EP0308644B1 - Focusing ultrasonic transducer - Google Patents

Focusing ultrasonic transducer Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0308644B1
EP0308644B1 EP88113188A EP88113188A EP0308644B1 EP 0308644 B1 EP0308644 B1 EP 0308644B1 EP 88113188 A EP88113188 A EP 88113188A EP 88113188 A EP88113188 A EP 88113188A EP 0308644 B1 EP0308644 B1 EP 0308644B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
calotte
transducer
zones
impulses
spherical
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EP88113188A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0308644A2 (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

Description

Die Erfindung geht aus von einem fokussierenden Wandler zur Erzeugung von Ultraschallimpulsen für die Zerstörung von körperinneren Objekten, wie wenigstens von Konkrementen, bestehend aus einer Kugelkalotte als Träger für auf der konkaven Kalottenfläche mosaikartig angeordnete, piezoelektrische Wandlerelemente, 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 und wobei die konkave Fläche der Kugelkalotte in mehrere, auf den Wandlerfokus ausgerichtete Kalottenzonen unterteilt ist, denen jeweils eine ausgewählte Anzahl von Wandlerelementen zugeordnet ist.The invention is based on a focusing transducer for generating ultrasound pulses for the destruction of objects inside the body, such as at least concrements, consisting of a spherical cap as a carrier for piezoelectric transducer elements arranged in a mosaic on the concave spherical surface, which can be excited to vibrate by means of a control device, wherein the transducer with its focus on the transducer axis can be aligned to the respective object and the ultrasound pulses generated can be transmitted to the patient's body via a coupling medium, and wherein the concave surface of the spherical cap is divided into several dome zones aligned with the transducer focus, each of which a selected number of transducer elements is assigned.

Ein derartiger Wandler ist in der DE-A-31 19 295 beschrieben. Seine kalottenförmige oder planare Abstrahlfläche ist in ringförmige bzw. matrixartige Wandlerzonen mit entsprechenden Wandlerelementen für die Ultraschallwellen aufgeteilt, um den Wandlerbrennpunkt variabel einstellen zu können. Das kennzeichnende Merkmal dieses fokussierenden Ultraschallwandlers besteht darin, daß er als Direktbeschaller und so großflächig ausgebildet ist, daß die Schalleistungsdichte auf dem Transmissionsweg so klein ist, daß Gewebeschäden vermieden werden, im akustischen Fokus aber so groß ist, daß sie zur Zerstörung des im Fokus befindlichen Konkrementes ausreicht.Such a converter is described in DE-A-31 19 295. Its dome-shaped or planar radiation surface is divided into ring-shaped or matrix-like transducer zones with corresponding transducer elements for the ultrasonic waves in order to be able to variably adjust the transducer focus. The characteristic feature of this focusing ultrasound transducer is that it 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 become, but in the acoustic focus is so large that it is sufficient to destroy the concretion in focus.

Ein weiterer Wandler mit kalottenförmiger Abstrahlfläche ist in der älteren, nicht vorveröffentlichten EP-A-0 307 300 beschrieben. Er umfaßt ebenfalls mehrere ringförmige, konzentrisch angeordnete Zonen in der Abstrahlfläche, wobei jede Zone mit mehreren Gruppen von Wandlerelementen bestückt ist, die so angesteuert werden, daß im Fokus des Wandlers eine ausreichende Energiedichte für die Objektzerstörung zur Verfügung steht.Another transducer with a dome-shaped radiation surface is described in the older, not previously published EP-A-0 307 300. It also comprises a plurality of annular, concentrically arranged zones in the radiation area, each zone being equipped with a plurality of groups of transducer elements which are controlled in such a way that a sufficient energy density for object destruction is available in the focus of the transducer.

Einen noch weiteren fokussierenden Ultraschallwandler für die Ultraschalluntersuchung in der diagnostischen Medizin zeigt die DE A 27 12 341. Er besteht 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.DE A 27 12 341 shows yet another focusing ultrasound transducer for ultrasound examination in diagnostic medicine. It consists of piezoelectric material in which the transducer body is curved in a concave manner in order to achieve acoustic focusing of the sound waves in a fixed focal point, 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 that extends over the entire active surface. By controlling the ringing electrodes with a 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.

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 unmnittelbar 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 can be done 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-A-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 Kavitationserscheinungen 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, as can be seen, for example, from DE-A-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 symptoms occur 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 support cap for the transducer elements largely coincides with that of the transducer elements and that the rear cap 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 calculi, 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 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 with regard to their amplitude, phase position, polarity, shape and duration.

Diese Aufgabe wird durch die kennzeichenmerkmale des Patentanspruchs 1 gelöst.This object is achieved by the characterizing features of patent claim 1.

Dabei können die Kalottenzonen in Form konzentrischer Kalottenringsegmente um die Wandlerachse verlaufen oder die Form von Kalottensektoren bilden, sie können aber auch eine Form aufweisen, die durch eine Kombination der vorgenannten Kalottenzonenformen gekennzeichnet ist.The spherical zones can be in the form of concentric spherical ring segments run around the transducer axis or form the shape of spherical sectors, but they can also have a shape which is characterized by a combination of the aforementioned spherical zone shapes.

Damit ist die Möglichkeit gegeben, jede Kalottenzone des Wandlers 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 der Kalottenzonen 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 Kalottenzonen 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 dome zone of the converter 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 generated sound lobe can be influenced by appropriate wiring of the transducer elements of the dome zones, so that it can have, for example, an oval or elliptical cross section if, for example, some dome 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 Kalottenzonen 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 transducer focus can also be set by serial control of spherical domes and by superimposing the sound pulses generated by them 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 Kalottenzonen entstehenden 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 specific 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 dome zones that are created on the active transducer surface by the respective backward swinging of the respectively controlled 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- Kalottenzonen 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 Kalottenzonen erfolgt.Likewise, the use of the transducer is especially possible as a device for the destruction of tissue parts in that the positive half-waves of the sound impulses that arise on the active surface of the transducer elements being operated can be compensated for by counter-phase control of other transducer elements or dome 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 of the spherical zones in phase.

Die variable Beschaltung und Ansteuerung der Kalottenzonen gestattet es also, zum Beispiel nur einen Teil der Zonen zur Erzeugung des Schallimpulses zu benutzen und die restlichen Zonen für eine Gegensteuerung und Aufhebung unerwünschter Impulsanteile zu verwenden. Wie auch schon gesagt wurde, können alle Kalottenzonen 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 Kalottenzonen mit geringerer oder höherer Amplitude angesteuert werden als die anderen Kalottenzonen, um so zu einer Schallimpulsform von spezieller Wirksamkeit zu kommen.The variable wiring and control of the spherical zones therefore allows, for example, only a part of the zones to be used to generate the sound pulse and the remaining zones to be used for counter-control and cancellation of undesired pulse components. As has also already been said, all spherical 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 the transient response of the transducer is. Finally, the dome zones arranged in the region of the edge zones of the transducer can also be driven with a lower or higher amplitude than the other dome zones, in order to achieve a sound pulse shape of special effectiveness.

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

Figur 1
einen Wandler schematisch im Teilschnitt und in axonometrischer 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 with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawing. Show it:
Figure 1
a converter schematically in partial section and in axonometric representation,
Figure 2
the control circuit for the converter of Figure 1 as a block diagram and
Figure 3
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 Fläche 4 des Wandlers 2 bzw. der Kugelkalotte 3 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 surface 4 of the transducer 2 or the spherical cap 3 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 a base in connection with 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 Kalottenringsegmenten 10 und 11 ergibt, die um zentrale Kalottensektoren 9 herum angeordnet sind, wobei die gesamte Fläche 4 durch konzentrisch und radial verlaufende Trennfugen in einzelne, elektrisch und mechanisch isolierte Ringsegmente 10.1 bis 10.5 und 11.1 bis 11.5 bzw. Kalottensektoren 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 concentrically arranged spherical ring segments 10 and 11, which are arranged around central spherical sectors 9, the entire surface 4 being separated by concentric and radial separating joints into individual, electrically and mechanically insulated ring segments 10.1 to 10.5 and 11.1 to 11.5 or calotte sectors 9.1 to 9.5 is divided.

Die aktiven Flächen der Kalottenringsegmente 10, 11 und der Kalottensektoren 9 sind elektrisch mit einer Ansteuerschaltung gemäß Figur 2 verbunden, in der die Ringsegmente 10 und 11 und die Kalottensektoren 9 vereinfacht in Form von Blocksymbolen dargestellt sind. Das den Ultraschallwandler 2 aktivierende elektrische Spannungspotential liegt zwischen diesen Anschlüssen und einer gemeinsamen Flächenelektrode an der Rückseite der Wandlerelemente. Dabei erfolgt die Auswahl der zu aktivierenden Wandlerelemente bzw. Kalottenzonen, 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 spherical ring segments 10, 11 and the spherical sectors 9 are electrically connected to a control circuit according to FIG. 2, in which the ring segments 10 and 11 and the spherical sectors 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 spherical 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 Ringsegmente 11 gibt. Jeder Schaltkreis weist danach einen Wahlschalter 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 jedes Ringsegment 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 segments 11. Each circuit then has a selector 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 ring segment 11.1 to 11.5 can be controlled individually or together with others.

So können zum Beispiel einige Wandlerelemente bzw. Kalottenzonen zu nächst mit einem positiven Impuls angesteuert und dann mit einem negativen Impuls andere Kalottenzonen unter Berücksichtigung des Einschwingverhaltens der Wandlerelemente zum Ge gensteuern 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 spherical zones can first be driven with a positive pulse and then other spherical zones with a negative pulse, 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 Ringsegmente 10, 11 mit geringerer Amplitude ansteuern als die Kalottensektoren 9. Schließlich ist es 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 segments 10, 11 with a lower amplitude than the calotte sectors 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 increases. You do not get a single pulse, but a pulse train, in which the negative or positive part can be increased compared to the other. Such a pulse train could be particularly useful when tissue is destroyed.

Die einzelnen Kalottenzonen 9, 10 und 11 des Wandlers 2 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 Kalottenzonen aus mosaikartig zusammengesetzen Wandlerelemente aufbauen. Außerdem können auch alle Kalottenzonen insgesamt aus Ringsegmenten oder Kalottensektoren bestehen. Schließlich sind auch sonstige Aufteilungen der gesamten aktiven Fläche 4 des Wandlers 2 in Zonen von anderer Konfiguration möglich.The individual spherical zones 9, 10 and 11 of the transducer 2 can be designed as monolithic piezoelectric vibrators, this will generally lead to a limitation of the available sound power. If higher performance is required, the converter and therefore the spherical zones will therefore be constructed from mosaic-like converter elements. In addition, all spherical zones can consist of ring segments or spherical sectors. Finally, other divisions of the entire active area 4 of the transducer 2 into zones of a different configuration are also possible.

Claims (6)

  1. A focussing transducer (2) for the production of ultrasonic impulses for the destruction of objects inside the body, such as concretions at least, consisting of a spherical calotte (3) as carrier for piezoelectric transducer elements arranged in the manner of a mosaic on the concave calotte surface (4), which transducer elements are able to be stimulated into oscillation by means of a control device (12-18), in which the transducer (2) is able to be aligned onto the respective object with its focus (F) lying on the transducer axis (A), and the produced ultrasonic impulses are able to be transferred via a coupling medium onto the body of the patient and in which the concave surface (4) of the spherical calotte (3) is divided into several calotte zones (9,10,11) aligned to the transformer focus (F), with which calotte zones there is associated in each case a selected number of transducer elements, characterised in that
       the control device has a first multiplexer (12) to form positive impulses and a second multiplexer (13) to form negative impulses, that each switching circuit of the multiplexers (12,13) has a selector switch (16), an amplifier (17), which is able to be regulated, to set the amplitude of the impulses, and a timing member (18) to set the point of time of activating the calotte zones, and impulse generators (14,15) are connected to the multiplexers (12,13) to set the polarity of the impulses,
       and that the calotte zones are able to be controlled by the control device (12-18) selectively serially and/or parallel individually, in groups or as a whole.
  2. A transducer according to Claim 1, characterised in that the calotte zones are arranged in the form of calotte ring segments (10,11) around the transducer axis (A).
  3. A transducer according to Claim 1, characterised in that the calotte zones have the form of calotte sectors (9).
  4. A transducer according to Claim 1, characterised by a combination of the calotte zone shapes according to Claims 2 and 3.
  5. A transducer according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that individual or several calotte zones (9,10,11) are able to be controlled in phase opposition by the multiplexers (12,13) to compensate negative and/or positive half waves of the sound impulses.
  6. A transducer according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that individual or several calotte zones (9,10,11) are able to be controlled in phase by the multiplexers (12,13) to increase the amplitudes of positive and/or negative half waves of the sound impulses.
EP88113188A 1987-09-24 1988-08-13 Focusing ultrasonic transducer Expired - Lifetime EP0308644B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE19873732131 DE3732131A1 (en) 1987-09-24 1987-09-24 FOCUSING ULTRASONIC transducer
DE3732131 1987-09-24

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0308644A2 EP0308644A2 (en) 1989-03-29
EP0308644A3 EP0308644A3 (en) 1990-05-30
EP0308644B1 true EP0308644B1 (en) 1994-10-26

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP88113188A Expired - Lifetime EP0308644B1 (en) 1987-09-24 1988-08-13 Focusing ultrasonic transducer

Country Status (3)

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US (1) US4888746A (en)
EP (1) EP0308644B1 (en)
DE (2) DE3732131A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0308644A2 (en) 1989-03-29
DE3732131A1 (en) 1989-04-06
US4888746A (en) 1989-12-19
EP0308644A3 (en) 1990-05-30
DE3851930D1 (en) 1994-12-01

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