CA2376103A1 - Active structural scanner for scanning in 3d mode data of unknown structures - Google Patents
Active structural scanner for scanning in 3d mode data of unknown structures Download PDFInfo
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- CA2376103A1 CA2376103A1 CA002376103A CA2376103A CA2376103A1 CA 2376103 A1 CA2376103 A1 CA 2376103A1 CA 002376103 A CA002376103 A CA 002376103A CA 2376103 A CA2376103 A CA 2376103A CA 2376103 A1 CA2376103 A1 CA 2376103A1
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
- A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/13—Tomography
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
- A61B8/0833—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings involving detecting or locating foreign bodies or organic structures
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
- A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
- A61B8/12—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters
Abstract
The invention relates to an active structure reader for recording, in 3D-mode, information regarding unidentified structures. The active structure reader emits emission signals with any modulation function from an emitter and receives, in their complete information content, the signals which are reflected by an unidentified structure or which pass through the same and are attenuated due to absorption. This active structure reader can be used in any location where an unidentified structure is embedded in a medium, e.g. in the field of medicine for examining the human or animal body. The active structure reader is characterized in that acoustic modules having emitting and receiving elements are arranged in known positions with regard to one another so that their acoustic irradiation spaces and receive spaces overlap on the structure to be examined.
Description
Active structural scanner for scanning in 3D mode data of unknown structures The invention refers to an active structural scanner for scanning in 3D mode data of unknown structures. The active structural scanner will transmit send signals subject to an arbitrary modulating function from a transmitter and will receive echo signals attenuated due to absorption of the structure and including its full data content. This active structural scanner may be used wherever an unknown structure is imbedded in a medium, for instance in medicine when examining a human or animal body.
Examination of organs in the human body by ultrasound has been known for some time.
This is mostly based on the use of linear ultrasonic heads, generally comprising individual piezo-electric units arranged side by side, emitting in sequence a pulse of an identical fi~equency to the organ to be examinod. These individual pulses are echoed one by one from acoustic interfaces, with the travel time of pulses being measured. The travel time is then used to define .the depth of the boundary of an organ or tumour.
As the unknown structure is only imbedded in a homogenous medium in exceptional cases, echo pulses are generated by the inhomogenities of the medium, resulting in rather blurred images in most cases, i.e. images of echo pulses are affected by more or le.~,s strong noise.
When examining living tissue, extensive experience is therefore required, in order to recognise the character of the structures to be examined.
In addition, images generated in this manner are two-dimensional only. A three-~~ional image may be obtained from these signals only when the structure to be 25. examined is scanned from a minimum of two different positions by pivoting the ultrasonic heads, from which a tbree-dimensional image is computed For this purpose, the two linear ultrasonic heads described are of a pivoted design and the struct~ue is scanned in layers by pivoting the ultrasonic heads. Individual layers are then converted by means of a computer to obtain a three-dimensional image. Under these conditions it is also feasible to display several phases of movement of a structure, such as a foetus. However, this method requires considerable computer time and the images generated are prone to the drawbacks descn'bed above.
Another drawback of this pmcess is the low resolution of the structures displayed.
Resolution will improve with increasing frequency. However, penetration depth will doerease at increasing frequencies. This may only be improved by increasing intensity.
The contradictory characteristics that resolution is improved with increasing frequency and penetration depth will decrease with increasing frequency, poses Particular problems in this context, due to the intensity of ultrasound not allowing random increases in each case.
When examining a human or animal body, it is frequently rather difficult and associated with considerable drawbacks to position a conventional ultrasonic head in the vicinity of diffcult to access organs. Ultrasonic scanning of the prostate gland, for instance, poses considerable problems. Other deeper lying organs, too, frequently are very difficult to scan or cannot be scanned at all.
It is therefore the task of this invention to overcome the drawbacks of the state of technology and to propose an active scanner for any signals echoed from as unknown structtwe or signals attenuated due to absorption of the said structure. The scanner should provide data for high-resolution images and allow scanning and display of unknown structures in 3D mode. The scanner for data of an unknown st<vcture imbedded in a.
medium should be designed to allow easiest positioning in the vicinity of an unknown structure and/or scanning data of the position and siu of an unlmown sttvcture are simply as possible.
The task of the invention is solved by an active stzvctural scantier in accordance with Claims 1 to 4.
A first embodiment of an active st<uctural scanner for scanning in 3D mode data of structures imbedded in a medium, comprises two acoustic modules, the first acoustic module of which comprises a multitude of hansmitter units including a coherent acoustic - _ field and the second acoustic module a multitude of receiver units includiag a coherent receiving field. The acoustic modules are displaceable and an~anged in a minimum of three kown, non-collinear positions in a sensor unit. The two acoustic modules are so positioned to each other that the acoustic field of one acoustic module and the receiving field of the other acoustic module are fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of an unknown structure positioned between the acoustic modules, in all positions of the acoustic modules.
In each position of the acoustic modules, a send-receive cycle is triggered subject to an arbitrary modulating function of the send signals, with the send-receive cycle of the send signals being shorter than the cycle for changing the position of the acoustic modules.
In a first position of the acoustic modules in relation to each other, the first acoustic module of this st<uctw~al scanner, comprising transmitter units; will transmit to the structure a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function and including a coherent acoustic field, within a set frequency range and the acoustic module comprising the receiver units will receive the echo signals or any signals attenuated due to absorption after penetration of the structure, including the full data content for one dimension.
Subsequently, the position of the two acoustic modules to each other will be changed twice, with the send-receive cycle being repeated in each position. After three cycles, the full data content for all three dimensions will be available and a 3D display may be effected.
In another embodiment of the invention of the active sh uctural scanner for scanning in 3D
mode data of structu<~es imbedded in a medium, the design is such that it comprises three acoustic modules, of which at least one and at the most two acoustic modules comprise a multitude of transmitter waits, forming a coherent acoustic field, with the other acoustic modules) comprising a multitude of receiver units, forming a coherent rxeiving field. The acoustic modules are displaceable in relation to each other to a minimum of two known non-collinear positions aad arranged in a sensor unit. These non-collinear positions may also be reached by displacement of one acoustic module only. The acoustic fields of the hansmitter units and the receiving fields of the receiver units are fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of the unknown stivctiu~e in either position of the acoustic modules, and in each position of the acoustic modules a send signal, subject to an arbitrary modulating function, is triggered and the signals generated by the send signals subject to an arbitrary modulating ftmction are detected by the rxeiver units. This send-receive cycle between the acoustic modules is repeated between the acoustic modules in each position of the acoustic modules to each other by a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function, with the send-receive cycle being shorter than the cycle for changing the position-of the acoustic modules.
Use of this active structiu~al scanner will provide in one cycle the full data contents in two dimensions. Another cycle in a second position of the acoustic modules will be required, in order to scan and display all data in three dimensions:
In both embodiments, the acoustic modules are subjected to a change in position and the send-receive cycle is repeated in each position. Therefore specific conditions must be met by the send signals. The send-receive cycle must be terminated prior to the change in position of the acoustic modules being performed. The period of time from commencement of the send signal to the receipt of all signals generated in the medium must therefore be shorter than the length of the acoustic module condition in the present position.
In another embodiment, this active structural scanner for collecting data about structures imbedded in a medium in 3D mode, based on three acoustic modules, may also be of a design, in which the acoustic modules are arrangod in known positions in relation to each other; with the acoustic fields of the transmitter units and the receiving fields of the receiver units fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of the unknown structure. A
send signal subject to as arbitrary modulating function is triggered by the transmitter units on an acoustic module and the signals echoed by the medium are detected by the acoustic modules comprising receiver units. The change in position of one or more acoustic . modules may also be replaced by switching the mode of the active units.
In an active shvctural scanner for scanning in 3D mode data of structures imbedded is a medium, comprising thee acoustic modules and in which the position of the said acoustic modules is not changed, one of the acoustic modules comprises a multitude of transmitter units having a coherent acoustic field and the other acoustic modules comprise a multitude of receiver units having a coherent receiving field. The said acoustic modules are arranged in a sensor unit in known positions to each other and the acoustic field of one acoustic module and the receiving fields of the other acoustic modules are fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of the unlmown structure. A send-receive cycle subject to an arbitrary modulating function will be triggered between the acoustic modules.
After termination of the send-receive cycle, the transmitter units of the acoustic module are switched to receiving mode and the receiver units in at least one of the other acoustic modules are switched to transmitting mode and the send-receive cycle is repeated Ia this case, the send-receive cycle for the send signals must be shorter than the switching cycle of the active units of the said acoustic modules.
In another embodiment of this active struchnsl scanner, where no positional changes of the acoustic modules are effected, but in which two acoustic modules comprise transmitter units and only one acoustic module a receiver unit, the tzansmitter units of an acoustic module need only be switched to receiving mode. After switching of the active units, the second send-receive cycle is started. Here, too, the send-receive cycle between the acoustic modules is based on a send signal subject to as arbitrary modulating function, with the send-receive cycle for the send signals being shorter than the switching cycle of the active units of the acoustic modules.
In another embodiment of the active structural scanner according to this invention, a minimum of four acoustic modules exists, of which at least one acoustic module comprises a multitude of transmitter units having a coherent acoustic field and a minimum of three acoustic modules comprises a multitude of receiver units having a coherent receiving field-of at least one acoustic module comprising a multitude of receiver units having a coherent receiving field and a minimum of three acoustic modules comprising a multitude of transmitter units having a coherent acoustic field The said acoustic modules are arranged in a sensor unit in known positions to each other. The acoustic fields of the acoustic modules comprising transmitter units and the receiving fields of the acoustic modules comprising receiver units are full oveilappiag within the area of the unknown structure if possible. The transmitter units are sending a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function and the receiver units will detect the signals from the medium, reflected from the structure to be scannod or being attenuated due to penetrating the said structure.
~ ~ ~~~ ~e ~ ~ intents of the structure may be scannod in a single cycle.
In addition, this embodiment offers the decisive benefit that acquisition of the signals may be effected in real-time. Display of the structure may be effected within an extremely brief period of time by a fast computer, consequently for the first time offering to cardiologists and many technicians a tool for direct tracking of actual events.
Another decisive benefit lies in the fact that it is not the travel time of the signals that is used for displaying the unknown structures, but frequency shi8s, depending on the position of the stzvcture with respect to the transmitters and receivers, from which the co-ordinates of the structure are computed by triangulation. The frequency and length of a send signal, subject to an arbitrary modulating function, may be freely selected within the ultrasonic range depending on the field of application. Due to the resolution and penetration depth not being dependent on frequencies, other criteria are in the foreground for selecting the fi~equency range, such as minimum stress to the patient in medical applications.
In an active structural scanner, the-acoustic modules are preferably of a curved surface and the transmitter units and/or receiver units may be arranged in a circular, cylindrical, .
elliptical, or any other shape, for instance, can these curved surfaces, thus generating a coherent acoustic field or a coherent receiving field. The design of the transmitter and receiver units on the acoustic module may be selects in a manner that the acoustic field and the receiving field will remain constant more or less independently of fi~equencies. The active surface of the transmitter and receiver units will therefore be held as small as possible.
Equipment of the acoustic modules with transmitter and/or receiver units, will riot be dependent on the size and shape of the transmitter and receiver units. The transmitter -and/or receiver units may be arranged on an acoustic module in different shapes, sizes and numbers. In this manner, the acoustic modules may simply be adapted to the respective task.
Specific arrangements may be produced, for instance, for examination of the female breast, by using smaller transmitter and receiver units for the area of the mamilla and larger ones for any other parts of the breast. Overlapping of the acoustic fields and the receiver fields need not necessarily be coherent for both areas, e.g. it will be adequate that these conditions are met for each section of the breast.
The shape of transmitter .and receiver units may be freely seloctcd. The shape may be flat, globular or any other shape. A particularly beneficial arrangemart of transmitter and/or receiver units is obtained when the active surfaces of the transmitter and receiver units are of a honeycomb shape and positioned close to each other. In contrast, round transmitter and receiver units will generate balanced characteristics.
Preferably the transmitter and receiver units are piezo-electric units, as these may be switched to function in both transmitter and receives mode. Depending on the application, these may be adjusted individually. It is also possible to switch hansmitter and receiver units on an acoustic module to generate more than one acoustic field or receiving field. In this case, the acoustic modules may be used both in transmitting and in receiving mode.
According to the present invention it will be necessary that the acoustic modules are . arranged in a known position to each other, due to triangulation of fhe send and receive signals only being feasible based on their position to each other, in order to define the co-ordinates of the structures, as the position of the structure will not be calculated from the times of flight of the pulses when using the active structm~al scanner socording to the invention. Owing to the fact that each acoustic module represents either a transmitter or receiver during the send-transmit cycle, no conditions are attached to the signal length. For -, definition of the co-ordinates of the stivcture, one will establish initially at which points in time the send/receive signals correlate, followed by the co-ordinates of reflecting points being calculated from the path of the send signals from the brensrnitter via the reflecting points to the receiver. The system makes use of the fact that for an arbitrarily modulated send signal, the receive signal has an similar signal pattern to the send signal at the times when the send signal is echoed. Ellipses and/or ellipsoides are calculated from this; defined - 5 by the path of the send signal to the reflecting points and onward to the receivers, with the transmitter and the receivers being located in the focus of each ellipse and/or ellipsoid The space co-ordinates of the reflecting points, e.g. the position of the unlmown structure imbedded in the medium will result from the intersections of individual ellipsoids associated with the receivers.
Another benefit of the active structural scanner of the invention lies in the fact that with a specific arrangement of the acoustic modules to each other, a shadowfree image may be generated of an unknown structure. In this case, the acoustic modules and their transmitter units will "illuminate" the structure from a number of positions and the acoustic modules comprising the receiver modules will "view" the struchn~es similar to looking through a window.
It is furthermore left to the discretion of the user how many acoustic modules comprising transmitter units and how many acoustic modules comprising receiver units will be arranged in an active structural scanner. A three-dimensional display will either require two acoustic modules based on three send-receive cycles and three different arrangement of the acoustic modules, not, arraaged collinear to each other, or three acoustic modules and two send-r~eceiye cycles in two different arrangements of the acoustic modules, not arranged collinear to each other. For three acoustic modules, a new position may also be generated by switching the transmitter units and receiver units to another mode. In order to obtain a three-dimensional display in real-time, a minimum of one transmitter and three receivers or threw transmitters and one rxeiver will be required.
Owiag to the fact that for scanning the data of the structure, the position of the transmitter and receiver units will be decisive, it has been proven to be beneficial to arrange the acoustic modules in a sensor unit in such a way to each other that they are located on an imaginary spherical surface, so arranged around the unknown structure that the unknown , structure is located approximately in the centre of the imaginary sphere. In this arrangement of acoustic modules, triangulation becomes quite simple and representation of polar co-ordinates very advantageous. However, any other type of arrangement of the acoustic modules may be selected, as long as the positions of the acoustic modules to each other are known. When less than four acoustic modules are available, the positions of the acoustic modules to each other must be modifiai, together with two sequential send-receive cycles. In this case, no collinear positions of the acoustic modules may be selected, in order to be able to acquire the data for all three dimensions. An identical effect is obtained when, as descn'bed above, switching the modes of the active units is effected, depending on the an~aagement of the h~aitter and/or receiver units on the acoustic modules. When only a two-dimensional display is required, this may be generated by the use of three modules and one send-receive cycle.
For modical ezaminstions, a spherical structure could be constructed, for instance, on which a multitude of modules is arranged, dirxted towards the centre of the spherical structure, in which the organ or the unknown structure to be examined is located. This spherical st<ucture may then be positioned on the female breast, for instance, in order to scan structures by means of contact agents.
For examination of the prostate gland, a spxial "saddld' may be designed, for instance,'or, part of a "cylinder" may be formed, which is laid against the body, in order to examine the kidneys, the liver or the heart. These ~tive structural scanners may have different sizes depending on the size of the patient. According to experience firm ultrasonic practice, contact agents are required between the acoustic modules and the medium, such as the human body. For medical examination, the female breast may, for instance, be held into a container filled with water, in which a spherical structure, the sensor unit, is arranged together with the acoustic modules. This method of examination offers the additional benefit that the breast loses its gravity because of buoyancy and thus will not be subject to deformation. The image of the breast can therefore be much more meaningful than displays from previously known methods of ultrasonic examination, in which the breast is supported by the thorax.
The scope of application of the active structural scanner may be considerably increased when at least one acoustic module of the sensor unit may be manually located into the specified position of individual acoustic modules to each other. In this arraagement, an acoustic module may be brought close to the structure by endoscopy or laparoscopy, for instance, during medical examination of an unlmown structure in a human or animal body, with the other acoustic modules either being arranged in a specified position to each other in a specific position to this acoustic module. One could, however, also imagine that the acoustic modules are arranged individually outside or inside the body. The first step of the m~~ comprises scanning of the positions of individual acoustic modules to each other ~ entering the co-ordinates for computation into a linked computer, in order to effect faultless correlation and triangulation. For this purpose, a special positioner may be .
provided and a specific memory section for the co-ordinates of the acoustic modules may be made available in the computer, followed by referencing the acoustic modules at the most favourable points to the structures to be examined in the medium. When this is done, it is always important that the acoustic fields and reception volumes of the receiver units within the area of the unlmown structure are fully overlapping, if possible.
It is left to the user whether the manually insertable acoustic module is switchod as the only transmitter or the only receiver, as, a tr~mittec of other receivers, a receiver of other.
receivers or in sequence in different modes, in order to obtain the best image of the When piezo-electric units are used on the acoustic modules, for instance, which are to be ~~h~ ~g ~~~~ ~~g ~cles, limitation of the send signal lengths may be required.
This active structm~al scanner presents a universally applicable tool for the examination of unlmown structures, imbedded in a medium that is inaccessible in the widest sense for varied fields of research. For medical examination of organs, tumours, the movement of a foetus, cardiac valves and for the display of human organs, an active structural reader has been created, which not only allows to obtain clear, high-resolution images but also the display of these images in real-time, which is of great importance to cardiologists in particular.
This active structural scanner is given specific significance by the fact that its resolution is not dependent on the frequency of the send signal. For medical applications, it therefore _ offers the advantage that the frequency and power of the send signal may be reduced, as no possible late effects of ultrasonic examination methods using fi~equencies of about 13 MHz applied in the past have been found so far.
When no real-time representation is required, for instance due to the structure being fixed and stationary, the sensor unit may also be used in a minimum arrangement, comprising two or three acoustic modules, for instance, the positions of which to each other may be changed, in order to scan the full data content of the structures.
In the following, the invention will be described in detail by means of some embodiments.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers refer to identical or similar components.
Where:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an active structural scanner according to the present invartion Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an active structural scanner according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of an active structural scanner according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows an acoustic module comprising transmitter or rxeiver units on a spherical surface;
Fig. 5 shows honeycomb-type transmitter and/or receiver units on an acoustic module;
Fig. 6 shows oval transmitter and/or receiver units on an acoustic module;
Fig. 7 shows an acoustic module comprising a cylindrical surface;
Figs. 8A and 8B show an acoustic module comprising transmitter and/or receiver units of different shapes and sizes;
Fig. 9 shows a hemispherical structural scanner, Fig. 10 shows a saddle-shaped structural scanner and Fig. 11 shows an examination device comprising a sttuchu~al scanner according to the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an active structural scanner 8 according to the preseat invention. The active stcuctrual scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of sues 6 imbedded in a medium comprises two acoustic modules 1, of which acoustic module 1 comprises a multitude of transmitter units 2, forming a coherent acoustic field 3 and the other acoustic module 1 comprises a multitude of receiver units 4, foaming a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic modules 1 are displaceably arranged in at least three known;
non-collinear positions to each other in a structural scanner 8. The acoustic field 3 of the one acoustic modules 1 and the receiving field 5 of the receiver units 4 of the other acoustic module 1 within the area of an ualtnown structure 6, located between the acoustic modules 1 in all positions A-A, B-B and C-C of the acoustic modules 1, are fully overlapping, if possible. In each position A-A, B-B and C-C of the acoustic modules 1 to each other, a scad signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function is triggered and the signals generated in the medium by the send signal are scanned by the receiver units 4. The send-receive cycle will be terminated prior to positions A-A ~andlor B-B being changed.
Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an active stzuctural scanner 8 according to the ' present invention. The active sbnrctural scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of structures 6 imbedded in a medium according to this embodiment, comprises three acoustic modules 1, one acoustic module l of which comprising a multitude of transmitter units 2, forming a coherent acoustic field 3 and the other acoustic modules comprising a multitude of receiver units 4, forming a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic modules 1 are displaceable in at least two known, non-collinear positions A-A-A and B-B-B to each other is the structural scanner 8. The acoustic fields 3 of the acoustic modules 1 and the receiving fields 5 of the other acoustic modules 1 fully overlap within the area of the unknown st<uctutc 6 in both positions A-A-A and B-B-B of the acoustic modules 1, and in each position A-A-A and B-B-B of the acoustic modules 1, a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function is triggered: The signals generated by the send signal in the medium are picked up by the receiver units 5. In order to obtain a clear allocation of the send signals and receive signals, the send-receive cycle of the send signals is shone= than .
the cycle for the change in position of the acoustic modules 1.
Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of as active structural scanner 8 according to the present invention. The active structural scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of structures 6 imp in a medium according to this embodiment, comprises five acoustic modules 1, with two acoustic modules 1 comprising in this case a multitude of transnnitter units 2, forming a coherent acoustic field 3 and the other acoustic modules 1 comprising a multitude of receiver units 4, forming a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic modules. l are arranged in known positions to each other in a structural scanner 8. The acoustic fields 3 of the one acoustic modules 1 and the receiving fields 5 of the other acoustic modules 1 are fully overlapping within the area of the unknown structure 6. In this case, the structure 6 is smaller than the overlap 7 of the acoustic fields 3, and the receiving fields 5. The transmitter units 2 are tiransmitting a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function into the medium and the signals generated by the structures 6 in the medium are scanned by the receiver units 4. The transmitter units 2 of at least one acoustic module 1 may be switched to receiver units 4 and the receiver units 4 of at least one acoustic modules 1 to transmitter units 2. The send-receive cycle for the send signals is shorter than the switching cycle of the acoustic modules 1. The send-receive cycle must be terminated prior to switching modes, in order to clear recognition of the structure 6 in the medium.
Other embodiments of the active structural scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of structures 6 imbedded in a medium, may comprise a minimum of four acoustic modules 1:
A minimum of one acoustic module 1, comprising a multitude of transmitter units 2, will be required for the acoustic modules 1, each forming a coherent acoustic field 3 or comprising a multitude of receiver units 4, each forming a coherent rxeiving field 5. All of the data of a three-dimensional image are scanned in real-time by a single send-receive cycle of the acoustic modules 1 whilst in known positions to each other. The acoustic module 1 comprising the transmitter units 2 will transmit in the process a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function and any signals, generated by this from stt~uctures 6 in the medium, will be scanned accordingly by the acoustic modules 1 from any direction subject to the receiving fields 5.
Fig. 4 shows an acoustic module 1 comprising transmitter or receiver units 2, 4 on a ' spherical surface. This arrangement provides a simple solution for the formation of a coherent acoustic field 3 and/or a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic module 1 may be very small, thus allowing it to by easily introduced into the body up to the organ to be examined, such a the prostate gland or the pancreas, by endoscopy or lapamscopy.
Fig. 5 shows an acoustic module 1 comprising honeycomb-type transmitter, and/or receiver 1 S units 2, 4. These may be positioned on the spherical surface of the acoustic modules 1 in close proximity to each other, thus generating a more or less constant 3 and/or receiving field 5.
Fig. 6 shows oval hansmitter and/or receiver units 2, 4 arranged on an acoustic module 1.
Fig. 7 shows an acoustic module 1 having a cylindrical surface, with round transmitter and/or receiver units 2, 4 being arranged on this surface.
Figs. 8A and 8B show acoustic modules 1 comprising braasmitter and/or receiver units 2, 4 of different shapes and sizes. Fig. 8A shows an acoustic module 1, on which the transmitter and/or receiver units 2; 4 are of different shapes and sizes. The acoustic module Z of Fig.
8B comprises round transmitter and/or receiver units of different sizes. These arrangements allow to obtain a medium resolution from an organ and a high resolution from certain areasv of an organ, for instance. Owing to the fact that the shape and size of the units mainly define resolution, these acoustic modules 1 are produced for the scheduled application.
Figs. 9 and 10 show two embodiments for structural scanners 8 according to the present invention, in which the acoustic modules 1 are each located on an imaginary spherical surface in specific known positions to each other. In this embodiment, containers filled with an contact agent could be used, into which the female breast is held.
This will result in particular in the benefit that the breast becomes weightless due to the buoyancy of the liquid, thus not being subject to deformation. The threo-dimensional images obtained in this manner, which are also of a low-noise quality, allow much better conclusions to be drawn of individual structures than any other scanning methods hitherto known.
, Fig. 10 shows a saddle-shaped structural scanner 8, suitable in particular for examination ' of the prostate gland. For this purpose, the "saddle" is positioned between the patient's legs, thus allowing the acoustic modules 1 to be arranged between his anus and testicles. In this case, these acoustic modules 1 may exclusively comprise receiver units 4, which is not , a must, however. A single acoustic module 1, for instance with transmitter units 2 only, may be arranged by laparoscopy in a known position in the lower abdominal region or in close proximity of the .prostate gland, due to the small sin of the acoustic modules 1. This results in a major benefit of the structwal scanners 8 according to the present invartion versus past conventional arrangements for examination of the prostate gland.
Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of a complete examination arrangement, in which the structural scanner 8 according to the present invention may be used. In this case, the structural scanner 8 comprises an acoustic module 1 including transmitter units 2 and four acoustic modules 1 including receiver units 4 (left in the figure). The signals received, generated as a response to the send signals echoed by the structures, are rxeived by the receiver units 4 and fed to a processing unit 9, where send and receive signals are correlated and the co-ordinates of the structures 6 are computed by triangulation. Individual structures 6 are shown on the display 10.
Examination of organs in the human body by ultrasound has been known for some time.
This is mostly based on the use of linear ultrasonic heads, generally comprising individual piezo-electric units arranged side by side, emitting in sequence a pulse of an identical fi~equency to the organ to be examinod. These individual pulses are echoed one by one from acoustic interfaces, with the travel time of pulses being measured. The travel time is then used to define .the depth of the boundary of an organ or tumour.
As the unknown structure is only imbedded in a homogenous medium in exceptional cases, echo pulses are generated by the inhomogenities of the medium, resulting in rather blurred images in most cases, i.e. images of echo pulses are affected by more or le.~,s strong noise.
When examining living tissue, extensive experience is therefore required, in order to recognise the character of the structures to be examined.
In addition, images generated in this manner are two-dimensional only. A three-~~ional image may be obtained from these signals only when the structure to be 25. examined is scanned from a minimum of two different positions by pivoting the ultrasonic heads, from which a tbree-dimensional image is computed For this purpose, the two linear ultrasonic heads described are of a pivoted design and the struct~ue is scanned in layers by pivoting the ultrasonic heads. Individual layers are then converted by means of a computer to obtain a three-dimensional image. Under these conditions it is also feasible to display several phases of movement of a structure, such as a foetus. However, this method requires considerable computer time and the images generated are prone to the drawbacks descn'bed above.
Another drawback of this pmcess is the low resolution of the structures displayed.
Resolution will improve with increasing frequency. However, penetration depth will doerease at increasing frequencies. This may only be improved by increasing intensity.
The contradictory characteristics that resolution is improved with increasing frequency and penetration depth will decrease with increasing frequency, poses Particular problems in this context, due to the intensity of ultrasound not allowing random increases in each case.
When examining a human or animal body, it is frequently rather difficult and associated with considerable drawbacks to position a conventional ultrasonic head in the vicinity of diffcult to access organs. Ultrasonic scanning of the prostate gland, for instance, poses considerable problems. Other deeper lying organs, too, frequently are very difficult to scan or cannot be scanned at all.
It is therefore the task of this invention to overcome the drawbacks of the state of technology and to propose an active scanner for any signals echoed from as unknown structtwe or signals attenuated due to absorption of the said structure. The scanner should provide data for high-resolution images and allow scanning and display of unknown structures in 3D mode. The scanner for data of an unknown st<vcture imbedded in a.
medium should be designed to allow easiest positioning in the vicinity of an unknown structure and/or scanning data of the position and siu of an unlmown sttvcture are simply as possible.
The task of the invention is solved by an active stzvctural scantier in accordance with Claims 1 to 4.
A first embodiment of an active st<uctural scanner for scanning in 3D mode data of structures imbedded in a medium, comprises two acoustic modules, the first acoustic module of which comprises a multitude of hansmitter units including a coherent acoustic - _ field and the second acoustic module a multitude of receiver units includiag a coherent receiving field. The acoustic modules are displaceable and an~anged in a minimum of three kown, non-collinear positions in a sensor unit. The two acoustic modules are so positioned to each other that the acoustic field of one acoustic module and the receiving field of the other acoustic module are fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of an unknown structure positioned between the acoustic modules, in all positions of the acoustic modules.
In each position of the acoustic modules, a send-receive cycle is triggered subject to an arbitrary modulating function of the send signals, with the send-receive cycle of the send signals being shorter than the cycle for changing the position of the acoustic modules.
In a first position of the acoustic modules in relation to each other, the first acoustic module of this st<uctw~al scanner, comprising transmitter units; will transmit to the structure a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function and including a coherent acoustic field, within a set frequency range and the acoustic module comprising the receiver units will receive the echo signals or any signals attenuated due to absorption after penetration of the structure, including the full data content for one dimension.
Subsequently, the position of the two acoustic modules to each other will be changed twice, with the send-receive cycle being repeated in each position. After three cycles, the full data content for all three dimensions will be available and a 3D display may be effected.
In another embodiment of the invention of the active sh uctural scanner for scanning in 3D
mode data of structu<~es imbedded in a medium, the design is such that it comprises three acoustic modules, of which at least one and at the most two acoustic modules comprise a multitude of transmitter waits, forming a coherent acoustic field, with the other acoustic modules) comprising a multitude of receiver units, forming a coherent rxeiving field. The acoustic modules are displaceable in relation to each other to a minimum of two known non-collinear positions aad arranged in a sensor unit. These non-collinear positions may also be reached by displacement of one acoustic module only. The acoustic fields of the hansmitter units and the receiving fields of the receiver units are fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of the unknown stivctiu~e in either position of the acoustic modules, and in each position of the acoustic modules a send signal, subject to an arbitrary modulating function, is triggered and the signals generated by the send signals subject to an arbitrary modulating ftmction are detected by the rxeiver units. This send-receive cycle between the acoustic modules is repeated between the acoustic modules in each position of the acoustic modules to each other by a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function, with the send-receive cycle being shorter than the cycle for changing the position-of the acoustic modules.
Use of this active structiu~al scanner will provide in one cycle the full data contents in two dimensions. Another cycle in a second position of the acoustic modules will be required, in order to scan and display all data in three dimensions:
In both embodiments, the acoustic modules are subjected to a change in position and the send-receive cycle is repeated in each position. Therefore specific conditions must be met by the send signals. The send-receive cycle must be terminated prior to the change in position of the acoustic modules being performed. The period of time from commencement of the send signal to the receipt of all signals generated in the medium must therefore be shorter than the length of the acoustic module condition in the present position.
In another embodiment, this active structural scanner for collecting data about structures imbedded in a medium in 3D mode, based on three acoustic modules, may also be of a design, in which the acoustic modules are arrangod in known positions in relation to each other; with the acoustic fields of the transmitter units and the receiving fields of the receiver units fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of the unknown structure. A
send signal subject to as arbitrary modulating function is triggered by the transmitter units on an acoustic module and the signals echoed by the medium are detected by the acoustic modules comprising receiver units. The change in position of one or more acoustic . modules may also be replaced by switching the mode of the active units.
In an active shvctural scanner for scanning in 3D mode data of structures imbedded is a medium, comprising thee acoustic modules and in which the position of the said acoustic modules is not changed, one of the acoustic modules comprises a multitude of transmitter units having a coherent acoustic field and the other acoustic modules comprise a multitude of receiver units having a coherent receiving field. The said acoustic modules are arranged in a sensor unit in known positions to each other and the acoustic field of one acoustic module and the receiving fields of the other acoustic modules are fully overlapping, if possible, within the area of the unlmown structure. A send-receive cycle subject to an arbitrary modulating function will be triggered between the acoustic modules.
After termination of the send-receive cycle, the transmitter units of the acoustic module are switched to receiving mode and the receiver units in at least one of the other acoustic modules are switched to transmitting mode and the send-receive cycle is repeated Ia this case, the send-receive cycle for the send signals must be shorter than the switching cycle of the active units of the said acoustic modules.
In another embodiment of this active struchnsl scanner, where no positional changes of the acoustic modules are effected, but in which two acoustic modules comprise transmitter units and only one acoustic module a receiver unit, the tzansmitter units of an acoustic module need only be switched to receiving mode. After switching of the active units, the second send-receive cycle is started. Here, too, the send-receive cycle between the acoustic modules is based on a send signal subject to as arbitrary modulating function, with the send-receive cycle for the send signals being shorter than the switching cycle of the active units of the acoustic modules.
In another embodiment of the active structural scanner according to this invention, a minimum of four acoustic modules exists, of which at least one acoustic module comprises a multitude of transmitter units having a coherent acoustic field and a minimum of three acoustic modules comprises a multitude of receiver units having a coherent receiving field-of at least one acoustic module comprising a multitude of receiver units having a coherent receiving field and a minimum of three acoustic modules comprising a multitude of transmitter units having a coherent acoustic field The said acoustic modules are arranged in a sensor unit in known positions to each other. The acoustic fields of the acoustic modules comprising transmitter units and the receiving fields of the acoustic modules comprising receiver units are full oveilappiag within the area of the unknown structure if possible. The transmitter units are sending a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function and the receiver units will detect the signals from the medium, reflected from the structure to be scannod or being attenuated due to penetrating the said structure.
~ ~ ~~~ ~e ~ ~ intents of the structure may be scannod in a single cycle.
In addition, this embodiment offers the decisive benefit that acquisition of the signals may be effected in real-time. Display of the structure may be effected within an extremely brief period of time by a fast computer, consequently for the first time offering to cardiologists and many technicians a tool for direct tracking of actual events.
Another decisive benefit lies in the fact that it is not the travel time of the signals that is used for displaying the unknown structures, but frequency shi8s, depending on the position of the stzvcture with respect to the transmitters and receivers, from which the co-ordinates of the structure are computed by triangulation. The frequency and length of a send signal, subject to an arbitrary modulating function, may be freely selected within the ultrasonic range depending on the field of application. Due to the resolution and penetration depth not being dependent on frequencies, other criteria are in the foreground for selecting the fi~equency range, such as minimum stress to the patient in medical applications.
In an active structural scanner, the-acoustic modules are preferably of a curved surface and the transmitter units and/or receiver units may be arranged in a circular, cylindrical, .
elliptical, or any other shape, for instance, can these curved surfaces, thus generating a coherent acoustic field or a coherent receiving field. The design of the transmitter and receiver units on the acoustic module may be selects in a manner that the acoustic field and the receiving field will remain constant more or less independently of fi~equencies. The active surface of the transmitter and receiver units will therefore be held as small as possible.
Equipment of the acoustic modules with transmitter and/or receiver units, will riot be dependent on the size and shape of the transmitter and receiver units. The transmitter -and/or receiver units may be arranged on an acoustic module in different shapes, sizes and numbers. In this manner, the acoustic modules may simply be adapted to the respective task.
Specific arrangements may be produced, for instance, for examination of the female breast, by using smaller transmitter and receiver units for the area of the mamilla and larger ones for any other parts of the breast. Overlapping of the acoustic fields and the receiver fields need not necessarily be coherent for both areas, e.g. it will be adequate that these conditions are met for each section of the breast.
The shape of transmitter .and receiver units may be freely seloctcd. The shape may be flat, globular or any other shape. A particularly beneficial arrangemart of transmitter and/or receiver units is obtained when the active surfaces of the transmitter and receiver units are of a honeycomb shape and positioned close to each other. In contrast, round transmitter and receiver units will generate balanced characteristics.
Preferably the transmitter and receiver units are piezo-electric units, as these may be switched to function in both transmitter and receives mode. Depending on the application, these may be adjusted individually. It is also possible to switch hansmitter and receiver units on an acoustic module to generate more than one acoustic field or receiving field. In this case, the acoustic modules may be used both in transmitting and in receiving mode.
According to the present invention it will be necessary that the acoustic modules are . arranged in a known position to each other, due to triangulation of fhe send and receive signals only being feasible based on their position to each other, in order to define the co-ordinates of the structures, as the position of the structure will not be calculated from the times of flight of the pulses when using the active structm~al scanner socording to the invention. Owing to the fact that each acoustic module represents either a transmitter or receiver during the send-transmit cycle, no conditions are attached to the signal length. For -, definition of the co-ordinates of the stivcture, one will establish initially at which points in time the send/receive signals correlate, followed by the co-ordinates of reflecting points being calculated from the path of the send signals from the brensrnitter via the reflecting points to the receiver. The system makes use of the fact that for an arbitrarily modulated send signal, the receive signal has an similar signal pattern to the send signal at the times when the send signal is echoed. Ellipses and/or ellipsoides are calculated from this; defined - 5 by the path of the send signal to the reflecting points and onward to the receivers, with the transmitter and the receivers being located in the focus of each ellipse and/or ellipsoid The space co-ordinates of the reflecting points, e.g. the position of the unlmown structure imbedded in the medium will result from the intersections of individual ellipsoids associated with the receivers.
Another benefit of the active structural scanner of the invention lies in the fact that with a specific arrangement of the acoustic modules to each other, a shadowfree image may be generated of an unknown structure. In this case, the acoustic modules and their transmitter units will "illuminate" the structure from a number of positions and the acoustic modules comprising the receiver modules will "view" the struchn~es similar to looking through a window.
It is furthermore left to the discretion of the user how many acoustic modules comprising transmitter units and how many acoustic modules comprising receiver units will be arranged in an active structural scanner. A three-dimensional display will either require two acoustic modules based on three send-receive cycles and three different arrangement of the acoustic modules, not, arraaged collinear to each other, or three acoustic modules and two send-r~eceiye cycles in two different arrangements of the acoustic modules, not arranged collinear to each other. For three acoustic modules, a new position may also be generated by switching the transmitter units and receiver units to another mode. In order to obtain a three-dimensional display in real-time, a minimum of one transmitter and three receivers or threw transmitters and one rxeiver will be required.
Owiag to the fact that for scanning the data of the structure, the position of the transmitter and receiver units will be decisive, it has been proven to be beneficial to arrange the acoustic modules in a sensor unit in such a way to each other that they are located on an imaginary spherical surface, so arranged around the unknown structure that the unknown , structure is located approximately in the centre of the imaginary sphere. In this arrangement of acoustic modules, triangulation becomes quite simple and representation of polar co-ordinates very advantageous. However, any other type of arrangement of the acoustic modules may be selected, as long as the positions of the acoustic modules to each other are known. When less than four acoustic modules are available, the positions of the acoustic modules to each other must be modifiai, together with two sequential send-receive cycles. In this case, no collinear positions of the acoustic modules may be selected, in order to be able to acquire the data for all three dimensions. An identical effect is obtained when, as descn'bed above, switching the modes of the active units is effected, depending on the an~aagement of the h~aitter and/or receiver units on the acoustic modules. When only a two-dimensional display is required, this may be generated by the use of three modules and one send-receive cycle.
For modical ezaminstions, a spherical structure could be constructed, for instance, on which a multitude of modules is arranged, dirxted towards the centre of the spherical structure, in which the organ or the unknown structure to be examined is located. This spherical st<ucture may then be positioned on the female breast, for instance, in order to scan structures by means of contact agents.
For examination of the prostate gland, a spxial "saddld' may be designed, for instance,'or, part of a "cylinder" may be formed, which is laid against the body, in order to examine the kidneys, the liver or the heart. These ~tive structural scanners may have different sizes depending on the size of the patient. According to experience firm ultrasonic practice, contact agents are required between the acoustic modules and the medium, such as the human body. For medical examination, the female breast may, for instance, be held into a container filled with water, in which a spherical structure, the sensor unit, is arranged together with the acoustic modules. This method of examination offers the additional benefit that the breast loses its gravity because of buoyancy and thus will not be subject to deformation. The image of the breast can therefore be much more meaningful than displays from previously known methods of ultrasonic examination, in which the breast is supported by the thorax.
The scope of application of the active structural scanner may be considerably increased when at least one acoustic module of the sensor unit may be manually located into the specified position of individual acoustic modules to each other. In this arraagement, an acoustic module may be brought close to the structure by endoscopy or laparoscopy, for instance, during medical examination of an unlmown structure in a human or animal body, with the other acoustic modules either being arranged in a specified position to each other in a specific position to this acoustic module. One could, however, also imagine that the acoustic modules are arranged individually outside or inside the body. The first step of the m~~ comprises scanning of the positions of individual acoustic modules to each other ~ entering the co-ordinates for computation into a linked computer, in order to effect faultless correlation and triangulation. For this purpose, a special positioner may be .
provided and a specific memory section for the co-ordinates of the acoustic modules may be made available in the computer, followed by referencing the acoustic modules at the most favourable points to the structures to be examined in the medium. When this is done, it is always important that the acoustic fields and reception volumes of the receiver units within the area of the unlmown structure are fully overlapping, if possible.
It is left to the user whether the manually insertable acoustic module is switchod as the only transmitter or the only receiver, as, a tr~mittec of other receivers, a receiver of other.
receivers or in sequence in different modes, in order to obtain the best image of the When piezo-electric units are used on the acoustic modules, for instance, which are to be ~~h~ ~g ~~~~ ~~g ~cles, limitation of the send signal lengths may be required.
This active structm~al scanner presents a universally applicable tool for the examination of unlmown structures, imbedded in a medium that is inaccessible in the widest sense for varied fields of research. For medical examination of organs, tumours, the movement of a foetus, cardiac valves and for the display of human organs, an active structural reader has been created, which not only allows to obtain clear, high-resolution images but also the display of these images in real-time, which is of great importance to cardiologists in particular.
This active structural scanner is given specific significance by the fact that its resolution is not dependent on the frequency of the send signal. For medical applications, it therefore _ offers the advantage that the frequency and power of the send signal may be reduced, as no possible late effects of ultrasonic examination methods using fi~equencies of about 13 MHz applied in the past have been found so far.
When no real-time representation is required, for instance due to the structure being fixed and stationary, the sensor unit may also be used in a minimum arrangement, comprising two or three acoustic modules, for instance, the positions of which to each other may be changed, in order to scan the full data content of the structures.
In the following, the invention will be described in detail by means of some embodiments.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers refer to identical or similar components.
Where:
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an active structural scanner according to the present invartion Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an active structural scanner according to the present invention;
Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of an active structural scanner according to the present invention;
Fig. 4 shows an acoustic module comprising transmitter or rxeiver units on a spherical surface;
Fig. 5 shows honeycomb-type transmitter and/or receiver units on an acoustic module;
Fig. 6 shows oval transmitter and/or receiver units on an acoustic module;
Fig. 7 shows an acoustic module comprising a cylindrical surface;
Figs. 8A and 8B show an acoustic module comprising transmitter and/or receiver units of different shapes and sizes;
Fig. 9 shows a hemispherical structural scanner, Fig. 10 shows a saddle-shaped structural scanner and Fig. 11 shows an examination device comprising a sttuchu~al scanner according to the present invention.
Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an active structural scanner 8 according to the preseat invention. The active stcuctrual scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of sues 6 imbedded in a medium comprises two acoustic modules 1, of which acoustic module 1 comprises a multitude of transmitter units 2, forming a coherent acoustic field 3 and the other acoustic module 1 comprises a multitude of receiver units 4, foaming a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic modules 1 are displaceably arranged in at least three known;
non-collinear positions to each other in a structural scanner 8. The acoustic field 3 of the one acoustic modules 1 and the receiving field 5 of the receiver units 4 of the other acoustic module 1 within the area of an ualtnown structure 6, located between the acoustic modules 1 in all positions A-A, B-B and C-C of the acoustic modules 1, are fully overlapping, if possible. In each position A-A, B-B and C-C of the acoustic modules 1 to each other, a scad signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function is triggered and the signals generated in the medium by the send signal are scanned by the receiver units 4. The send-receive cycle will be terminated prior to positions A-A ~andlor B-B being changed.
Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an active stzuctural scanner 8 according to the ' present invention. The active sbnrctural scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of structures 6 imbedded in a medium according to this embodiment, comprises three acoustic modules 1, one acoustic module l of which comprising a multitude of transmitter units 2, forming a coherent acoustic field 3 and the other acoustic modules comprising a multitude of receiver units 4, forming a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic modules 1 are displaceable in at least two known, non-collinear positions A-A-A and B-B-B to each other is the structural scanner 8. The acoustic fields 3 of the acoustic modules 1 and the receiving fields 5 of the other acoustic modules 1 fully overlap within the area of the unknown st<uctutc 6 in both positions A-A-A and B-B-B of the acoustic modules 1, and in each position A-A-A and B-B-B of the acoustic modules 1, a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function is triggered: The signals generated by the send signal in the medium are picked up by the receiver units 5. In order to obtain a clear allocation of the send signals and receive signals, the send-receive cycle of the send signals is shone= than .
the cycle for the change in position of the acoustic modules 1.
Fig. 3 shows a third embodiment of as active structural scanner 8 according to the present invention. The active structural scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of structures 6 imp in a medium according to this embodiment, comprises five acoustic modules 1, with two acoustic modules 1 comprising in this case a multitude of transnnitter units 2, forming a coherent acoustic field 3 and the other acoustic modules 1 comprising a multitude of receiver units 4, forming a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic modules. l are arranged in known positions to each other in a structural scanner 8. The acoustic fields 3 of the one acoustic modules 1 and the receiving fields 5 of the other acoustic modules 1 are fully overlapping within the area of the unknown structure 6. In this case, the structure 6 is smaller than the overlap 7 of the acoustic fields 3, and the receiving fields 5. The transmitter units 2 are tiransmitting a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function into the medium and the signals generated by the structures 6 in the medium are scanned by the receiver units 4. The transmitter units 2 of at least one acoustic module 1 may be switched to receiver units 4 and the receiver units 4 of at least one acoustic modules 1 to transmitter units 2. The send-receive cycle for the send signals is shorter than the switching cycle of the acoustic modules 1. The send-receive cycle must be terminated prior to switching modes, in order to clear recognition of the structure 6 in the medium.
Other embodiments of the active structural scanner 8 for scanning in 3D mode data of structures 6 imbedded in a medium, may comprise a minimum of four acoustic modules 1:
A minimum of one acoustic module 1, comprising a multitude of transmitter units 2, will be required for the acoustic modules 1, each forming a coherent acoustic field 3 or comprising a multitude of receiver units 4, each forming a coherent rxeiving field 5. All of the data of a three-dimensional image are scanned in real-time by a single send-receive cycle of the acoustic modules 1 whilst in known positions to each other. The acoustic module 1 comprising the transmitter units 2 will transmit in the process a send signal subject to an arbitrary modulating function and any signals, generated by this from stt~uctures 6 in the medium, will be scanned accordingly by the acoustic modules 1 from any direction subject to the receiving fields 5.
Fig. 4 shows an acoustic module 1 comprising transmitter or receiver units 2, 4 on a ' spherical surface. This arrangement provides a simple solution for the formation of a coherent acoustic field 3 and/or a coherent receiving field 5. The acoustic module 1 may be very small, thus allowing it to by easily introduced into the body up to the organ to be examined, such a the prostate gland or the pancreas, by endoscopy or lapamscopy.
Fig. 5 shows an acoustic module 1 comprising honeycomb-type transmitter, and/or receiver 1 S units 2, 4. These may be positioned on the spherical surface of the acoustic modules 1 in close proximity to each other, thus generating a more or less constant 3 and/or receiving field 5.
Fig. 6 shows oval hansmitter and/or receiver units 2, 4 arranged on an acoustic module 1.
Fig. 7 shows an acoustic module 1 having a cylindrical surface, with round transmitter and/or receiver units 2, 4 being arranged on this surface.
Figs. 8A and 8B show acoustic modules 1 comprising braasmitter and/or receiver units 2, 4 of different shapes and sizes. Fig. 8A shows an acoustic module 1, on which the transmitter and/or receiver units 2; 4 are of different shapes and sizes. The acoustic module Z of Fig.
8B comprises round transmitter and/or receiver units of different sizes. These arrangements allow to obtain a medium resolution from an organ and a high resolution from certain areasv of an organ, for instance. Owing to the fact that the shape and size of the units mainly define resolution, these acoustic modules 1 are produced for the scheduled application.
Figs. 9 and 10 show two embodiments for structural scanners 8 according to the present invention, in which the acoustic modules 1 are each located on an imaginary spherical surface in specific known positions to each other. In this embodiment, containers filled with an contact agent could be used, into which the female breast is held.
This will result in particular in the benefit that the breast becomes weightless due to the buoyancy of the liquid, thus not being subject to deformation. The threo-dimensional images obtained in this manner, which are also of a low-noise quality, allow much better conclusions to be drawn of individual structures than any other scanning methods hitherto known.
, Fig. 10 shows a saddle-shaped structural scanner 8, suitable in particular for examination ' of the prostate gland. For this purpose, the "saddle" is positioned between the patient's legs, thus allowing the acoustic modules 1 to be arranged between his anus and testicles. In this case, these acoustic modules 1 may exclusively comprise receiver units 4, which is not , a must, however. A single acoustic module 1, for instance with transmitter units 2 only, may be arranged by laparoscopy in a known position in the lower abdominal region or in close proximity of the .prostate gland, due to the small sin of the acoustic modules 1. This results in a major benefit of the structwal scanners 8 according to the present invartion versus past conventional arrangements for examination of the prostate gland.
Fig. 11 shows a schematic representation of a complete examination arrangement, in which the structural scanner 8 according to the present invention may be used. In this case, the structural scanner 8 comprises an acoustic module 1 including transmitter units 2 and four acoustic modules 1 including receiver units 4 (left in the figure). The signals received, generated as a response to the send signals echoed by the structures, are rxeived by the receiver units 4 and fed to a processing unit 9, where send and receive signals are correlated and the co-ordinates of the structures 6 are computed by triangulation. Individual structures 6 are shown on the display 10.
Claims (15)
1. An active structure scanner for collecting in 3D mode data of structures embedded in a medium, characterised in that two acoustic modules are provided, one of which comprises a multitude of transmitting units including a coherent audio communication area and the other acoustic module a multitude of receiving units including a coherent receiving area, that the acoustic modules are displaceably arranged in a sensor unit in at least three non-colinear known positions to one another, that the audio communication area of the one acoustic module and the receiving area of the other acoustic module possibly fully overlap within the area of an unknown structure located between the acoustic modules in any position of the acoustic modules and that a transmitting-receiving cycle, having a random modulating function, may be triggered in any position of the acoustic modules in relation to one another between the acoustic modules, with the transmitting-receiving cycle of the transmitting signals being shorter than the cycle for the change in position of the acoustic modules.
2. An active structure scanner for collecting in 3D mode data of structures embedded in a medium, characterised in that three acoustic modules are provided, of which at least one and at the most two of the acoustic modules comprise a multitude of transmitting units including a coherent audio communication area and the other acoustic module(s) comprise(s) a multitude of receiving units, each including a coherent receiving area, that the acoustic modules are displaceably arranged in a sensor unit between at least two non-colinear known positions to one another, that the audio communication areas of the one acoustic module and the receiving areas of the other acoustic modules possibly fully overlap within the area of the unknown structure in either position of the acoustic modules and that a transmitting-receiving cycle, having a random modulating function, may be triggered between the acoustic modules in each position of the acoustic modules to one another, with the transmitting-receiving cycle of the transmitting signals being shorter than the cycle for changing the position of the acoustic modules.
3. An active structure scanner for collecting in 3D mode data of structures embedded in a medium, characterised in that three non-colinear positioned acoustic modules are provided, of which one acoustic module comprises a multitude of transmitting units including a coherent audio communication area and the other acoustic modules comprise a multitude of receiving units, including a coherent receiving area, that the acoustic modules are displaceably arranged in a sensor unit in at least two non-colinear known positions to one another, that the audio communication area of one acoustic module and the receiving areas of the other acoustic modules possibly fully overlap within the area of an unknown structure, that a transmitting-receiving cycle, having a random modulating function, may be triggered between the acoustic modules and that the transmitting units of one acoustic module may be changed to receiving units of one acoustic module and the receiving units of at least one of the other acoustic modules may be changed to transmitting units, with the transmitting-receiving cycle of the transmitting signals being shorter than the changing cycle of the active units of the acoustic modules.
4. An active structure scanner for collecting in 3D mode data of structures embedded in a medium, characterised in that a minimum of three acoustic modules are provided in non-colinear positions, two of which comprise a multitude of transmitting units including a coherent audio communication area each and the other acoustic module comprises a multitude of receiving units including a coherent receiving area, that the acoustic communication areas of the two acoustic modules and the receiving area of the other acoustic module within the area of the unknown structure possibly fully overlap, that a transmitting-receiving cycle, having a random modulating function, may be triggered between the acoustic modules and that the transmitting units of one acoustic module may be changed to receiving units, with the transmitting-receiving cycle for the transmitting signals being shorter than the changing cycle for the active units of the acoustic modules.
5. An active structure scanner for collecting in real-time mode data of structures embedded in a medium, characterised in that a minimum of four acoustic modules are provided, of which at least one acoustic module comprises a multitude of transmitting units including a coherent audio communication area and a minimum of three acoustic modules comprise a multitude of receiving units, including a coherent receiving area, or at least one acoustic module comprises a multitude of receiving units including a coherent receiving area and a minimum of three acoustic modules comprise a multitude of transmitting units including a coherent audio communication area, that the acoustic modules are arranged in a sensor unit in known non-colinear positions to one another, that the audio communication areas of the transmitting units and the receiving areas of the receiving units possibly fully overlap within the area of an unknown structure and that a transmitting-receiving cycle, having a random modulating function, may be triggered between the acoustic modules.
6. An active structure scanner in accordance with one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the surfaces of the acoustic modules are curved, on which the transmitting and/or receiving units are provided in a circular, cylindrical, elliptical or any other arrangement.
7. An active structure scanner in accordance with Claim 6, characterised in that the transmitting and receiving units have as small an active surface as possible.
8. An active structure scanner in accordance with Claim 7, characterised in that the transmitting and receiving units are of a random shape.
9. An active structure scanner in accordance with Claim 8, characterised in that the active surfaces of the transmitting and receiving units are of a honeycomb structure and are arranged on the acoustic module in close proximity to one another.
10. An active structure scanner in accordance with one of Claims 6 to 9 characterised in that the acoustic modules comprise transmitting and/or receiving modules of a variety of shapes and/or numbers.
11. An active structure scanner in accordance with one of Claims 2 to 5, characterised in that the transmitting and/or receiving units may be changed to obtain a number of coherent acoustic communication or receiving areas on one acoustic module.
12. An active structure scanner in accordance with Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that the acoustic modules are mechanically firmly coupled with one another in known positions, that these are arranged on an imaginary spherical surface, so positioned around the unknown structure that the unknown structure is approximately arranged in the centre of the imaginary sphere.
13. An active structure scanner in accordance with one of Claims 1 to 12, characterised in that at least one acoustic module may be located manually in a specific position of the acoustic modules to one another, with positioners and a memory being provided for defining and saving the co-ordinates of the acoustic modules.
14. An active structure scanner in accordance with Claim 13, characterised in that the acoustic module suitable for manual positioning is the only acoustic module equipped with transmitting units or the only acoustic module equipped with receiving units.
15. An active structure scanner in accordance with one of Claims 1 to 11, characterised in that all acoustic modules may be located manually in specific positions to one another sad that positioners and a memory are provided for defining and saving the co-ordinates of the acoustic modules
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19939791.0 | 1999-08-21 | ||
| DE1999139791 DE19939791A1 (en) | 1999-08-21 | 1999-08-21 | Active structure-reader for detecting information relating to structures embedded in medium has transmission-reception cycle which is shorter than acoustic module position changing cycle |
| PCT/EP2000/006926 WO2001013798A1 (en) | 1999-08-21 | 2000-07-20 | Active structure reader |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2376103A1 true CA2376103A1 (en) | 2001-03-01 |
Family
ID=7919225
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002376103A Abandoned CA2376103A1 (en) | 1999-08-21 | 2000-07-20 | Active structural scanner for scanning in 3d mode data of unknown structures |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP1204375A1 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2376103A1 (en) |
| DE (1) | DE19939791A1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2001013798A1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102005002190B4 (en) * | 2005-01-17 | 2007-04-12 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Scanner and method for operating a scanner |
| US8038622B2 (en) | 2007-08-03 | 2011-10-18 | Innoscion, Llc | Wired and wireless remotely controlled ultrasonic transducer and imaging apparatus |
| US8147413B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2012-04-03 | Innoscion, Llc | Image guided catheter having deployable balloons and pericardial access procedure |
| US8147414B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2012-04-03 | Innoscion, Llc | Image guided catheter having remotely controlled surfaces-mounted and internal ultrasound transducers |
| US8403859B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2013-03-26 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US9855021B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2018-01-02 | Perceptive Navigation, LLC | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US10772600B2 (en) | 2015-09-25 | 2020-09-15 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US11850006B2 (en) | 2017-06-28 | 2023-12-26 | Innoscion Llc | Devices and methods for image-guided percutaneous cardiac valve implantation and repair |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE10112034A1 (en) * | 2001-03-14 | 2002-10-02 | Sonem Gmbh | Arrangement for image reproduction for computer tomographs with ultrasound |
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| US3924259A (en) * | 1974-05-15 | 1975-12-02 | Raytheon Co | Array of multicellular transducers |
| US4105018A (en) * | 1976-02-02 | 1978-08-08 | University Of Utah | Acoustic examination, material characterization and imaging of the internal structure of a body by measurement of the time-of-flight of acoustic energy therethrough |
| DE3224464A1 (en) * | 1982-06-30 | 1984-01-12 | Siemens AG, 1000 Berlin und 8000 München | ULTRASONIC TOMOGRAPHER |
| US4562540A (en) * | 1982-11-12 | 1985-12-31 | Schlumberger Technology Corporation | Diffraction tomography system and methods |
| US4581581A (en) * | 1983-06-30 | 1986-04-08 | General Electric Company | Method of projection reconstruction imaging with reduced sensitivity to motion-related artifacts |
| JPS60163643A (en) * | 1984-02-07 | 1985-08-26 | テルモ株式会社 | Ultrasonic measuring method and apparatus |
| US5027658A (en) * | 1986-05-02 | 1991-07-02 | Anderson Forrest L | Three dimensional imaging method and device using ellipsoidal backprojection with arbitrarily shaped pulses |
| DE3719143A1 (en) * | 1987-06-09 | 1988-12-29 | Siemens Ag | Ultrasonic tomography apparatus |
| DE4100867A1 (en) * | 1990-01-26 | 1991-08-01 | Siemens Ag | Production of orthographic ultrasonic images, for medical diagnosis - using ultrasonic transmission and reception systems including reflex camera arrangement |
| US5065763A (en) * | 1990-02-21 | 1991-11-19 | Sri International | Combined reflection and transmssion untrasonic imaging method and apparatus |
| US5363050A (en) * | 1990-08-31 | 1994-11-08 | Guo Wendy W | Quantitative dielectric imaging system |
| US5729660A (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 1998-03-17 | Chiabrera; Alessandro | 3-D inverse scattering by artificial intelligence : apparatus and method |
| DE4446719C2 (en) * | 1994-12-19 | 1998-10-29 | Ralf Dipl Phys Willenbrock | Diffusion Ultrasound Computer Tomograph (DUCT) |
| DE19753571A1 (en) * | 1997-12-03 | 1999-06-17 | Nguyen Minh Tri Dipl Ing | Ultrasound imaging method for quantitative projections of breast, testicle, etc. |
-
1999
- 1999-08-21 DE DE1999139791 patent/DE19939791A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2000
- 2000-07-20 EP EP00956218A patent/EP1204375A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2000-07-20 CA CA002376103A patent/CA2376103A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2000-07-20 WO PCT/EP2000/006926 patent/WO2001013798A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Cited By (14)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE102005002190B4 (en) * | 2005-01-17 | 2007-04-12 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Scanner and method for operating a scanner |
| US7469834B2 (en) | 2005-01-17 | 2008-12-30 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft Zur Foerderung Der Angewandten Forschung E.V. | Scanner and method for operating a scanner |
| US8403858B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2013-03-26 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US8147413B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2012-04-03 | Innoscion, Llc | Image guided catheter having deployable balloons and pericardial access procedure |
| US8147414B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2012-04-03 | Innoscion, Llc | Image guided catheter having remotely controlled surfaces-mounted and internal ultrasound transducers |
| US8403859B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2013-03-26 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US9149257B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2015-10-06 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US9855021B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2018-01-02 | Perceptive Navigation, LLC | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US10945704B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2021-03-16 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US10945703B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2021-03-16 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and method of use |
| US11660067B2 (en) | 2006-10-12 | 2023-05-30 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US8038622B2 (en) | 2007-08-03 | 2011-10-18 | Innoscion, Llc | Wired and wireless remotely controlled ultrasonic transducer and imaging apparatus |
| US10772600B2 (en) | 2015-09-25 | 2020-09-15 | Perceptive Navigation Llc | Image guided catheters and methods of use |
| US11850006B2 (en) | 2017-06-28 | 2023-12-26 | Innoscion Llc | Devices and methods for image-guided percutaneous cardiac valve implantation and repair |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE19939791A1 (en) | 2001-02-22 |
| EP1204375A1 (en) | 2002-05-15 |
| WO2001013798A1 (en) | 2001-03-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
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| FZDE | Discontinued |