Variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitation training device for stroke dysphagia

Abstract

This invention discloses a variable-frequency ultrasonic rehabilitation trainer for dysphagia following stroke, comprising an ultrasonic system, an insulating shell, a power supply, a base, and gaskets. The ultrasonic system consists of an ultrasonic drive circuit board, a sandwich-type piezoelectric transducer, and an ultrasonic amplitude transformer. Impedance matching achieves system coupling. The ultrasonic power supply, connected to a microcontroller signal control module on a separate circuit board, provides impedance matching and frequency tracking functions. Integrated chips, multivibrators, and low-pass filters control the intensity of the ultrasonic waves, thus changing the power of the ultrasonic rehabilitation trainer. The ultrasonic amplitude transformer is an exponentially transitional, small-end symmetrical type, exhibiting longitudinal or torsional vibration characteristics and advantages in length and shape. It is also equipped with medical-grade silicone sleeves of various shapes. Patients with dysphagia can use the trainer to stimulate the palatal arch, soft palate, tongue base, and posterior pharyngeal wall, enhancing muscle contraction and inducing the swallowing reflex.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of medical device technology, and in particular to a variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitation trainer for dysphagia caused by stroke. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, stroke is the second leading cause of death among people over 60 years old worldwide. It is a "triple-high" disease characterized by high incidence, high disability rate, and high mortality rate, with approximately 51%-73% of patients experiencing varying degrees of swallowing dysfunction. Experts both domestically and internationally have proposed numerous treatment and rehabilitation methods for stroke patients with swallowing dysfunction, such as low-frequency pulsed electrical stimulation (LPS), cognitive function training, and oral sensory-motor training. However, LPS requires a high level of expertise, and cognitive function training demands a high degree of patient cooperation. Oral sensory-motor training also includes various methods, such as tongue muscle strength training techniques, K-site stimulation, air pulse sensory stimulation, and modified vibrating rods. Modified vibrating rod training can enhance local nerve sensory sensitivity, strengthen muscle contraction, achieve brain compensatory function, induce swallowing reflexes, and meet oral motor requirements, while also being portable. However, this approach lacks a matching, systematically stable, variable-frequency vibration pattern and frequency-specific vibrating swallowing disorder trainer.

[0003] After years of development, ultrasound technology has formed a complete system. The problems of frequency tracking and impedance matching of ultrasonic power supplies have been solved, and the research and development technology of amplitude transformers with specific functions and different busbar shapes has gradually matured. The coupling degree of the entire system is also constantly improving, and ultrasound technology has the foundation for widespread application. There are many precedents for using ultrasound in medical equipment, such as ultrasonic scalpels, ultrasonic nebulizers, and ultrasonic cleaners. These successful cases demonstrate the safety and practicality of ultrasound technology. Therefore, for stroke patients with swallowing disorders, ultrasonic swallowing dysphagia trainers need to modify the ultrasound system, utilizing ultrasound to solve the problems of the improved vibrating rod method. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitation trainer for dysphagia caused by stroke. This portable ultrasound rehabilitation trainer can provide ultrasound frequency, ultrasound amplitude, and ultrasound mode that meet the stimulation intensity requirements, thus solving the problems of single frequency and unstable effect of traditional vibrating rods.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows:

[0006] A variable frequency ultrasonic rehabilitation trainer for dysphagia caused by stroke is characterized by comprising an insulating shell 11, a power supply 3, a push-button switch, a base 6, a sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2, an ultrasonic drive circuit board 12, and an ultrasonic amplitude transformer 1. The bottom of the insulating shell is sealed by the base, and the base 6 is connected to the insulating shell 11 by a slight interference fit to ensure a tight connection and detachability. The power supply and the ultrasonic drive circuit board are located inside the insulating shell. The sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2 is sealed at the top of the insulating shell, and its output end is connected to the bottom of the ultrasonic amplitude transformer. The push-button switch is located on the outer wall of the insulating shell.

[0007] The ultrasonic drive circuit board 12 is provided with an ultrasonic generating circuit, an impedance matching circuit, a central processing unit and a frequency tracking module. The ultrasonic generating circuit is connected to the sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2 through the impedance matching circuit. The frequency tracking module is used to control the input signal frequency of the frequency tracking module.

[0008] The ultrasonic generating circuit includes a rectifier and filter module and a high-frequency inverter unit. The push-button switch is connected to the input terminal of the impedance matching circuit in sequence through the rectifier and filter module and the high-frequency inverter unit.

[0009] The impedance matching circuit consists of an LC tuning and filtering circuit and a matching capacitor and inductor. The output terminal of the impedance matching circuit is connected to the input terminal of the sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2.

[0010] The frequency tracking module includes an amplifier circuit, voltage and current sensors, a hysteresis control acquisition circuit, and a zero-crossing detector. The input of the amplifier circuit is connected to the output of the transducer. The hysteresis control acquisition circuit acquires the voltage and current signals of the transducer through the voltage and current sensors. The output of the hysteresis control acquisition circuit is connected to the input of the zero-crossing detector. The output of the zero-crossing detector is connected to the input of the central processing unit. The output of the central processing unit is connected to the control input of the high-frequency inverter unit.

[0011] The sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2 consists of a front cover plate 2a, a piezoelectric ceramic sheet 2b, a copper electrode sheet 2c, and a rear cover plate 2d. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet is used to convert the frequency change of the current into vibration and transmit it to the amplitude transformer. There are two copper electrode sheets and two piezoelectric ceramic sheets, which are interlocked and connected. The first copper electrode sheet is connected to the positive electrode by a lead wire, and the second copper electrode sheet is connected to the negative electrode by a lead wire.

[0012] It also includes a washer 7, which is disposed between the rear seat and the insulating shell for waterproof sealing;

[0013] It also includes a silicone vibration sleeve 15, which is fitted onto the ultrasonic amplitude transformer to buffer vibration.

[0014] There are various types of silicone vibration sleeves 15, and the walking size of the various silicone vibration sleeves 15 is different.

[0015] It also includes a flange 13, with threaded holes on the front cover plate for screws 14 to secure the flange to the insulating housing.

[0016] It also includes a battery box 4 and a battery box base 5. The power supply is located in the battery box, and the battery box base is used for sealing. The two are connected with a slight interference fit, which ensures a tight connection and allows for disassembly while reducing external interference to the power supply and achieving frequency stability.

[0017] The push-button switch includes a switch button 10 and adjustment buttons 9a and 9b.

[0018] The amplitude transformer adopts an exponentially increasing transition structure from top to bottom, and the small end is symmetrically arranged.

[0019] It also includes a charging circuit board 8, which is positioned relative to the base 6 by positioning constraints and is connected to a power source. The charging circuit board 8 is provided with a type-C port.

[0020] This invention utilizes the physical properties of ultrasound combined with oral rehabilitation training to improve the safety and professionalism of oral rehabilitation training for stroke patients, enhance recovery outcomes, and is portable for convenient home use. The research also explores local resonance theory design methods and nodal correction techniques suitable for confined spaces such as the oral cavity. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0022] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 2 This is a circuit diagram showing the connection between the impedance matching circuit and the transducer described in this invention.

[0024] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of frequency tracking in this invention.

[0025] Figure 4 This is a block diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0026] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0027] like Figure 1 , 2 As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the present invention includes an insulating shell 11, a power supply 3, a push-button switch, a base 6, a sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2, an ultrasonic drive circuit board 12, and an ultrasonic amplitude transformer 1. The bottom of the insulating shell is sealed by the base, and the base 6 is connected to the insulating shell 11 by a slight interference fit to ensure a tight connection and detachability. The power supply and the ultrasonic drive circuit board are located inside the insulating shell. The sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2 is sealed at the top of the insulating shell, and its output end is connected to the bottom of the ultrasonic amplitude transformer. The push-button switch is located on the outer wall of the insulating shell.

[0028] The ultrasonic drive circuit board 12 is provided with an ultrasonic generating circuit, an impedance matching circuit, a central processing unit and a frequency tracking module. The ultrasonic generating circuit is connected to the sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2 through the impedance matching circuit. The frequency tracking module is used to control the input signal frequency of the frequency tracking module.

[0029] The ultrasonic generating circuit includes a rectifier and filter module and a high-frequency inverter unit. The push-button switch is connected to the input terminal of the impedance matching circuit in sequence through the rectifier and filter module and the high-frequency inverter unit.

[0030] like Figure 2 As shown, in actual use, the impedance matching circuit consists of an LC tuning and filtering circuit and a parallel matching capacitor and inductor. The inductor L3 is connected in series with the static capacitor C2 and the resistor R1, and then in parallel across the inductor L2. This application uses the series inductor L1 to achieve the filtering function and prevent short circuits in the transducer, and the parallel capacitor C1 reduces the impact of the transducer's static capacitor C2 on the matching circuit. The output of the impedance matching circuit is connected to the input of the sandwich piezoelectric transducer 2.

[0031] The frequency tracking module includes an amplifier circuit, voltage and current sensors, a hysteresis control acquisition circuit, and a zero-crossing detector. The input of the amplifier circuit is connected to the output of the transducer. The hysteresis control acquisition circuit acquires the voltage and current signals of the transducer through the voltage and current sensors. The output of the hysteresis control acquisition circuit is connected to the input of the zero-crossing detector. The output of the zero-crossing detector is connected to the input of the central processing unit. The output of the central processing unit is connected to the control input of the high-frequency inverter unit.

[0032] The central processing unit integrates a transmitting circuit, a three-stage amplification circuit, and a filtering circuit. A high-frequency signal is output by the integrated chip MAX038 and adapted to the phase-locked loop circuit. At the same time, a multivibrator composed of NE555 is used to obtain a low-frequency signal through a frequency divider circuit composed of 74LS74 and a low-frequency filter composed of MAX029. The low-frequency signal is then modulated by the high-frequency signal, and the signal is amplified by the three-stage amplification circuit and transmitted to the ultrasonic system. The power output is controlled by the microcontroller.

[0033] After the power supply passes through the high-frequency inverter unit, it obtains AC power and generates resonant current and voltage under the regulation of the control system. After passing through the matching circuit, the reactance of the transducer itself is eliminated, and its output power is increased. The LC tuning and filtering circuit is used to increase the resistive load power of the transducer, filter out the harmonics generated by the power supply, and reduce the heat generation of the equipment.

[0034] In the frequency tracking module, the transducer's electrical signal is first amplified by a circuit. Current and voltage signals are then acquired through current and voltage sensors and hysteresis control. A square wave is obtained after passing through a zero-crossing detector and input to the control system. Digital signal processing (DSP) technology is used to calculate the phase difference, and pulse width modulation (PWM) technology is used to transmit the tuned signal, driving the high-frequency inverter unit to change to the corresponding frequency, thereby controlling the transducer's input signal frequency. When the instrument performs frequency conversion, it adjusts the current frequency output based on the currently acquired phase difference and the previous frequency output.

[0035] The sandwich-type piezoelectric transducer 2 consists of a front cover plate 2a, a piezoelectric ceramic sheet 2b, a copper electrode sheet 2c, and a rear cover plate 2d. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet converts the frequency change of the current into vibration, which is then transmitted to the amplitude transformer. There are two copper electrodes and two piezoelectric ceramic sheets, which are interlocked and connected. The first copper electrode sheet is connected to the positive terminal via a lead wire, and the second copper electrode sheet is connected to the negative terminal via a lead wire. The piezoelectric ceramic sheet is the core component of the transducer, and the material used is PZT-8. It can convert the frequency change of the current into vibration, which is then transmitted to the amplitude transformer.

[0036] It also includes a washer 7, which is disposed between the rear seat and the insulating shell for waterproof sealing;

[0037] It also includes a silicone vibration sleeve 15, which is fitted onto the ultrasonic amplitude transformer to buffer vibration. It conforms to the amplitude transformer, buffering 60%-70% of the impact force generated by vibration, protecting the patient's organs and tissues. Six types of silicone sleeves are provided, allowing for the selection of a suitable vibration sleeve based on the patient's specific condition.

[0038] A flange 13 is mounted on the front cover plate and secured to the housing with screws 14. In actual use, the flange 13 is mounted on the front cover plate 2a of the transducer, using Phillips head screws with M3*4 dimensions.

[0039] It also includes a battery box 4 and a battery box base 5. The power supply is located in the battery box, and the battery box base is used for enclosure. It also includes a charging circuit 8 for charging. The power supply actually uses a size 7 polymer lithium battery, which can be charged using the charging circuit 8 and the Type-C port on the base 6. The battery is placed in the battery box 4 and enclosed by the battery base 5. The two are connected with a slight interference fit to ensure a tight connection and detachability while reducing external interference to the power supply and achieving frequency stability. There are aluminum sheets in the battery base and the box, which can be used as wires to connect to the ultrasonic drive circuit board 12, or the power supply and charging circuit board 8 can be connected via wires.

[0040] Furthermore, the battery box 4 is made of PP material and has multiple protruding cylinders at its upper end. After the ultrasonic drive circuit board 12 is positioned by the central cylinder, the multiple small cylinders on the circuit board can be connected to the battery box with metal wires to achieve a fixing effect. The base 6 connects to the charging circuit 8 and also has a Type-C port for charging.

[0041] The aforementioned ultrasonic amplitude transformer 1 employs an exponentially increasing transition structure from top to bottom, with symmetrical arrangement at the small end. This amplitude transformer possesses longitudinal vibration characteristics and the advantage of its length and shape. Its slender tip penetrates deep into the patient's pharynx, and its vibration has been simulated. Furthermore, longitudinal torsional vibration can be generated by creating oblique grooves in the exponential transition structure. In actual use, the ultrasonic amplitude transformer 1 is made of 45# steel, and its structure is adapted to the ultrasonic system to meet the output mode shape requirements at the specified vibration frequency. The generated amplitudes are 100μm (level 1) and 80μm (level 2).

[0042] The insulating shell 11 is made of PP material and has some rubber on its sides for easy use. The front end has a threaded hole that connects to the flange 13. A switch button and a frequency modulation button are set on the top of the insulating shell, which correspond to the switch on the circuit board. Pressing them will produce corresponding changes on the circuit board.

[0043] The push-button switch includes a switch button 10 and adjustment buttons 9a and 9b. The buttons are made of stainless steel 302, coated with a layer of rubber for ease of use. Button 9 is the switch button; button 9a is position 1 (100μm amplitude); button 9b is position 2 (80μm amplitude). When turned on, the default position is 1.

[0044] The aforementioned silicone vibration sleeve 15 is placed on and adheres to the ultrasonic amplitude transformer, effectively protecting the patient and reducing the impact force by 60%-70% without affecting the vibration of the amplitude transformer. The provided silicone sleeve shapes include: spherical cone, square, spherical, spherical round, suction cup, and cone.

[0045] The charging circuit board 8 is positioned relative to the base 6 by positioning constraints and is connected to the power supply. The base 6 is then fixed to the charging circuit board 8 by multiple small shafts on it and has a Type-C port for charging.

[0046] In practical use, the ultrasonic drive circuit board 12 generates a PWM wave from the central processing unit (CPU), i.e., a microcontroller, and sends it to the EXB841 chip, causing it to generate a pulse signal of a specific frequency, i.e., the transducer frequency, thereby driving the full-bridge inverter main circuit. Simultaneously, AC power is rectified to obtain DC voltage, which is then converted to a high-frequency voltage by the high-frequency inverter circuit to match the transducer. The output voltage and inductance meet the impedance matching requirements of the transducer. Frequency tracking is achieved through phase-locked loop (PLL) method. A voltage sensor detects the voltage and current across the transducer, and the phase difference is calculated through hysteresis and DSP capture port. After determining the phase difference and sign flag, the frequency is converted into a time value and assigned to the DSP analog register, thereby changing the period of the PWM signal. A power control circuit is used, which compares the DC current signal with a given current value and adjusts the deviation, thereby changing the phase angle of the phase-shift control waveform and thus changing the output power of the high-frequency inverter circuit to meet the transducer requirements. This allows the transducer to reach its designated frequency in the working environment and output an amplitude that acts on the patient's affected area, resolving swallowing difficulties caused by stroke.

[0047] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that for directional terms, such as "center," "lateral," and "vertical," the appropriate terms may be used.

[0048] The directions and positional relationships indicated by symbols such as "direction", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", and "counterclockwise" are based on the directions or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and should not be construed as limiting the specific protection scope of the present invention.

[0049] It should be noted that the terms "comprising" and "having" and any variations thereof in the specification and claims of this application are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or device that includes a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to those steps or units that are explicitly listed, but may include other steps or units that are not explicitly listed or that are inherent to such process, method, product, or device.

[0050] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment and application of the technical principles of the present invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and may include many other effective embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is determined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitation trainer for stroke dysphagia, characterized by: The utility model relates to an ultrasonic transducer, including insulating shell (11), power (3), button switch, base (6), sandwich piezoelectric transducer (2), ultrasonic drive circuit board (12) and ultrasonic amplitude transformer (1), the bottom of insulating shell is sealed through the base, base (6) is connected with insulating shell (11) through slight interference fit to guarantee close connection and can be dismantled, and the power and ultrasonic drive circuit board are arranged in the inside of insulating shell, the sandwich piezoelectric transducer (2) is sealed and is arranged at the top of insulating shell, and the output end is connected with the bottom of ultrasonic amplitude transformer, and the button switch is arranged on the outside wall of insulating shell, The ultrasonic drive circuit board (12) is provided with an ultrasonic generating circuit, an impedance matching circuit, a central processing unit and a frequency tracking module, the ultrasonic generating circuit is connected with the sandwich piezoelectric transducer (2) through the impedance matching circuit, and the frequency tracking module is used for controlling the input signal frequency of the frequency tracking module. The ultrasonic generating circuit includes a rectification filtering module and a high-frequency inverter unit, and the button switch is connected with the input end of the impedance matching circuit through the rectification filtering module and the high-frequency inverter unit in sequence. The impedance matching circuit is composed of an LC tuning and filtering circuit and a matching capacitor inductor, and the output end of the impedance matching circuit is connected with the input end of the sandwich piezoelectric transducer (2). The frequency tracking module includes an amplification circuit, a voltage and current sensor, a hysteresis control acquisition circuit and a zero-crossing detector, the input end of the amplification circuit is connected with the output end of the transducer, the voltage and current sensor is used for acquiring the voltage and current signals of the transducer, the output end of the hysteresis control acquisition circuit is connected with the input end of the zero-crossing detector, the output end of the zero-crossing detector is connected with the input end of the central processing unit, and the output end of the central processing unit is connected with the control input end of the high-frequency inverter unit.

2. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sandwich piezoelectric transducer (2) is composed of a front cover plate (2a), a piezoelectric ceramic sheet (2b), a copper electrode sheet (2c) and a rear cover plate (2d), the piezoelectric ceramic sheet is used for converting the frequency change of current into vibration and transmitting the vibration to the amplitude transformer, and the copper electrode sheet and the piezoelectric ceramic sheet each have two and are linked in turn, the first copper electrode sheet is connected with a positive electrode through a lead wire, and the second copper electrode sheet is connected with a negative electrode through a lead wire.

3. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: Further, a gasket (7) is arranged between the rear seat and the insulating shell to prevent water from entering.

4. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: Further, a silica gel vibration sleeve (15) is arranged on the ultrasonic amplitude transformer to buffer vibration.

5. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitator for stroke dysphagia according to claim 4, characterized in that: The silica gel vibration sleeve (15) has multiple types, and the multiple silica gel vibration sleeves (15) have different sizes.

6. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: Further, a flange (13) is arranged on the front cover plate and provided with a threaded hole for a screw (14) to fix the flange on the insulating shell.

7. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: Further, a battery box (4) and a battery box base (5) are arranged, the power is arranged in the battery box, the battery box base is used for sealing, and the two are connected through slight interference fit, so that the connection is close and can be dismantled, the interference of the outside world on the power is reduced, and the frequency is stable.

8. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: The button switch includes a switch button (10) and adjusting buttons (9a) and (9b).

9. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: The amplitude lever adopts an index type increasing transition structure from top to bottom, and the small end is symmetrically arranged.

10. The variable frequency ultrasound rehabilitative trainer for stroke dysphagia according to claim 1, characterized in that: The charging circuit board (8) is arranged on the base (6) through positioning constraint, and is connected with the power supply. The type-c socket is arranged on the charging circuit board (8).

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