KR101625646B1 - Real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method and ultrasound medical device thereof - Google Patents

Real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method and ultrasound medical device thereof Download PDF

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KR101625646B1
KR101625646B1 KR1020150114766A KR20150114766A KR101625646B1 KR 101625646 B1 KR101625646 B1 KR 101625646B1 KR 1020150114766 A KR1020150114766 A KR 1020150114766A KR 20150114766 A KR20150114766 A KR 20150114766A KR 101625646 B1 KR101625646 B1 KR 101625646B1
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South Korea
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hifu
signal
monitoring
cavitation
probe
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KR1020150114766A
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Korean (ko)
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김대승
김명덕
강국진
손건호
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알피니언메디칼시스템 주식회사
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Priority to KR1020150114766A priority Critical patent/KR101625646B1/en
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Priority to FR1657671A priority patent/FR3039994B1/en

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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N7/02—Localised ultrasound hyperthermia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N2007/0052—Ultrasound therapy using the same transducer for therapy and imaging
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • A61N2007/0078—Ultrasound therapy with multiple treatment transducers

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
  • Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
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Abstract

Disclosed are a method of real-time monitoring a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment and an ultrasound medical device thereof, capable of detecting a location and a size of an HIFU cavitation through HIFU treatment monitoring in real-time while conducting HIFU treatment. The method of real-time monitoring the HIFU treatment according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the steps of: configuring an HIFU signal by combining an HIFU signal for monitoring and an HIFU signal for treatment; and monitoring by transmitting the HIFU signal for monitoring through an HIFU probe during the treatment and receiving a reflected signal through an imaging probe.

Description

Technical Field [0001] The present invention relates to a real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method and an ultrasound medical device,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a therapeutic technique using ultrasound, and more particularly to a signal processing and treatment monitoring technique using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU).

High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) signals can be used to treat living tissues such as cancer, tumors, lesions, and the like. The treatment method using HIFU is a method in which a tissue of the object is necrotized through heat generated by transmitting a HIFU signal to a target of the object. Compared to general surgery or chemotherapy methods, HIFU treatment can lessen the trauma of patients and realize non-invasive treatment. Examples of the application include liver cancer, bone sarcoma, breast cancer, pancreas cancer, kidney cancer, soft tissue tumor, and pelvic tumor ).

According to the treatment method using HIFU, the ultrasound image is obtained by examining the HIFU signal to the object to be treated and receiving the backscattering signal of the HIFU back from the object. Examination of the HIFU on the subject may cause cavitation at the focus of the subject. The cavitation phenomenon means that small bubbles are formed due to the action of the negative pressure and the positive pressure caused by the pressure change in the object while the ultrasonic wave touches the object, and the cells in the object are destroyed as the bubbles are repeatedly expanded . Cavitation promotes temperature elevation of the focal area of the object, thereby damaging the lesion corresponding to the focal area and treating the disease.

According to one embodiment, a real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method and an ultrasound medical apparatus capable of confirming HIFU cavitation position and size through real-time monitoring of HIFU treatment while performing HIFU treatment are proposed.

A method for monitoring a real-time HIFU treatment according to an embodiment includes constructing a HIFU signal by combining a monitoring HIFU signal and a therapeutic HIFU signal, and transmitting a monitoring HIFU signal through a HIFU probe during treatment, Lt; RTI ID = 0.0 > and / or < / RTI >

In the step of constructing the HIFU signal according to the embodiment, the HIFU signal for monitoring is formed by combining the HIFU signal for monitoring with the pulse shape shorter than the therapeutic HIFU signal with the therapeutic HIFU signal.

The time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal and the treatment HIFU signal is determined on the basis of the depth up to the lesion when the HIFU signal for monitoring and the HIFU signal for treatment are combined in the step of constructing the HIFU signal according to an embodiment.

The real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method according to an exemplary embodiment further includes a step of analyzing a change in a reflected signal through monitoring to determine a cavitation position and a size. The step of determining the cavitation position and size comprises the steps of: extracting a HIFU cavitation signal from the reflected signal; sensing bubble generation by analyzing the size or frequency of the extracted HIFU cavitation signal; And determining cavitation location and magnitude from the magnitude or frequency variation of the HIFU cavitation signal.

The real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method according to an embodiment further includes transmitting a therapeutic HIFU signal through the HIFU probe to the determined cavitation position. In the step of transmitting the therapeutic HIFU signal through the HIFU probe, the HIFU signal can be transmitted by further reflecting the blood flow volume and tissue characteristics of the subject.

The real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method according to an embodiment further includes controlling the monitoring HIFU signal according to the determined cavitation position and size. The step of controlling the HIFU signal for monitoring may include the steps of increasing the frequency or intensity of the HIFU signal for monitoring if the cavitation size is less than a preset threshold value and increasing the frequency or intensity of the monitoring HIFU signal if the cavitation size is greater than a preset threshold value. And stopping the increase in intensity.

A method for monitoring a real-time HIFU treatment according to an exemplary embodiment includes the steps of: applying a HIFU signal combined with a monitoring HIFU signal and a therapeutic HIFU signal to all channels of a HIFU probe according to a time delay; And then applying an imaging ultrasound signal to the imaging probe. The monitoring HIFU signal and the imaging ultrasonic signal may be different in frequency and size.

A method for monitoring a real-time HIFU treatment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: generating a focus image of a target by signal processing a HIFU cavitation signal reflected by a monitoring HIFU signal; processing the medium image signal reflected by the imaging ultrasound signal And generating a medium image of the object.

The ultrasonic medical apparatus according to another embodiment includes a HIFU control unit for configuring a HIFU signal by combining a monitoring HIFU signal and a therapeutic HIFU signal, a HIFU probe for transmitting a monitoring HIFU signal during treatment, An imaging probe for receiving the reflected signal, and a monitoring unit for monitoring the reflected signal received through the imaging probe.

The monitoring unit analyzes the change of the reflected signal through the monitoring to determine the position and size of the cavitation. At this time, the HIFU control unit can control the HIFU probe to transmit the therapeutic HIFU signal to the cavitation position determined through the monitoring unit. The HIFU control unit can control the monitoring HIFU signal according to the cavitation position and size determined through the monitoring unit.

The ultrasonic medical apparatus according to an embodiment further includes a synchronization unit for synchronizing a transmission time point or a reception time point between the HIFU probe and the imaging probe.

The ultrasonic medical apparatus according to one embodiment processes a HIFU cavitation signal reflected by a monitoring HIFU signal to generate a focus image of a target object, processes a medium image signal reflected by the imaging ultrasonic signal, And an image processing unit for generating the image.

The ultrasonic medical device according to another embodiment includes a HIFU probe for transmitting a HIFU signal, an imaging probe for synchronizing with a HIFU probe, a therapeutic HIFU signal, and a treatment HIFU signal at a time interval with a therapeutic HIFU signal, And a HIFU control unit for configuring the HIFU signal by combining pulse-type monitoring HIFU signals having a shorter length than the signal.

The HIFU controller according to an embodiment applies a monitoring HIFU signal to a HIFU probe for judging cavitation position and size during treatment, and applies a therapeutic HIFU signal to a HIFU probe when cavitation position and size are determined.

According to one embodiment, the HIFU focus position can be visualized in real time while the HIFU treatment is being performed, and the treatment process can be monitored in real time. Further, it is possible to monitor the formation of cavitation at a desired position during the HIFU treatment, the progress of the treatment in real time, and confirm the focus position for transmitting the therapeutic HIFU signal for HIFU treatment.

Furthermore, since the monitoring HIFU signal is separated from the therapeutic HIFU signal and the monitoring HIFU signal is configured as a pulse shape shorter than the therapeutic HIFU signal, the HIFU treatment process can be monitored in real time, and the HIFU treatment period Can be minimized.

Further, when the HIFU signal combining the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal is determined, the time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal is determined based on the depth up to the lesion, It is possible to prevent the noise caused by the therapeutic HIFU signal from being observed by the signal, to monitor the progress of the treatment well and to visualize the focus position.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the image processing unit of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a waveform diagram of a HIFU signal and an imaging ultrasonic signal according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a monitoring interval and a treatment interval according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 6 is a reference view showing a state in which a synchronized imaging ultrasound signal and a HIFU signal are transmitted according to an embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention;
8 is a flowchart illustrating a reflected signal monitoring process according to an embodiment of the present invention.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a HIFU signal control process for monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear. In addition, the terms described below are defined in consideration of the functions of the present invention, which may vary depending on the intention of the user, the operator, or the custom. Therefore, the definition should be based on the contents throughout this specification.

1 is a cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic medical device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

1, an ultrasound medical apparatus for treatment of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) includes an imaging probe 10 and a HIFU probe 11. The structure of the imaging probe 10 and the HIFU probe 11 may vary. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a HIFU probe 11 is formed around the imaging probe 10, and a HIFU probe 11, the imaging probe 10 is formed. However, the structure of the imaging probe 10 and the HIFU probe 11 is not limited thereto, and can be variously modified.

According to the present invention, the HIFU treatment is monitored in real time during the HIFU treatment. To this end, a monitoring HIFU signal and a therapeutic HIFU signal are combined to form a HIFU signal. During the treatment, a monitoring HIFU signal is transmitted through the HIFU probe 11, and a reflection signal is received and monitored through the imaging probe 10 .

The monitoring HIFU signal according to one embodiment is used to determine the cavitation position and size in real time during HIFU treatment. For example, a monitoring HIFU signal is transmitted through the HIFU probe 11, and the cavitation state occurring during the HIFU treatment is received as a reflection signal through the imaging probe 10 and monitored. By monitoring the reflected signal, the change of the reflected signal can be analyzed to determine the position and size of the cavitation in real time. When the cavitation position is detected using the HIFU signal for monitoring, the HIFU probe 11 can perform HIFU treatment by transmitting the therapeutic HIFU signal to the cavitation position.

One common method for monitoring cavitation conditions is active cavitation mapping. The active cavitation mapping method monitors the position and size of cavitation by calculating the amplitude difference between the image signal of the object before the treatment HIFU signal examination and the image signal of the object after the treatment HIFU signal irradiation. However, the active cavitation mapping method is not easy to perform cavitation monitoring because of the large variation caused by cavitation before and after HIFU signal irradiation.

Another common method for monitoring cavitation conditions is passive acoustic mapping. The passive acoustic mapping scheme transmits the therapeutic HIFU signal and acquires the reflected signal through the imaging probe to monitor the cavitation occurrence location and size. However, it is difficult to monitor the location and size of cavitation.

In contrast, the present invention transmits a monitoring HIFU signal, which is distinguished from the therapeutic HIFU signal, to the HIFU probe 11 during the HIFU treatment and receives the cavitation state generated during the HIFU treatment as a reflection signal through the imaging probe 10 . This method is referred to as a real-time cavitation mapping method in the sense that the cavitation state can be monitored in real time during the HIFU treatment. According to the real-time cavitation mapping method, the HIFU focus position can be visualized in real time while the HIFU treatment is performed, and the treatment process can be monitored in real time. For example, it is possible to monitor the formation of cavitation at a desired position during the HIFU treatment, the progress of the treatment in real time, and confirm the focal position at which the therapeutic HIFU signal for treatment of HIFU is transmitted. The focus position corresponds to the monitored cavitation occurrence position.

Hereinafter, a real-time cavitation mapping method and a configuration of the ultrasonic medical apparatus will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

2 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic medical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2, the ultrasonic medical apparatus 1 includes an imaging probe 10, a HIFU probe 11, a control unit 12, a monitoring unit 13, an image processing unit 14, an input unit 15, a display unit 16, and a storage unit 17. The control unit 12 may include a HIFU control unit 120 and a synchronization unit 122.

The positions of the respective components are not limited to the embodiment of FIG. 2, and various modifications may be applied to the other modules in the ultrasonic medical device 1. [ For example, although the synchronization unit 122 is located in the control unit 12 in FIG. 1, the synchronization unit 122 may be separately configured. As another example, the monitoring unit 13 may be located in the image processing unit 14. [

The HIFU probe 11 transmits a HIFU signal, which is a combination of a monitoring HIFU signal and a therapeutic HIFU signal, to the object during the HIFU treatment. The HIFU probe 11 may be an array type probe composed of a plurality of elements. At this time, the HIFU signal can be transmitted by dividing each element and dedicated to different scan lines.

The monitoring HIFU signal is distinguished from the therapeutic HIFU signal. For example, the monitoring HIFU signal has a pulse shape that is shorter than the therapeutic HIFU signal. The forms of the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal will be described below with reference to FIG. The time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal can be set in consideration of the depth to the lesion. For example, when a HIFU signal is transmitted through each channel of the HIFU probe 11, a monitoring period (a so-called " HIFU " the monitoring period is set, and thereafter the treatment period is set. An example of setting the monitoring interval and the treatment interval will be described later with reference to FIG.

The imaging probe 10 receives a reflection signal returned from the object by the HIFU signal transmitted through the HIFU probe 11. [ The reflected signal is a backscattering signal, which includes a HIFU cavitation signal generated by a cavitation phenomenon. The cavitation phenomenon means that small bubbles are formed due to the action of the negative pressure and the positive pressure caused by the pressure change in the object while the ultrasonic wave touches the object, and the cells in the object are destroyed as the bubbles are repeatedly expanded .

The imaging probe 10 according to one embodiment is capable of both transmitting and receiving imaging ultrasonic signals. For example, an imaging ultrasonic signal is transmitted (Tx) to a target object, and both the reflection signal by the imaging ultrasonic signal and the reflection signal by the HIFU signal of the HIFU probe 11 are received (Rx). The reflection signal by the imaging ultrasonic signal is a medium image signal for generating an image for the medium of the object. The imaging ultrasound signal refers to an ultrasound signal transmitted by the imaging probe 10 to a medium of a target object to acquire a whole image of the target medium. The reflected signal by the HIFU signal is a HIFU cavitation signal that is returned from the object by the HIFU signal transmitted to the target of the object via the HIFU probe 11. [

When the imaging probe 10 transmits an imaging ultrasonic signal, the imaging probe 10 and the HIFU probe 11 are synchronized in transmission timing by the synchronization unit 122. [ For example, the synchronization unit 122 synchronizes the transmission time point so that the HIFU signal transmitted through the HIFU probe 11 and the imaging ultrasonic signal transmitted through the imaging probe 10 reach the focal point at the same time . This synchronization can be made according to the distance information between the imaging probe 10 and the focal point position, the distance information between the HIFU probe 11 and the focal point position, the imaging ultrasonic signal, and the moving speed information that the HIFU signal moves within the medium of the object have. On the other hand, the imaging probe 10 may not receive the imaging ultrasonic signal, but may receive only the reflection signal by the HIFU signal transmitted through the HIFU probe 11. In this case, the reception timing of the imaging probe 10 is synchronized by the synchronization unit 122. [

The monitoring unit 13 analyzes the reflection signal received through the imaging probe 10, and determines the position and size of the cavitation by analyzing the change of the reflected signal. When the cavitation position is determined, the HIFU control unit 120 controls the HIFU probe 11 to transmit the therapeutic HIFU signal to the focal position corresponding to the determined cavitation position. The HIFU probe 11 control includes the orientation of the HIFU probe 11. Therapeutic HIFU signals are used to treat lesions at the focal spot.

The image processing unit 14 processes the reflection signal received by the imaging probe 10 to generate an image. The reflected signal may include a HIFU cavitation signal and a medium image signal. The image processing unit 14 according to an exemplary embodiment processes a HIFU cavitation signal to generate a focus image of a target object. Then, the medium image signal is processed to generate a medium image of the object. Further, the image processing unit 14 can map the focus image of the object and the medium image of the object. The focus image of the object is generated based on the focus position of the object, and the medium image of the object is the entire image generated on the medium of the object. The image generated through the image processing unit 14 may be output to the screen through the display unit 16.

The input unit 15 receives an instruction by a user's operation or input. The user command may be a control command or the like for controlling the ultrasonic medical device 1. [ The display unit 16 outputs the image generated by the image processing unit 14 as a B-mode or a C-mode image. The storage unit 17 stores various data necessary for driving the ultrasonic medical device 1 and various data generated when the ultrasonic medical device 1 is driven.

3 is a detailed configuration diagram of the image processing unit of FIG. 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3, the image processing unit 14 includes a beamformer 132, a signal processor 134, and a scan converter 136.

The beam former 132 according to an embodiment focuses the reflection signal received through the imaging probe 10 to generate frame data, which is raw data. The beam former 132 may form a receive focusing signal based on the electrical digital signal converted by the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). Under the control of the synchronization unit 122, the beam former 132 applies appropriate delay to each electrical digital signal in consideration of the time for the reflection signal to reach the imaging probe 10 from the object, and then sums the signals to form a reception focusing signal .

A beam former 132 according to one embodiment is connected to the HIFU probe 11 to focus the HIFU signal and to be connected to the imaging probe 10 to focus the imaging ultrasound signal. The beam former 132 may form a transmission focus signal under the control of the synchronization unit 122. [ The beam former 132 is connected to the imaging probe 10 and the imaging probe 10 under the control of the synchronization unit 122 when the imaging probe 10 transmits the imaging ultrasonic signal or the HIFU probe 11 transmits the HIFU signal. The driving timing of the HIFU probe 11 is adjusted to focus the ultrasound signal at a focal point position corresponding to the focal position information.

The signal processing unit 134 digitally processes the frame data signal generated by the beam former 132 to generate an image. For example, the signal processor 134 processes a medium image signal received through the imaging probe 10 to form a medium image of the object. The medium image of the object can be transmitted to the display unit 16 and output. The signal processing unit 134 processes the HIFU cavitation signal received through the imaging probe 10 to generate a focus image of the object. The focus image of the object can be transmitted to the display unit 16 and output.

The scan converter 136 converts the image into a data format used in the display unit 16 of the predetermined scan line display format. The scan converter 136 converts the image into a data form that is displayed on the actual display unit 16.

4 is a waveform diagram of a HIFU signal and an imaging ultrasound signal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the monitoring HIFU signal 110 and the therapeutic HIFU signal 112 of the HIFU probe 11 are distinguished. The monitoring HIFU signal 110 may be in the form of a pulse having a shorter length than the therapeutic HIFU signal 112. For example, the HIFU signal for monitoring may be a pulse signal having a length of (110) several tens of ms. Unlike the therapeutic HIFU signal 112, the HIFU signal 110 for monitoring is generated only as short as necessary for non-therapeutic monitoring. The HIFU signal 110 for monitoring may be a pulse of 1 to 20 pulses repeatedly, but the number and intensity of pulses are adjustable. In contrast, the therapeutic HIFU signal 112 may be a burst signal comprised of several tens or more pulses. The monitoring HIFU signal 110 and the treatment HIFU signal 112 may have the same intensity, but may be different from each other. Since the monitoring HIFU signal 110 is very short compared to the therapeutic HIFU signal 112, it is possible to monitor the cavitation state in real time within a short monitoring interval and to minimize the HIFU treatment delay due to monitoring.

The monitoring HIFU signal 110 of the HIFU probe 11 is also distinguished from the imaging ultrasonic signal 100 of the imaging probe 10. [ For example, the monitoring HIFU signal 110 is larger in magnitude and lower in frequency than the imaging ultrasound signal 100. The HIFU signal 110 for monitoring and the imaging ultrasound signal 100 can be distinguished from each other so that the reflected signal from the monitoring HIFU signal 110 and the reflected ultrasound signal 100 can be distinguished from each other.

Referring to FIG. 4, the monitoring section? D 42 is a section for monitoring the reflection signal by the monitoring HIFU signal 110. In the monitoring section? D 42, the treatment HIFU signal 112 is applied to the image Do not show. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of noise due to the therapeutic HIFU signal in the monitoring section? D (42), monitor the progress of the treatment well, and visualize the focal position.

For this, the time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal 110 and the therapeutic HIFU signal 112 can be set in consideration of the imaging depth to the lesion. For example, when the HIFU signal is transmitted through each channel of the HIFU probe 11, even the reflected signal of the monitoring HIFU signal 110 transmitted through the channel that is farthest to the lesion is also within the monitoring interval? D 42 The monitoring section? D 42 is set so that it can be received, and thereafter the treatment section? H 44 is set. The monitoring interval τd (42) can be calculated by [2 × Imaging Depth / Sound Velocity].

Therapeutic interval τH (44) is the therapeutic HIFU signal transmission period. The synchronization time τ0 (46) is a time for synchronization of transmission time between the HIFU signal and the imaging ultrasonic signal. The sum of the monitoring interval τd (42) and the treatment interval τH (44) corresponds to a pulse repetition time (PRT), and the pulse repetition interval may be repeated a predetermined number of times. The delay time (tau i) 40 is the time delayed for synchronization with the imaging probe 10 for each HIFU channel of the HIFU probe 11. The HIFU signal combined with the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal is applied to the HIFU channels reflecting the delay time? I (40) for each HIFU channel.

FIG. 5 is a time chart showing a monitoring interval and a treatment interval according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the monitoring interval? D 42 is set so that the therapeutic HIFU signal is not visible in the monitoring interval? D 42. At this time, the time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal 110 and the therapeutic HIFU signal 112 can be set in consideration of the imaging depth to the lesion. For example, when the HIFU signal is transmitted through each channel of the HIFU probe 11, even the reflected signal of the monitoring HIFU signal 110 transmitted through the channel that is farthest to the lesion is also within the monitoring interval? D 42 The monitoring section? D 42 is set so that it can be received, and thereafter the treatment section? H 44 is set.

6 is a reference view showing a state in which a synchronized imaging ultrasound signal and a HIFU signal are transmitted according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6, since the imaging probe 10 must acquire an image of the whole medium of a target object, the imaging probe 10 is formed in a fan shape on the basis of the point where the imaging probe 10 is located, from one end line 610 to the other end line 620). ≪ / RTI > In contrast, the HIFU probe 11 can transmit the HIFU signal to the target of the object corresponding to the focal point position 600. The HIFU signal consists of a combination of a monitoring HIFU signal 110 and a therapeutic HIFU signal 112.

A path difference occurs in the distance to the focus position 600 according to the position of the HIFU probe 11 composed of a plurality of elements. At this time, the HIFU signal is reflected by reflecting the path difference so that each HIFU signal reaches the focal point position 600 at the same time. Thus, the HIFU signal reaches the focus position 600 at the same time for each element of the HIFU probe 11, regardless of the distance to and from the focus position 600. The imaging probe 12 sets the synchronization time? 0 so that the HIFU signal transmitted through the HIFU probe 11 and the imaging ultrasound signal transmitted through the imaging probe 12 reach the same time in the focus position 600, And transmits the imaging ultrasonic signal to the focus position 600 in synchronization with the synchronization time? 0.

Fig. 5 shows a configuration in which the imaging probe 10 is disposed at the center and the HIFU probe 11 is arranged to be linearly symmetrical on both sides of the imaging probe 10. Fig. The HIFU probe 11 located at both ends becomes the HIFU probe 11 located farthest from the focal point position 600 when the focal point is positioned below the imaging probe 10. [ It is possible to adjust the ultrasonic wave generation timing of the remaining HIFU probes 11 and the imaging probe 10 based on this.

Of course, the imaging probe 10 is not necessarily in the middle, the probes do not have to be on the same plane, and the HIFU probe 11 need not be symmetrical. Any of the HIFU signals and the imaging ultrasound signals proposed in the present embodiment, which are arranged to synchronously arrange the probes so as to reach the same time in the focus position 600, corresponds to the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 7, the HIFU control unit 120 combines the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal to configure a HIFU signal (700). The HIFU control unit 120 can form a HIFU signal by combining a monitoring HIFU signal having a pulse shape shorter than the therapeutic HIFU signal with a therapeutic HIFU signal. The monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal may have the same intensity but may be different from each other. When combining the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal, the time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal can be determined based on the depth to the lesion.

The HIFU probe 11 then transmits 710 the monitoring HIFU signal during treatment and the imaging probe 10 receives 720 the reflected signal. At this time, the synchronization unit 122 can receive the reflected signal by synchronizing the reflection signal reception timing of the imaging probe 10. The synchronization unit 122 synchronizes the transmission timing of the imaging probe 10 with the HIFU probe 11 when the imaging probe 10 transmits the imaging ultrasonic signal. When the transmission time is synchronized, the imaging probe 10 can receive the reflection signal for the HIFU signal and the reflection signal for the imaging ultrasonic signal at the same time. The monitoring HIFU signal and the imaging ultrasonic signal may be different in frequency and size.

Then, the monitoring unit 13 analyzes the change of the reflected signal through the reflection signal monitoring to determine the cavitation position and size (730). The reflected signal monitoring process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

Then, the HIFU control unit 120 controls the HIFU probe 11 to transmit the treatment HIFU signal through the HIFU probe 11 to the determined cavitation position. Under the control of the HIFU control unit 120, the HIFU probe 11 transmits the therapeutic HIFU signal to the cavitation position (740). At this time, the HIFU probe 11 can transmit the HIFU signal by further reflecting the blood flow volume and tissue characteristics of the subject.

8 is a flowchart illustrating a reflected signal monitoring process according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the monitoring unit 13 extracts a HIFU cavitation signal from the reflected signal (800). The HIFU cavitation signal and the medium image signal included in the reflected signal can be easily distinguished because they are different in size or frequency.

Then, the monitoring unit 13 detects bubble generation through analysis of the extracted HIFU cavitation signal (810). For example, when the HIFU signal is transmitted through the HIFU probe 11, a cavitation phenomenon occurs in the target of the object, and the size of the HIFU cavitation signal suddenly increases, thereby detecting the occurrence of bubbles. The cavitation phenomenon means that small bubbles are formed due to the action of negative pressure and positive pressure caused by the pressure change in the object while the ultrasonic wave touches the object.

Then, the monitoring unit 13 determines the cavitation position and size through a change in the size or frequency of the HIFU cavitation signal due to the bubble destruction after the detection of bubbles (820). During the bubble destruction, the temperature rises and the treatment tissue becomes necrotic, the cavitation position and size at that time can be judged, and the HIFU treatment can be monitored from the judged cavitation position and size. The focus position of the therapeutic HIFU signal to be transmitted through the HIFU probe 11 can be determined. The focus position corresponds to the determined cavitation position.

9 is a flowchart illustrating a HIFU signal control process for monitoring according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9, the HIFU controller 120 controls the monitoring HIFU signal according to the cavitation position and size determined through the monitoring unit 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, the monitoring unit 13 monitors the reflection signal 900 to determine the cavitation position and size (910). The determined cavitation size is compared with a preset threshold (920). At this time, monitoring is difficult if the cavitation size is smaller than the threshold value, so the number or intensity of the monitoring HIFU signal is increased through the HIFU controller 120 (930). Then, when the cavitation size is larger than the threshold value at the time of comparing the threshold value with the cavitation size (920), the number of HIFU signals for monitoring or increasing the intensity is stopped (940). The threshold value may be set differently depending on the tissue characteristics of the subject, the type of the lesion, and the like.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Therefore, the disclosed embodiments should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description, and all differences within the scope of equivalents thereof should be construed as being included in the present invention.

1: ultrasonic medical device 10: imaging probe
11: HIFU probe 12: control unit
13: monitoring unit 14: image processing unit
15: Input unit 16:
17: storage unit 120: HIFU control unit
122: Synchronization part 142: Beamformer
144: Signal processor 146: Scan converter

Claims (21)

A real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method using an ultrasonic medical device, the ultrasonic medical device comprising:
Constructing a HIFU signal by combining a pulse-type monitoring HIFU signal having a shorter length than the therapeutic HIFU signal with a therapeutic HIFU signal; And
Transmitting a monitoring HIFU signal through a HIFU probe during treatment and receiving and monitoring a reflected signal through an imaging probe;
And monitoring the HIFU treatment. delete 2. The method of claim 1, wherein configuring the HIFU signal comprises:
Wherein the time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal is determined based on the depth to the lesion when the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal are combined. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method comprises:
Analyzing a change in the reflected signal to determine a cavitation position and size through monitoring;
Further comprising the steps of: 5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining cavitation location and size comprises:
Extracting a HIFU cavitation signal from the reflected signal;
Detecting bubbles by analyzing the size or frequency of the extracted HIFU cavitation signal; And
Determining the cavitation position and size from the magnitude or frequency variation of the HIFU cavitation signal due to bubble destruction after bubble generation detection;
And monitoring the HIFU treatment. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method comprises:
Transmitting the therapeutic HIFU signal through the HIFU probe to the determined cavitation position;
Further comprising the steps of: 7. The method of claim 6, wherein transmitting the therapeutic HIFU signal via a HIFU probe comprises:
Wherein the HIFU signal is transmitted by further reflecting the blood flow of the subject and the characteristics of the tissue. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method comprises:
Controlling the monitoring HIFU signal according to the determined cavitation position and size;
Further comprising the steps of: 9. The method of claim 8, wherein controlling the HIFU signal for monitoring comprises:
Increasing the frequency or intensity of the monitoring HIFU signal if the cavitation size is less than a predetermined threshold; And
Stopping the increase or increase in intensity of the monitoring HIFU signal if the cavitation size is greater than a preset threshold;
And monitoring the HIFU treatment. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method comprises:
Applying a HIFU signal combined with a monitoring HIFU signal and a therapeutic HIFU signal to all channels of the HIFU probe according to a time delay; And
Applying an imaging ultrasound signal to an imaging probe according to a transmission time synchronized with a HIFU probe;
Further comprising the steps of: 11. The method of claim 10,
Wherein the monitoring HIFU signal and the imaging ultrasonic signal are different in frequency and size from each other. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method
Processing a HIFU cavitation signal reflected by the monitoring HIFU signal to generate a focus image of the object; And
Generating a medium image of a target object by processing a medium image signal reflected by the imaging ultrasonic signal;
Further comprising the steps of: A HIFU control unit for configuring a HIFU signal by combining a pulse-type monitoring HIFU signal having a shorter length than the therapeutic HIFU signal with a therapeutic HIFU signal;
A HIFU probe for transmitting a monitoring HIFU signal during treatment;
An imaging probe for receiving a reflection signal by a monitoring HIFU signal; And
A monitoring unit monitoring a reflected signal received through the imaging probe;
And the ultrasonic medical device. 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the monitoring unit
Wherein the cavitation position and size are determined by analyzing the change of the reflected signal through monitoring. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HIFU control unit
And controls the HIFU probe to transmit the therapeutic HIFU signal to the cavitation position determined through the monitoring unit. 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the HIFU control unit
And controls the monitoring HIFU signal according to the cavitation position and size determined through the monitoring unit. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic medical device
A synchronization unit for synchronizing a transmission time point or a reception time point between the HIFU probe and the imaging probe;
Further comprising an ultrasonic transducer. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the ultrasonic medical device
An image processing unit for processing a HIFU cavitation signal reflected by the monitoring HIFU signal to generate a focus image of the object and signal processing the medium image signal reflected by the imaging ultrasonic signal to generate a medium image of the object;
Further comprising an ultrasonic transducer. delete delete 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the HIFU control unit
Wherein the time interval between the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal is determined based on the depth to the lesion when the monitoring HIFU signal and the therapeutic HIFU signal are combined.
KR1020150114766A 2015-08-13 2015-08-13 Real-time HIFU treatment monitoring method and ultrasound medical device thereof KR101625646B1 (en)

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Cited By (2)

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KR20190138369A (en) * 2018-06-05 2019-12-13 한국과학기술연구원 High-low intensity focused ultrasound treatment apparatus
KR102486574B1 (en) 2021-12-08 2023-01-11 (주)아이엠지티 Focused ultrasound apparatus and method for protecting image transducer

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11872085B2 (en) 2018-06-06 2024-01-16 Insightec, Ltd. Focused ultrasound system with optimized monitoring of cavitation
CN113117268B (en) * 2019-12-30 2023-12-15 重庆融海超声医学工程研究中心有限公司 Device for detecting cavitation effect and ultrasonic treatment equipment

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
KR20190138369A (en) * 2018-06-05 2019-12-13 한국과학기술연구원 High-low intensity focused ultrasound treatment apparatus
KR102124422B1 (en) * 2018-06-05 2020-06-18 한국과학기술연구원 High-low intensity focused ultrasound treatment apparatus
US11491352B2 (en) 2018-06-05 2022-11-08 Korea Institute Of Science And Technology High-low intensity focused ultrasound treatment apparatus
KR102486574B1 (en) 2021-12-08 2023-01-11 (주)아이엠지티 Focused ultrasound apparatus and method for protecting image transducer

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