Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
  • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
• • 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
  • B06B1/0223—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time
  • B06B1/0238—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time of a single frequency, e.g. a sine-wave
  • B06B1/0246—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time of a single frequency, e.g. a sine-wave with a feedback signal
  • B06B1/0253—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time of a single frequency, e.g. a sine-wave with a feedback signal taken directly from the generator circuit
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
  • H03F3/181—Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers
  • H03F3/183—Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers with semiconductor devices only
  • H03F3/187—Low-frequency amplifiers, e.g. audio preamplifiers with semiconductor devices only in integrated circuits
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
  • H03F3/20—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers
  • H03F3/21—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers with semiconductor devices only
  • H03F3/217—Class D power amplifiers; Switching amplifiers
  • H03F3/2171—Class D power amplifiers; Switching amplifiers with field-effect devices
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
  • H03F3/20—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers
  • H03F3/21—Power amplifiers, e.g. Class B amplifiers, Class C amplifiers with semiconductor devices only
  • H03F3/217—Class D power amplifiers; Switching amplifiers
  • H03F3/2175—Class D power amplifiers; Switching amplifiers using analogue-digital or digital-analogue conversion
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F3/00—Amplifiers with only discharge tubes or only semiconductor devices as amplifying elements
  • H03F3/68—Combinations of amplifiers, e.g. multi-channel amplifiers for stereophonics
• • 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
  • B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
  • B06B2201/70—Specific application
  • B06B2201/76—Medical, dental
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
  • H03F2200/261—Amplifier which being suitable for instrumentation applications
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
  • H03F2200/351—Pulse width modulation being used in an amplifying circuit
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
  • H03F2200/378—A variable capacitor being added in the output circuit, e.g. collector, drain, of an amplifier stage
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H03—ELECTRONIC CIRCUITRY
  • H03F—AMPLIFIERS
  • H03F2200/00—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers
  • H03F2200/391—Indexing scheme relating to amplifiers the output circuit of an amplifying stage comprising an LC-network

Definitions

• the invention relates to a method and circuit for driving and supplying ultrasonic transducers with synchronous switched capacitor, controlled by digital loop.
• This circuit includes a power interface controlled by a multi-level square or rectangular signal generator.
• This device comprises a tuning circuit which is controlled to present, with the transducer, a determined natural frequency.
• this tuning circuit comprises a series inductor at the input, and at the output a capacitor with controlled connection mounted in parallel with the transducer. This connection is controlled according to a detected phase difference observed between the input and the output of said inductance. It is advantageously controlled to provide a phase difference equal to p/2.
• the invention also relates to an ultrasonic element, an ultrasonic head, and an ultrasonic system for imaging and/or treatment, in particular medical.
• Ultrasonic transducers are widely used as transmitters and receivers for ultrasound imaging, and even ultrasound treatment, particularly in the medical field. To do this, a plurality of transducers are typically arranged in a matrix, also called an “ultrasonic head”, in order to emit focused and high-power ultrasound in the area to be imaged or to be treated. Each ultrasonic transducer is supplied with a sinusoidal signal at a given frequency so as to generate an ultrasonic signal of said frequency.
• the ultrasonic head comprises, for each ultrasonic transducer, an individual control chain.
• the latter makes it possible to modify, individually for each transducer, the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal emitted by said transducer, but also its frequency and its phase.
• the characteristics of the ultrasonic wave emitted by each transducer of the matrix can be modified.
• the known control chains for ultrasonic transducers have degraded yields.
• the sinusoidal control signals supplied by the known control chains are of poor quality so that the ultrasonic signal is degraded.
• the known control chains are generally bulky and energy-consuming.
• Another object of the present invention is to propose a device for supplying an ultrasonic transducer supplying a sinusoidal supply signal of better quality.
• Another object of the present invention is to propose a device for supplying an ultrasonic transducer that is less bulky, more energy efficient, and/or easier to manufacture in large series.
• Another object of the present invention is to propose a device for supplying an ultrasonic transducer allowing modification of the power of the ultrasonic signal by modifying the amplitude of the signal supplied to each transducer.
• Another object of the present invention is to propose a device for supplying an ultrasonic transducer allowing the modification of the focal plane by modifying the frequency or the phase of the signal supplied to each transducer.
• Another object of the present invention is to make it possible to supply a greater number of ultrasonic transducers in the ultrasonic head.
• the invention proposes a device for supplying an ultrasonic transducer comprising a power interface configured to receive a control signal, in particular a multi-level square or rectangular signal supplied by a signal generator. square or rectangular multi-level controlled by a digital interface, and to supply an analog power signal, to said transducer ultrasonic so as to produce an ultrasonic wave of a set frequency.
• the power interface carries out an amplification of a multi-level square or rectangular signal generated by a digital multi-level square or rectangular signal generator, amplification carried out in particular by means of a class “D” amplifier.
• the power supply device comprises a digital interface which controls a multi-level square or rectangular signal generator, so that the latter generates a multi-level square or rectangular signal whose frequency, phase and amplitude respectively represent the frequency, phase and amplitude of the ultrasonic wave to be emitted.
• the power supply device further comprises a tuning circuit which is connected between the power interface and the ultrasonic transducer, which tuning circuit is controlled (preferably digitally) by a control circuit of tuning, so that the assembly formed by the transducer and said tuning circuit has a determined resonant frequency, in particular which is tuned with said reference frequency.
• this impedance modification by means of a connectable or adjustable capacitor mounted in the tuning circuit, for example in parallel with the transducer.
• the tuning circuit also carries out a filtering of the harmonics of the analog power signal, for example by an inductance connected in series and which is traversed by the analog power signal which supplies the transducer.
• the tuning circuit comprises an inductance connected in series on its input side, and comprises on its output side a capacitor with controlled connection connected in parallel with the transducer.
• This connection is controlled according to a detected phase difference observed between an input phase and an output phase, which are detected on the input side and respectively on the output side of said inductance.
• the tuning circuit comprises a feedback circuit which is arranged to control the connection of the capacitor so as to obtain that the detected phase difference reaches a determined set point value.
• the servo circuit includes:
• phase comparator circuit which receives or detects the input phase, in particular before the input of the power interface and for example after the multi-level square or rectangular signal generator, and compares it with the phase of output to derive the detected phase difference
• this corrector circuit controls an output synchronization circuit, which controls in real time the opening and closing of the capacitor connection, in a slaved manner to bring and/or maintain the detected phase difference to the setpoint.
• this servo circuit is almost or entirely digital, apart from the synchronization extractor which is a mixed circuit.
• connection of the capacitor is controlled so that the detected phase difference reaches a tuning value equal to p/2.
• connection of the capacitor is controlled by a synchronization signal operating in pulse width modulation, or PWM ("Puise Width Modulation").
• the power supply device further comprises a digital control interface providing, to generate the control signal, any combination of at least one of the following parameters:
• the tuning control circuit, and the circuits for controlling and generating the analog power signal at the input of the inductance, called the primary power supply signal are made in whole or in part by digital circuits.
• the power supply device is integrated, in part or in whole, in at least one integrated circuit, in particular alone or associated with other electronic components.
• the invention proposes an ultrasonic device which comprises at least:
• an ultrasonic transducer and - a supply device as disclosed here, which is arranged to supply said at least one ultrasonic transducer.
• such an ultrasonic device can comprise a single transducer and a single power supply device, itself comprising its own digital interface
• several power supply devices are controlled by a same digital interface
• the invention proposes a so-called composite ultrasonic device which comprises several ultrasonic devices which share a common digital interface.
• the invention proposes an ultrasonic head comprising several ultrasonic devices as disclosed here, which are arranged and/or controlled in parallel.
• each ultrasonic transducer is associated with a power supply device which is dedicated to it so that each ultrasonic transducer can be controlled individually.
• the characteristics of the ultrasonic wave generated by each ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic head according to the invention can be modified individually.
• the amplitude, frequency and phase of the ultrasonic wave emitted by each ultrasonic transducer in the head ultrasound can be changed for each ultrasound transducer individually.
• the ultrasonic head according to the invention can be used for medical imaging, in particular for echographic imaging. Alternatively, or additionally, the ultrasonic head according to the invention can be used for medical therapy.
• the ultrasonic head according to the invention can be used for aesthetic treatment.
• the ultrasonic head according to the invention can be used for part inspection imaging, for example in terms of quality control, or even part processing.
• the invention proposes an ultrasonic system comprising: - an ultrasonic head as set out here, and
• At least one digital control device for the ultrasonic devices of said ultrasonic head At least one digital control device for the ultrasonic devices of said ultrasonic head.
• the ultrasonic system may comprise for at least one, and in particular each, ultrasonic device of the ultrasonic head, an individual digital control device dedicated to said ultrasonic device.
• each ultrasonic device of the ultrasonic head receives the data concerning the ultrasonic wave to be generated from the digital control device dedicated to it.
• the system according to the invention can be an echographic imaging system.
• the system can comprise, in known manner, means for processing echographic waves to generate at least one echographic image.
• the system comprises, in known manner, means for processing the ultrasonic waves emitted to carry out the processing
• the system is arranged to produce a medical imaging system, and/or a medical therapy system, for example for the lysis of kidney stones.
• a use of the system according to the invention is proposed for medical imaging.
• a use of the system according to the invention is proposed for the aesthetic treatment of at least one zone of the body of a human or animal being.
• the invention proposes a method for supplying an ultrasonic transducer with a so-called secondary supply signal, to produce an ultrasonic wave of a set frequency, characterized in that it comprises the steps following:
• this method is implemented within a supply device, or an ultrasonic device, or an ultrasonic head, or an ultrasonic system, as disclosed here.
• the modification of the tuning of the tuning circuit is carried out by synchronous switching of a capacitor connected in parallel with the transducer.
• the switching of the capacitance is controlled by a servo-control relating to a detected phase difference observed between an input phase and an output phase, which are detected on the input side and respectively on the output side.
• output of an inductance connected in series between the power interface and the transducer is controlled by a servo-control relating to a detected phase difference observed between an input phase and an output phase, which are detected on the input side and respectively on the output side.
• the invention helps to solve the problem of controlling a matrix of transducers, in particular in an apparatus which must be compatible with I ⁇ RM for medical treatments by ultrasound.
• the invention makes it possible to implement a device which does not disturb the magnetic field of the MRI and to allow individual control of the amplitude, the frequency and the phase of the control signal of each transducer. This individual control allows the focus point to be changed. This ability to change the point of focus makes it possible to follow moving organs and treat larger areas, thus facilitating the work of the doctor.
• the invention makes it possible to offer a high energy conversion efficiency and at the same time to reduce the dimensions of the head and of the overall system, which makes it possible to increase the number of ultrasonic transmitting elements in a transducer array with all the attendant benefits.
• the invention makes it possible to drive each transducer independently and to control its amplitude, its frequency and its phase, in an MRI apparatus. Compared to existing solutions, this may allow finer control of the parameters of each transducer. This will allow doctors to offer more precise treatments and perhaps new uses for this type of treatment. Several objectives are possible, such as the monitoring of moving organs controlled by MRI or the treatment of larger areas in order to treat larger tumors.
• the invention makes it possible to use an architecture based mainly on digital circuits, which makes the system more robust and simpler to develop and to implement. This may help to reduce manufacturing costs compared to complex and difficult to adjust analog solutions.
• the method according to the invention can comprise, in terms of method, any combination of at least one characteristic described above, and which are not repeated here for the sake of brevity.
• Fig.l is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of a device for supplying an ultrasonic transducer
• Fig.2 is a more detailed embodiment of the power supply device of Fig.l;
• Fig.3 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an ultrasonic device according to the invention, including the power supply device of Fig.l;
• Fig.4 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of an ultrasonic head according to the invention, including a matrix of “n” examples of the device of Fig.3; and [Fig.5]: Fig.5 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting exemplary embodiment of an ultrasound system according to the invention, including the head of Fig.4;
• Fig.6 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of an ultrasound system according to the invention, including a variant of the head of Fig.4 with composite sub-assemblies.
• the embodiments which will be described subsequently are in no way limiting.
• variants of the invention may be imagined comprising only a selection of characteristics described below isolated from the other characteristics described, if this selection of characteristics is sufficient to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the prior art.
• This selection includes at least one preferably functional feature without structural detail, or with only part of the structural detail if this part is sufficient on its own to confer a technical advantage or to differentiate the invention from the state of the art anterior.
• the invention proposes a structure making it possible to drive ultrasonic transducers, in particular in the context of medical treatments.
• the transducers 302 are typically arranged in an array of n transducers, with "i" ranging from 1 to n. Their combination makes it possible to emit high-power ultrasound, which can be focused by causing the various transducers to emit simultaneously but with different phases between them.
• each transducer 302 has its own control interface and thus forms an ultrasonic device 300 (also called ultrasonic). These ultrasonic devices form individual ultrasonic elements within an assembly 400 which forms the ultrasonic (or ultrasonic) head.
• a digital system 502 generally a computer associated with a dialogue interface, allowing the doctor to adjust the power and the point of focus of the ultrasound. These adjustments are translated by the digital system into an individual control of each element of the ultrasonic head, in amplitude, frequency and phase. Via a communication bus 504, each of these individual controls is sent to the digital interface 108 of the ultrasonic element 300 which corresponds to it within the ultrasonic head 500.
• this structure simultaneously controls and supplies the ultrasonic transducer 302 by an analog power signal “s a ”, which can be qualified as a “primary” supply signal.
• This primary signal s a is generated by a power interface 106, which is controlled by a digital signal forming a control signal "s p ", coming from a digital multi-level square or rectangular signal generator 102.
• Each of the digital multi-level square or rectangular signal generators 102 is controlled in frequency "F1", in phase “f ⁇ ”, or even in amplitude "Al”, by means of the digital interface 108 which corresponds to it.
• Power interface 106 is typically a half "H” bridge, and/or a class “D" amp. Typically, it thus emits a square or rectangular multi-level primary supply signal of the same frequency F1 and of the same phase f ⁇ .
• the ultrasonic transducer 302 is in series with an inductance L1, which makes it possible to filter the harmonics of the multi-level square or rectangular signal and which supplies to the terminals of the transducer 302 a sinusoidal signal " s'a ", which can be qualified as a power supply signal. "secondary”.
• a capacitor C1 is placed in parallel with the transducer 302 using the electronic switch K1.
• the multi-level square or rectangular signal generator 102, the phase comparator 112, the setpoint 110 and its adder 113, the corrector 114 and the output synchronization stage 115 are preferably made entirely by circuits digital.
• Fig.3 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of an ultrasonic device according to the invention.
• the ultrasonic device 300 shown in Fig.3 includes a transducer ultrasound 302 powered by a power supply device according to the invention, and in particular the power supply device 100 of FIG.
• Fig.4 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of an ultrasonic head according to the invention.
• the ultrasonic head 400 of Fig.4 comprises "n" ultrasonic devices 300i-300 n arranged in parallel and forming a matrix.
• At least two of the ultrasonic devices 300i-300 n can be identical or different from each other.
• Each ultrasound device 300 can be identical to the ultrasound device 300 of FIG.
• Fig.5 is a schematic representation of a non-limiting embodiment of an ultrasound system according to the invention.
• the ultrasonic system 500 of Fig.5 comprises an ultrasonic head according to the invention, such as for example the ultrasonic head 400 of Fig.4.
• the ultrasonic system 500 further comprises a control device 502, such as a computer or a tablet, and more generally any computer device, connected to each ultrasonic device 300, of the ultrasonic head 400, and in particular to the interface of control 108, of said ultrasonic device.
• a control device 502 such as a computer or a tablet, and more generally any computer device, connected to each ultrasonic device 300, of the ultrasonic head 400, and in particular to the interface of control 108, of said ultrasonic device.
• control device 502 is connected to each control interface 108, through a digital and wired 504 communication bus 504.
• each control interface 108 can be in communication with the control device 502 through a wireless link.
• the control device 502 makes it possible to control each ultrasonic device 300, individually and independently of the other ultrasonic devices 300, with a view to changing the frequency, the phase and/or the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave emitted by each ultrasonic device. 300,.
• This makes it possible to adjust in a simple, dynamic and reactive manner, the amplitude, the frequency and the phase of each ultrasonic wave emitted by each ultrasonic device 300 ,. Therefore, it is possible to simply, flexibly and responsively adjust the point of focus, typically by controlling for the different elements 300, different phases but coordinated between them, as well as the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic devices 300i-300 n .
• the invention when the invention is implemented in a medical imaging or even therapy device, it is thus possible to quickly and precisely modify the point of focus of the waves of the head 400, for example to carry out a follow-up in real-time moving parts.
• Fig.6 illustrates a variation of Fig.5, in which the system 600 has a head 406 composed of a plurality of 'h' composite ultrasound devices 306i to 306n .
• the same common interface 108i controls a plurality of it supply devices 100n to 100i m , which each supply one and only one transducer 302n to 302i m .
• the block 306 n comprises a single digital interface 108 n which directly controls the power supply devices 100 n at 100 nm of the transducers respectively 302 n at 302 nm -
• the matrix is then made up of n.m transducers, which are associated in 'h' groups of 'm' transducers.
• This number 'm' is not necessarily constant, and can be variable within a subset to another within the head. In general, this grouping of transducers is small, for example in number from 2 to 16.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Power Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Surgery (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Radiology & Medical Imaging (AREA)
• Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Medical Informatics (AREA)
• Molecular Biology (AREA)
• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Pathology (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Biophysics (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Surgical Instruments (AREA)
• Ultra Sonic Daignosis Equipment (AREA)
• Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
• Amplifiers (AREA)
• Apparatuses For Generation Of Mechanical Vibrations (AREA)
• Investigating Or Analyzing Materials By The Use Of Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)

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• 2020
  • 2020-07-30 FR FR2008137A patent/FR3114707B1/fr active Active
• 2021
  • 2021-07-30 WO PCT/EP2021/071505 patent/WO2022023577A1/fr active Application Filing
  • 2021-07-30 JP JP2023506192A patent/JP2023541516A/ja active Pending
  • 2021-07-30 EP EP21752484.2A patent/EP4189832A1/de active Pending

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