WO2021227261A1

WO2021227261A1 - Flexible ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic imaging measurement system, and measurement method

Info

Publication number: WO2021227261A1
Application number: PCT/CN2020/105732
Authority: WO
Inventors: 简小华
Original assignee: 苏州希声科技有限公司
Priority date: 2020-05-15
Filing date: 2020-07-30
Publication date: 2021-11-18
Also published as: CN111458409A

Abstract

A flexible ultrasonic probe (100), an ultrasonic imaging measurement system, and a measurement method. The probe (100) comprises a flexible transducer array (2) and a housing (1) having two ends each in communication with the outside. The housing (1) has a filling cavity (4) with an opening at one end provided therein, the opening of the filling cavity (4) faces one end of the housing (1), and the flexible transducer array (2) is connected to one end of the housing (1) and the flexible transducer array (2) is also sealingly connected to the opening end of the filling cavity (4), such that the filling cavity (4) forms a sealed chamber for filling with a fluid filler. The probe (100) further comprises a deformation measurement device (5) arranged in the housing (1) and used for measuring the positions of different points of the flexible transducer array (2). By providing the flexible ultrasonic probe (100) with the filling cavity (4) and filling the filling cavity (4) with the fluid filler, the flexible transducer array (2) can implement measurement and imaging of detection targets with different curvatures, and by providing the integrated deformation measurement device (5), the flexible transducer array (2) can implement real-time measurement and feedback of the curvature of each array element, and improve the flexibility and automation of imaging measurement.

Description

Flexible ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic imaging detection system and detection method

Technical field

The invention belongs to the technical field of ultrasonic imaging detection, and specifically relates to a flexible ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic imaging detection system and a detection method, which can be used in the fields of medical imaging and industrial non-destructive testing.

Background technique

The ultrasonic transducer transmits and receives ultrasonic waves, and is the core component of the ultrasonic imaging system. At present, conventional ultrasound probes, whether they are convex arrays, concave arrays, linear arrays or area arrays, have fixed geometric dimensions. For example, convex/concave array probes have fixed probe curvature radius, array element spacing and distribution, etc. Therefore, in order to obtain a good contact, it is necessary to close the ultrasonic probe to the inspection site and use ultrasonic couplant to fill in the small gaps. Even so, good contact is often not obtained, which greatly affects the image quality. In the detection of human tissue, if it is not a soft tissue part but a bone (such as a limb fracture), or the detection device surface is not flat or the curvature does not match the transducer during metal flaw detection, or the detection target surface curvature continuously changes irregularly, the probe It cannot be used, and a probe of corresponding shape and size must be developed for testing, which causes great inconvenience to imaging and testing.

Therefore, when detecting targets with irregular surfaces, coupling media such as ultrasonic couplants or water bladders are often used in medical imaging to achieve close contact with the target. However, the disadvantage of this method is that the couplant has fluidity and cannot be filled. Protruding targets have targets with large gaps, while the water bladder requires the probe to have a matching installation structure, and increase the detection distance and attenuation. Therefore, in addition to endoscopic imaging in clinical practice, there are fewer practical applications. However, in non-destructive testing, since most of them are rigid materials, they can only be matched by wedges. Wedges are also divided into rigid and flexible (mostly to remove water). However, rigid wedges can only deal with objects with a fixed surface shape. Different wedges must be replaced with different curvatures, and objects with continuously changing curvatures such as blades cannot be detected. Flexible wedges can match different radii of curvature. Currently, liquid immersion methods are mostly used. However, some targets cannot use the liquid immersion method due to the limited structure, material properties and detection space. Therefore, in recent years, flexible ultrasonic transducer arrays have become the preferred method for detecting irregular targets due to the advantages that their shape can change with the surface of the object, without the use of water bladders, wedges, and so on.

The current flexible ultrasonic transducer mainly uses the transducer to be embedded in a flexible substrate, and uses a flexible connection circuit (such as fpcb, etc.) to connect the transducer to achieve a certain tortuous change. Its representative structure is a flexible ultrasonic phased array array transducer and manufacturing method disclosed in Chinese patent (CN103157594B). The transducer includes a flexible piezoelectric ceramic composite material wafer, a damping backing material, a matching layer, and a flexible circuit board. , Coaxial cable and probe interface, the matching layer, the flexible piezoelectric ceramic composite material wafer and the damping backing material are sequentially bonded together to form an acoustic laminate, the flexible circuit board is connected to the flexible piezoelectric ceramic composite material wafer, and The flexible circuit board leads the multi-core coaxial cable to the probe interface. This type of flexible probe can be directly attached to the surface of the detection target and can adapt to targets with different curvatures, but it cannot be applied to targets with large continuous changes in curvature. In addition, when imaging, it is necessary to manually measure and input parameters such as curvature, imaging aperture, and field of view after attachment to complete imaging detection.

In addition, there is also a flexible ultrasonic transducer array similar to that disclosed in Chinese Patent CN101152646A. The ultrasonic transducer array includes a number of ultrasonic transducer units not less than two. The flexible ultrasonic transducer array also includes a flexible ultrasonic transducer array. The ultrasonic transducer unit is arranged in or on the flexible medium in an array, and the shape of the flexible medium is variable so as to fit the surface of the ultrasonic treatment/ultrasound imaging object. Because the flexible ultrasonic transducer array can fit various body parts with different surface shapes, it can obtain ultrasonic treatment/ultrasound imaging effects that cannot be achieved by the prior art, and is equipped with an independent shape scanner (optical) measurement The curvature of the probe after it is attached is used for later imaging. However, in this method, the detection probe is still based on a flexible medium, so it cannot measure a target with a continuously changing curvature. Secondly, because the shape scanner needs to be configured separately to scan, it increases the difficulty of the test, and it is difficult to obtain some positions if they are blocked. The curvature of the detected target.

In short, the current flexible ultrasonic transducers mainly have the following problems: 1. Using a flexible substrate, the curvature change is limited and cannot be applied to the situation where the curvature changes continuously; 2. After the probe is attached to the target surface, it is necessary to measure and obtain the probe Parameters such as curvature and field of view can only be used for image processing in the later stage. However, the existing method requires the use of a third-party shape scanner, and the application scenarios are limited.

Summary of the invention

In order to solve the problems in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved flexible ultrasonic probe.

The invention also provides an ultrasonic imaging detection system and detection method.

In order to achieve the above objective, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

A flexible ultrasonic probe includes a flexible transducer array. The probe also includes a shell whose two ends are respectively communicated with the outside. The shell has a filling cavity with an opening at one end, and the opening of the filling cavity faces one end of the shell The flexible transducer array is connected to the one end of the housing, and the flexible transducer array is also sealed and arranged with the open end of the filling cavity, so that the filling cavity is formed for filling a fluid filler. In the sealed chamber, the probe further includes a deformation detection device arranged in the housing for detecting the positions of different points of the flexible transducer array.

According to some implementation aspects of the present invention, the deformation detection device includes a substrate fixedly arranged in the housing and a detection head whose array is distributed on the substrate, and the flexible transducer array faces the deformation detection device. A reflective film is formed on one side, and all the detection heads are respectively used to detect the distance between each of the detection heads and the reflective film.

According to a specific and preferred aspect of the present invention, the detection heads are linear array distribution or area array distribution, preferably area array distribution, the detection result is more reliable. More preferably, the number of the detection heads is the same as or different from the number of the elements of the flexible transducer array, and the detection heads are equally spaced, and the separation distance is different from that of the flexible transducer array. The distance between the elements during deformation is the same or different. Specifically, the number of detection heads is the same as the number of array elements of the flexible transducer array.

Further, the deformation detection device is an optical fiber distance measuring device or an ultrasonic thickness measurement device. When the deformation detection device is an optical fiber distance measurement device, the detection head is an optical fiber detection head, and the reflective film is an optical reflective film When the deformation detection device is an ultrasonic thickness measuring device, the detection head is an ultrasonic detection head, and the reflective film is an acoustic reflective film. Preferably, the reflective film is, but not limited to, an aluminum film or a gold film.

According to some implementation aspects of the present invention, the filling cavity is jointly enclosed by the inner wall of the housing, the flexible transducer array and the deformation detection device, or the filling cavity is independently arranged inside the housing and has one end. Open cavity.

Further, the filling cavity is jointly formed by the inner wall of the housing, the flexible transducer array and the deformation detection device, the flexible transducer array and the housing are sealed with a sealant, and the deformation The side of the detection device facing the flexible transducer array is formed with an isolation layer for separating the filler from the deformation detection device.

According to some implementation aspects of the present invention, the filling cavity is provided with valves for injecting the filling agent and exporting the filling agent.

According to a specific and preferred aspect of the present invention, the valve includes an inlet valve for injecting the filler and an outlet valve for venting the filler; or the valve is one that is used for injecting the filler. Filling agent, and a valve used to lead out the filling agent. Specifically, the number of the valves is not limited, and can be 1, 2, 3 or more.

According to some implementation aspects of the present invention, the shell includes a shell whose two ends are respectively capable of communicating with the outside world, and a bottom bracket connected to one end of the shell and communicating with the inside of the shell. The wall has a hollow channel, the flexible transducer array is connected to the other end of the housing, the probe further includes a connection cable connected to the bottom support, and the flexible transducer array is connected to the The cables are connected by wires, and the wires enter the interior of the bottom bracket through the hollow channel of the housing and are electrically connected with the connecting cables.

Further, the deformation detection device is arranged in the housing, and the deformation detection device is electrically connected to the connecting cable through a wire.

Preferably, an adapter circuit board is arranged in the bottom bracket, and the adapter circuit board is electrically connected to the flexible transducer array, the deformation detection device and the connecting cable, respectively, and the adapter circuit board is used to connect the The connecting wires of different specifications of the flexible transducer array and the deformation detection device are converted into standard coaxial cables and then connected to the connecting cables.

According to a specific and preferred aspect of the present invention, the flexible transducer array is also fixedly arranged with the housing through a chuck. Preferably, the material of the chuck is metal or plastic. More preferably, the metal includes But not limited to aluminum and stainless steel. The plastics include but are not limited to acrylic and polytetrafluoroethylene.

According to some implementation aspects of the present invention, the flexible transducer array includes a flexible substrate, at least two transducer array elements embedded in the flexible substrate, and an isolation device formed on the inner surface of the flexible substrate. The base lining film of the flexible substrate and the filler and the reflective film formed on the inner surface of the base lining film, and the deformation detection device is used for detecting the distance between the deformation detection device and the reflective film.

According to a specific and preferred aspect of the present invention, the material of the flexible substrate is polyethylene terephthalate, polydimethylsiloxane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, and polyethylene naphthalate. One or a combination of diol esters.

According to a specific and preferred aspect of the present invention, the base liner film is a PET film or a PI film. Another technical solution adopted by the present invention: an ultrasonic imaging detection system, which contains the above-mentioned flexible ultrasonic probe.

According to some implementation aspects of the present invention, the ultrasonic imaging detection system further includes a host electrically connected to the probe, and the host includes a T/R switch module, an LNA module, a TGC module, an AD sampling module, A control module and an image processor, the host further includes a power excitation module and a display screen, wherein,

The control module controls the deformation detection device to detect the distance data between the flexible transducer array element and the deformation detection device, and after processing, obtains the data required for subsequent ultrasonic imaging detection;

The power excitation module is respectively connected with the control module and the T/R switch module, and is used to transmit the excitation voltage required by the work to the probe so that the probe emits ultrasonic waves. The T/R conversion switch module, and then transmit a signal to the probe;

The T/R switch module is also used to receive the ultrasonic echo signal fed back by the probe;

The LNA module is used to receive and process the ultrasonic echo signal entered by the R/T switch module;

The TGC module is used to receive the signal processed by the LNA module to perform time gain compensation, and the TGC module is also connected to the control module. The data obtained after processing adjusts the parameters set by TGC to perform real-time gain compensation;

The AD sampling module is used to receive the signal output by the TGC module, and then perform beamforming and imaging processing by the image processor, and display it on the display screen.

Further, the deformation detection device is an optical fiber detection device, the ultrasonic imaging detection system further includes a deformation measurement module connected to the control system and the probe respectively, and the deformation measurement module is controlled by the control module for The deformation detection device inputs detection signals and receives and processes the data detected by the deformation detection device, and the processed data is sent back to the control module and processed to obtain data required for subsequent ultrasonic imaging detection.

Yet another technical solution adopted by the present invention: an ultrasonic imaging detection method, the detection system used in the detection method is an ultrasonic imaging detection system, and the ultrasonic imaging detection system contains the above-mentioned flexible ultrasonic probe.

According to some implementation aspects of the invention, the ultrasonic imaging detection system further includes a host computer electrically connected to the probe, and the host computer includes a T/R switch module, an LNA module, a TGC module, an AD sampling module, and a control module connected in sequence. Module and image processor, the host further includes a power excitation module and a display screen, the power excitation module is respectively connected with the T/R switch module and the control module, the detection method includes the following steps:

(1) Close the probe to the surface of the detected target;

(2) Control the deformation detection device to detect the distance data between the deformation detection device and the flexible transducer array of the probe through the control module, and obtain the data required for subsequent ultrasonic imaging detection after processing;

(3) Through the control module, the power excitation module is controlled to emit the excitation voltage required for the operation of the probe, so that the probe emits ultrasonic waves;

(4) The echo signal of the probe enters the LNA module for processing after passing through the T/R switch module, and then performs time gain compensation through the TGC module;

(5) The signal through the TGC module is collected by the AD sampling module, and then input to the image processor for beamforming and imaging processing, and finally displayed on the display screen to complete the imaging or detection of the target.

According to a further implementation aspect of the present invention, in step (1), the shape of the detected target is observed, and if the part in contact with the probe is a protruding structure, a part of the filler in the filling cavity is derived to make the The flexible transducer array of the probe is matched with the surface of the detected target, and then filler is injected into the filling cavity to make the contact surface close; if the part contacting the probe is a recessed structure, the filling is injected into the filling cavity The agent makes the flexible transducer array of the probe close to the surface of the detected target.

Preferably, in step (1), an ultrasonic couplant is applied to the surface of the probe first, and then the probe is closely attached to the surface of the target to be detected, so that the ultrasonic couplant is located on the surface of the probe and the target to be detected, so that the probe It fits more closely to the surface of the detected target.

According to a further implementation aspect of the present invention, in step (4), the TGC module is also connected to the control module, and the parameters set by the TGC module are performed based on the data obtained by processing the data detected by the deformation detection device. Adjusted to perform real-time gain compensation.

Due to the application of the above technical solutions, the present invention has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

The flexible ultrasonic probe of the present invention can make the flexible transducer array realize the detection and imaging of the detected target with different curvatures by setting the filling cavity and filling the fluid filler in the filling cavity, and the built-in deformation detection device can realize the curvature of each element Real-time detection and feedback to improve the flexibility and automation of imaging detection.

The flexible ultrasonic probe of the present invention effectively solves the problem that the existing flexible ultrasonic probe is not tightly attached to the target, has no deformation detection function, and must be assisted by manual or a third-party surveying and mapping system, and can realize automatic testing of irregularly changing surface targets, and The probe has simple structure and complete functions to meet the needs of irregular target ultrasonic imaging and non-destructive flaw detection.

Description of the drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible ultrasonic probe of Embodiment 1;

2 is a schematic structural diagram of the use state of the flexible ultrasonic probe of Embodiment 1 when the surface of the object to be detected is a concave surface;

3 is a schematic structural diagram of the use state of the flexible ultrasonic probe of Embodiment 1 when the surface of the object to be detected is a convex surface;

4 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the flexible transducer array of the flexible ultrasonic probe of Embodiment 1;

5 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic imaging detection system of Embodiment 2;

6 is a schematic diagram of the module structure of the ultrasonic imaging detection system of Embodiment 2;

In the figure: 100, probe;

1. Shell; 1a, shell; 1b, bottom support; 2. flexible transducer array; 2a, flexible substrate; 2b, transducer array element; 2b1, matching layer; 2b2, piezoelectric layer; 2b3, backing 2c, common ground wire; 2d, base lining film; 2e, electrode plate; 3. chuck; 4. filling cavity; 5. deformation detection device; 5a, substrate; 5b, detection head; 6, connection cable; 7 ,valve;

200. Host;

21. Deformation measurement module; 22. T/R conversion switch module; 23. Power excitation module; 24. LNA module; 25. TGC module; 26. AD sampling module; 27. Control module; 28. Image processor.

Detailed ways

The present invention will be described in further detail below through specific embodiments. The following embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention more clearly, and cannot be used to limit the protection scope of the present invention.

Example 1

The flexible ultrasound probe 100 of this example is shown in Figures 1 to 4. The flexible ultrasound probe 100 includes a flexible transducer array 2 and a housing 1 with two ends connected to the outside. The housing 1 has a filling cavity 4 with an opening at one end. The opening of the cavity 4 faces one end of the housing 1, the flexible transducer array 2 is connected to one end of the housing 1, and the flexible transducer array 2 is also sealed with the open end of the filling cavity 4, so that the filling cavity 4 is formed for filling fluid. The flexible ultrasonic probe 100 also includes a deformation detection device 5 arranged in the housing 1. When the flexible ultrasonic probe 100 is used, the flexible transducer array 2 is attached to the surface of the target to be detected, and the deformation detection device 5 It is used to detect the positions of different points of the flexible transducer array 2.

The filling cavity 4 may be enclosed by the inner wall surface of the housing 1, the flexible transducer array 2 and the deformation detection device 5, or may be a cavity with an opening at one end independently provided in the housing 1. In this example, the filling cavity 4 is enclosed by the inner wall surface of the housing 1, the flexible transducer array 2 and the deformation detection device 5, and the flexible transducer array 2 is fixedly connected to the end of the housing 1 through a clamp 3. In addition, the flexible transducer array 2 and the housing 1 are sealed by a sealant. The chucks 3 are respectively provided on the opposite sides of the flexible transducer array 2 to fix the flexible transducer array 2 and facilitate fixing the flexible transducer array 2 to the housing 1. The chucks 3 can be fixed clamps. The metal parts that hold and fix the structure (such as aluminum, stainless steel, etc.) can also be plastic parts (such as acrylic, polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE, etc.).

The fluid filler filled in the filling cavity 4 may be liquid or colloid, such as one or a combination of several including but not limited to water, silicone oil, ultrasonic coupling agent, and the like.

The housing 1 is provided with a valve for injecting and exporting filler into the filling cavity 4. The valve may be an inlet valve for injecting the filler and an outlet valve for discharging the filler, or a set A valve 7 is used to inject the filler and to discharge the filler. In this example, a valve 7 is set. Taking the volume of the filling cavity when the flexible transducer array 2 is not deformed as the initial volume of the filling cavity, when the filling amount of the filler exceeds the initial volume of the filling cavity, the flexible transducer array 2 will be squeezed to protrude from the probe 100 The end surface, as shown in Figure 2, the surface suitable for the detected target is a concave surface at this time; when the filling amount of the filler is less than the initial volume of the filling cavity, the flexible transducer array 2 is recessed into the end surface of the probe 100, as shown in the figure As shown in 3, at this time, the surface suitable for the detected target is a convex surface. The specific deformed shape of the flexible transducer array 2 is determined by the shape of the surface of the detected target in contact.

In this example, the housing 1 includes a housing 1a whose two ends are respectively connected to the outside world and a bottom bracket 1b whose one end is connected to one end of the housing 1a. The hollow channel facilitates the passage and placement of wires (flexible electrode plates) of the flexible transducer array. The flexible transducer array 2 is connected to the other end of the housing 1a. The flexible ultrasound probe 100 also includes a connection connected to the bottom support 1b. The cable 6, the flexible transducer array 2 and the connecting cable 6 are connected by wires, and the wires enter the bottom bracket 1b through the hollow channel of the housing 1a and then are electrically connected with the connecting cable 6. The deformation detecting device 5 is connected in the housing 1a, and the deformation detecting device 5 is electrically connected to the connecting cable 6 through a wire.

The housing 1a can support and fix the flexible transducer array 2, the bottom support 1b can support the housing 1a, and the cavity inside the bottom support 1b can be used for the wires and the flexible transducer array 2 The wire of the deformation detection device 5 can also be connected with a switching circuit board in the bottom support 1b. The switching circuit board is electrically connected to the flexible transducer array 2 and the deformation detection device 5, and the switching circuit board is used to connect the flexible The connecting wires of different specifications of the transducer array 2 and the deformation detection device 5 are converted into standard coaxial cables and then connected to the connecting cable 6.

As shown in Figure 4, the flexible transducer array 2 includes a flexible substrate 2a, at least two transducer array elements 2b embedded in the flexible substrate 2a, and formed on the inner surface of the flexible substrate 2a for isolating the flexible substrate 2a and The base liner film 2d of filler and the reflective film formed on the inner surface of the base liner film 2d. The shape of the transducer element 2b can be a rectangular parallelepiped, a cube, a cylinder, a hexagonal prism, or the like. In specific settings, the flexible transducer array 2 can be a linear array, a surface array, a convex array, a concave array, etc., with a center frequency in the range of 20KHz-60MHz, and the number of array elements is greater than two.

Each transducer element 2b includes a matching layer 2b1, a piezoelectric layer 2b2, and a backing 2b3 arranged in sequence, wherein the piezoelectric layer 2b2 is composed of a material with piezoelectric effect and reverse electric effect, which can be piezoelectric ceramic PZT, Piezoelectric single crystal PMN-PT, piezoelectric film PVDF and AIN, etc.; the matching layer 2b1 mainly optimizes the acoustic impedance, which can be one or more layers, and its acoustic impedance is between the piezoelectric ceramic and the detected target. It can be silver glue, Parylene, plastic film, polymer epoxy, rubber, silica gel and mixtures of small particles doped with alumina powder, etc.; the backing 2b3 is a sound-absorbing material, which can be silver glue, metal, and high The mixture of molecular epoxy, rubber, silica gel and its doped small particles such as tungsten powder.

The upper surface of the conductive layer at the front end of all the transducer elements 2b (if the matching layer 2b1 is not conductive, the conductive layer at the front end is the piezoelectric layer 2b2, that is, on the upper surface of the piezoelectric layer 2b2; if the matching layer 2b1 is conductive , The foremost conductive layer is the matching layer 2b1, that is, on the upper surface of the matching layer 2b1) there is a flexible common ground wire 2c, the common ground wire 2c is mainly connected to the upper surface of the conductive layer of all transducer elements 2b, And connect the ground cable in the connection cable 6. The common ground wire 2c has tensile and conductive properties, and the material can be metal nanowires such as tellurium-gold heterogeneous nanowires and silver nanowires, conductive hydrogel fibers, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and the like.

The bottom surface of the last conductive layer of each transducer element 2b (if the backing 2b3 is not conductive, the last conductive layer is the piezoelectric layer 2b2, that is, on the bottom surface of the piezoelectric layer 2b2; if the backing 2b3 is conductive , The last conductive layer is the backing 2b3, that is, on the lower surface of the backing 2b3) there is a flexible electrode plate 2e, the electrode plate 2e is mainly to realize the single-channel connection of each transducer array element 2b, and electrical connection To the connecting cable 6. The electrode plate 2e can be made of polyimide (PI) or polyester film as a substrate with high reliability and excellent flexibility. It has the characteristics of high wiring density, light weight, thin thickness and good bendability.

The flexible substrate 2a has good deformation characteristics, and the material can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyimide (PI) , Polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), etc.; one or a combination of several; the substrate lining film 2d is used to insulate the flexible substrate 2a from direct contact with the liquid in the filling cavity 4 to prevent the flexible substrate 2a from being in contact for a long time Contact with fillers can cause rapid aging, denaturation, etc. The material can be PET film, PI film, etc., which also has good bending and stretching properties; the reflective film can be an optical or acoustic highly reflective film, such as metal aluminum, gold film , Is the reference point for the optical or acoustic measurement of the deformation detection device 5 to measure the distance.

In this example, the deformation detection device 5 includes a substrate 5a fixedly arranged in the housing 1a and a detection head 5b arrayed on the substrate 5a. The deformation detection device 5 can be an optical fiber distance measuring device or an ultrasonic thickness measurement device. When 5 is an optical fiber distance measuring device, the detection head 5b is an optical fiber detection head, and the reflective film is an optical reflective film; when the deformation detection device 5 is an ultrasonic thickness measurement device, the detection head 5b is an ultrasonic detection head, and the reflective film is an acoustic reflection membrane. Specifically, the filling cavity 4 of this example is surrounded by the inner wall of the housing 1a, the flexible transducer array 2, and the substrate 5a of the deformation detection device 5. The surface of the substrate 5a facing the flexible transducer array 2 and the detection The head 5b is provided with an isolation layer for separating the filler from the substrate 5a and the detection head 5b.

If the deformation detection device 5 is an optical fiber distance measuring device, the connecting cable 6 also has a transmission optical fiber connected to the subsequent system light source and a deformation measurement module.

The detection heads 5b can be distributed in a linear array or in an area array. The spacing is equally spaced. Specifically, it can be the same as or different from the distance between the array elements of the flexible transducer array 2 when it is not deformed. It can be based on actual process requirements. And accuracy requirements are increased or decreased.

Example 2

The ultrasound imaging detection system provided by this embodiment, as shown in Figures 5-6, includes a flexible ultrasound probe 100 and a host 200 electrically connected to the flexible ultrasound probe 100. The flexible ultrasound probe 100 is the flexible ultrasound probe of Embodiment 1 and is responsible for generating and When receiving ultrasonic waves, the host 200 is electrically connected to the connecting cable 6 of the flexible ultrasonic probe 100.

As shown in FIG. 6, the host 200 includes a T/R switch module 22, an LNA module 24, a TGC module 25, an AD sampling module 26, a control module 27, and an image processor 28 connected in sequence. The host 200 also includes a control module, respectively 27. The high-voltage power excitation module 23 connected to the T/R switch module 22, and the TGC module 25 is also connected to the control module 27.

In this example, the deformation detection device 5 is an optical fiber detection device. The host 200 also includes a deformation measurement module 21, which is connected to the flexible ultrasonic probe 100 and the control module 27, respectively.

The host 200 also includes a display screen.

In this example, the host 200 may be a computer.

Specifically, the deformation measurement module 21 is controlled by the control module 27 to input detection signals to the deformation detection device 5 and receive the data detected by the deformation detection device 5, and calculate the distance between each detection head 5b and the corresponding flexible transducer array 2 , That is, obtain the deformed shape parameters of the flexible transducer array 2, and then send the data back to the control module 27 to perform real-time TGC gain compensation processing, control the power excitation module 23 to perform beamforming delay parameter correction, and obtain post-ultrasound imaging Data required for the spatial position change of each point.

The high-voltage power supply excitation module 23 is used to transmit the excitation voltage required by the work to the flexible ultrasonic probe 100 so that the probe 100 emits ultrasonic waves. The excitation voltage first passes through the T/R switch module 22 and then transmits a signal to the probe 100. The transmission of the excitation voltage passes through the control module 27 of the system according to the data obtained after processing the data detected by the deformation detection device 5 to set different excitation delay times of each transducer element.

The T/R switch module 22 is also used to receive the ultrasonic echo signal fed back by the flexible ultrasonic probe 100.

The LNA module 24 is used to receive and process the ultrasonic echo signal entered by the R/T switch module 22.

The TGC module 25 is used to receive the signal processed by the LNA module 24 to perform time gain compensation, and the TGC module 25 is also connected to the control module 27, and the data detected by the deformation detection device 5 is processed by the deformation measurement module 21 through the control module 27 The obtained data adjusts the parameters set by the TGC to perform real-time gain compensation.

The AD sampling module 26 is used to receive the signal output by the TGC module 25, and then perform beamforming and imaging processing by the image processor 28, and finally display it on the display screen of the host in real time to complete the imaging or detection of the target.

The detection method of the ultrasonic imaging detection system of this example includes the following steps:

(1) Coating a layer of ultrasonic coupling agent on the surface of the probe 100 to make the probe 100 fit more closely to the surface of the target to be detected.

(2) Close the probe 100 to the surface of the detected target;

Before the probe 100 is closely attached to the surface of the detected target, first observe the shape of the detected target and perform corresponding operations. If the part that is in contact with the probe 100 is mainly a protruding structure, open the valve 7 and closely adhere to the detected target to allow The filler in the filling cavity 4 of the probe 100 flows out, so that the flexible transducer array 2 of the probe 100 forms a concave shape conforming to the target shape, and then a certain filler is injected to make the contact surface closer; if it is observed to be in contact with the probe 100 The part where is mainly a recessed structure, the filler is injected into the filling cavity 4 through the valve 7, and the flexible transducer array on the surface of the probe is observed to make it tightly fit the surface of the target.

(3) The deformation measurement module 21 is controlled by the control module 27 to input the detection signal to the deformation detection device 5. The deformation detection device 5 detects the distance between the detection head 5b and the reflective film of the flexible transducer array 2, and then the detected signal It is fed back to the deformation measurement module 21 for processing, and the geometric shape distribution of the flexible transducer array 2 after deformation is constructed, and the relevant data is fed back to the control module 27, and the calculation includes the radius of curvature of each part, the distribution of the transducer array, and the angle of view. Wait for the data needed for later ultrasound imaging testing.

(4) The high-voltage power supply excitation module 23 is controlled by the control module 27 to emit the excitation voltage required for the operation of the probe 100 so that the probe 100 emits ultrasonic waves. The excitation voltage emitted by the high-voltage power supply excitation module 23 is measured by the control module 27 according to the deformation detection device 5 The obtained deformation parameters and beamforming requirements set different excitation delay times of each transducer array element, and the excitation voltage is first passed through the T/R switch module and then output to the probe 100.

(5) The echo signal of the probe 100 passes through the T/R switch module 22 and then enters the LNA module 24 for processing, and then passes through the TGC module 25 for time gain compensation;

The parameters set by the TGC module 25 are not conventional linear or logarithmic relationships, but are based on the specific deformation parameters of the probe 100—obtained by detection by each detection head 5b. The deformation measurement module 21 obtains the surface of the flexible probe according to the data detected by the deformation detection device 5 Spatial geometric distribution, after the relevant data is transmitted to the control module 27, the actual depth information from the detection target to the probe surface is calculated, and then the TGC model 25 is controlled to perform real-time corresponding gain compensation.

(6) The AD sampling module 26 collects the gain-compensated signal of the TGC module 25 and inputs it to the image processor 28, performs beamforming and imaging processing, and finally displays it on the display screen of the system in real time to complete the imaging or detection of the target. Relevant data can be enhanced, measured, calculated and saved by the system according to the needs to meet the needs of different scenarios.

In other embodiments, the deformation detection device 5 may also be an ultrasonic detection device, so the ultrasonic imaging detection system does not need to be equipped with a deformation measurement module, and the power excitation module 23 can transmit an excitation voltage to the ultrasonic detection device, and then the ultrasonic detection device can emit ultrasonic waves. , To detect the distance between the detection head of the ultrasonic detection device and the reflective film of the flexible transducer array.

The above-mentioned embodiments are only to illustrate the technical concept and characteristics of the present invention, and their purpose is to enable those familiar with the technology to understand the content of the present invention and implement them accordingly, and cannot limit the protection scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the present invention should be covered by the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A flexible ultrasound probe, including a flexible transducer array, is characterized in that: the probe also includes a shell whose two ends are respectively communicated with the outside, and the shell has a filling cavity with an opening at one end. One end of the housing, the flexible transducer array is connected to the one end of the housing, and the flexible transducer array is also sealed with the open end of the filling cavity, so that the filling cavity is formed for filling In the sealed chamber of a fluid filler, the probe further includes a deformation detection device arranged in the housing for detecting the positions of different points of the flexible transducer array.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the deformation detection device comprises a substrate fixedly arranged in the housing and a detection head arrayed on the substrate, and the flexible transducer array A reflection film is formed on the side facing the deformation detection device, and all the detection heads are respectively used for detecting the distance between each detection head and the reflection film.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the detection heads are distributed in a linear array or in an area array.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 3, wherein the number of the detection heads is the same as or different from the number of the elements of the flexible transducer array, and the detection heads are distributed at equal intervals, and The separation distance is the same as or different from the distance between the array elements when the flexible transducer array is not deformed.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, wherein the deformation detection device is an optical fiber distance measurement device or an ultrasonic thickness measurement device, and when the deformation detection device is an optical fiber distance measurement device, the detection head is an optical fiber In the detection head, the reflection film is an optical reflection film; when the deformation detection device is an ultrasonic thickness measuring device, the detection head is an ultrasonic detection head, and the reflection film is an acoustic reflection film.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the filling cavity is enclosed by the inner wall of the housing, the flexible transducer array and the deformation detection device, or the filling cavity is independently arranged in A cavity with an opening at one end is provided inside the housing.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 6, wherein the filling cavity is surrounded by an inner wall of the housing, a flexible transducer array, and a deformation detection device, and the flexible transducer array is The shells are sealed with a sealant, and a side of the deformation detection device facing the flexible transducer array is formed with an isolation layer for separating the filler from the deformation detection device.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the filling cavity is provided with a valve for injecting the filling agent and for exporting the filling agent.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 8, wherein the valve comprises an inlet valve for injecting the filler and an outlet valve for deriving the filler; or the valve is one A valve used to inject the filler and to discharge the filler.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, 8 or 9, characterized in that: the filler is liquid and/or colloid, preferably, the filler is one of water, silicone oil, ultrasonic coupling agent or Several combinations.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes a shell whose two ends are respectively capable of communicating with the outside world, and a bottom bracket connected to one end of the shell and communicating with the inside of the shell. The shell wall of the housing has a hollow channel, the flexible transducer array is connected to the other end of the housing, the probe further includes a connecting cable connected to the bottom support, the flexible transducer The energy device array is connected with the connecting cable through a wire, and the wire enters the interior of the bottom bracket through the hollow channel of the housing and is electrically connected with the connecting cable.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 11, wherein the deformation detecting device is arranged in the housing, and the deformation detecting device is electrically connected to the connecting cable through a wire.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 12, wherein a switching circuit board is provided in the bottom bracket, and the switching circuit board is electrically connected to the flexible transducer array, the deformation detection device and the connecting cable respectively. For connection, the switching circuit board is used to convert the connecting wires of different specifications of the flexible transducer array and the deformation detection device into a standard coaxial cable and then connect to the connecting cable.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the flexible transducer array is also fixedly arranged with the housing through a chuck. Preferably, the material of the chuck is metal or plastic, and more preferably The metal includes but is not limited to aluminum and stainless steel, and the plastic includes but is not limited to acrylic and polytetrafluoroethylene.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein the flexible transducer array comprises a flexible substrate, at least two transducer elements embedded in the flexible substrate, and are formed on the flexible substrate. The inner surface of the base lining film used to isolate the flexible substrate and the filler and the reflective film formed on the inner surface of the base lining film, the deformation detection device is used to detect the difference between the deformation detection device and the reflective film The distance between.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 15, wherein the material of the flexible substrate is polyethylene terephthalate, polydimethylsiloxane, polyvinyl alcohol, polyimide, poly One or a combination of naphthalene dimethyl ethylene glycol esters.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 15, wherein the base liner film is a PET film or a PI film.
The flexible ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, 5 or 15, characterized in that the material of the reflective film is aluminum or gold.
An ultrasonic imaging detection system comprising the flexible ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1-18.
The ultrasonic imaging inspection system according to claim 19, characterized in that: the ultrasonic imaging inspection system further comprises a host computer electrically connected to the probe, and the host computer includes a T/R switch module and an LNA module connected in sequence , TGC module, AD sampling module, control module and image processor, the host also includes a power excitation module and a display screen, among which,

The control module controls the deformation detection device to detect the distance data between the flexible transducer array element and the deformation detection device, and after processing, obtains the data required for subsequent ultrasonic imaging detection;

The power excitation module is respectively connected with the control module and the T/R switch module, and is used to transmit the excitation voltage required by the work to the probe so that the probe emits ultrasonic waves. The T/R conversion switch module, and then transmit a signal to the probe;

The T/R switch module is also used to receive the ultrasonic echo signal fed back by the probe;

The LNA module is used to receive and process the ultrasonic echo signal entered by the R/T switch module;

The TGC module is used to receive the signal processed by the LNA module to perform time gain compensation, and the TGC module is also connected to the control module. The data obtained after processing adjusts the parameters set by TGC to perform real-time gain compensation;

The AD sampling module is used to receive the signal output by the TGC module, and then perform beamforming and imaging processing by the image processor, and display it on the display screen.
The ultrasonic imaging detection system according to claim 20, wherein the deformation detection device is an optical fiber detection device, and the ultrasonic imaging detection system further comprises a deformation measurement module connected to the control system and the probe respectively, and The deformation measurement module is controlled by the control module to input a detection signal to the deformation detection device and receive and process the data detected by the deformation detection device. The processed data is sent back to the control module for processing, Obtain the data needed for subsequent ultrasound imaging inspections.
An ultrasonic imaging detection method, the detection system used in the detection method is an ultrasonic imaging detection system, and the ultrasonic imaging detection system contains the flexible ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1-18.
The ultrasonic imaging detection method according to claim 22, wherein the ultrasonic imaging detection system further comprises a host electrically connected with the probe, and the host comprises a T/R switch module and an LNA module connected in sequence , TGC module, AD sampling module, control module, and image processor. The host further includes a power excitation module and a display screen. The power excitation module is respectively connected to the T/R switch module and the control module. The detection The method includes the following steps:

(1) Close the probe to the surface of the detected target;

(2) Control the deformation detection device to detect the distance data between the deformation detection device and the flexible transducer array of the probe through the control module, and obtain the data required for subsequent ultrasonic imaging detection after processing;

(3) Through the control module, the power excitation module is controlled to emit the excitation voltage required for the operation of the probe, so that the probe emits ultrasonic waves;

(4) The echo signal of the probe enters the LNA module for processing after passing through the T/R switch module, and then performs time gain compensation through the TGC module;

(5) The signal through the TGC module is collected by the AD sampling module, and then input to the image processor for beamforming and imaging processing, and displayed on the display screen to complete the imaging or detection of the target.
The ultrasonic imaging detection method according to claim 23, characterized in that: in step (1), the shape of the detected target is observed, and if the part in contact with the probe is a protruding structure, a part of the filling is derived The filler in the cavity makes the flexible transducer array of the probe fit with the surface of the detected target, and then the filler is injected into the filling cavity to make the contact surface close; if the part contacting the probe is a recessed structure, Then, a filler is injected into the filling cavity to make the flexible transducer array of the probe close to the surface of the detected target.
The ultrasonic imaging detection method according to claim 23, characterized in that: in step (1), an ultrasonic couplant is first coated on the surface of the probe, and then the probe is closely attached to the surface of the target to be detected.
The ultrasonic imaging detection method according to claim 23, wherein: in step (4), the TGC module is also connected to the control module, and the parameters set by the TGC module are detected according to the deformation detection device After the data is processed, the data obtained is adjusted to perform real-time gain compensation.