JPH03136642A - Ultrasonic treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To continuously change the focusing area of ultrasonic waves by moving a cone type reflector within the parabolic surface type reflecting surface of a reflecting box to conform to the form of a tumor after the state of a treated target portion is confirmed by an observing device. CONSTITUTION:A focusing ultrasonic generator 2 is brought into contact with the body surface of a human body M through a water bag 6. An ultrasonic probe 12 is closely adhered toward the tumor portion A of the human body M, and the image signal of an observation range B is obtained by the probe 12, whereby a tomographic image is obtained by an ultrasonic observing device 13. An operator operates the operation part 10 according to position and size of the tumor portion A in reference to the tomographic image and sends a command to a position control device 9, whereby a conical reflector 5 is moved through a cone moving device 8 to conform the focusing area F of ultrasonic waves with the tumor portion A. Then, a command is transmitted to an ultra sonic driving circuit 14, and an ultrasonic generating element 4 is driven to generate ultrasonic waves. The generated ultrasonic waves are focused toward the focusing area F to treat the tumor portion A.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention is an ultrasonic treatment device, specifically, a system that focuses therapeutic ultrasound waves generated outside the body toward a treatment target site such as a tumor or stone inside the body. The present invention relates to a means for moving an ultrasonic reflector in an ultrasonic treatment apparatus for treating this.

[Prior art] A rotating parabolic reflector (hereinafter referred to as a parabolic reflector) and a reflector made of a 90" right circular cone are combined, and the ultrasonic waves incident on the right circular conical reflector are radially directed to a cylindrical surface. The technical means of reflecting horizontal waves as waves, further reflecting the ultrasonic waves with a parabolic curved reflector, and concentrating them at a focal point is as follows:
Parabol was already published in 1952 by 1 Barone.
lc ConcentratorC parabolic reflection type concentrator)
It has been published as and is well known.

(See Ultrasonic Technology Handbook P173-P174, Ultrasonic Focusing).

Using this technology, we published Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 61-154658.
As disclosed in the publication, a cone having a conical reflecting surface and a casing having a reflecting surface whose inner circumferential surface forms a parabolic curve are connected to the central axis of the shock wave generating means with respect to the shock wave generating means. Shock tubes have already been proposed that move above the shock wave tube to change the focus position of the ultrasound waves.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, when an ultrasonic treatment device is constructed using a shock wave tube as shown in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 154658/1983, the object to be treated is large and cannot be heated at one time. When treatment cannot be achieved with heat treatment, the ultrasonic generator with a shock wave tube must be moved to change the focusing position of the ultrasonic waves, resulting in the problem that the positional relationship at the point of contact with the object to be treated is misaligned. was there. Furthermore, when changing the focal position of the ultrasound waves, it is necessary to temporarily stop treatment, examination, etc., and redo positioning, which has the disadvantage that the treatment procedure becomes even more complicated.

The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the conventional drawbacks as mentioned above,
An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic treatment device that can continuously vary the focusing area of ultrasonic waves with simple operations.

[Means for Solving the Problems] An ultrasound treatment device according to the present invention includes: an ultrasound generation element that generates and emits therapeutic ultrasound; and an ultrasound emission surface of the ultrasound generation element that faces the ultrasound treatment device. a conical reflector having a cone-shaped reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic waves incident from the radiation surface; a reflective housing having a parabolically curved reflective inner surface that further reflects the light toward the treatment area, and displacing the position of the cone-shaped reflective surface of the conical reflector with respect to the parabolically curved reflective inner surface within the reflective housing. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a conical reflector moving means for moving the reflector;

[Effect: Observe the condition of the target area for treatment such as stones and tumors in the body 1TP
After checking with the I device, move the conical reflector within the parabolic curved reflective surface of the reflective housing to match the shape of the tumor, etc.
Changes the focusing state of ultrasound.

In addition, if there is something on the ultrasound transmission path that obstructs the transmission of ultrasound, such as bones, the conical reflector can be moved in a direction parallel to the ultrasound generator, avoiding obstacles such as bones. Perform treatment.

[Example] The present invention will be explained below with reference to illustrated embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic treatment device 1 showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the entire configuration. A therapeutic focused ultrasound generator 2 includes a reflective housing 3 made of copper, brass, or the like, and has a reflective surface 3a whose inner peripheral surface is formed into a parabolic reflective inner surface.
An ultrasonic generation element 4 made of a piezoelectric element made of PZT, a Langevin vibrator, etc. is disposed above the reflection housing 3.
It has a cone-shaped reflective surface 5a facing the ultrasonic generation surface of the ultrasonic generation element 4, and is made of copper or brass. The main part thereof is composed of a conical reflector 5 disposed within the reflector 3. Further, the conical reflector 5 is configured to be able to move freely in correspondence with the reflective surface 3a within the housing 3, as will be described later.

A water bag 6 made of a soft resin material or the like is integrally provided below the reflective housing 3, and inside the water bag 6 and the housing 3, ultrasonic waves such as degassed water, etc. The transmission fluid 7 is filled. The conical reflector 5 is moved by a cone moving device 8 disposed in the housing 3, and the device 8 is connected to an operating section 10 via a position control device 9. The ultrasonic generating element 4 is also connected to the operating section 10 via an ultrasonic drive circuit 14, and a focused ultrasonic generator moving device is connected to the operating section 10 via the position control device 9. 11 is also connected.

On the other hand, an ultrasonic probe 12 for observing an image of a tumor that is a treatment target in the human body M is attached to the lower side of the ultrasonic generator 2 by a mechanism not shown. The observed signal is displayed as an observed image by the ultrasonic observation device 13.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a mechanism for moving the conical reflector 5 in the cone moving device 8. As shown in FIG.

The conical reflector 5 having a cone-shaped reflective surface is connected at the center of its bottom surface to a first piston 17 that moves within a first cylinder 16 through a first ball joint 15 . Further, a second ball joint 18 is disposed near the ball joint 15, and a second ball joint 18 is provided near the ball joint 15.
The ball side of 8 is attached to the conical reflector 5,
The other end of the joint 18 is connected to the second end via the joint 19.
It is coupled to a second piston 21 that moves within the cylinder 20. The first cylinder 16° and the second cylinder 20 are connected to the first hose 22. The second hoses 23 are connected to the first switching valves 24, respectively, and the first switching valves 24
is connected to a second switching valve 26 by a third hose 25. In addition, the first cylinder 16 and the second cylinder 20
A third piston 28 that moves within the third cylinder 27 is connected to each side of the cylinder. The third cylinder 27 is connected to the second switching valve 26 via a fourth hose 29, and the second switching valve 26 is connected to the pump 31 via a fifth hose 30. The pump 31 is connected to a water tank 33 via a sixth hose 32.

In the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 1 of the first embodiment configured as described above, first, as shown in FIG. Let them come into contact with you. On the other hand, the ultrasound probe 12 is brought into close contact with the tumor site A of the human body M, and an image signal of the observation range B is obtained by the probe 12, whereby the ultrasound observation device 1
3 to obtain a tomographic image.

The operator looks at this tomographic image and operates the operating section 10 to send a command to the position control device 9 depending on the position and size of the tumor site A, thereby moving the conical reflector 5 through the cone moving device 8. The ultrasound beam is moved to match the ultrasound focused region F with the tumor site A.

Next, the operator operates the operation unit 10 to activate the ultrasonic drive circuit 1.
4 to drive the ultrasonic wave generating element 4 to generate ultrasonic waves. Then, the generated ultrasonic waves are reflected by the cone-shaped reflector 5a of the conical reflector 5, and are further reflected again by the reflective surface 3a of the inner circumferential surface of the housing 3, converging toward the focusing area F, and focusing on the tumor site. Next, the reflector moving means for moving the conical reflector 5 to adjust the focusing position will be explained using FIG. 2. First, when moving the conical reflector (hereinafter referred to as cone) 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the operator operates the operating section 10 to switch the first switching valve 24, the first hose 22. 2nd hose 2
3 is opened so that it communicates with the third hose 25, and the second switching valve 26 is opened so that the third hose 25 and the fifth hose 3o communicate with each other, and the pump 31 is driven. Then, the pump 31 sucks the water in the first cylinder 16 and the second cylinder 20, so the first piston 17 and the second piston 21 are drawn in the direction indicated by the arrow, thereby causing the cone 5 to move in the direction indicated by the arrow. . When moving the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow a, the pump 31 is rotated in the opposite direction with the valve in the open state to pump the water in the water tank 33 into the first cylinder 16. into the second cylinder 20 and the first piston 17. Push down the second piston 21 and move the cone 5 with the arrow a
move in the direction.

Next, when moving the cone 5 in the direction of arrow C, the operator operates the operating section 10 to switch the second switching valve 26 so that the fourth hose 29 and the fifth hose 3o communicate with each other, and pump the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow C. 31 to transfer the water in the water tank 33 to the third cylinder 27.
the third piston 28 in the direction of arrow C. Then, the cone 5 also moves in the direction of arrow C together with the third piston 28. In order to move the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow d, the pump 31 is reversely rotated in the above valve state to suck water in the third cylinder 27 and pull the third piston 28, and the cone 5 is moved in the direction of the arrow d. move in the direction.

Further, when rotating the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow e, the operator operates the operating section 10 to open the first switching valve 24 so that the second hose 23 and the third hose 25 are communicated with each other. Then, the second switching valve 26 is connected to the third hose 25 and the fifth hose 30.
Switch so that they are connected. After that, pump 3
1 to suck water in the second cylinder 20, the second piston 21 is pulled in the direction of the arrow and the joint 1
Since the cone 5 is pulled in the direction of the arrow e through the cone 9, the cone 5 rotates in the direction of the arrow e about the ball of the first ball joint 15. Further, when rotating the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow f, the pump 31 is in the above-mentioned valve state.
If the water in the water tank 33 is sent into the second cylinder 20 by rotating in the opposite direction, the second piston 21 will be pushed down.
Cone 5 rotates in the direction of arrow C.

FIGS. 3 to 5 respectively show the focusing state of the ultrasonic waves when the cone 5 is moved to various positions by the above-mentioned reflector moving means.

That is, first of all, FIG. 3(A) shows the focused state of the ultrasonic waves when the cone 5 moves in the direction of the arrow a in FIG. This shows the focused state when moving to . Comparing both convergence states here, in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), the geometric focus of the parabolic curved surface of the inner circumferential reflective surface 3a of the reflective housing 3 is Fr.
Let Ff be the intersection area of the ultrasonic wave reflected by the inner reflective surface 3a of the parabolic curved surface of the housing 3 and the ultrasonic wave reflected by the conical reflective surface 5a of the cone 5, and let the intersection region Ff and the parabolic curved surface be If the distance from the geometrical focus Fr is R1°R2, then the third
As is clear from Figures (A) and (B), it can be seen that the relationship R1>R2 holds true.

Moreover, since the ultrasonic waves are focused on the focusing region F, it is considered that the ultrasonic waves are irradiated from the ultrasonic wave generating elements that are equivalently spherical shells with curvatures R1 and R2. Therefore, at this time, the ultrasonic waves are sharply focused when the curvature of the spherical shell-shaped ultrasonic generation element becomes smaller, so that when the cone 5 is close to the geometric focal point Fr of the parabolic curved surface, the ultrasonic waves are focused in the focusing region F2 (the Figure 3 (B)
) is considered to be more sharply focused than the focusing region F1 (see FIG. 3(A)) which is far from the focal point Fr.

Next, FIG. 4 shows the convergence state when the cone 5 moves in the direction of arrow C (see FIG. 2). The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generating element 4 are reflected by the right half of the conical reflecting surface 5a of the cone 5. This reflected ultrasonic wave is directed only toward the right half of the inner circumferential reflective surface 3a of the reflective housing 3, is reflected again by the right half of the inner circumferential reflective surface 3a, and is focused on the focusing area F3.

Further, FIG. 5 shows the convergence state when the cone 5 rotates and tilts in the direction of arrow e (see FIG. 2, 8). The ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generating element 4 are reflected by the conical reflecting surface 5a of the cone 5, but since the cone 5 is tilted,
Due to the property that the incident angle and the reflection angle of the ultrasonic wave are equal, the ultrasonic wave is reflected by the cone 5 and irradiates the inner peripheral reflective surface 3a in the housing 3 with different incident angles. Then, since the ultrasonic waves reflected by the inner circumferential reflective surface 3a have different reflection angles, for example, as shown in the cross section of FIG. Focus on an area. In reality, the ultrasonic waves are reflected from the reflection housing 3 at a series of different reflection angles, so the focusing area of the ultrasonic waves is wide as R4.

As described above, the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 1 of the first embodiment exhibits the following effects depending on the moving direction of the cone 5.

That is, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B), when the cone 5 moves parallel to the axial direction of the central axis of the ultrasonic generating element 4, the width at which the ultrasonic waves are focused changes at the focal point F. So,
It is effective in treating tumors of various sizes, especially in width. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the cone 5 moves in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the ultrasound generating element 4, the transmission path of the ultrasound changes significantly. If there is an obstacle such as a bone in the tumor, treatment can be performed by avoiding the obstacle and irradiating the tumor with ultrasound. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, when the cone 5 is tilted, the heating area by the ultrasonic wave extends in the direction of the central axis of the ultrasonic generating element 4, forming a vertically elongated heating area.
When treating large tumors by tilting the tumor, efficient treatment can be achieved.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus showing a second embodiment of the present invention. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus in this second embodiment has substantially the same structure as the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 1 in the first embodiment, except for the cone moving means 8, so the same components are designated by the same reference numerals. , and its explanation will be omitted.

In the cone moving means 8A in this second embodiment, the center position of the bottom surface of the cone 5 is connected by a support shaft 34 to a slider 36 that is moved by a ball screw 35. Both ends of the ball screw 35 are rotatably attached to a bearing ring 37, and one end passes through and is connected to the output shaft of a motor 38.

Further, the ring 37 is attached to the open end of the reflection housing 3 on the focal point side by means of first and second bellows 39 and 40, and the first bellows 39 and the second bellows 40 are connected through hoses 41a, respectively. First pump 42. connected to the second pump 43, the first pump 42. The second pumps 43 are connected to the first water tank 44 through hoses 41b, respectively. It is connected to a second water tank 45. FIG. 7 is an enlarged plan view of the main part of the slider 36 with the water bag 6 clearly visible, and the slider 36 is inserted through a slider guide shaft 46 in addition to the ball screw 35. As shown in FIG.

The cone moving device 8A in the ultrasonic treatment apparatus of the second embodiment configured as described above functions as follows. When moving the cone 5 in the direction of arrow C1 or d, by rotating the motor 38 in the forward or reverse direction,
The ball screw 35 rotates and the slider 36 is screw-fed along the slider guide shaft 46 to move in either direction of arrow C1 or d, thereby moving the cone 5.

Moreover, when moving the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow a, the first
The pump 42 and the second pump 43 are driven, and the first bellows 3
9 and the second bellows 40, and both bellows 3
9. Fold and shrink 40, and with ring 37, cone 5
is moved in the direction of arrow a. Also, in order to move the cone 5 in the direction indicated by the arrow, the first pump 42. The second pump 43 is rotated in the opposite direction, and the first water tank 44. The water in the second water tank 45,
1st. Feed the same amount into the second bellows 39.40 and both bellows 3
9. By inflating and stretching 40, the cone 5 moves in the direction of the arrow.

If the cone 5 is further rotated in the direction of the arrow e and tilted, the first pump 42 is driven to suck the water in the first bellows 39, or the second pump 43 is driven to suck the water in the second bellows 40.
When water is fed inside, the ring 37 tilts together with the cone 5 in the direction of arrow e. Conversely, when the cone 5 is rotated and tilted in the direction of the arrow f, the first bellows 39. If the water absorption and water supply to the second bellows 40 are reversed to the direction of the arrow e, the ring 37 will be tilted together with the cone 5 in the direction of the arrow f.

According to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and since the bottom surface of the cone has a small protruding part, the water bag 6 can be placed closer to the living body. Another effect can be obtained in that the operation of aligning the part and the heating position can be performed easily.

FIG. 8 shows an ultrasonic treatment device i showing a first modification of the present invention.
It is a schematic block diagram of the whole IA. The ultrasonic treatment apparatus IA in this modification also includes the ultrasonic treatment apparatus 1 of the first embodiment.
Since they are constructed in substantially the same manner except for the ultrasonic observation means, the same constituent members are given the same reference numerals, and only the differences will be explained.

In the ultrasonic treatment device IA of this modification, the ultrasonic probe 12A is arranged on the axis passing through the geometric focal point F' of the parabolic curved surface of the inner circumferential reflective surface of the housing 3. The ultrasonic probe 12A is attached to the reflection housing 3 so that the central axis of the ultrasonic probe 12A coincides with the central axis of the ultrasonic generating element 4A.The ultrasonic probe 12A is also connected to an ultrasonic probe moving device 47. , the moving device 47 is connected to the position control device 9.

On the other hand, the cone 5 having the conical reflecting surface 5a has a through hole 5b formed on its central axis, and the ultrasonic probe 12A is inserted into the through hole 5b. This probe 12A is transmitted via an ultrasonic observation device 13 to an image display bag consisting of a CRT! 4g, and a touch panel 49 is attached to the front surface of the display device 48. An instruction bezel 50 for giving instructions to the touch panel 49 is provided. The touch panel 49 and the position control device 9 are connected to each other so that the touch panel 49 sends information instructed by the pointing pen 50 to the position control device 9.

The ultrasonic treatment apparatus IA in this modified example configured as described above operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment, except that the control means for the focusing area F is different.

That is, the operator operates the operation unit 10 to send a command to the position control device 9, and causes the ultrasound probe moving device 47 to tilt or move the ultrasound probe 12A up and down. Then, a tomographic image of the observation range B within the human body M is displayed on the image display device 48 via the ultrasound observation device 13.

Here, the operator instructs the position of the outline of the tumor on the four touch panels using the indicator ben 50. Then, this information is sent to the position control device 9, and the position control device 9 sends a command to the cone moving device 8, so that the cone 5 moves according to the size of the tumor A, that is, the information.

Next, the operator operates the operation unit 10 to activate the ultrasonic drive circuit 14.
The ultrasonic wave generating element 4A is driven through the ultrasonic wave generating element 4A to perform treatment.

According to this modification of the ultrasonic treatment device IA, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and the ultrasonic probe 1
Since 2A is located within the housing 3, the device can be made smaller, and furthermore, since the ultrasonic focusing region F is always within the observation range B, positioning is easy. Furthermore, the heating range can be easily and precisely controlled according to the size of the tumor, improving treatment efficiency.

Next, FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of main parts showing a second modified example of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus of the present invention. In the ultrasonic treatment apparatus in this example, the ultrasonic probe 12B is located within the inner reflective surface of the housing 3 on an axis passing through the geometric focal point Fr of the parabolic curved surface of the inner reflective surface 3a of the reflective housing 3. Two or more are attached to the The other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG. 6 above.

The ultrasonic treatment device in this modified example configured as described above basically operates in the same manner as the first modified example, and can obtain the same effects. Since two or more probes are provided, even if there is an obstacle such as a bone on the ultrasound transmission path of one ultrasound probe 12B, the treatment area can be observed using the other ultrasound probe 12B. can.

Moreover, FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are schematic configuration diagrams of main parts in a third modified example of the ultrasonic treatment apparatus of the present invention. 1st
Figure 0 (A) shows the observation state by ultrasonic waves, and the first
Figure 0 (B) shows the state of treatment by ultrasound. In the ultrasonic treatment device in this modification, the ultrasonic wave generating element 4 is composed of a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 4a and a viewing ultrasonic transducer 4b.
a and the ultrasonic transducer 4b for high frequency observation.
It is attached to the housing 3 so that the central axes of the two lines coincide with each other. The rest of the structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

In the ultrasonic treatment apparatus of this example configured in this way, the relatively high frequency ultrasonic waves generated by the observation ultrasonic transducer 4b are transmitted in the same way as the ultrasonic transmission path of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 4a. Then, the light is reflected by the conical reflecting surface 5a of the cone 5, reflected again by the parabolically curved inner circumferential reflecting surface 3a of the housing 3, and focused on the tumor.

Furthermore, since a tumor has a different acoustic impedance from normal tissue, the ultrasound for viewing AP1 is reflected at the tumor site. The reflected ultrasound wave then follows the opposite transmission path and returns to the observation ultrasound transducer 4b, and this reflected wave provides information on the location of the tumor. Other operations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

In this way, according to the ultrasonic treatment device in this modification,
Since the focusing areas F of the ultrasonic transducer 4b for viewing 71FI and the ultrasonic transducer 4a for treatment coincide with each other, accurate information on the area being treated can always be obtained.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the cone having a conical reflecting surface is moved within the ultrasonic generator using a simple configuration, so that the heating area can be changed smoothly. It is possible to provide an ultrasonic treatment device that can perform continuous treatment without interrupting the treatment and eliminates the drawbacks of this type of conventional ultrasonic treatment device.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a specific configuration of a cone moving device in the ultrasonic treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment. The enlarged sectional views, FIGS. 3 (A), (B), 4 and 5 are
Fig. 6 is an operation diagram showing the operation of the cone moving device, Fig. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of main parts showing the specific configuration of the cone moving device in the ultrasonic treatment device of the second embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the slider in FIG. 6, FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ultrasonic treatment device showing a first modification of the ultrasonic treatment device of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a plan view of the slider of the present invention. FIGS. 10(A) and 10(B) are enlarged cross-sectional views of main parts of an ultrasonic generator in a second modified example of the ultrasonic therapeutic device of the present invention. FIG. 10A is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a part, and FIG. 10A is an operation diagram of an observation ultrasonic transducer, and FIG. 10B is an operation diagram of a wave transducer. 1. IA・・・・・・・・・Ultrasonic treatment device 2.
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Focused ultrasonic generator 3・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・
Reflective housing 3a...... Parabolic curved reflective inner surface 4...
...Ultrasonic generation element 5...
......Conical reflector (cone) 5a...
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Cone-shaped reflective surface 8・
・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・Conical reflector moving device (cone moving device) is a therapeutic ultrasound

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) An ultrasonic generation element that generates and emits therapeutic ultrasonic waves, and an ultrasonic generation element that is disposed opposite to the ultrasonic emission surface of the ultrasonic generation element and reflects the ultrasonic waves incident from the emission surface. a conical reflector having a cone-shaped reflective surface, and a parabolic reflective inner surface disposed around the conical reflector to further reflect the ultrasound reflected by the conical reflective surface toward the treatment area. and a conical reflector moving means for displacing the position of the cone-shaped reflective surface of the conical reflector with respect to the parabolic curved reflective inner surface within the reflective housing. Characteristic ultrasonic device.