EP0308644A2 - Focusing ultrasonic transducer - Google Patents

Focusing ultrasonic transducer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0308644A2
EP0308644A2 EP88113188A EP88113188A EP0308644A2 EP 0308644 A2 EP0308644 A2 EP 0308644A2 EP 88113188 A EP88113188 A EP 88113188A EP 88113188 A EP88113188 A EP 88113188A EP 0308644 A2 EP0308644 A2 EP 0308644A2
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
transducer
converter
elements
zones
focus
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Granted
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EP88113188A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0308644B1 (en
EP0308644A3 (en
Inventor
Helmut Dipl.-Ing. Wurster
Werner Dipl.-Ing. Krauss
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Richard Wolf GmbH
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Richard Wolf GmbH
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0607—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using multiple elements
    • B06B1/0622—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using multiple elements on one surface
    • B06B1/0625—Annular array
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/32—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning characterised by the shape of the source

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a focusing transducer for generating ultrasound pulses for the destruction of objects inside the body, such as concrements and tissue parts, consisting of a spherical cap with mosaic-like arranged on the concave spherical cap, piezoelectric transducer elements which can be excited to oscillate by means of a control device, the transducer can be aligned with the focus on the transducer axis on the respective object and the generated ultrasound pulses can be transmitted to the patient's body via a coupling medium.
  • DE-A1 27 12 341 shows an ultrasound transducer made of piezoelectric material suitable for ultrasound examination in diagnostic medicine, in which the transducer body is concavely curved is to achieve acoustic focusing of the sound waves in a fixed focus, which is given by the curvature of the transducer.
  • concentric ring electrodes are arranged around a central electrode, which face an electrode extending over the entire active surface.
  • the position of the focal point on the axis of the transducer can be varied in the sense of a shortening or lengthening of the acoustic focal length given by the geometric structure, to the point of infinity.
  • DE-Al 31 19 295 also discloses a device similar to the device described above for destroying concrements located in body cavities.
  • Characteristic feature of this device is a focusing ultrasonic transducer, which is designed as a direct sound system and is so large that the sound power density on the transmission path is so small that tissue damage is avoided, but in the acoustic focal point it is so large that it destroys the concretion at the focal point is sufficient.
  • the division of the transducer surface into rings or into individual transducers assembled in a matrix serves to be able to variably adjust the transducer focus electronically according to the phased array principle.
  • the aim of lithrotripsy has been to avoid the occurrence of negative pressure pulses or at least to reduce them to such an extent that cavitation phenomena can be excluded.
  • the measures taken here relate to a special mechanical structure of the transducer, the aim being that the wave resistance of the material forming the carrier calotte for the transducer elements largely coincides with that of the transducer elements and that the rear calotte surface has no focusing effect. Due to the freedom of reflection given thereby, the deformations of the transducer elements can follow the electrically predetermined pulse shape.
  • Such measures make a transducer designed in this way particularly suitable for the destruction of concrements, but they cannot be used for the targeted destruction of tissue cells, for example in cancer therapy.
  • the object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer which is suitable for the destruction of concretions as well as tissue cells and which enables the sound pulses to be generated almost arbitrarily in terms of their amplitude, phase position, polarity, shape and duration .
  • transducer mentioned at the outset in that the active transducer surface is subdivided into a plurality of zones oriented to the transducer focus, each of which is assigned a selected number of transducer elements, and in that the transducer zones are optionally serial and / or for generating at least one sound pulse can be controlled in parallel individually, in groups and overall with the control unit.
  • the converter zones can be in the form of concentric rings elements run around the transducer axis or form the shape of spherical surface sectors, but they can also have a shape which is characterized by a combination of the aforementioned transducer shapes.
  • the shape of the sound lobe generated can be influenced by appropriate wiring of the transducer elements or transducer zones, so that it can have, for example, an oval or elliptical cross section if, for example, some transducer zones located on the edge of the transducer surface are not activated.
  • This has the advantage, among other things, that the sound lobe can be adapted to the anatomical conditions, which is important in the case when the patient's ribs should narrow the sound window to a concrement located in the kidney.
  • the amplitude and / or the duration and / or the polarity of the overall sound pulse effective in the converter focus can also be set by serial control of converter zones and by superimposing the sound pulses generated by these in the focus area.
  • a targeted use of the transducer according to the invention as a device for destroying concrements is possible by means of a special circuitry and control of transducer elements in such a way that the active transducer surface ent by the respective oscillation of the respectively activated transducer zones standing negative half-waves of the sound impulses can be compensated by controlling other converter elements in phase opposition, that is to say that essentially only a positive pressure surge will develop at the focal point.
  • the use of the transducer particularly as a device for the destruction of tissue parts, is possible in that the positive half-waves of the sound impulses which arise on the active surface of the transducer elements being operated can be compensated for by counter-phase control of other transducer elements or zones in the focal point.
  • the possibility of increasing and adjusting the amplitudes of positive and negative half-waves of the sound pulses by controlling several or all converter zones in phase.
  • variable wiring and control of the converter zones therefore allows, for example, only a part of the converter zones to be used to generate the sound pulse and the remaining converter zones to be used for counter-control and cancellation of undesired pulse components.
  • all converter zones can be activated in parallel and occasionally controlled with different pulse shapes according to the requirements, whereby a special embodiment can consist in that not only individual pulses are generated, but also, for example, a damped oscillation that adapts to the transient response of the converter is.
  • the transducer zones arranged in the area of the edge zones of the transducer can also be controlled with a lower or higher amplitude than the other transducer zones, in order to achieve a sound pulse shape of special effectiveness.
  • a piezoelectric ultrasound transducer 2 in the form of a spherical cap 3 is located below a lying surface 1 receiving the patient P.
  • the transducer axis is denoted by A, on which the focal point F of the transducer also lies.
  • the radiation surfaces of the transducer elements are firmly aligned with this focal point.
  • the concave transducer surface 4 is directed against an opening 5 arranged in the lying surface 1. This is surrounded by a sealing sleeve 6, which adapts to the patient's body and ensures that the opening 5 is sealed against the part of the patient's body intended for treatment.
  • the spherical cap 3 is surrounded by a bellows 7, which forms a container 8 together with the surface 4 of the spherical cap 3 as the bottom, connected to the underside of the lying surface 1 in the region of the opening 5.
  • the elasticity of the bellows 7 enables the spherical cap 3 to be adjusted in three planes, which can be done in a known manner by means of a coordinate adjustment table, not shown.
  • the container 8 is filled with degassed water heated to body temperature.
  • the concave surface 4 of the spherical cap 3 is equipped with piezoelectric transducer elements.
  • Their arrangement is such that, for example, there is a structure of concentric spherical ring elements 10 and 11, which are arranged around central spherical segments 9, the entire transducer surface 4 being separated by concentric and radial separating joints into individual, electrically and mechanically insulated ring elements 10.1 to 10.5 and 11.1 to 11.5 or spherical segments 9.1 to 9.5.
  • the active surfaces of the ring elements 10, 11 and the spherical segments 9 are electrically connected to a control circuit according to FIG. 2, in which the ring elements 10 and 11 and the spherical segments 9 are shown in simplified form in the form of block symbols.
  • the electrical voltage potential activating the ultrasound transducer 2 lies between these connections and a common surface electrode on the back of the transducer elements.
  • the selection of the transducer elements or zones to be activated, the preselection of the respective pulse intensity and polarity and their temporal use are carried out with a multiplexer 12 for positive pulse shaping and a multiplexer 13 for negative pulse shaping. The different polarity is ensured by corresponding pulse generators 14 and 15.
  • each circuit then has a choice switch 16, a controllable amplifier 17 for setting the respective amplitude of the pulse and a timer 18 for setting the time of activation, so that each converter zone 11.1 to 11.5 can be controlled individually or together with others.
  • some transducer elements or zones can first be driven with a positive pulse and then with a negative pulse other transducer zones can be driven for countermeasures, taking into account the transient response of the transducer elements, so that only a positive pressure surge will occur in focus F. It is also possible to connect all transducer elements in parallel and to control them with different pulse shapes, it also being possible to set the pulse generators 14 and 15 so that, for example, instead of a single pulse, a damped oscillation can be generated which is adapted to the oscillating behavior of the transducer.
  • the individual transducer zones 9, 10 and 11 can be designed as monolithic piezoelectric vibrators, this will generally lead to a limitation of the available sound power. If higher powers are required, the converter and therefore the converter zones will therefore be constructed from mosaic-like converter elements. In addition, all converter zones can consist of ring elements or spherical spherical sectors. Finally, other divisions of the entire active area of the transducer into zones of a different configuration are also possible.

Abstract

Es ist ein fokussierender Wandler (2) zur Erzeugung von Ultraschallimpulsen für die Zerstörung von körperinneren Objekten, wie von Konkrementen und Gewebeteilen, beschrieben. Der Wandler (2) besteht aus einer Kugelkalotte (3) mit mosaikartig auf der konkaven Kalottenfläche (4) angeordneten, piezoelektrischen Wandlerelementen (9,10,11), die mit einem Steuergerät (12 - 18) zum Schwingen und zur Erzeugung von Stoßwellen angeregt werden können. Der Wandler kann mit seinem auf der Wandlerachse (A) liegenden Fokus (F) auf das jeweilige Objekt ausgerichtet werden, während die von ihm erzeugten Ultraschallimpulse über ein Koppelmedium auf den Körper des Patienten übertragen werden. Um für den jeweiligen Anwendungsfall zu einer optimalen Impulsformung zu kommen, ist die aktive Wandlerfläche in mehrere auf den Wandlerfokus (F) ausgerichtete Zonen (9,10,11) unterteilt, denen jeweils eine ausgewählte Anzahl von Wandlerelementen zugeordnet ist. Die Wandlerzonen können zur Erzeugung mindestens eines Schallimpulses wahlweise seriell und/oder parallel einzeln, in Gruppen und insgesamt mit dem Steuergerät (12 - 18) betrieben werden.A focusing transducer (2) for generating ultrasound pulses for the destruction of objects inside the body, such as concrements and tissue parts, is described. The transducer (2) consists of a spherical cap (3) with mosaic-like piezoelectric transducer elements (9, 10, 11) arranged on the concave spherical surface (4), which are excited by a control unit (12 - 18) to vibrate and generate shock waves can be. With its focus (F) lying on the transducer axis (A), the transducer can be aligned with the respective object, while the ultrasound pulses generated by it are transmitted to the patient's body via a coupling medium. In order to achieve optimal pulse shaping for the respective application, the active transducer surface is divided into several zones (9, 10, 11) aligned with the transducer focus (F), each of which is assigned a selected number of transducer elements. To generate at least one sound pulse, the converter zones can be operated either serially and / or in parallel individually, in groups and overall with the control device (12-18).

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft einen fokussierenden Wandler zur Erzeugung von Ultraschallimpulsen für die Zerstörung von körperinneren Objekten, wie von Konkrementen und Gewebeteilen, bestehend aus einer Kugelkalotte mit mosaikartig auf der konkaven Kalottenfläche angeordneten, piezoelektrischen Wandlerelementen, die mittels eines Steuergerätes zum Schwingen anregbar sind, wobei der Wandler mit seinem auf der Wandlerachse liegenden Fokus auf das jeweilige Objekt ausrichtbar ist und die er­zeugten Ultraschallimpulse über ein Koppelmedium auf den Körper des Patienten übertragbar sind.The invention relates to a focusing transducer for generating ultrasound pulses for the destruction of objects inside the body, such as concrements and tissue parts, consisting of a spherical cap with mosaic-like arranged on the concave spherical cap, piezoelectric transducer elements which can be excited to oscillate by means of a control device, the transducer can be aligned with the focus on the transducer axis on the respective object and the generated ultrasound pulses can be transmitted to the patient's body via a coupling medium.

Direkt fokussierende Ultraschallwandler dieser Art sind bekannt. So zeigt die DE-Al 27 12 341 einen für die Ultraschalluntersuchung in der diagnostischen Medizin geeigneten Ultraschallwandler aus piezoelektrischem Material, bei welchem der Wandlerkörper konkav gekrümmt ist, um auf diese Weise eine akustische Fokussierung der Schallwellen in einem festen Brennpunkt zu erreichen, der durch die Krümmung des Wandlers gegeben ist. An der Außenfläche des Wandlerkörpers sind um eine Mittel­elektrode konzentrisch angelegte Ringelelektroden ange­ordnet, die einer sich über die gesamte aktive Fläche erstreckenden Elektrode gegenüberstehen. Durch Ansteuern der Ringelelektroden unter variabler Verzögerung läßt sich die Lage des Brennpunktes auf der Achse des Wandlers im Sinne einer Verkürzung oder Verlängerung der durch den geometrischen Aufbau vorgegebenen akustischen Brenn­weite variieren, und zwar bis nach unendlich hin.Directly focusing ultrasound transducers of this type are known. For example, DE-A1 27 12 341 shows an ultrasound transducer made of piezoelectric material suitable for ultrasound examination in diagnostic medicine, in which the transducer body is concavely curved is to achieve acoustic focusing of the sound waves in a fixed focus, which is given by the curvature of the transducer. On the outer surface of the transducer body, concentric ring electrodes are arranged around a central electrode, which face an electrode extending over the entire active surface. By actuating the ring electrodes with variable delay, the position of the focal point on the axis of the transducer can be varied in the sense of a shortening or lengthening of the acoustic focal length given by the geometric structure, to the point of infinity.

Aus der DE-Al 31 19 295 ist weiter eine für die Zerstörung von in Körperhöhlen befindlichen Konkrementen vorgesehene Ein­richtung ähnlichen Aufbaues wie die vorbeschriebenen Einrich­tung bekannt. Kennzeichnendes Merkmal dieser Einrichtung ist ein fokussierender Ultraschallwandler, der als Direktbeschaller und so großflächig ausgebildet ist, daß die Schalleistungs­dichte auf dem Transmissionsweg so klein ist, daß Gewebeschä­den vermieden werden, im akustischen Brennpunkt aber so groß ist, daß sie zur Zerstörung des im Brennpunkt befindlichen Konkrementes ausreicht. Auch in diesem Fall dient die Auftei­lung der Wandlerfläche in Ringe oder in matrixartig zusammen­gestellte Einzelwandler dazu, den Wandlerbrennpunkt elektro­nisch nach dem phased-array-Prinzip variabel einstellen zu können.DE-Al 31 19 295 also discloses a device similar to the device described above for destroying concrements located in body cavities. Characteristic feature of this device is a focusing ultrasonic transducer, which is designed as a direct sound system and is so large that the sound power density on the transmission path is so small that tissue damage is avoided, but in the acoustic focal point it is so large that it destroys the concretion at the focal point is sufficient. In this case too, the division of the transducer surface into rings or into individual transducers assembled in a matrix serves to be able to variably adjust the transducer focus electronically according to the phased array principle.

In der Natur der Impulsformung mittels der beschriebenen Wand­ler liegt es nun, daß einem positiven Druckimpuls meist ein mehr oder weniger großer negativer Impuls folgt. Dabei können in der Unterdruckphase Kavitationserscheinungen auftreten, die sich, sofern dies unmittelbar im Bereich des zu zerstören­den Konkremtentes geschieht, in Form einer beschleunigten Zer­störung positiv auswirken können. Wird aber bei einer an sich nur gewünschten Steinzertrümmerung die für das benachbarte Gewebe akzeptable Kavitationsschwelle im vorgelagerten Gewebe überschritten, so kann das zu unerwünschten Gewebezerstörun­gen und Blutungen insbesondere dann führen, wenn der Brenn­punkt des Wandlers nicht exakt auf das Konkrement ausgerich­tet ist.In the nature of pulse shaping using the transducers described, it is now the case that a positive pressure pulse is usually followed by a more or less large negative pulse. In the negative pressure phase, cavitation phenomena can occur which, if this occurs directly in the area of the concretion to be destroyed, can have a positive effect in the form of accelerated destruction. However, if the crushing threshold in the upstream tissue that is acceptable for the neighboring tissue is exceeded in the event of a stone fragmentation that is actually desired, this can lead to undesirable tissue destruction and bleeding, in particular if the focal point of the transducer is not exactly aligned with the calculus.

Es ist daher auch schon, wie beispielsweise aus der DE-Al 34 25 992 ersichtlich ist, bei der Lithrotripsie das Ziel ver­folgt worden, das Auftreten von Unterdruckimpulsen zu ver­meiden oder zumindest so weit zu reduzieren, daß Kavitations­ erscheinungen ausgeschlossen werden können. Die hierbei ge­troffenen Maßnahmen beziehen sich auf einen speziellen me­chanischen Aufbau des Wandlers, wobei darauf abgezielt wird, daß der Wellenwiderstand des die Trägerkalotte für die Wand­lerelemente bildenden Werkstoffes mit dem der Wandlerelemente weitgehend übereinstimmend und daß die rückwärtige Kalotten­oberfläche keine fokussierende Wirkung hat. Aufgrund der da­durch gegebenen Reflexionsfreiheit können die Deformationen der Wandlerelemente der elektrisch vorgegebenen Impulsform folgen. Solche Maßnahmen machen einen so konzipierten Wand­ler für die Zerstörung von Konkrementen besonders geeignet, sie können aber nicht für eine gezielte Zerstörung von Gewe­bezellen, beispielsweise in der Krebs- Therapie, zur Anwendung kommen.It is therefore already, as can be seen, for example, from DE-Al 34 25 992, that the aim of lithrotripsy has been to avoid the occurrence of negative pressure pulses or at least to reduce them to such an extent that cavitation phenomena can be excluded. The measures taken here relate to a special mechanical structure of the transducer, the aim being that the wave resistance of the material forming the carrier calotte for the transducer elements largely coincides with that of the transducer elements and that the rear calotte surface has no focusing effect. Due to the freedom of reflection given thereby, the deformations of the transducer elements can follow the electrically predetermined pulse shape. Such measures make a transducer designed in this way particularly suitable for the destruction of concrements, but they cannot be used for the targeted destruction of tissue cells, for example in cancer therapy.

Die Aufgabe der Erfindung besteht in der Schaffung eines Ul­traschallwandlers, welcher sowohl für die Zerstörung von Kon­krementen als auch von Gewebezellen geeignet ist und der es ermöglicht, daß die Schallimpulse nahezu beliebig in bezug auf ihre Amplitude, Phasenlage, Polarität, Form und Dauer er­zeugt werden können.The object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer which is suitable for the destruction of concretions as well as tissue cells and which enables the sound pulses to be generated almost arbitrarily in terms of their amplitude, phase position, polarity, shape and duration .

Diese Aufgabe wird erfindungsgemäß bei einem eingangs erwähn­ten Wandler dadurch gelöst, daß die aktive Wandlerfläche in mehrere auf den Wandlerfokus ausgerichtete Zonen unterteilt ist, denen jeweils eine ausgewählte Anzahl von Wandlerele­menten zugeordnet ist, und daß die Wandlerzonen zur Erzeu­gung mindestens eines Schallimpulses wahlweise seriell und/­oder parallel einzeln, in Gruppen und insgesamt mit dem Steu­ergerät ansteuerbar sind.This object is achieved in a transducer mentioned at the outset in that the active transducer surface is subdivided into a plurality of zones oriented to the transducer focus, each of which is assigned a selected number of transducer elements, and in that the transducer zones are optionally serial and / or for generating at least one sound pulse can be controlled in parallel individually, in groups and overall with the control unit.

Dabei können die Wandlerzonen in Form konzentrischer Ringele­ mente um die Wandlerachse verlaufen oder die Form von Kugel­flächensektoren bilden, sie können aber auch eine Form auf­weisen, die durch eine Kombination der vorgenannten Wandler­formen gekennzeichnet ist.The converter zones can be in the form of concentric rings elements run around the transducer axis or form the shape of spherical surface sectors, but they can also have a shape which is characterized by a combination of the aforementioned transducer shapes.

Damit ist die Möglichkeit gegeben, jede Wandlerzone einzeln oder in Gruppen frei wählbar anzusteuern, und zwar seriell und/oder parallel und auch negativ sowie positiv nach Phase und Amplitude. Darüberhinaus kann durch entsprechende Be­schaltung der Wandlerelemente bzw. Wandlerzonen die Form der erzeugten Schallkeule beeinflußt werden, so daß sie beispiels­weise einen ovalen oder ellipsenförmigen Querschnitt aufwei­sen kann, wenn beispielsweise einige am Rande der Wandler­fläche befindliche Wandlerzonen nicht angesteuert werden. Das hat unter anderem den Vorteil, daß man die Schallkeule den anatomischen Gegebenheiten anpassen kann, was für den Fall wichtig ist, wenn die Rippen des Patienten das Schall­fenster zu einem in der Niere befindlichen Konkrement ein­engen sollten.This provides the option of freely controlling each converter zone individually or in groups, specifically in series and / or in parallel and also negatively and positively according to phase and amplitude. In addition, the shape of the sound lobe generated can be influenced by appropriate wiring of the transducer elements or transducer zones, so that it can have, for example, an oval or elliptical cross section if, for example, some transducer zones located on the edge of the transducer surface are not activated. This has the advantage, among other things, that the sound lobe can be adapted to the anatomical conditions, which is important in the case when the patient's ribs should narrow the sound window to a concrement located in the kidney.

Durch serielle Ansteuerung von Wandlerzonen und durch Überla­gerung der von diesen im Fokusbereich erzeugten Schallimpulse können weiterhin die Amplitude und/oder die Dauer und/oder die Polarität des insgesamt im Wandlerfokus wirksamen Schall­impulses eingestellt werden.The amplitude and / or the duration and / or the polarity of the overall sound pulse effective in the converter focus can also be set by serial control of converter zones and by superimposing the sound pulses generated by these in the focus area.

Ein gezielter Einsatz des erfindungsgemäßen Wandlers als Ge­rät zur Zerstörung von Konkrementen ist durch eine spezielle Beschaltung und Ansteuerung von Wandlerelementen in der Weise möglich, daß die an der aktiven Wandlerfläche durch jeweili­ges Rückschwingen der jeweils angesteuerten Wandlerzonen ent­ stehenden negativen Halbwellen der Schallimpulse durch eine gegenphasige Ansteuerung anderer Wandlerelemente kompensier­bar sind, das heißt, daß sich im Brennpunkt im wesentlichen nur ein positiver Druckstoß ausbilden wird.A targeted use of the transducer according to the invention as a device for destroying concrements is possible by means of a special circuitry and control of transducer elements in such a way that the active transducer surface ent by the respective oscillation of the respectively activated transducer zones standing negative half-waves of the sound impulses can be compensated by controlling other converter elements in phase opposition, that is to say that essentially only a positive pressure surge will develop at the focal point.

Ebenso ist der Einsatz des Wandlers speziell als Gerät zur Zerstörung von Gewebeteilen dadurch möglich, daß die an der aktiven Fläche der jeweils betriebenen Wandlerelemente durch jeweiliges Vorschwingen entstehenden positiven Halbwellen der Schallimpulse durch eine gegenphasige Ansteuerung von anderen Wandlerelementen bzw- zonen im Brennpunkt kompensiert werden können. Schließlich ist auch die Möglichkeit gegeben, die Amplituden von positiven und negativen Halbwellen der Schall­impulse dadurch zu erhöhen und einzustellen, daß eine gleich­phasige Ansteuerung mehrerer oder aller Wandlerzonen erfolgt.Likewise, the use of the transducer, particularly as a device for the destruction of tissue parts, is possible in that the positive half-waves of the sound impulses which arise on the active surface of the transducer elements being operated can be compensated for by counter-phase control of other transducer elements or zones in the focal point. Finally, there is also the possibility of increasing and adjusting the amplitudes of positive and negative half-waves of the sound pulses by controlling several or all converter zones in phase.

Die variable Beschaltung und Ansteuerung der Wandlerzonen ge­stattet es also, zum Beispiel nur einen Teil der Wandlerzonen zur Erzeugung des Schallimpulses zu benutzen und die restlichen Wandlerzonen für eine Gegensteuerung und Aufhebung unerwünsch­ter Impulsanteile zu verwenden. Wie auch schon gesagt wurde, können alle Wandlerzonen parallel aktiviert und entsprechend den Erfordernissen zeitweise mit verschiedenen Pulsformen angesteuert werden, wobei eine besondere Ausführungsform da­rin bestehen kann, daß nicht nur Einzelimpulse erzeugt wer­den, sondern auch beispielsweise eine gedämpfte Schwingung, die dem Einschwingverhalten des Wandlers angepaßt ist. Schließlich können auch die im Bereich der Randzonen des Wandlers angeordneten Wandlerzonen mit geringerer oder höhe­rer Amplitude angesteuert werden als die anderen Wandlerzo­nen, um so zu einer Schallimpulsform von spezieller Wirksam­keit zu kommen.The variable wiring and control of the converter zones therefore allows, for example, only a part of the converter zones to be used to generate the sound pulse and the remaining converter zones to be used for counter-control and cancellation of undesired pulse components. As has already been said, all converter zones can be activated in parallel and occasionally controlled with different pulse shapes according to the requirements, whereby a special embodiment can consist in that not only individual pulses are generated, but also, for example, a damped oscillation that adapts to the transient response of the converter is. Finally, the transducer zones arranged in the area of the edge zones of the transducer can also be controlled with a lower or higher amplitude than the other transducer zones, in order to achieve a sound pulse shape of special effectiveness.

Der erfindungsgemäße Wandler wird nachfolgend anhand eines in der Zeichnung dargestellten Ausführungsbeispiels näher er­läutert. Es zeigt:

  • Figur 1 einen Wandler schematisch im Teilschnitt und in axo­metrischer Darstellung,
  • Figur 2 die Ansteuerschaltung für den Wandler nach Figur 1 als Blockschaltbild und
  • Figur 3 das Schalbild eines Multiplexers in vereinfachter Darstellung.
The converter according to the invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing. It shows:
  • FIG. 1 shows a converter schematically in partial section and in an axometric view,
  • Figure 2 shows the control circuit for the converter of Figure 1 as a block diagram and
  • Figure 3 shows the circuit diagram of a multiplexer in a simplified representation.

Gemäß Figur 1 befindet sich unterhalb einer den Patienten P aufnehmenden Liegefläche 1 ein piezoelektrischer Ultraschall­wandler 2 in Form einer Kugelkalotte 3. Die Wandlerachse ist mit A bezeichnet, auf der auch der Brennpunkt F des Wandlers liegt. Die Abstrahlflächen der Wandlerelemente sind fest auf diesen Brennpunkt ausgerichtet.According to FIG. 1, a piezoelectric ultrasound transducer 2 in the form of a spherical cap 3 is located below a lying surface 1 receiving the patient P. The transducer axis is denoted by A, on which the focal point F of the transducer also lies. The radiation surfaces of the transducer elements are firmly aligned with this focal point.

Die konkave Wandlerfläche 4 ist gegen eine in der Liegefläche 1 angeordnete Öffnung 5 gerichtet. Diese ist von einer Dicht­manschette 6 umgeben, die sich an den Körper des Patienten anpaßt und für einen dichten Verschluß der Öffnung 5 gegen­über der für die Behandlung vorgesehenen Körperpartie des Patienten sorgt.The concave transducer surface 4 is directed against an opening 5 arranged in the lying surface 1. This is surrounded by a sealing sleeve 6, which adapts to the patient's body and ensures that the opening 5 is sealed against the part of the patient's body intended for treatment.

Die Kugelkalotte 3 ist von einem Faltenbalg 7 umgeben, der unter Anschluß an die Unterseite der Liegefläche 1 im Bereich der Umgebung der Öffnung 5 einen Behälter 8 zusammen mit der Fläche 4 der Kugelkalotte 3 als Boden bildet. Die Elastizi­tät des Faltenbalges 7 ermöglicht eine Verstellung der Kugel­kalotte 3 in drei Ebenen, was in bekannter Weise mittels ei­nes nicht gezeigten Koordinaten-Verstelltisches geschehen kann. Zur Ankopplung der von der Kugelkalotte 3 ausgehenden Stoßwellen an den Patienten wird der Behälter 8 mit entgas­tem und auf Körpertemperatur erwärmten Wasser gefüllt.The spherical cap 3 is surrounded by a bellows 7, which forms a container 8 together with the surface 4 of the spherical cap 3 as the bottom, connected to the underside of the lying surface 1 in the region of the opening 5. The elasticity of the bellows 7 enables the spherical cap 3 to be adjusted in three planes, which can be done in a known manner by means of a coordinate adjustment table, not shown. For coupling the outgoing from the spherical cap 3 Shock waves on the patient, the container 8 is filled with degassed water heated to body temperature.

Die konkave Fläche 4 der Kugelkalotte 3 ist mit piezoelektri­schen Wandlerelementen bestückt. Deren Anordnung ist so ge­troffen, daß sich beispielsweise eine Struktur von konzen­trisch angelegten sphärischen Ringelementen 10 und 11 ergibt, die um zentrale Kalottensegmente 9 herum angeordnet sind, wobei die gesamte Wandlerfläche 4 durch konzentrisch und radial verlaufende Trennfugen in einzelne, elektrisch und mechanisch isolierte Ringelemente 10.1 bis 10.5 und 11.1 bis 11.5 bzw. Kalottensegmente 9.1 bis 9.5 aufgeteilt ist.The concave surface 4 of the spherical cap 3 is equipped with piezoelectric transducer elements. Their arrangement is such that, for example, there is a structure of concentric spherical ring elements 10 and 11, which are arranged around central spherical segments 9, the entire transducer surface 4 being separated by concentric and radial separating joints into individual, electrically and mechanically insulated ring elements 10.1 to 10.5 and 11.1 to 11.5 or spherical segments 9.1 to 9.5.

Die aktiven Flächen der Ringelemente 10, 11 und der Kalotten­segmente 9 sind elektrisch mit einer Ansteuerschaltung ge­mäß Figur 2 verbunden, in der die Ringelemente 10 und 11 und die Kalottensegmente 9 vereinfacht in Form von Blocksymbolen dargestellt sind. Das den Ultraschallwandler 2 aktivierende elektrische Spannungspotential liegt zwischen diesen An­schlüsse und einer gemeinsamen Flächenelektrode an der Rück­seite der Wandlerelemente. Dabei erfolgt die Auswahl der zu aktivierenden Wandlerelemente bzw. - zonen, die Vorwahl der jeweiligen Pulsintensität und -polarität sowie ihr zeitlicher Einsatz mit jeweils einem Multiplexer 12 für eine positive Pulsformung und einem Multiplexer 13 für eine negative Puls­formung. Die unterschiedliche Polarität wird dabei durch ent­sprechende Impulsgeneratoren 14 und 15 besorgt.The active surfaces of the ring elements 10, 11 and the spherical segments 9 are electrically connected to a control circuit according to FIG. 2, in which the ring elements 10 and 11 and the spherical segments 9 are shown in simplified form in the form of block symbols. The electrical voltage potential activating the ultrasound transducer 2 lies between these connections and a common surface electrode on the back of the transducer elements. The selection of the transducer elements or zones to be activated, the preselection of the respective pulse intensity and polarity and their temporal use are carried out with a multiplexer 12 for positive pulse shaping and a multiplexer 13 for negative pulse shaping. The different polarity is ensured by corresponding pulse generators 14 and 15.

Der Aufbau der Multiplexer 12 und 13 ist der Figur 3 zu ent­nehmen, welche der besseren Übersicht halber lediglich Ein­blick in die Schaltkreise für die Aktivierung der Ringele­mente 11 gibt. Jeder Schaltkreis weist danach einen Wahl­ schalter 16, einen regelbaren Verstärker 17 für die Einstel­lung der jeweiligen Amplitude des Pulses und ein Zeitglied 18 für die Einstellung des Zeitpunktes der Aktivierung auf, so daß jede Wandlerzone 11.1 bis 11.5 individuell oder gemeinsam mit anderen angesteuert werden kann.The structure of the multiplexers 12 and 13 can be seen in FIG. 3, which for the sake of a better overview only gives an insight into the circuits for the activation of the ring elements 11. Each circuit then has a choice switch 16, a controllable amplifier 17 for setting the respective amplitude of the pulse and a timer 18 for setting the time of activation, so that each converter zone 11.1 to 11.5 can be controlled individually or together with others.

So können zum Beispiel einige Wandlerelemente bzw.-zonen zu­nächst mit einem positiven Impuls angesteuert und dann mit einem negativen Impuls andere Wandlerzonen unter Berücksich­tigung des Einschwingverhaltens der Wandlerelemente zum Ge­gensteuern angesteuert werden, so daß im Fokus F nur ein po­sitiver Druckstoß auftreten wird. Es können auch alle Wand­lerelemente parallel geschaltet und mit verschiedenen Puls­formen angesteuert werden, wobei es auch möglich ist, die Puls­generatoren 14 und 15 so einzustellen, daß statt eines Einzel­impulses zum Beispiel eine gedämpfte Schwingung erzeugt werden kann, die dem Schwingverhalten des Wandlers angepaßt ist.For example, some transducer elements or zones can first be driven with a positive pulse and then with a negative pulse other transducer zones can be driven for countermeasures, taking into account the transient response of the transducer elements, so that only a positive pressure surge will occur in focus F. It is also possible to connect all transducer elements in parallel and to control them with different pulse shapes, it also being possible to set the pulse generators 14 and 15 so that, for example, instead of a single pulse, a damped oscillation can be generated which is adapted to the oscillating behavior of the transducer.

Man kann natürlich auch die Ringelemente 10, 11 mit geringerer Amplitude ansteuern als die Kalottensegmente 9. Schließlich ist auch möglich, den Ultraschallwandler 2 zur Abgabe einer gedämpften Schwingung immer mit dem Impuls anzusteuern, den der Wandler gerade machen will, womit sich die Amplitude die­ses Pulses erhöhen läßt. Man erhält dabei zwar keinen Einzel­impuls, sondern eine Pulsfolge, bei der aber der negative oder positive Teil jeweils gegenüber dem anderen erhöht wer­den kann. Eine solche Pulsfolge könnte insbesondere bei der Zerstörung von Gewebe von Nutzen sein.It is of course also possible to control the ring elements 10, 11 with a lower amplitude than the calotte segments 9. Finally, it is also possible to always control the ultrasound transducer 2 to emit a damped oscillation with the pulse that the transducer is about to make, thus reducing the amplitude of this pulse can be increased. You do not get a single pulse, but a pulse sequence, in which the negative or positive part can be increased compared to the other. Such a pulse sequence could be particularly useful in the destruction of tissue.

Die einzelnen Wandlerzonen 9, 10 und 11 können zwar als mono­lithische piezoelektrische Schwinger ausgebildet sein, dies wird aber im allgemeinen zu einer Einschränkung der verfüg­baren Schalleistung führen. Falls höhere Leistungen gefordert sind, wird man deshalb den Wandler und damit auch die Wand­lerzonen aus mosaikartig zusammengesetzen Wandlerelementen aufbauen. Außerdem können auch alle Wandlerzonen insgesamt aus Ringelementen oder Kugelkalottensektoren bestehen. Schließlich sind auch sonstige Aufteilungen der gesamten aktiven Fläche des Wandler in Zonen von anderer Kofiguration möglich.The individual transducer zones 9, 10 and 11 can be designed as monolithic piezoelectric vibrators, this will generally lead to a limitation of the available sound power. If higher powers are required, the converter and therefore the converter zones will therefore be constructed from mosaic-like converter elements. In addition, all converter zones can consist of ring elements or spherical spherical sectors. Finally, other divisions of the entire active area of the transducer into zones of a different configuration are also possible.

Claims (8)

1. Fokussierender Wandler zur Erzeugung von Ultraschallimpul­sen für die Zerstörung von körperinneren Objekten, wie von Konkrementen und Gewebeteilen, bestehend aus einer Kugel­kalotte mit mosaikartig auf der konkaven Kalottenfläche angeordneten, piezoelektrischen Wandlerelementen, die mittels eines Steuergerätes zum Schwingen anregbar sind, wobei der Wandler mit seinem auf der Wandlerachse liegen­den Fokus auf das jeweilige Objekt ausrichtbar ist und die erzeugten Ultraschallimpulse über ein Koppelmedium auf den Körper des Patienten übertragbar sind, dadurch ge­kennzeichnet, daß die aktive Wandlerfläche in mehrere auf den Wandlerfokus (F) ausgerichtete Zonen (9-11) unterteilt ist, denen jeweils eine ausgewählte Anzahl von Wandlerele­menten zugeordnet ist, und daß die Wandlerzonen zur Er­zeugung mindestens eines Schallimpulses wahlweise seriell und/oder parallel einzeln, in Gruppen und insgesamt mit dem Steuergerät (12-18) ansteuerbar sind.1.Focusing transducer for generating ultrasonic pulses for the destruction of intra-body objects, such as concrements and tissue parts, consisting of a spherical cap with mosaic-like arranged on the concave spherical cap, piezoelectric transducer elements that can be excited to vibrate by means of a control unit, the transducer with its focus on the transducer axis can be aligned with the respective object and the ultrasound pulses generated can be transmitted to the patient's body via a coupling medium, characterized in that the active transducer surface is divided into several zones (9-11) aligned with the transducer focus (F) , each of which is assigned a selected number of transducer elements, and that the transducer zones for generating at least one sound pulse can be controlled either serially and / or in parallel individually, in groups and overall with the control device (12-18). 2. Wandler nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandlerzonen in Form von Ringelementen (10,11) um die Wandlerachse (A) verlaufen.2. Transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that the transducer zones in the form of ring elements (10, 11) extend around the transducer axis (A). 3. Wandler nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Wandler die Form von Kugelflächensektoren (9) haben.3. Transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that the transducers have the shape of spherical surface sectors (9). 4. Wandler nach Anspruch 1, gekennzeichnet durch eine Kombi­nation der Wandlerzonenformen nach den Ansprüchen 2 und 3.4. Converter according to claim 1, characterized by a combination of the converter zone shapes according to claims 2 and 3. 5. Wandler nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch ge­kennzeichnet, daß durch serielle Ansteuerung von Wandler­zonen (9-11) und durch Überlagerung der von den Wandler­zonen im Fokusbereich erzeugten Schallimpulse die Ampli­tude und/oder die Dauer und/oder die Polarität des ins­gesamt im Wandlerfokus (F) wirksamen Schallimpulses ein­stellbar ist bzw. sind.5. Converter according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the amplitude and / or the duration and / or the polarity of the total by serial control of transducer zones (9-11) and by superimposing the sound pulses generated by the transducer zones in the focus area effective transducer pulse can be set in the transducer focus (F). 6. Wandler zur Zerstörung von Konkrementen nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die im Fokus (F) durch jeweiliges Rückschwingen von Wandler­elementen entstehenden negativen Halbwellen der Schall­impulse durch eine gegenphasige Ansteuerung anderer Wand­lerelemente kompensierbar sind.6. converter for destroying concrements according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the negative half-waves of the sound impulses arising in the focus (F) from the respective reverberation of converter elements can be compensated by controlling other converter elements in phase opposition. 7. Wandler zur Zerstörung von Gewebeteilen nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die im Fokus (F) durch jeweiliges Vorschwingen von Wandlerele­menten entstehenden positiven Halbwellen der Schallim­pulse durch eine gegenphasige Ansteuerung von anderen Wandlerelementen kompensierbar sind.7. transducer for the destruction of tissue parts according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the positive half-waves of the sound pulses arising in the focus (F) by respective pre-oscillation of transducer elements can be compensated for by a phase control of other transducer elements. 8. Wandler nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, dadurch gekenn­zeichnet, daß die Amplituden von positiven und negativen Halbwellen der Schallimpulse durch gleichphasige Ansteue­rung erhöhbar sind.8. Converter according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the amplitudes of positive and negative half-waves of the sound pulses can be increased by in-phase control.
EP88113188A 1987-09-24 1988-08-13 Focusing ultrasonic transducer Expired - Lifetime EP0308644B1 (en)

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DE19873732131 DE3732131A1 (en) 1987-09-24 1987-09-24 FOCUSING ULTRASONIC transducer

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DE3732131A1 (en) 1989-04-06
EP0308644B1 (en) 1994-10-26
US4888746A (en) 1989-12-19
DE3851930D1 (en) 1994-12-01
EP0308644A3 (en) 1990-05-30

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