A pulser 18 sends a pulse signal to the ultrasonic transducer 16, and a pulse signal is sent to the ultrasonic transducer 16 to excite the ultrasonic transducer 16 to perform sector scanning. a transmitter/receiver circuit 19 that receives the echo signal of the transmitter/receiver circuit 19; a signal processing circuit 20 that inputs the output signal of the transmitter/receiver circuit 19, performs amplitude detection on it, and sends it as a video signal to the signal conversion system 21; The CPLJ (central processing unit) 22 controls each part of this device, and the transmitting/receiving circuit 19, the signal processing circuit 20, and the pulse signal transmission/reception timing and amplitude in the pulser 18, which are controlled by the CPU 22.

A controller 23 that controls frequency etc., and the CPU 2
2, the transmitter/receiver circuit 19. Signal processing circuit 2
Signal conversion system 21 that performs signal conversion processing on the output signal of 0
(for example, a digital scan converter) and the ultrasonic transducer 1 based on the output signal of this signal conversion system 21.
Fan-shaped sound field area 25. A display means 27 including a TV monitor or the like that displays a body surface image, a kidney image, a kidney stone image, etc. of the subject, a shock wave transmission region of the shock wave transducer 15, a focal point marker 26, etc., and a part of the subject, e.g. A subject signal detection element 28 is formed so as to be able to be contacted with a limb, etc., and sends a subject signal indicating the heartbeat of the subject to the CPU 22, and the generation timing of a pulse signal sent from the pulser 18 to the shock wave transducer 15 is set. Suitable CPU2
2 and connected to the 1st.・Second switch (not shown)
and a position controller 30 that adjusts the relative positional relationship of the ultrasonic transducer 16 with respect to the shock wave transducer 15.

Next, the shock wave applicator 17 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

First, in FIG. 1, the shock wave applicator 17 is a shock wave transducer that forms a convergence point 41a of a shock wave (for example, an ultrasonic pulse with strong energy) for crushing a non-crushable object (for example, an ultrasonic pulse with strong energy) for crushing a non-crushable object, such as a kidney stone, in the subject 32. 15 and
Shock wave transmission surface 15a of this shock wave transducer 15
A water tank 33 provided on the side and a shock wave transmitting region 41 extending from the shock wave transmitting surface 15a of the shock wave transducer 15 to the focal point 41a, and the object surface 32
3, and an ultrasonic transducer 16 that forms a sound field region 42 including the focal point 41a with an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface 16a in contact with the ultrasonic transducer 16 and collects tomographic image data of the subject 32. .

The shock wave transducer 15 includes a concave vibrator having a constant curvature and a backing material (none of which is shown) uniformly adhered to the back surface of the concave vibrator.

An ultrasonic transducer 16 is attached to the center of the shock wave transducer 15 so as to be movable in the direction of arrow B via a transducer support drive section 36.

This transducer support drive section 36 is equipped with a mechanism that can move and stop as desired in the direction of arrow B based on the control signal from the position controller 30 described above, and a drive source for the mechanism. In this embodiment, a rack member is fixed to the side surface of the ultrasonic transducer 16, and a motor is provided with a pinion gear attached to the drive shaft that meshes with the rack.The rotation amount or rotation angle of the motor is controlled from the position controller 30. By controlling, the relative positional relationship between the shock wave transducer 15 and the ultrasonic transducer 16 is adjusted. Note that this transducer support drive section 36 may have any other configuration, and is not necessarily required.

That is, the ultrasonic transducer 16 may be fixed at the center of the shock wave transducer 15, or it may be a mechanism that can be manually moved in the direction of arrow B when a certain force is applied in the same direction.

By the way, on the side of the shock wave transmission surface 15a of the shock wave transducer 15, there is provided a water tank 33 filled with water as a shock wave transmission liquid.

The illustrated water tank 33 has a substantially cylindrical or conical shape with a bottom that is approximately equal to the outer diameter of the shock wave transducer 15 . A bellows 33a that can expand and contract in the direction of arrow B or within a predetermined angle with that direction is formed on its side surface, and its bottom portion 37 is made of a thin film having an acoustic impedance approximately equal to that of water. The details are shown in Figure 2.

As shown in the figure, a notch 37a is formed in the center of the bottom 37, and is formed to correspond to the side surface shape of the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface 16a of the ultrasonic transducer 16. 37a and the side surface of the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface 16a of the ultrasonic transducer 16 are fixed by welding or bonding. Therefore, the thin film can be deformed as the ultrasonic transducer 16 moves. Further, due to this configuration, the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface 16a, together with the thin film, comes into direct contact with the subject surface 32S.

In addition, in this example, the snake l! 33a is formed so that it can maintain its posture when no force is applied from the outside. This can be done, for example, by appropriately setting the material of the bellows 33a or by providing an auxiliary tool.

FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of the water tank 33.

The water tanks 44 shown in the figure have a bellows 33a formed on the side surface in common, but this embodiment differs in that a cylindrical member 45 having the same shape as a notch 46a formed in the center of the bottom 46 is formed. That is, a cylindrical member 45 having the same dimensions as the outer diameter of the notch 46a is formed from the bottom 46 to around the upper end 448 of the side surface, and the upper end 458 is formed around the notch 43 formed at the center of the shock wave transducer 15. I'm trying to glue it together. Therefore, shock wave transducer 1
When this water tank 44 is attached to the tank 5, the water filled inside will not leak to the outside. The ultrasonic transducer 16 is then inserted into this cylindrical member 45. Note that this cylindrical member 45 may be formed integrally with the bottom of the water tank 44, or may be formed from a different material. The external appearance of the shock wave applicator having such a structure is shown in FIG. By the way, although the aquariums shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 have bellows formed on their sides, this is not necessarily necessary and may be formed as needed.

Operation of the shock wave therapy device configured as described above.

The effect will be explained mainly assuming a case where a renal stone 39 in the kidney shown at 38 in FIG. 1 is crushed and treated.

First, the water tank 33 provided in the shock wave applicator 17
is placed on the surface 32S of the subject 32, and in this state, one transmitting/receiving circuit, the signal processing circuit 20, and the signal conversion system 21 are controlled to drive the hypertongue transducer 16 to display the image on the screen of the display means 27. Displays a tomographic image of the subject. In this case, the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface 16a of the ultrasonic transducer 16 comes into direct contact with the subject surface 328, so that a clear tomographic image can be obtained by eliminating the effects of the bottom of the tank, water, etc.

Therefore, it becomes easy to grasp and recognize non-shredded objects.

When the kidney image 38 is depicted in the kidney layer image in this tomographic image, the kidney stone image 39 therein is searched for.

In this case, the position of the concave camera element (not shown), the shock wave transmission region 41 of the shock wave transducer 15 and the focal point marker 26 are displayed on the display means 27 based on the signals transmitted and received from the CPU 22 to the signal conversion system 21. Each of the tomographic images of the subject 32 is displayed at a fixed position, and the display area of the tomographic image of the subject 32 that is displayed in real time changes as the shock wave applicator 17 moves. In this case, the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface 16a of the ultrasonic transducer 16 is placed in the shock wave transmitting area that reaches the focal point from the shock wave transmitting surface 15a of the shock wave transducer 15, so that the display position of non-fragile objects is positioned at the center of the screen. can be done. Therefore, it becomes easy to confirm non-crushed items. Furthermore, since the relative positional relationship between the ultrasonic transducer 16 and the shock wave transducer 15 can be adjusted, the treatment can be easily performed.

Then, at the stage when the kidney stone image 39 is depicted in the tomographic image, the shock wave applicator 17 is roughly adjusted so that the kidney stone image 39 is located within the focal point marker 26, and in this state to fix the shock wave applicator 17. In this case, since the bellows 33a maintains its set posture, the shock wave applicator can be easily fixed.

Next, the operator operates the first switch of the pulse generation switch 29 and the CPU 22. A control signal is transmitted to the pulser 18 via the controller 23.

This causes the pulser 18 to shock wave transducer 15.
A pulse signal is transmitted to the shock wave transducer 15.
transmits a strong energy ultrasonic pulse (shock wave for crushing non-crushable objects) toward the kidney stone 39 located at a position corresponding to the position of the focal point marker 26.

This ultrasonic pulse becomes a shock wave at the location of the kidney stone 39,
Destroys kidney stones.

By repeating the generation of such ultrasonic pulses as many times as necessary, the entire kidney stone 39 can be destroyed and treated.

Note that since the subject is moving slightly due to heartbeat, breathing, etc., the subject signal detection element 28 is placed in advance on the subject's hand 2.
The object signal obtained from the object signal detection element 28 and the pulse switch 2 are brought into contact with the foot, chest, nose, etc.
The CPU 22 synchronizes the signal from the pulsar 1 with the signal from the pulsar 1.
It is more effective if the timing of sending out the pulse signal from 8 is controlled.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the invention.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case of crushing kidney stones has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be applied to crushing gallstones, etc. Further, when the water tank 33 or 44 configured as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is used, there is no need to waterproof the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer in addition to the above-mentioned effects.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a shock wave therapy device that allows easy identification of objects to be crushed within a subject.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a shock wave applicator used in the shock wave treatment device of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are perspective views including a partial cross section showing an embodiment of a water tank, and FIG. 4 is a view similar to the one shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the structure of the shock wave treatment device of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 and 7 are cross-sectional views of a conventional shock wave applicator. 15... Shock wave transducer, 15a... Shock wave transmitting surface, 16... Ultrasonic transducer, 16a... Ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface, 17... Shock wave applicator, 32... Subject, 32S...・Subject surface, 33.4
4...Aquarium, 418...Focusing point. Funeral Figure 2 Funeral Figure 3 Figure 7

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A shock wave therapy device including a shock wave applicator that transmits shock waves toward a subject, wherein the shock wave applicator includes a shock wave transducer that forms a focal point of shock waves for crushing non-fragile objects within the subject; A water tank provided on the shock wave transmitting surface of the shock wave transducer is placed within the shock wave transmitting region from the shock wave transmitting surface of the shock wave transducer to the focal point, and the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface is in contact with the surface of the subject. A shock wave treatment device comprising: an ultrasonic transducer that forms a sound field region including a focal point and collects tomographic image data of the subject. (2) The shock wave therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the water tank has a notch formed in a surface that comes into contact with the subject to correspond to the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving surface of the ultrasonic transducer. (3) The shock wave therapy device according to claim 1, wherein the water tank has a substantially cylindrical shape with an insertion hole in the center through which an ultrasonic transducer can be inserted.