WO2011089160A1

WO2011089160A1 - Device for determining vertebra spacing in the spinal column

Info

Publication number: WO2011089160A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/050698
Authority: WO
Inventors: Reinhard Panning; Jörg Franke
Original assignee: Otto-Von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg
Priority date: 2010-01-19
Filing date: 2011-01-19
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: DE102010001020A1

Abstract

The invention relates to devices for determining vertebra spacing in the spinal column. The devices are characterized in particular in that vertebra spacing of the patient can be determined easily while walking in a building or outdoors. To this end, at least two ultrasonic probes are flexibly connected to each other and disposed in the direction of the spinal column on a carrier system for detecting the spacing either of vertebra processes or between vertebra processes and bones connected to the spinal column, wherein the center axis of the spinal column is between the groups. At least one coupling for the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasonic probes is further disposed between said probes and the surface of the skin. The ultrasonic probes are further connected to a data processing system at least for storing the returning sound wave impulses of the ultrasonic probes, converted into electrical signals.

Description

Device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine

The invention relates to devices for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column.

The document US Pat. No. 5,022,412 A discloses equipment for the electrical connection between recorded markings and / or electrodes, respectively, on the body surface of a person, which allows free movement of the patient. The electrodes are connected directly via lines to an evaluation device. The markings are recorded by means of permanently installed cameras, which are further connected together with the evaluation device. Thus, the person can only move in a limited space.

From the document US 4,699,156 A a non-invasive method and a device for the detection of torsion injuries is known. During predetermined movements, the diseased area of the body surface is captured by fixed cameras. A running motion is not provided. The recording takes place at a fixed location.

The indicated in claim 1 invention has for its object to easily detect vertebral spaces of the spine of a patient when walking in a building or outdoors.

This object is achieved with the features listed in claim 1.

The means for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column are characterized in particular by the fact that vertebral distances of the patient when walking in a building or outdoors can be easily detected.

For this purpose, at least two flexibly interconnected and arranged in the direction of the spine ultrasound probes are arranged on a support system for detecting the distances of either spinous processes or between spinous processes and connected to the spine bone, wherein the central axis of the spine is located between the groups. Furthermore, at least one coupling is arranged for the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasound probes between these and the skin surface. In addition, are the ultrasound probes are interconnected with a data processing system at least for the storage of the returned to the electrical signals rewound S challwellenimpulse the ultrasound probes.

Vertebrae and discs are subject to wear. One consequence is pain, which sometimes occurs in the patient only after a prolonged movement. In order to relieve the pain, the patient involuntarily adopts an abnormal posture that is typical for certain clinical pictures. The device is characterized advantageously by registering these changes in attitude.

To determine these incorrect postures, the patient receives the device, which is characterized in that it can be used on a mobile basis. In the movement, especially in the open field, that is, outdoors, the device detects the positions of the spinous processes and then the spine. The flexibly interconnected ultrasonic probes do not hinder the patient as much as possible. For this purpose, the ultrasound probes are connected to one another via a flexible object or via at least one rotary joint.

The lateral spinous processes are located 4 to 10 cm below the dorsal skin at a distance of a few centimeters to the side of the vertebral axis.

Ultrasonic probes are used to detect the vertebral contours. The ultrasonic waves of these ultrasonic probes are generated by means of the indirect piezoelectric effect of piezoelectric elements. About a high-frequency electrical AC voltage to the piezo elements they are excited to vibrate, causing pressure fluctuations in the form of ultrasound. At the same time, the ultrasound probes serve to detect the ultrasound waves that have passed back, whereby an electrical voltage equivalent to the ultrasound is generated by means of the direct piezoelectric effect. From this, pixels are obtained.

The contours of at least the spinous processes are detected dynamically during the movement of the patient.

The ultrasonic waves of the ultrasound probes become inhomogeneities of a structure partially or completely scattered and reflected. The resulting ultrasonic waves, which return as echoes, are converted into electrical signals in the ultrasound probes. These are at least stored. An evaluation is of course also possible with this or, moreover, another data processing system. Furthermore, these can be output for applications in various ways, for example as an image on a screen. For this purpose, the amplitude of an echoed back signal is a measure of the gray value of a pixel.

The data processing system is, for example, a known microcontroller. After the detection and storage, it is thus easy to carry out an evaluation by means of the further data processing system in the form of a personal computer.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the claims 2 to 8.

The ultrasonic probe consists according to the embodiment of claim 2 from mutually parallel linear sound heads or is a sector acoustic head.

In the case of the linear sound heads, the piezo elements are each arranged in series. This results in a loud sound propagation, creating a rectangular image. For this purpose, adjacent linear sound heads of an ultrasonic probe enclose an angle between 90 ° and 180 °. Thus, the ultrasonic waves reach the tissue to be examined at different angles, so that a two-dimensional image is produced.

A sector acoustic head has a small coupling surface and is known to be carried out electro-mechanically or electronically. In the mechanical design, a few piezo elements rotate or oscillate about an axis and build up a triangular image of the scanned region with an angle of 60 ° to 120 °. In a further embodiment, the piezoelectric elements are arranged annularly (Annular Phased Array Applicator), so that a focusing of the emitted sound is possible.

By a selective electronic control of the individual piezoelectric elements, a sector-shaped image is generated in an electronic sector sound head (phased array applicator). According to the embodiment of claim 3, the data processing system is a data processing system that evaluates the electrical signals in A-mode and / or 2D real-time mode and / or 3D mode and / or 4D mode.

With A-mode, the echo strength is recorded as a function of the penetration depth.

In 2D real-time mode, a two-dimensional cross-sectional image is created. The movement of the patient results in the sectional image being composed of individual lines.

The 3D-mode is a three-dimensional echography. 3D ultrasound produces spatial still images. The 4D mode (3D mode plus temporal dimension) allows a three-dimensional representation in real time. For a three-dimensional image, in addition to the scan in a plane, a pivot of the plane is performed. The area scan angle is stored simultaneously with the two-dimensional image. In the two-dimensional arrangement of ultrasonic transducers in a so-called phased array, a pivoting of the beam is performed electronically. The data generated from the signals are entered in a 3D matrix for image processing and visualization. This creates representations of sectional planes from arbitrary angles on the object.

The data processing system is interconnected according to the embodiment of claim 4 with a data display device for the visual representation of the backward, converted into electrical signals and evaluated sound wave pulses. Advantageously, a scale can be shown, so that the distances can be determined and their changes are easily detected.

According to the embodiment of claim 5, the data processing system is a data wave system detecting at least one of the edges of the spinous processes from the backward and repeated backward and electrical signals. At least the distances between the determined edges and repeatedly determined edges are assigned the time and thus the movement is determined. The equivalent electrical signals obtained from the returned signals can at the same time be easily assigned gray values and hence also edges. According to the embodiment of claim 6, an electro-acoustic device for recording, storing and reproducing spoken words is part of the device for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column. At the same time, the electro-acoustic device is a device that assigns the spoken text a time after the start. In addition, the data processing system is coupled to the electro-acoustic device, that from the movement times and the text times, the movements of the patient are assigned.

According to the embodiment of claim 7, a device for the input of data is part of the device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine. This is coupled to the data processing system so that the inputs are associated with the patient's movements. The entries relate to certain movements of the patient, which he specifically enters during his movement. This can be a change of direction or a certain type of movement. The latter is, for example, uphill or downhill running, climbing stairs, turns or nature of the way. The input is easily accessible via known keys (keyboard) or a likewise known touchscreen (touch screen).

In continuation, according to the embodiment of claim 8, the device for inputting data and the data processing system coupled to the data display system are interconnected such that data is assigned to the image. Advantageously, the intervertebral spaces are thus determined in dependence and simultaneous assignment of the vertebral distances of the spinal column of the patient.

The data processing system is according to the embodiment of claim 9 a

from the electrical signals of the converted echo sound wave pulses of the ultrasound probes returning gray tone images,

with the Digital Image Correlation (DIC), the gray scale images are comparative and

From this, the movements of either spinous processes or spinous processes and spinal column-related bone-measuring and evaluating

Data processing system. Digital image correlation (DIC) is a well-known method for comparison and, as a result, the comparison of images of image sequences from the movements of patients.

An embodiment of the invention is illustrated in principle in the drawings and will be described in more detail below.

Show it:

Fig. 1 shows a device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine in a side view and

Fig. 2 shows a device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine in a plan view.

A device for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column 4 consists essentially of ultrasound probes made of linear sound heads 1 on a support system 2, at least one coupling 3 for the ultrasound waves and a data processing system.

FIG. 1 shows a device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine 4 in a basic side view.

To detect the distances of either spinous processes or between spinous processes and bones connected to the spinal column 4, at least two ultrasound probes connected flexibly to one another are fastened on the back by means of the support system 2, the central axis 5 of the spinal column 4 being located between the ultrasound probes.

FIG. 2 shows a device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine 4 in a basic plan view.

The ultrasound probes each consist of mutually parallel and arranged in the direction of the spine 4 linear sound heads 1 on the support system 2. The latter is a known belt system.

Between the ultrasound probes and the skin surface of the back is the Coupling 3 for the ultrasonic waves. This may be a layer of a known gel or a specially designed object in the form of a pillow.

The ultrasound probes are connected to a data processing system, at least for storing the sound wave pulses of the linear sound heads 1 that are converted into electrical signals and return as echoes.

The data processing system is a data processing system that evaluates the electrical signals in the A-mode and / or 2D-E c h t c e d m o d e and d d o d e r 3 D-m o d e u n d / o d e r 4 D-mode.

In this case, the data processing system is one of the backward and repeated backward and converted into electrical signals sound wave pulses at least one of the edges of the spinous processes bestimmendes data processing system, wherein at least the distances of the determined edges and repeatedly determined edges with assignment of the time and thus the movement is determined.

The data processing system or another data processing system is connected to a data display device for the visual representation of the backward, converted into electrical signals and evaluated sound wave pulses.

In one embodiment, adjacent linear acoustic heads 1 of an ultrasound probe subtend an angle between 90 ° and 180 °. Thus, the linear sound heads 1 are arranged at an angle to each other and form an arc shape.

In a further embodiment, an electro-acoustic device for recording, storing and reproducing spoken words is part of the means for determining vertebral spacing of the spine 4. The electroacoustic device simultaneously allocates a time after start-up to the spoken text. The data processing system is coupled to the electro-acoustic device so that the movements of the patient are assigned from the movement times and the text times. In another embodiment, a device for inputting data is a component of the device for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column 4. The data processing system is in this case coupled to the device such that the inputs are assigned to the movements of the patient. Advantageously, these data are assigned to the image associated image. The device is a keyboard or a touchscreen (touch screen) is used. Certain keys of the keyboard or areas of the touch screen are associated with certain movements (such as stair climbing, turns, gradients, and / or nature of the path).

In a further embodiment, the ultrasound probes are sector sound heads, in particular electronic sector sound heads (phased array applicators), which generate sector-shaped images. The data processing system evaluates the images in 4D mode (3D mode plus temporal dimension). This mode advantageously leads to three-dimensional representations in real time. Here, in addition to the scan in a plane, a pivot of the plane is completed. The area scan angle is stored simultaneously with the two-dimensional image. In the two-dimensional arrangement of ultrasonic transducers in a so-called phased array, a pivoting of the beam is performed electronically. The data generated from the signals are entered in a 3D matrix for image processing and visualization. This creates representations of sectional planes from arbitrary angles on the object.

Claims

claims

1. Device for determining vertebral spacing of the spine with the following features:

at least two ultrasound probes flexibly connected to each other and arranged in the direction of the spinal column (4) on a support system (2) for detecting the distances of either spinous processes or between spinous processes and bones connected to the spine (4), the central axis (5) of Spine (4) located between the ultrasound probes,

- At least one arranged between the ultrasound probes and the skin surface coupling (3) for the ultrasonic waves of the ultrasound probes and

- A data processing system at least for storing the converted into electrical signals as echo returning sound wave pulses of the ultrasound probes.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ultrasonic probe from mutually parallel linear sound heads (1), wherein adjacent linear sound heads (1) enclose an angle between 90 ° and 180 °, or that the ultrasonic probe is a sector acoustic head.

3. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the data processing system is an electrical signals in the A-mode and / or 2D real-time mode and / or 3D mode and / or 4D mode evaluating data processing system.

4. Device according to claim 1 and 3, characterized in that the data processing system is interconnected with a data display device for visual representation of the backward, converted into electrical signals and evaluated sound wave pulses. Device according to Patent Claims 1 and 3, characterized in that the data processing system is a data processing system which detects at least one of the edges of the spinous processes and has at least one of the distances between the determined edges and repeatedly determined edges Time and thus the movement is determined.

Device according to claim 1, characterized in that an electro-acoustic device for recording, storing and reproducing spoken words is a component of the device for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column (4), that the electro-acoustic device at the same time assigns to the spoken text a time after the start Device is and that the data processing system is coupled to the electro-acoustic device, that from the movement times and the text times the movements of the patient are assigned.

Device according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in that a device for inputting data is a component of the device for determining vertebral spacing of the spinal column (4) and in that the data processing system is coupled to the device such that the inputs are assigned to the measured values of the returned sound wave pulses ,

Device according to Patent Claims 4 and 7, characterized in that the device for the input and output is coupled together with the data display device in such a way that data of the device are assigned to the image.

Device according to Patent Claim 1, characterized in that the data processing system compares the gray scale images with the digital image correlation (DIC) and converts the movements of either from the electrical signals of the converted echo wave sound waves of the ultrasonic probes Whiplash or spinous processes and spinal column (4) connected to the bone-measuring and evaluating data processing system.