WO2015141881A1

WO2015141881A1 - Optical scanning device and ultrasonic probe comprising same

Info

Publication number: WO2015141881A1
Application number: PCT/KR2014/002401
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이수성; 손건호
Original assignee: 알피니언메디칼시스템 주식회사
Priority date: 2014-03-21
Filing date: 2014-03-21
Publication date: 2015-09-24

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical scanning device capable of being used for acquiring a photoacoustic image, and an ultrasonic probe comprising the same. The optical scanning device includes a device body, and at least one light source. The device body has at least one guide path formed therein so as to guide the movement of a biopsy needle toward a living body in a state where the biopsy needle is inserted into the device body. The light source is mounted in the device body to scan light onto a living body.

Description

Optical scanning device, and ultrasonic probe comprising the same

The present invention relates to an optical scanning device that can be used for photoacoustic image acquisition and the like, and an ultrasonic probe including the same.

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves into the living body by the ultrasonic probe, and then receives ultrasonic waves reflected from the boundary between two tissues having different acoustic impedance by the ultrasonic probe, thereby obtaining image information about the tissue in the living body. Device. The image information obtained by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus is output to the monitor of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus, and the diagnoser may diagnose the living body through the image information output to the monitor.

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus may be used for a specific medical test such as a biopsy method in which a part of tissue is extracted from a living body and examined. For example, in a biopsy method, an ultrasound probe is brought into contact with a surface of a living body, and an ultrasound diagnostic device is operated while a biopsy needle is inserted into a living body to extract a tissue sample from a target such as a cyst. Accordingly, the diagnostic person can manipulate the biopsy needle while simultaneously confirming the image of the in-vivo tissue and the movement image of the biopsy needle on the monitor. In this case, a biopsy guide may be mounted on the ultrasound probe to guide movement of the biopsy needle.

On the other hand, a photoacoustic imaging apparatus for non-invasive imaging of biological tissues such as vascular tissues using a photoacoustic effect has been proposed. The optoacoustic image by the optoacoustic imaging apparatus may be obtained based on the following principle. When light emitted from the light source is scanned into the biological tissue, light energy is absorbed into the biological tissue, causing a sudden temperature increase and thermal expansion. As a result, ultrasonic waves are generated and propagated outside the biological tissue. The ultrasound may be obtained by being converted into an optoacoustic image after being received by the ultrasound probe.

However, according to the related art, since the ultrasonic probe provided in the photoacoustic imaging apparatus is configured as an ultrasonic probe dedicated to the photoacoustic imaging apparatus used only for acquiring the photoacoustic image, the application range is limited. In addition, since the optical probe for the photoacoustic imaging device has a shape in which the light source is embedded together with the ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic probe may be increased in size to secure a mounting space of the light source. In addition, the ultrasonic probe dedicated to the optoacoustic imaging apparatus may have a low design freedom since the internal layout must be designed to prevent performance degradation.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical scanning device capable of performing a function of scanning light when acquiring an optoacoustic image by embedding a light source, and an ultrasonic probe comprising the same.

An optical scanning device according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a device body and at least one light source. The device body is formed with at least one guide passage for guiding the movement of the biopsy needle with the biopsy needle inserted toward the living body. The light source is mounted to the body of the device to scan light toward the living body.

The optical scanning device according to the present invention may include a device body having a probe mounting portion detachably mounting the ultrasonic probe, and at least one light source mounted on the device body to scan light toward a living body.

The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention includes a probe housing, an ultrasonic transducer, and an optical scanning device. The ultrasonic transducer is accommodated in the probe housing to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to the living body. The optical scanning device has at least one guide passage portion for guiding the movement of the biopsy needle in a state where the biopsy needle is inserted toward the living body, and is mounted to the instrument body having a probe mounting portion for detachably mounting the probe housing. And a light source for scanning light toward the living body.

The ultrasonic probe according to the present invention is mounted on an instrument body and an instrument body having a probe housing, an ultrasonic transducer mounted on the probe housing to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to and from the living body, and a probe mounting portion detachably mounting the probe housing. It may include an optical scanning device having a light source for scanning light toward.

According to the present invention, even if there is no ultrasonic probe dedicated for the photoacoustic imaging device used only for acquiring the photoacoustic image, the optical scanning device with the light source is mounted on the ultrasonic probe commonly used for biopsy and the like for acquiring the photoacoustic image. It can be used as a probe. Therefore, ease of use can be increased.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic probe equipped with an optical scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the optical scanning device separated from the ultrasonic probe in FIG. 1.

3 is a view for explaining a process for extracting a tissue sample of a living body.

4 is a view for explaining a process for obtaining an optoacoustic image.

5 is a diagram illustrating another example of the light source.

6 is a block diagram of an optical scanning device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

When described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings for the present invention. Here, the same reference numerals are used for the same components, and repeated descriptions and detailed descriptions of well-known functions and configurations that may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present invention will be omitted. Embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

1 is a block diagram showing an example of an ultrasonic probe equipped with an optical scanning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating the optical scanning device separated from the ultrasonic probe in FIG. 1.

1 and 2, the optical scanning device 100 includes a device body 110 and a light source 120. The optical injection device 100 may be used as a biopsy guide. In this case, at least one guide passage part 111 may be formed in the device body 110. The guide passage part 111 is formed to guide the movement of the biopsy needle 1 while the biopsy needle 1 is inserted toward the living body. When the biopsy needle 1 has a uniform diameter and has a long shape, the guide passage part 111 may have a uniform diameter and may have a hole shape formed through the device body 110. Accordingly, the biopsy needle 1 may be stably inserted into the living body while maintaining the set angle with respect to the device body 110 under the guidance of the guide passage part 111.

As shown in FIG. 3, when it is necessary to change the angle for inserting the biopsy needle 1 into the living body, the guide passage part 111 may be formed in plural in the device body 110. Here, the guide passages 111 may be formed to guide the movement of the biopsy needle 1 for each insertion angle of the biopsy needle 1. When the optical scanning device 100 is not used as a biopsy guide and is only used to acquire an optoacoustic image, the guide passage 111 may be omitted from the device body 110.

The device body 110 is provided with a probe mounting part 112 for detachably mounting the probe housing 1100 of the ultrasonic probe 1000. The probe mounting unit 112 may include a mounting hole 112a for partially penetrating and mounting the probe housing 1100. Therefore, when the probe housing 1100 is inserted into the mounting hole 112a, the optical scanning device 100 may be mounted in the ultrasonic probe 1000, and when the probe housing 1100 is discharged from the mounting hole 112a, the optical scanning may be performed. The device 100 may be separated from the ultrasonic probe 1000.

Although not shown, a fixing protrusion may be formed in one of the probe housing 1100 and the mounting hole 112a and a fixing groove into which the fixing protrusion may be inserted. When the fixing protrusion is fitted into the fixing groove, the probe housing 1100 may be more stably maintained while being inserted into the mounting hole 112a. On the other hand, in addition to the fixing means including a fixing protrusion and the fixing groove can be used in a variety of fixing means.

The light source 120 is mounted on the device body 110 to scan light toward the living body. The light source 120 is used to obtain an optoacoustic image of biological tissue. For example, the light source 120 may include an optical fiber 121. The optical fiber 121 may receive the light emitted from the light emitting unit 122 and scan the light toward the living body. The optical fiber 121 is used to transmit light and may receive light from the light emitting unit 122 through one end and scan the light to the opposite end. The optical fiber 121 may be mounted to the device body 110 such that an end for scanning light is exposed from the device body 110.

The light emitting unit 122 may include a light emitting device such as a laser diode. The light emitting device may be mounted on a circuit board. The light emitter 122 may be disposed in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10 that acquires image information about tissues in a living body using ultrasound. The light emitting unit 122 may be embedded in the main body 11 of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10.

The light source 120, for example, the light emitter 122, may be controlled by the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10 to emit light when entering the photoacoustic mode for acquiring an optoacoustic image. The main body 11 of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10 may include a main body control unit 12 and a main body operation unit 13 for inputting various commands to the main body control unit 12.

When the diagnoser operates the main body operation unit 13 to input the photoacoustic mode entry command to the main body control unit 12, the main body control unit 12 outputs the light scanning control signal to the light emitting unit 122 to output the light emitting unit 122. It can operate light emission. Accordingly, the optical fiber 121 may receive the light from the light emitting unit 122 and scan the light toward the living body. When light is injected into the living tissue as described above, ultrasonic waves are generated and propagated from the living tissue. The main body controller 12 converts and acquires an ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic transducer 1200 into an optoacoustic image in conjunction with outputting an optical scanning control signal, and then monitors the monitor 14 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10. Can be output via

On the other hand, the light emitting unit 122 may be disposed outside the main body 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10, and configured to be controlled by the main body control unit 12 by light emitting operation manually or by wireless communication by a diagnostic person. May be

The ultrasound probe 1000 is provided in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10 and includes a probe housing 1100 and an ultrasound transducer 1200. The probe housing 1100 may have a grip having a constricted shape so that the diagnostic person can comfortably hold it by hand. The ultrasonic transducer 1200 may be mounted in the probe housing 1100. For example, the ultrasound transducer 1200 may be mounted to the probe housing 1100 through one opening of the probe housing 1100.

The ultrasonic transducer 1200 transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. When the ultrasound transducer 1200 enters the ultrasound diagnostic mode, the ultrasound transducer 1200 may transmit ultrasound waves into a living body and receive ultrasound waves reflected from tissues in the living body to acquire an ultrasound image. In addition, the ultrasonic transducer 1200 may receive an ultrasonic wave propagated from the living body when the photoacoustic mode is entered to acquire an optoacoustic image. The ultrasound transducer 1200 may be connected to communicate with the main body 11 of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10 by wire or wirelessly.

The ultrasonic transducer 1200 may include a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in an array form. Piezoelectric elements generate ultrasonic waves by resonating when an electrical signal is applied, and generate electrical signals by vibrating when ultrasonic signals are received. Piezoelectric elements may be disposed and supported on a backing material. Matching layers may be stacked on the piezoelectric elements. An acoustic lens may be stacked on the matching layer. The ultrasonic transducer 1200 may be formed of a linear array type or a convex array type.

An operation example of the above-described optical scanning device 100 and the ultrasonic probe 1000 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 together with FIGS. 1 and 2 as follows.

If a tissue sample of the living body is to be extracted, as shown in FIG. 3, after the optical scanning device 100 is mounted on the ultrasonic probe 1000, the ultrasonic probe 1000 is brought into contact with the surface of the living body. In this state, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 is operated while inserting the biopsy needle 1 through the guide passage part 111 into the living body. In this case, the diagnoser may operate the main body operation unit 13 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 to input an ultrasonic diagnostic mode entry command to the main body control unit 12. Then, an image of in-vivo tissue and a movement image of the biopsy needle 1 are obtained by the ultrasound probe 1000 and output to the monitor 14 of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10. The diagnoser may extract the tissue sample of the living body by manipulating the biopsy needle 1 while checking the image output on the monitor 14.

If a photoacoustic image of the biological tissue is to be obtained, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state in which the ultrasound probe 1000 in which the optical scanning device 100 is mounted is brought into contact with the surface of the living body, the diagnoser may perform an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10. By operating the main body operation unit 13 of), the photoacoustic mode entry command can be input to the main body control unit 12. Then, light is scanned from the light source 120 toward the living body to generate ultrasonic waves from the living tissue. The ultrasound may be received by the ultrasound transducer 1200 and obtained as an optoacoustic image, and then may be output through the monitor 14 of the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even if there is no ultrasonic probe dedicated for the photoacoustic imaging device used only for acquiring the photoacoustic image, the optical scanning device 100 incorporating the light source 120 is usually used for biopsy or the like. It can be mounted on the ultrasonic probe 1000 to be utilized as an ultrasonic probe for photoacoustic image acquisition. Therefore, ease of use can be increased.

Meanwhile, as another example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the light source 220 may include a light emitting device 221 that emits light and scans the living body. The light emitting device 221 may be embedded in the device body 110 to expose the light emitting portion. The light emitting device 221 may be mounted on a circuit board, and the circuit board may be embedded in the device body 110 together with the light emitting device 221. The light emitting device 221 may be connected to the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10 by a cable 222. The light emitting device 221 may be electrically connected to the main body control unit 12 by a cable 222. As described above, the light emitting device 221 may be controlled by the main body controller 12 to emit light when entering the photoacoustic mode.

6 is a front view of an optical scanning device according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the optical scanning device 300 illustrated in FIG. 6, the battery body 330 and the device controller 340 may be provided in the device body 310. The guide body 311 and the probe mounting part 312 are formed in the device body 310. The guide passage part 311 and the probe mounting part 312 may be formed in the same form as the guide passage part 111 and the probe mounting part 112 of the above-described example. When the optical scanning device 300 is not used as a biopsy guide and is used only to acquire an optoacoustic image, the guide passage part 311 may be omitted from the device body 310.

The battery 330 supplies power to the light source 320. The device body 310 may be formed to mount or detach the battery 330. The battery 330 may be formed of a rechargeable battery. In this case, the device body 310 may be provided with a charging terminal to be connected to the charger to charge the battery.

The device controller 340 controls the light source 320 and the battery 330. When the device controller 340 receives the photoacoustic mode entry command, the device controller 340 may supply power to the light source 320 from the battery 330 to operate the light source 320 to emit light. The light source 320 may include a light emitting device. In addition, a plurality of light sources 320 may be provided. The plurality of light sources 320 may be arranged spaced apart from each other. The light sources 320 may be independently controlled by the device controller 340 to adjust the light amount or the light scanning position. One light source 320 may be provided.

The device body 310 may include a device wireless communication unit 350 controlled by the device controller 340. The device wireless communication unit 350 communicates wirelessly with the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus 10. For example, the device wireless communication unit 350 may transmit a signal between the device control unit 340 and the main body control unit 12 by communicating with the main body wireless communication unit 15 provided in the main body 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10.

In this case, when the diagnoser operates the main body operation unit 13 and inputs the photoacoustic mode entry command to the main body control unit 12, the main body control unit 12 transmits the optical scanning control signal through the main unit wireless communication unit 15 to the device wireless communication unit. And to 350. Then, the device controller 340 may receive the light scanning control signal through the device wireless communication unit 350 to operate the light source 320 to emit light. In the optical scanning device 300 according to the present exemplary embodiment, a cable or an optical fiber for connecting to the main body 11 of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 10 may be omitted, thereby increasing convenience in using the optical scanning device 300. Can be.

On the other hand, although not shown, the device wireless communication unit 350 is omitted in the device body 310, may be provided with a manipulator operation unit for inputting various commands to the device control unit 340. When the diagnoser operates the device operation unit to input the photoacoustic mode entry command to the device control unit 340, the device control unit 340 may output the light scanning control signal to the light source 320 to cause the light source to emit light.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to one embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, this is merely exemplary, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible. Could be. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the invention should be defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

An instrument body having at least one guide passage portion for guiding movement of the biopsy needle in a state where a biopsy needle is inserted toward a living body; And

At least one light source mounted on the device body to scan light toward a living body;

Optical scanning device comprising a.
The method of claim 1,

The light source includes an optical fiber that receives the light emitted from the light emitting unit and scans toward the living body.
The method of claim 2,

The light emitting unit,

And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus disposed in the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and controlled by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to emit light upon entering the photoacoustic mode.
The method of claim 1,

And the light source includes a light emitting element for emitting light to scan toward the living body.
The method of claim 4, wherein

The light emitting device,

And an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus connected to the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus by a cable and controlled by the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to emit light upon entering the photoacoustic mode.
The method of claim 1,

The device body,

A battery for supplying power to the light source, and

And a device controller for controlling the light source and the battery.
The method of claim 6,

The device body,

And a device wireless communication unit controlled by the device control unit and wirelessly communicating with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus.
The method of claim 6,

And said battery is a rechargeable battery.
A device body having a probe mount configured to detachably mount the ultrasonic probe; And

At least one light source mounted on the device body to scan light toward a living body;

Optical scanning device comprising a.
Probe housings;

An ultrasonic transducer mounted on the probe housing to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to a living body; And

At least one guide passage portion for guiding movement of the biopsy needle in a state where a biopsy needle is inserted toward a living body, and a device body having a probe mounting portion for detachably mounting the probe housing; An optical scanning device mounted to the optical scanning device, the optical scanning device having a light source for scanning light toward a living body;

Ultrasonic probe comprising a.
The method of claim 10,

And the light source is controlled by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to emit light when entering the photoacoustic mode.
The method of claim 11,

The ultrasonic transducer receives an ultrasonic wave propagated from the living body when entering the photoacoustic mode to obtain an optoacoustic image.
The method of claim 10,

The device body,

A battery for supplying power to the light source;

Device wireless communication unit for wirelessly communicating with the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, and

And a device control unit for controlling the light source, the device wireless communication unit, and the battery.
The method of claim 10,

And the probe mounting part includes a mounting hole configured to partially penetrate the probe housing.
Probe housings;

An ultrasonic transducer mounted on the probe housing to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves to a living body; And

An optical scanning device including a device body having a probe mounting portion detachably mounting the probe housing, and a light source mounted on the device body to scan light toward a living body;

Ultrasonic probe comprising a.