EP1432530A1 - Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erzeugung von hochdruckultraschallimpulsen - Google Patents

Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erzeugung von hochdruckultraschallimpulsen

Info

Publication number
EP1432530A1
EP1432530A1 EP02793156A EP02793156A EP1432530A1 EP 1432530 A1 EP1432530 A1 EP 1432530A1 EP 02793156 A EP02793156 A EP 02793156A EP 02793156 A EP02793156 A EP 02793156A EP 1432530 A1 EP1432530 A1 EP 1432530A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
application
electric field
polarization
transducer
ultrasonic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02793156A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1432530B1 (de
Inventor
Dominique Cathignol
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Original Assignee
Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM filed Critical Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale INSERM
Publication of EP1432530A1 publication Critical patent/EP1432530A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1432530B1 publication Critical patent/EP1432530B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • 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
    • B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
    • B06B1/0215—Driving circuits for generating pulses, e.g. bursts of oscillations, envelopes

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the technical field of generating very high intensity ultrasonic pulses, that is to say of the order of several hundred bars, or even of the thousand.
  • the present invention relates to applications in particular in the field of non-destructive testing of a material or structure, or in the medical field.
  • the ultrasonic pulses are produced in a coupling medium, using a source comprising a piezoelectric type transducer which, when an electric voltage is applied to it, produces an acoustic wave which is generally focused in order to reach high pressures.
  • a source comprising a piezoelectric type transducer which, when an electric voltage is applied to it, produces an acoustic wave which is generally focused in order to reach high pressures.
  • antenna gain the ratio which exists between the pressure at the focal point and the pressure at the surface of the transducer.
  • Such antenna gain is a function of the frequency emitted, as well as of the aperture, that is to say of the ratio between the focal distance and the diameter of the transducer.
  • the generation of a pressure wave of 1000 bars at the focus of a lithotripter can be obtained with a cup-shaped source, the diameter of which is approximately 45 cm and the pressure at the surface of which is 10 bars approximately, with a frequency of 400 kHz.
  • a cup-shaped source the diameter of which is approximately 45 cm and the pressure at the surface of which is 10 bars approximately, with a frequency of 400 kHz.
  • Reducing the size of such a source involves increasing the surface pressure at the level of the emission cup.
  • the prior art has proposed using materials of composite types, called piezo-composites, making it possible to increase the surface pressure by a factor of 1.5 to 2 approximately, compared to conventional materials. piezoceramic.
  • TOILPILZ type transducers (acoustic mushroom) are also known, designed mainly to generate a monochromatic wave, usable in particular for fishing or army sonars.
  • the patents FR 2 640 455 and FR 2 728 755 describe various variant embodiments of a mechanical stress carried out on the piezoelectric material, in order to generate high pressures.
  • the tightening of the piezoelectric material of the transducer drastically decreases the resonance frequency of the assembly.
  • such a transducer operates only at a resonant frequency of a few tens of kHz at most, so that their application is limited to sonars.
  • the transducer is formed by a stack of layers, such a source makes it possible to transmit only the frequency for which all of the layers come into resonance, which does not make it possible to transmit a pressure pulse having a broad frequency spectrum and therefore a short pulse.
  • the production of a transducer using a stack of layers is not simple to carry out.
  • an electrical preload on the piezoelectric transducer avoids the problems inherent in the application of mechanical preload. Furthermore, insofar as the transducer is compressed beforehand before being subjected to an extension to create an ultrasonic wave of high pressure, there does not appear any elongation capable of breaking it.
  • the device for producing sound pulses described by this patent cannot be used in practice in an application, in particular lithotripsy. Indeed, the waveform produced by such a device does not respect the constraints associated with an acoustic shock wave.
  • the preload applied to the transducer leads to the generation of an expansion wave of value substantially equal to that of the compression wave generated subsequently. This expansion wave causes cavitation, which affects the good propagation of the compression wave which follows.
  • the prestress applied to the transducer inevitably leads to its depolarization.
  • the object of the invention therefore aims to remedy the drawbacks of the state of the art by proposing a device suitable for producing ultrasonic pulses of high pressure, without creating a prior relaxation wave and designed to avoid depolarizing the piezo transducer -electric while being carried out in a simple manner.
  • the device for producing high pressure ultrasonic pulses according to the invention comprises:
  • An ultrasonic source comprising a piezoelectric type transducer provided with electrodes and having a direction of polarization in a given direction
  • the means ensure the application of a progressive electric voltage with a rise time to create an electric field of direction opposite to the direction of polarization, for a duration of application shorter than that leading to depolarization of the transducer. piezoelectric ultrasound.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide a device for producing high pressure ultrasonic pulses adapted to avoid depolarization of the transducer which, in particular, has a polarization of high amplitude capable of gradually causing its depolarization.
  • the device for producing ultrasonic pulses comprises means for applying an electric voltage ensuring the application of a transient electric field for a longer application time or equal to the duration of application of the electric field of direction opposite to the direction of polarization to allow possible repolarization of the ultrasonic transducer.
  • the fîg. 1 to 3 are various schematic views of a device for producing ultrasonic pulses according to the invention, according to different characteristic operating positions.
  • Fig. 4 is a timing diagram illustrating the operating principle of the device according to the invention.
  • the device for producing high pressure ultrasonic pulses comprises an ultrasonic transducer 2, of piezoelectric type, forming a source for producing an acoustic wave in a coupling medium.
  • This transducer 2 comprises electrodes 3, which are parallel to each other and connected to means 4 for applying an electrical voltage.
  • the transducer 2 is not described more precisely because its constitution is well known to those skilled in the art.
  • the ultrasonic transducer 2 can comprise, as active element for generating an acoustic wave, any type of piezoelectric material, such as piezo-ceramic, piezo-composite, piezoelectric polymer.
  • the transducer 2 has a polarization, the direction of which is represented by the arrow fi, in a direction which is perpendicular to the electrodes 3.
  • the transducer 2 thus operates in compression / extension mode, insofar as the direction of polarization, specific to the piezoelectric material, is parallel to the electric field created by the electrodes 3 during the application of an electric voltage across its terminals.
  • the piezoelectric material of the transducer is deformed essentially in a direction parallel to the electric field.
  • the means 4 ensure the application of an electric preload to the transducer 2, prior to the production of an ultrasonic wave of high pressure.
  • the means 4 are controlled to apply a progressive electric voltage to the electrodes 3 of the transducer 2, so as to create, in the piezoelectric material, an electric field represented by an arrow f 2 , in a direction opposite to the direction of polarization fi, in order to gradually compress the transducer 2.
  • the progressive electric voltage applied to the electrodes 3 is such that the transducer 2 is subjected to an electric field of direction f 2 opposite to the polarization, so that the transducer 2 is progressively compressed.
  • the transducer 2 is compressed progressively because it is recalled that the pressure generated is proportional to the speed of variation (derivative) of the voltage.
  • the control voltage V 2 of duration T leads to the application to the electrodes 3 of the transducer, of a progressive electric voltage with a rise time t2 m , represented by the corresponding part of the voltage V.
  • the means 4 ensure the application of an electric voltage V 3 making it possible to create, in the piezoelectric material, a transient electric field in the same direction as that of the polarization.
  • V 3 an electric voltage
  • the transducer 2 is subjected to an electric field, shown by the arrow f 3 , in the same direction as that of polarization.
  • the transducer 2 undergoes, from the previous state, an extension, so that it emits a compression wave 5 in the coupling medium.
  • the object of the invention is a simple method for ensuring the emission of an ultrasonic wave 5 by progressively compressing the transducer 2 by applying thereto, via a voltage progressive electric, an electric field of opposite direction to the direction of polarization of the transducer, then an electric field of the same direction as that of polarization which leads to its extension.
  • the transducer 2 was initially compressed before being extended, it can be considered that the transducer 2 does not stray far from its initial state, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
  • the transducer 2 undergoes a sufficiently low elongation so as not to break.
  • the means 4 ensure the application of an electric voltage allowing the application of an electric field of direction f 2 opposite to the direction of polarization fi for an application time T less than that leading depolarization of the piezoelectric transducer 2 (fig. 4).
  • the duration of application T of this progressive electric voltage ensuring the application of an electric field of direction opposite to the direction of polarization is greater than 10 ⁇ s and is preferably of the order of 100 ⁇ s.
  • the means 4 ensure the application of an electric voltage V 3 to create the transient electric field in the same direction f 3 as that fi of the polarization, during an application time t 3 between 1 ⁇ s and 1 s and preferably around 100 ms.
  • the application time t 3 of the transient electric field is greater than or equal to the duration of application T of the electric field of opposite direction f 2 to the polarization direction fi to allow repolarization of the piezo ultrasonic transducer -electric 2, in the eventuality where a minimal depolarization would have appeared, in particular in the particular case of polarization of the transducer 2 with a high amplitude.
  • the electric voltage V 3 generating the compression wave gradually returns to its initial value (0 Volt) in order to allow the transducer to be repolarized.
  • the means 4 ensure the application of an electric voltage V 3 ensuring the application of a transient electric field of the same direction f 3 as that fi of the polarization, during a rise time t 3m between 0.1 and 20 ⁇ s and, preferably, between 1 and 10 ⁇ s in the case of lithotripsy.
  • the third timing diagram in fig. 4 shows the shape of the electric voltage V at the terminals of the transducer 2.
  • the progressive electric voltage ensuring the application of an electric field of direction f 2 opposite to the direction of polarization fj has a time of rise 2m greater than the rise time t 3m of the transient electric field, so as to minimize the influence of a parasitic wave, namely of relaxation.
  • this rise time t 2m is greater than at least ten times the rise time t 3m of the transient electric field.
  • the object of the invention thus makes it possible to have a device for producing an ultrasonic wave of high pressure.
  • a maximum pressure of 35 bar (before deterioration) was obtained for a transducer not implementing the object of the invention.
  • a maximum pressure of 60 bars could be obtained.
  • the means 4 for applying electrical voltages to the terminals of the electrodes can be produced in any suitable manner by one or two generators for example.
  • the transducer can receive any shape, such as a cup-shaped embodiment.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
  • Surgical Instruments (AREA)
  • Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Mechanical Vibrations Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Electrophonic Musical Instruments (AREA)
EP02793156A 2001-10-04 2002-10-04 Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erzeugung von hochdruckultraschallimpulsen Expired - Lifetime EP1432530B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0112774A FR2830468B1 (fr) 2001-10-04 2001-10-04 Dispositif et procede de production d'impulsions ultrasonores de forte pression
FR0112774 2001-10-04
PCT/FR2002/003390 WO2003028904A1 (fr) 2001-10-04 2002-10-04 Dispositif et procede de production d'impulsions ultrasonores de forte pression

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1432530A1 true EP1432530A1 (de) 2004-06-30
EP1432530B1 EP1432530B1 (de) 2005-04-27

Family

ID=8867919

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP02793156A Expired - Lifetime EP1432530B1 (de) 2001-10-04 2002-10-04 Vorrichtung und verfahren zur erzeugung von hochdruckultraschallimpulsen

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US7264597B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1432530B1 (de)
JP (2) JP2005503921A (de)
CN (1) CN1326634C (de)
AT (1) ATE294028T1 (de)
DE (1) DE60203922T2 (de)
FR (1) FR2830468B1 (de)
IL (2) IL161254A0 (de)
WO (1) WO2003028904A1 (de)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6618620B1 (en) 2000-11-28 2003-09-09 Txsonics Ltd. Apparatus for controlling thermal dosing in an thermal treatment system
US7220239B2 (en) 2001-12-03 2007-05-22 Ekos Corporation Catheter with multiple ultrasound radiating members
US8226629B1 (en) 2002-04-01 2012-07-24 Ekos Corporation Ultrasonic catheter power control
US8088067B2 (en) 2002-12-23 2012-01-03 Insightec Ltd. Tissue aberration corrections in ultrasound therapy
US7611462B2 (en) 2003-05-22 2009-11-03 Insightec-Image Guided Treatment Ltd. Acoustic beam forming in phased arrays including large numbers of transducer elements
US8409099B2 (en) 2004-08-26 2013-04-02 Insightec Ltd. Focused ultrasound system for surrounding a body tissue mass and treatment method
US20080229749A1 (en) * 2005-03-04 2008-09-25 Michel Gamil Rabbat Plug in rabbat engine
US20070016039A1 (en) 2005-06-21 2007-01-18 Insightec-Image Guided Treatment Ltd. Controlled, non-linear focused ultrasound treatment
EP1960993B1 (de) 2005-11-23 2016-11-02 Insightec-Image Guided Treatment, Ltd. Hierarchisches umschalten in einem ultradichten ultraschall-array
US8235901B2 (en) * 2006-04-26 2012-08-07 Insightec, Ltd. Focused ultrasound system with far field tail suppression
EP2526880A3 (de) 2007-01-08 2013-02-20 Ekos Corporation Leistungsparameter für einen Ultraschallkatheter
US10182833B2 (en) 2007-01-08 2019-01-22 Ekos Corporation Power parameters for ultrasonic catheter
WO2009002881A1 (en) 2007-06-22 2008-12-31 Ekos Corporation Method and apparatus for treatment of intracranial hemorrhages
US8251908B2 (en) 2007-10-01 2012-08-28 Insightec Ltd. Motion compensated image-guided focused ultrasound therapy system
US8425424B2 (en) 2008-11-19 2013-04-23 Inightee Ltd. Closed-loop clot lysis
US8617073B2 (en) 2009-04-17 2013-12-31 Insightec Ltd. Focusing ultrasound into the brain through the skull by utilizing both longitudinal and shear waves
EP2448636B1 (de) 2009-07-03 2014-06-18 Ekos Corporation Leistungsparameter für einen ultraschallkatheter
US9623266B2 (en) 2009-08-04 2017-04-18 Insightec Ltd. Estimation of alignment parameters in magnetic-resonance-guided ultrasound focusing
US9289154B2 (en) 2009-08-19 2016-03-22 Insightec Ltd. Techniques for temperature measurement and corrections in long-term magnetic resonance thermometry
WO2011024074A2 (en) 2009-08-26 2011-03-03 Insightec Ltd. Asymmetric phased-array ultrasound transducer
US8661873B2 (en) 2009-10-14 2014-03-04 Insightec Ltd. Mapping ultrasound transducers
US8368401B2 (en) 2009-11-10 2013-02-05 Insightec Ltd. Techniques for correcting measurement artifacts in magnetic resonance thermometry
US9852727B2 (en) 2010-04-28 2017-12-26 Insightec, Ltd. Multi-segment ultrasound transducers
US8932237B2 (en) 2010-04-28 2015-01-13 Insightec, Ltd. Efficient ultrasound focusing
EP2608897B1 (de) 2010-08-27 2023-08-02 SOCPRA Sciences et Génie s.e.c. Mechanischer wellengenerator und verfahren dafür
US9981148B2 (en) 2010-10-22 2018-05-29 Insightec, Ltd. Adaptive active cooling during focused ultrasound treatment
CN107708581B (zh) 2015-06-10 2021-11-19 Ekos公司 超声波导管
US11435461B2 (en) * 2019-07-19 2022-09-06 GE Precision Healthcare LLC Method and system to prevent depoling of ultrasound transducer

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1432530B1 (de) 2005-04-27
JP2009022012A (ja) 2009-01-29
IL161254A (en) 2007-12-03
IL161254A0 (en) 2004-09-27
WO2003028904A1 (fr) 2003-04-10
US7264597B2 (en) 2007-09-04
ATE294028T1 (de) 2005-05-15
CN1326634C (zh) 2007-07-18
CN1564717A (zh) 2005-01-12
DE60203922D1 (de) 2005-06-02
US20040254506A1 (en) 2004-12-16
JP5280761B2 (ja) 2013-09-04
FR2830468B1 (fr) 2004-02-20
DE60203922T2 (de) 2006-02-16
FR2830468A1 (fr) 2003-04-11
JP2005503921A (ja) 2005-02-10

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