RU141135U1 - ULTRASONIC THERAPY UNIT - Google Patents

Abstract

1. The apparatus for ultrasound therapy, comprising a control unit, which is connected to the multi-bit input of the power supply unit by the first bidirectional multi-bit bus, and its second bidirectional multi-bit bus is connected to the multi-bit input of the master oscillator unit, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively to the second and third output of the unit power supply, the first output of which is connected to the third input of the power amplifier unit, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively to the first and second output of the unit as a master oscillator, while the second output of the power amplifier unit is connected to the second input of the ultrasonic emitter unit, which is located in a protective metal casing and which is connected to its first, second and third output, respectively, with the first, second and third input of the control unit, characterized in that the apparatus contains an acoustic contact control unit, the first output of which is connected to the fourth input of the control unit, the second output is connected to the first input of the ultrasonic emitter unit, and the input is connected with the first output of the power amplifier unit, while the protective metal case of the ultrasonic emitter unit is made of titanium sheet. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective metal case of the ultrasonic emitter unit is made of titanium sheet with a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic emitter unit comprises a coding unit, the first, second and third outputs of which are, respectively, the first, second and third outputs of the ultrasonic emitter unit and piezo

Description

The patented utility model relates to medicine, namely to physiotherapy. The developed apparatus for ultrasound therapy will find effective application in the treatment of a wide range of diseases in specialized medical facilities.

Various apparatuses for ultrasound therapy are known for their structural implementation.

A known device for ultrasound therapy UZT-1.01 Φ (see TU 9444-014-11487910-2001, passport ТА3.836.011 PS, Komarova LA, Blagovidova LA Guide to physical methods of treatment. - L .: Medicine, 1983 - 264 s) containing a power supply unit, a master oscillator, a power amplifier, two ultrasonic emitters and control elements.

Significant disadvantages of the apparatus are:

- the ability to work only on one frequency of 0.88 MHz;

- the use of ultrasonic emitters, in which the emitting surface is covered with a thin protective layer that does not withstand mechanical stress during operation and exposure to drugs during the phonophoresis procedure;

- lack of monitoring the state of the circuit of the ultrasonic emitter;

- lack of interchangeability of ultrasonic emitters, i.e. when replacing the emitter requires adjustment of the electronic unit;

- lack of adjustment of the intensity of ultrasound during the treatment procedure;

- the use of a mechanical timer and mechanical controls, which complicates the sanitation procedure;

- significant weight, dimensions and power consumption.

The UZT-13.01F MedTeko device is also known (see TU 9444-009-56812193-2003, the manufacturer’s official website www.medteco.ru), which implements a dual-frequency mode of operation - at a frequency of 0.88 MHz and 2.64 MHz, introduced monitoring function of the emitter circuit; overall dimensions, weight and power consumption are reduced.

Significant disadvantages of the UTT-13.01F MedTeko device are the lack of protection of the emitting surface of the ultrasonic emitter, the lack of the ability to adjust the intensity of ultrasound during the procedure, which reduces the effectiveness of the use of this device in therapeutic practice. In addition, the apparatus does not have the ability to carry out the combined effects of ultrasound and electric current.

The prior art ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus (RF patent No. 2086178; A61B 8/00) containing a piezoelectric focusing ultrasound transducer made in the form of a bowl and connected to a generator configured to regulate voltage characteristics during excitation, and mounted on a container with contact liquid, the application surface of which is made in the form of a flexible membrane placed on the surface of the object of influence. The piezoelectric element of the focusing ultrasound emitter is made with a constant focal length at a variable thickness. The ratio of the maximum thickness of the piezoelectric element to the minimum is 1.01-1.15, and the alternating voltage generator of ultrasonic frequency is made with the possibility of frequency regulation with the ratio of the maximum frequency to the minimum in the range of 1.01-1.15.

A significant drawback of the ultrasonic apparatus (patent No. 2086178) is the lack of a unit for monitoring the acoustic contact between the emitter and the voiced part of the body, which does not allow to establish the dose of ultrasonic exposure with the required accuracy.

A known apparatus for ultrasonic therapy (Author's certificate No. 1149975; A61H 23/00), comprising a power supply and connected to it in series connected master oscillator, modulator, power regulator, power amplifier, emitter. The control device is connected to the outputs with an ultrasonic master oscillator and a modulator. Acoustic contact control is possible with a change in intensity.

The disadvantage of this device is the low accuracy of contact control and the difficulty of adjustment in the serial production of equipment or its repair.

Also known is an ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus with control of the acoustic contact of the emitter with the medium (RF patent No. 2139746; A61N 7/00).

The ultrasonic therapeutic apparatus (RF patent No. 2139746) contains a power supply unit and a serially connected ultrasonic master oscillator, modulator, power amplifier, emitter, and also a control device, the outputs of which are connected to the ultrasonic master oscillator and modulator connected to it. A linearly increasing voltage generator, a comparator, a device for sampling and storing a reference signal, a threshold device and an alarm device are also included in the device. A measuring resistor is connected in series with the emitter. The comparator, the sampling-storage device and the threshold device are connected to the divider formed by the emitter and the measuring resistor by the second inputs. The input of the control device is connected to the second output of the threshold device.

The patented circuit of the apparatus allows automatic control of the acoustic contact of the emitter with the medium at any level of therapeutic output power, to ensure the correct assessment of the dose of ultrasonic exposure, and also to prevent overheating of the piezo-emitter plate.

An analysis of the medical practice of using this apparatus allows us to state that the disadvantage of this apparatus is the low accuracy of monitoring acoustic contact with the medium, which does not allow to establish the dose of ultrasonic exposure to the patient with the required accuracy.

The known apparatus for ultrasonic therapy SONOPULSE III (the manufacturer’s official website www.ibramed.com.br), the closest in technical essence and constructive implementation to the patented utility model, and which is adopted as a prototype.

The ultrasonic therapy apparatus SONOPULSE III contains (Fig. 7 — the block diagram structure is obtained by analyzing and studying a real sample of the SONOPULSE III apparatus), a switching power supply unit 1, a control unit 2, a visualization unit and a keyboard 3, a driver unit 4, an amplifier unit power 5 and an ultrasonic emitter 6 with a protective metal casing 7.

The block of the ultrasonic emitter 6 contains two emitting piezoceramic plate. On the front panel there is a display for indicating exposure parameters and keys for selecting an operating mode and adjusting ultrasonic power.

The device allows for ultrasonic exposure at two frequencies - 1 MHz and 3.0 MHz. The device provides for the possibility of carrying out the procedure of combined exposure to ultrasound and electric current. All parameters are set on the display; during the procedure, the ultrasound intensity can be adjusted. The device has a low weight and dimensions.

An analysis by the applicant of the operability of the SONOPULSE III therapeutic apparatus indicates that this apparatus has a number of design flaws that reduce its effectiveness in medical practice and the quality of treatment.

In particular, in the apparatus there is no system for monitoring the acoustic contact of the working part of the ultrasonic emitter and the surface of the patient's body.

The practice of using ultrasound devices for therapy shows that the presence of such control significantly increases the effectiveness of treatment and allows the doctor to control the progress of the procedure.

The SONOPULSE III uses an ultrasonic transducer in which the piezoceramic element is closed by an aluminum protective casing and having low acoustic impedance. However, the practice of using devices for ultrasound therapy provides for a long stay of emitters in water, as well as the effects of drugs during phonophoresis procedures. All this leads to corrosion of the aluminum protective casing and the loss of operational and ergonomic qualities.

In addition, in the SONOPULSE III apparatus, if it is necessary to change the frequency of the affecting ultrasound, a certain sequence of actions is required, in particular, the medical professional must find the menu on the display, select the desired parameter in the menu, move the cursor, press the key. The use of such an apparatus in medical practice allows us to state that the need for such sequential actions when changing the frequency of the impacting ultrasound can lead to unintentional errors by medical personnel and ultimately reduce the effectiveness of treatment, because the depth of its penetration into tissues depends on the chosen frequency of ultrasound.

The technical problem to which the patentable utility model is aimed is to conduct an ultrasound therapy procedure and ensure:

- the ability to control the acoustic contact of the ultrasonic emitter with the patient’s body and the correct dose assessment of ultrasonic exposure;

- protection of the ultrasonic emitter from mechanical damage and from exposure to medicinal media;

- the ability to automatically set the frequency of ultrasound depending on the type connected to the electronic unit of the ultrasonic emitter and, accordingly, on the treatment technique.

The solution of the technical problem is achieved as follows.

An ultrasound therapy apparatus, similar to the SONOPULSE III apparatus, comprising a control unit that is connected to the multi-bit input of the power supply unit by the first bidirectional multi-bit bus, and its second bidirectional multi-bit bus is connected to the multi-bit input of the master oscillator unit, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively to the second and the third output of the power supply, the first output of which is connected to the third input of the power amplifier unit, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively the first and second output of the master oscillator unit, while the second output of the power amplifier unit is connected to the second input of the ultrasonic emitter unit, which is housed in a protective metal housing, and which is connected to the first, second and third input of the control unit, respectively, by its first, second and third output , according to the patented utility model, the apparatus comprises an acoustic contact control unit, the first output of which is connected to the fourth input of the control unit, the second output is connected to the first input of the unit and an ultrasonic emitter, and the input is connected to the first output of the power amplifier unit.

The patented utility model provides that the protective metal case of the ultrasonic emitter unit is made of titanium sheet, from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm thick.

According to a utility model, the ultrasonic emitter unit contains a coding unit, the first, second and third outputs of which are the first, second and third outputs of the ultrasonic emitter unit and a piezoceramic emitter, the first and second input of which are the first and second input of the ultrasonic emitter unit, respectively.

The utility model provides that the piezoceramic emitter is made in the form of a disk emitter, the effective surface area of which is from 0.1 cm ² to 10 cm ² .

The combination of new effective circuitry and design solutions implemented in the patented utility model, allows to obtain the following technical result:

- to provide control of the acoustic contact of the ultrasonic emitter with the patient’s body, thereby ensuring the correct assessment of the dose of ultrasonic exposure, which, accordingly, can improve the quality and reduce the treatment time of patients;

- to protect the ultrasonic emitter from mechanical damage and from exposure to medicinal media, thereby significantly increasing the life of the ultrasonic emitters;

- to carry out automatic installation and automatic selection of the frequency of ultrasound depending on the type of ultrasonic emitter connected to the electronic unit and, accordingly, on the treatment methodology, which eliminates the mistakes of medical personnel during installation, or changing the set operating modes of the device;

- to ensure reliable operation and high safety of ultrasonic radiation and preventing the possibility of allergic reactions through the use of ultrasonic emitters with a biocompatible titanium contact surface.

The essence of the patented utility model is illustrated by the following description and graphic materials, which show:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a patented apparatus for ultrasound therapy;

FIG. 2 - Control unit 2;

FIG. 3 - Block of the master oscillator 3;

FIG. 4 - Control unit acoustic contact 4;

FIG. 5 - Block ultrasonic emitter 6;

FIG. 6 - An enlarged block diagram of the algorithm of the apparatus.

FIG. 7 - Block diagram of a prototype apparatus SONOPULSE III.

The patented apparatus for ultrasound therapy (Fig. 1) contains a control unit 2, which is connected to the multi-bit input of the power supply unit 1 by the first bi-directional multi-bit bus, and its second bi-directional multi-bit bus is connected to the multi-bit input of the master oscillator unit 3.

The first and second inputs of the driver unit 3 are connected respectively to the second and third output of the power unit 1. The first output of the power unit 1 is connected to the third input of the power amplifier unit 5, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively to the first and second output of the unit of the generator 3.

The second output of the power amplifier unit 5 is connected to the second input of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6, which is located in the protective metal housing 7. The utility model provides that the protective metal case 7 of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6 is made of titanium.

The block of the ultrasonic emitter 6 with its first, second and third output is connected respectively to the first, second and third input of the control unit 2

A fundamental difference between the patented therapeutic apparatus and the known prototype is the presence of an acoustic contact control unit 4.

The first output of the acoustic contact control unit 4 is connected to the fourth input of the control unit 2, the second output is connected to the first input of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6, and the input is connected to the first output of the power amplifier unit 5.

The power supply 1 provides the formation of the supply voltage of the required ratings. The power supply unit 1 can be made on the basis of commercially available switching high-frequency converters (see Power supplies for electronic equipment. MMP-IRBIS catalog, ValanG Publishing House, Moscow, 1996) and on the basis of LM117 / LM317 switching voltage regulators according to the diagram provided in the instruction manual on the website of the manufacturer of the National Semiconductor Corporation www.national.com.

The control unit 2 is designed to set all control signals, indicate the level of ultrasound intensity, operating modes and contains (Fig. 2) a microcontroller 8, which is connected to the power supply unit 1 by the first bidirectional multi-bit bus, the second bidirectional multi-bit bus is connected by the unit of the master oscillator 3, and the third bidirectional multi-bit bus connected to the display unit and keyboard 9.

The first, second and third inputs of the microcontroller 8 are connected respectively to the first, second and third outputs of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6, and the fourth input is connected to the first output of the acoustic contact control unit 4.

The display unit and control keyboard 9 is intended for input of control signals, indication of operating modes and indication of the output power level of the apparatus.

The display unit and control keyboard 9 can be performed on indicators HDSP-5621G and AL307 or other similar elements according to the well-known scheme (GI Volovich "Circuitry of analog and analog-to-digital electronic devices", 2nd ed., Rev. - M .: Publishing house "Dodeka-XX", 2007, 528 s, ill.).

Microcontroller 8 provides the implementation of the algorithm of the apparatus and can be implemented on the basis of the ATmega128 microcontroller (AV Evstifeev. AVR microcontrollers of the Mega family, User Manual. - M.: Dodeka-XXI Publishing House, 2007 - 592 s, and also the instruction manual of the manufacturer Atmel www.atmel.com).

The complete software product containing the algorithm of the patented apparatus and all the necessary logical and mathematical operations are presented in the technical documentation for this apparatus. An enlarged flow chart of the operation is shown in FIG. 6

The unit of the master oscillator 3 provides the formation of high-frequency voltage of a sinusoidal shape and a given shape and contains (Fig. 3):

- the master oscillator 10 at a frequency of 0.88 MHz, the input of which is the second input of the master oscillator unit 3 and is connected to the second output of the power supply 1, and the output is connected to the first input of the switching unit 12 and the bi-directional multi-bit bus is connected to the control unit 2;

- the master oscillator 11 at a frequency of 2.64 MHz, the input of which is the first input of the master oscillator unit 3 and connected to the third output of the power supply 1, and the output is connected to the second input of the switching unit 12 and a bi-directional multi-bit bus is connected to the control unit 2.

The switching unit 12 bi-directional multi-bit bus is connected to the control unit 2, and the first and second outputs are connected respectively to the first and second inputs of the power amplifier 5.

The master oscillators 10 and 11 provide the formation of two high-frequency voltages with a frequency of 0.88 MHz and 2.54 MHz, respectively, and can be implemented on the basis of TTLSh integrated circuits and high-frequency transistors such as BU406. (“Semiconductor circuitry”, W. Titze, K. Schenk, Moscow, MIR, 1983, pp. 293-311. G.I. Volovich “Circuitry of analog and analog-digital electronic devices”, 2nd ed., rev. - M.: Dodeka-XX Publishing House, 2007, 528 s, ill.).

The switching unit 12 can be made on the basis of reed relays of the EDR101A0500 type or electromechanical relays of the TRS5VD type (see G.I. Volovich “Circuitry of analog and analog-digital electronic devices”, 2nd ed., Rev. - M .: Publishing House “Dodeca-XX”, 2007, 528 s, ill.).

The acoustic contact control unit 4 is designed to collect information about the current in the circuit of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6, filter it, generate and buffer it, and then transmit the generated signal to the control unit 2 for mathematical processing and highlight signs of the absence of acoustic contact with the patient’s body.

The acoustic contact control unit 4 contains (Fig. 4) a current analysis and generation unit 13, the output of which is the first output of the acoustic contact control unit 4, and an input which is connected to the first output of the current sensor 14, the second output of which is the second output of the acoustic control unit contact 4 and is connected to the first input of the block of the ultrasonic emitter 6.

The input of the current sensor 14 is the input of the acoustic contact control unit 4 and is connected to the first output of the power amplifier unit 5.

As a current sensor 14, a current transformer or a resistive sensor can be used. Options for the performance of current sensors are widely known and described in the literature, (see BZ Mikhlin “High-frequency capacitive and inductive sensors”, Publisher: Gosenergoizdat, 1960, 75 s, GI Volovich “Circuitry of analog and analog digital electronic devices ”, 2nd ed., rev. - M.: Dodeka-XX Publishing House, 2007, 528 s, ill.).

Block analysis and formation of current 13 can be performed on the elements of TTLS logic and LC filters. (see. "Semiconductor circuitry", W. Titze, K. Schenk - Moscow, MIR, 1983, pp. 185-223, pp. 276-288, as well as "The use of integrated circuits in electronic computing" - Under the editorship of B.N. Fayzulaev, - M .: Radio and Communication, 1986, p. 69-150).

The power amplifier unit 5 is designed to produce a high-frequency voltage of a given shape, frequency and amplitude for exciting an ultrasonic emitter and is a generator based on transistors of the BU406 type. according to the well-known circuitry described in the book "Transistor generators of harmonic oscillations in the key mode" under. ed. prof. I.A. Popova, M., - Radio and Communications, 1985, p. 31-64, p. 76-106.

Block ultrasonic emitter 6 is designed to generate ultrasonic vibrations of a given frequency.

Block ultrasonic emitter 6 contains (Fig. 5):

- coding unit 15, the first, second and third outputs of which are respectively the first, second and third output of the block of the ultrasonic emitter 6;

- piezoceramic emitter 16, the first and second input of which are respectively the first and second input of the block of the ultrasonic emitter 6.

As a piezoceramic emitter 16 can be used disk emitter, for example, from ceramics TsTS-23 OST 110444-87.

According to a patented utility model, the effective surface area of a piezoceramic emitter is from 0.1 cm ² to 10 cm ² .

As the coding unit 15, a set of jumpers can be used, included in a given sequence depending on the frequency of the block of the ultrasonic emitter 6.

In particular, the coding unit 15 can be implemented in the form of two jumpers, each of which is made, for example, in the form of commercially available jumpers of the type MJ2C5 or in the form of a soldered conductor between the contacts. All jumpers have one common contact.

The protective metal casing 7 is designed to protect the block of the ultrasonic emitter 6 from mechanical damage and from the environment of drugs. It is a metal plate made of titanium sheet, from 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm thick, fixed with the entire plane on the radiating surface of the piezoceramic emitter 16.

It should be noted that the thickness of the sheet of titanium sheet more than 2 mm requires a significant increase in the excitation voltage of the piezoceramic emitter to obtain the required ultrasound power, because the thicker the protective casing 7, the greater its acoustic resistance, which leads to a significant decrease in efficiency (efficiency) and becomes impractical.

The thickness of the sheet of titanium sheet less than 0.1 mm causes significant technological difficulties in the manufacture.

Patented apparatus for ultrasound therapy works as follows.

Before starting work, select the necessary ultrasonic emitter 6 and connect to the device. When you turn on the device in the network at the output of the power supply 1, all the necessary voltages are formed to power the device. The control unit 2 analyzes what type of ultrasonic emitter 6 is connected to the device and issues a command to the unit of the master oscillator 3 to form the corresponding excitation frequency of the unit of the ultrasonic emitter 6.

Upon receipt from the display unit and keyboard 9 of a command to start the procedure, the power supply 1 supplies the power amplifier unit 5 and the master oscillator unit 3 with the corresponding power levels. High-frequency voltage from the power amplifier unit 5 is supplied through the acoustic contact control unit 4 to the ultrasonic emitter unit 6, while the voltage level is regulated by the control unit 2 depending on the commands received from the display unit and keyboard 9.

In the process of operation of the apparatus, the acoustic contact control unit 4 constantly gives a signal to the control unit 2 about the shape and level of the current in the excitation circuit of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6. At the same time, the control unit 2 carries out mathematical processing of the received signal and, upon detection of signs of disturbance of the acoustic contact, issues a command generating and generating a warning signal on the display unit and keyboard 9.

A significant advantage of the patented ultrasound apparatus is the realized ability of the ultrasonic emitter unit 6 to operate in any medicinal media and in water, due to the chemical inertness of titanium, from which the protective casing is made, and its high mechanical strength.

The test tests of the prototype of the developed apparatus for ultrasound therapy, made by patented circuitry, confirmed its undoubted technical and operational advantages, compared with the known devices for a similar purpose. So, patented apparatus:

- provides control of the acoustic contact of the ultrasonic emitter with the patient’s body, which allows for the correct assessment of the dose of ultrasonic exposure, and, accordingly, improves the quality and reduces the treatment time of patients;

- provides protection for the ultrasonic emitter from mechanical damage and from exposure to medicinal media, which can significantly increase the service life of ultrasonic emitters;

- provides automatic installation and automatic selection of the frequency of the ultrasonic emitter, depending on the type of ultrasonic emitter connected to the electronic unit and, accordingly, on the treatment method, which eliminates possible errors of medical personnel during installation, or changing the set operating modes of the device;

- to ensure reliable operation and high safety of ultrasonic radiation and preventing the possibility of allergic reactions through the use of ultrasonic emitters with a biocompatible titanium contact surface.

Claims (4)

1. The apparatus for ultrasound therapy, comprising a control unit, which is connected to the multi-bit input of the power supply unit by the first bidirectional multi-bit bus, and its second bidirectional multi-bit bus is connected to the multi-bit input of the master oscillator unit, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively to the second and third output of the unit power supply, the first output of which is connected to the third input of the power amplifier unit, the first and second inputs of which are connected respectively to the first and second output of the unit as a master oscillator, while the second output of the power amplifier unit is connected to the second input of the ultrasonic emitter unit, which is located in a protective metal casing and which is connected to its first, second and third output, respectively, with the first, second and third input of the control unit, characterized in that the apparatus contains an acoustic contact control unit, the first output of which is connected to the fourth input of the control unit, the second output is connected to the first input of the ultrasonic emitter unit, and the input is connected with the first output of the power amplifier unit, while the protective metal case of the ultrasonic emitter unit is made of titanium sheet. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the protective metal casing of the ultrasonic emitter unit is made of titanium sheet with a thickness of 0.1 mm to 2.0 mm. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic emitter unit comprises a coding unit, the first, second and third outputs of which are, respectively, the first, second and third outputs of the ultrasonic emitter unit and a piezoceramic emitter, the first and second input of which are respectively the first and the second input of the ultrasonic emitter unit. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the piezoceramic emitter is made in the form of a disk emitter, the effective surface area of which is from 0.1 cm ² to 10 cm ² .

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