JP2002508203A - Apparatus and method for obtaining 3D ultrasound data - Google Patents

Abstract

SUMMARY The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for obtaining 3D ultrasound data, and particularly for imaging during neurosurgery in the field of minimally invasive surgery. The device comprises an ultrasonic transducer (2), a fixing device (4) for locally fixing the ultrasonic transducer (2) in relation to the location to be examined, and a fixing with the ultrasonic transducer. Connecting strips (3) for connecting the device (4). The connecting strip (3) is connected to the edge of the ultrasonic transducer (2) and is substantially perpendicular to the plane of the transducer (2). With the device of the present invention, ultrasound data can be obtained during minimally invasive surgery.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for obtaining 3D ultrasound data, and in particular for imaging in the field of minimally invasive neurosurgery.

In the medical field, intraoperative monitoring of an operation site with image assistance (intraoperative monitoring) is an important assistance. However, in intraoperative monitoring in brain surgery, considerable costs are incurred and the patient must be further burdened.

Until now, the actual intraoperative imaging in neurosurgery has been very complex “open”.
This was only possible using the "MRI" system. "Open MRI" is a very specific magnetic resonance image in which the surgeon operates with all the instruments within the examination area of the tomography machine. However, these devices are very expensive and their use requires the purchase of new non-magnetic devices with non-magnetic instruments. In addition, structural changes are usually required. Creating this is equivalent to constructing a new surgical area.

[0003] Another imaging method known in surgery is a CAT scan. However, this method cannot be used for intraoperative imaging because the surgeon and the patient are exposed to radiation.

[0004] Further imaging methods using ultrasound are also only performed continuously, only in craniotomy surgery. In minimally invasive surgery, the ultrasound device and surgical instrument must be alternately guided through the perforation. Therefore, it is not possible to observe the guidance of the surgical instrument during the operation.

[0005] An additional second perforation for an ultrasound scan may be opened. However, this is not practiced because it would significantly increase the burden on the patient.

[0006] Extracorporeal ultrasound scanners cannot be used in minimally invasive neurosurgery because the skull and the layers above and below it (scalp, dura mater) absorb ultrasound reflections almost completely.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and a method for obtaining 3D ultrasound data, especially images in neurosurgery, by means of which
Data for imaging of the surgical site can be obtained continuously during minimally invasive brain surgery.

This object can be achieved by using an apparatus and a method according to the features of claims 1, 14. Advantageous embodiments of the device are the subject of the dependent claims.

The device of the invention and the method of the invention make it possible to introduce and place one or more ultrasound transducers via an opening (perforation) at the start of the operation.
The ultrasonic transducer can be left in place throughout the operation,
It is possible to continuously scan the surgical site together with the surgical instrument and image it. Thus, with this device, the operation can be monitored on a monitor during minimally invasive surgery with simple means without the need for extremely expensive and complex MRI.

[0010] Basically, the use of this device and method is not limited to neurosurgery. The present invention can be employed in all minimally invasive surgeries. The use of this device and method in non-medical fields where access to the imaging point is limited only through small apertures and where simultaneous access of the imaging and working system is desired. , You can get many benefits. One example is an imaging operation when it is difficult to reach machine parts in assembling the machine.

In a preferred embodiment in the field of neurosurgery, the device with one or more extremely flat ultrasound transducers is located on the side adjacent to the perforation between the dura and the brain. , Can remain there throughout the operation without obstructing access through the perforation.

The transducer is fixed by connecting strips which are connected to a fixing device. The connecting strip is connected to the transducer in such a way that the transducer can be moved laterally below the dura after the transducer has been introduced via the perforation.

[0013] The connecting strip is preferably in the form of a flat strip, so that only the smallest part of the opening is used, so that substantially the entire cross section of the perforation is left as a part for guiding the surgical instrument. It is.

[0014] An imaging device according to the present invention includes at least one ultrasonic transducer, a fixing device for locally fixing the ultrasonic transducer in relation to a location to be imaged, and an ultrasonic transducer. And a connection strip (connection bar) for connecting the fixing device. The connecting strip is connected to the peripheral area of the ultrasonic transducer and is substantially perpendicular to the transducer plane. This angle is chosen so as to obtain the function of the device in that a large area of the opening remains empty after the introduction of the transducer. Naturally, the thickness of the layer provided with the opening is related to this. For geometric reasons, a thinner layer allows a greater deviation from 90 ° (eg an angle between 70 ° and 110 °) than a thicker layer. As the following description shows, the internal (geometric) shape of the layer also influences the possible angular range.

In a preferred application for neurosurgery, the round shape of the cranial cavity allows for 90 °
Larger angles, preferably between 90 ° and 100 °, are beneficial, so that the ultrasound transducer can be positioned to snuggle against the skull after introduction. In this preferred embodiment, the dimensions of the ultrasonic transducer are such that the ultrasonic transducer can be introduced into a perforation in the patient's skull and pushed between the brain and the membrane covering the brain. To be selected. Usually, the diameter of the perforations is in the range of 15 to 25 mm. The thickness of the connecting strip is such that, after the transducer has been introduced, the connecting strip covers only a small area, for example less than 25%, of the cross section of the bore.

Advantageously, the connecting strip has a thickness of at most 3 mm and a length of about 15-20 mm. Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer is at most 3 mm perpendicular to the transducer plane (transducer thickness).

The fixing device can be formed by the transducer shaft, for example in the form of a handgrip. In the case of neurosurgery, this fixing device for fixing the ultrasound transducer is firmly connected to a fixing device for the patient's head.

The function of the connecting strip is to electrically connect the ultrasonic transducer with the fixing device and with the main electronic components and / or the evaluation electronics. Therefore, it must be suitable for accepting electrical connections (eg thin wires or strip conductors)
. Furthermore, it must be rigid enough to provide a firm connection between the transducer and the fixation device in order to be able to transmit a clear image of the point to be imaged. The connecting strip should be designed as flat as possible in order to close the opening only slightly. The preferred dimensions of the connecting strip used in neurosurgery are described in the preferred embodiment.

It is preferable that the ultrasonic transducer itself has a coin-like shape with a thickness of less than 1 cm. The ultrasonic transducer is a main electronic device (eg, an amplifier, a multiplexer, etc.) provided via a connecting strip in an end area of the connecting strip opposite to the ultrasonic transducer.
Is connected to For example, the primary electronics can be provided integrally within the transducer shaft. However, at least a portion of the main electronics can also be integrated within the ultrasonic transducer itself.

The signal obtained from the ultrasonic transducer is transmitted to the image processing unit in a manner to be displayed on a monitor.

An ultrasonic transducer comprises a number of transducer elements arranged in a plane and arranged in an electrically controllable two-dimensional phase array. For the phase offset trigger of each transducer element, the entire area to be imaged is scanned with the ultrasound beam. In this way, complete image data of the location to be imaged can be obtained without mechanically moving the transducer.

However, the ultrasound transducer can also be designed as a linear array that can be controlled electronically. In the case of a linear array arrangement in a small, small tube, the array can be pivoted about its longitudinal axis by mechanical drive, so that the entire range can also be scanned.

The method of the present invention for obtaining 3D ultrasound data for imaging at a location accessible only through an aperture employs a device with an ultrasound transducer, which is a thin device. It connects to the fixing device via a connecting strip and makes an angle with the connecting strip. One example of such a device is the subject of claim 1. The device is introduced below the opening through the opening, where it is pushed into the side adjacent to the opening, fixed by means of a fixing device and later operated to transmit data for the image at this point . Due to the special shape of the device, the largest part of the opening remains substantially freely accessible after fixing the device, so that other devices can be inserted.

The present invention will become more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a side view showing an example of an imaging device (1) according to the present invention. Here, a miniaturized ultrasonic transducer (
2) is connected to the transducer shaft (4) via a connecting strip (3). The electronics (5) near the transducer is connected to the transducer shaft (4). This electronic device
It has the main electronics (preamplifiers, transmission steps, etc.) that need to be placed in close proximity to the transducer. By locating this main electronic device very close to the outer end of the connecting strip, it is possible to achieve the shortest signal path and, with this, the possible minimization of interference. The ultrasonic transducer is connected to the main electronic device via a connecting strip and via a transducer shaft, and is connected to an image processing / image display unit (not shown) via a connecting cable (6). ).

FIG. 1 clearly shows the flat shape of the ultrasonic transducer (2). At the edge of the ultrasonic transducer, a connecting strip (3) is mounted perpendicular to the plane of the transducer such that the connecting strip and the transducer form an "L" shape. In this side view, the connecting strip (
3) is also designed to be flat.

In the use of the device in neurosurgery described below, the dimensions of the ultrasound transducer are preferably about 20 mm in width / length each and up to 3 mm in thickness. The connecting strip preferably has a length of about 15-20 mm, a width of about 10-15 mm and a thickness of 2-3 mm.
The material of the transducer and the material of the connecting strip are, of course, selected in consideration of biocompatibility and sterility.

FIG. 2 shows the use of the device in minimally invasive surgery on the patient's brain (7). In such an operation, a perforation (8) is first made through the scalp (9), the skull (10), and the thin film covering the brain (11, dura mater). In neurosurgery, a surgical instrument (12, for example an endoscope, etc.) is guided through the perforation (8) to the brain (7). The device allows the detection and imaging of the use of these instruments at the operative site of the brain while the surgical instruments are being guided during surgery, ie in the perforation. To this end, the ultrasound transmitter (2) of the device (1) is introduced through the perforation (8) and the brain (7) before starting the surgery or before observing the surgery. Just pushed into the side adjacent to the hole, between the membrane and the membrane covering the brain (11), the device continuously transmits ultrasound data from the surgical site during the operation and transfers this data to the monitor on the image. It is left in this position so that it can be used for display to. Due to the arrangement and shape of the interconnecting strip (3) and the ultrasound transmitter (2), in this case most perforations were kept free so that the introduction of the surgical instrument was not hindered It is.

An ultrasonic transducer can also be realized as a purely electronically controllable phase array, a matrix arrangement of a number of small elementary transducers. With this type of ultrasonic transducer, free control of the direction of the ultrasonic waves can be achieved without mechanically moving the transducer. The topological arrangement can be so large that it requires almost the entire cross section of the perforation to be introduced, but vanishes to the lower side of the membrane covering the brain. In the case of this type of transducer arrangement, it is advantageous to have the main electronics integrated directly in the transducer. In particular, the required number of connections via connection strips can be significantly reduced by providing the multiplexer integrally in the converter.

Ultrasonic transducers can also be implemented as linear arrays that are several millimeters wide and allow two-dimensional scanning. By arranging the transducers in small thin tubes, the linear array can be pivoted perpendicular to its scan plane. In this way, the amount of interest can be completely scanned. In a preferred embodiment, the miniature tube is up to 3 mm wide and about 20 mm long.

As mentioned above, the devices and methods of the present invention can be used for other surgeries. In general, the implementation of the method is supported through an aperture, and everywhere monitored by means of ultrasound, a similar advantage is obtained when used for non-medical applications, such as, for example, material processing or mechanical assembly. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of an imaging apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment employing the apparatus of FIG.

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Hour, Ludwig, Michael Deutschland, Germany 80804 München, Wartburg Platz 11 F term (reference) 2G047 AA12 CA01 EA12 4C060 LL07 4C301 BB22 BB26 FF30 KK16 5J083 AA02 AB17 AC31 AD13 AE10 CA12 CA31 DC05

Claims (14)

[Claims] At least one ultrasonic transducer, a fixing device for locally fixing the ultrasonic transducer in relation to a location to be inspected, and a connecting device for connecting the ultrasonic transducer to the fixing device An apparatus for obtaining 3D ultrasound data comprising a connecting strip, wherein said connecting strip is connected to a peripheral area of said ultrasonic transducer and substantially perpendicular to the transducer plane. An apparatus characterized in that: 2. The ultrasonic transducer is sized so that the transducer can be introduced into a perforation of a patient's skull, and the transducer can be pushed between a thin film covering the brain and the brain; and 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the connecting strip is selected so as to cover only a small part of the cross section of the bore after the insertion of the transducer. 3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting strip has a flat, band-like shape. 4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the connecting strip is at most 3 mm. 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the length of the connecting strip is about 15 to 20 mm. 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer has a maximum dimension in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the transducer of at most 3 mm. 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the substantially right angle between the transducer plane and the connecting strip is 9
7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the angle is between 0 ° and 100 °. 8. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, wherein said ultrasonic transducer is connected via said connecting strip.
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the apparatus is connected to main electronic equipment provided in an end area opposite to the ultrasonic transducer. 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of the main electronic device is provided integrally in the ultrasonic transducer. 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device has a unit for transmitting a signal obtained from the ultrasonic transducer to an image processing unit. . 11. The ultrasound transducer according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound transducer has a number of transducer elements forming an electronically controllable two-dimensional phase array. apparatus. 12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is designed as an electronically controllable linear array. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the linear array is disposed within a small, narrow tube and is pivotable about the longitudinal axis of the tube by mechanically driven means. 14. A method for obtaining 3D ultrasound data only at locations accessible via an opening, wherein the ultrasound transducer is connected to a fixing device via a thin connecting strip, and At an angle with the strip, and further introduced into the opening, pushed into its side below the opening and fixed by means of the fixing device, after which the fixing device transmits data from the place And wherein the opening is kept substantially freely accessible so that other devices can be introduced.