Ultrasonic endoscope system and ultrasonic transducer

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer comprising an ultrasonic wafer surrounding the outer circumference of an annularly arranged backing ring. An inner electrode layer is located within the inner ring of the ultrasonic wafer, and an electric pulse is applied to excite the inner surface of the ultrasonic wafer. An outer electrode layer is located within the outer circumference of the ultrasonic wafer, and an electric pulse is applied to excite the outer surface of the ultrasonic wafer. The electrodes of the inner electrode layer are arranged perpendicular to the electrodes of the outer electrode layer. By varying the excitation positions of the inner and outer electrode layers within the ultrasonic wafer, the circumferential and focal positions of the ultrasonic transducer can be adjusted, thereby ensuring uniform imaging within the acoustic field. The present invention also provides an ultrasonic endoscope system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of endoscopes, and more particularly to an ultrasonic endoscope system and an ultrasonic transducer. Background Art

[0002] An endoscopic ultrasound system (EUS) is a medical device that combines ultrasound and endoscopy. Once the endoscope enters the body cavity, it performs a tomographic scan of the walls of internal organs or adjacent organs under direct endoscopic vision, obtaining ultrasound images of the various layers below the mucosal wall and surrounding organs, such as the mediastinum, pancreas, bile duct, and lymph nodes. This technology offers significant advantages in staging gastrointestinal tumors and determining the nature of tumors originating from the intestinal wall.

[0003] Early ultrasonic endoscope systems mainly used mechanical scanning methods, using a micro-motor to drive the connecting rod to drive the single ultrasonic transducer at the top of the endoscope to rotate 360° to obtain an annular tomographic image perpendicular to the axis; the advantage of this scanning method is that the transducer design is simple, but it requires high-precision mechanical connection and drive, is easy to damage, and the image obtained is not stable enough. However, due to the late emergence of new technologies, it is still widely used today.

[0004] In the 21st century, Japanese companies such as Fuji, Olympus, and Pentax have successively developed 360° electronic ring scanning ultrasound probes, combined with color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic equipment using fully digital image processing technology, to realize a new type of fully digital ultrasound endoscope imaging system.

[0005] The transducer used in a 360° circular ultrasound endoscope typically consists of dozens to hundreds of elongated array elements, arranged radially and cylindrically in a uniform pattern. The outer diameter of the array typically does not exceed 13 mm, and the center frequency ranges from 3 to 15 MHz. Each element has independent outputs and can be individually excited with electrical pulses to produce a 360° circular scanning image. This approach eliminates the need for a DC motor drive and avoids the shortcomings of mechanical circular scanning ultrasound endoscopes. Electronic circular scanning ultrasound endoscopes are suitable for large-scale scanning, overall assessment, and diagnosis.

[0006] Existing ultrasonic probes are arranged in a 1D linear array in the scanning direction, resulting in good electronic focusing capabilities only in the array direction. However, they cannot change the aperture size or achieve focusing in the elevation direction. A 1.5D phased array can improve this problem. The 1.5D array not only changes the aperture size in the elevation direction but also achieves beam focusing in the elevation direction, producing better acoustic images than a 1D linear array. The resolution is also higher than that of a traditional 1D linear array probe.

[0007] Because endoscopic ultrasound transducers probe internally, objective factors limit their size. For example, an ultrasound gastroscope must be inserted through the mouth, through the esophagus, and into the stomach. Generally, the diameter of the transducer and the entire insertion portion cannot exceed 13mm. During array endoscopy, cables must be connected to the transducer and inserted into the body. These cables have a specific diameter. When hundreds of cables are twisted together, the overall size and difficulty of wiring will be key factors limiting the development of endoscopes with larger array elements and wider dimensions.

[0008] While 1.5D planar phased array probes have found some applications in medical ultrasound, their use in ultrasound endoscopy systems is relatively limited, particularly in 360-degree circular array ultrasound endoscopy systems. The primary challenge is routing numerous cables within a limited space.

[0009] Therefore, how to improve the imaging effect of ultrasonic transducers is an urgent problem to be solved by those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In view of this, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer to improve the imaging effect of the ultrasonic transducer; the present invention also provides an ultrasonic endoscope system.

[0011] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following technical solutions:

[0012] An ultrasonic transducer comprises an annular backing ring and an ultrasonic wafer attached to the outer circumference of the backing ring, wherein the inner ring of the ultrasonic wafer is provided with an inner electrode layer surrounding the outer circumference of the backing ring, and the outer ring of the ultrasonic wafer is provided with an outer electrode layer surrounding the circumference thereof;

[0013] The electrodes of the inner electrode layer are arranged in an axial direction of the backing ring, and the electrodes of the outer electrode layer are arranged in a circumferential direction around the backing ring.

[0014] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, the inner electrode layer includes a central electrode and a plurality of side electrodes symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central electrode;

[0015] The width of the central electrode is arranged in proportion to the width of each of the side electrodes.

[0016] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, the width of the central electrode is twice the width of each of the side electrodes.

[0017] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, the side electrodes include a first side electrode and a second side electrode respectively close to the inner side and the outer side of the central electrode;

[0018] The inner electrode layer includes a center lead wire led out from the center electrode, a first side lead wire led out from the first side electrode, and a second side lead wire led out from the second side electrode.

[0019] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, a ground electrode lead for applying an excitation electric field to the ultrasonic chip is led out from the inner electrode layer, and a positive electrode lead for applying an excitation electric field to the ultrasonic chip is led out from the outer electrode layer.

[0020] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, a plurality of electrode array elements are arranged in parallel on the outer electrode layer, and an electrode lead is extended from each of the electrode array elements.

[0021] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic chip comprises a plurality of long strip ultrasonic array elements arranged along the axial direction of the backing ring, and the plurality of ultrasonic array elements are evenly arranged around the circumference of the backing ring;

[0022] The outer diameter of the ultrasonic chip is no more than 13 mm, and the center frequency of the ultrasonic chip is 3 to 15 MHz.

[0023] Preferably, in the above ultrasonic transducer, a first matching layer, a second matching layer and an acoustic lens are sequentially stacked on the periphery of the outer electrode layer.

[0024] An ultrasonic endoscope system includes an endoscope ultrasonic excitation system, an optical imaging system, a display and a puncture needle system. The puncture needle system includes an insertion portion that can be inserted into a subject, a front hard portion, a bending portion and a flexible tube portion arranged at the front end of the insertion portion, and a ring array ultrasonic transducer is arranged in the front hard portion. It is characterized in that the ultrasonic transducer described in any one of the above items is arranged in the ring array ultrasonic transducer.

[0025] Preferably, in the above-mentioned ultrasonic endoscope system, the endoscope ultrasonic excitation system includes a two-level excitation system for respectively exciting the inner electrode layer and the outer electrode layer.

[0026] The ultrasonic transducer provided by the present invention includes an annular backing ring and an ultrasonic wafer attached to the outer circumference of the backing ring. The inner ring of the ultrasonic wafer is provided with an inner electrode layer surrounding the outer circumference of the backing ring, and the outer ring of the ultrasonic wafer is provided with an outer electrode layer surrounding the outer circumference thereof. The electrodes of the inner electrode layer are arranged along the axial direction of the backing ring, while the electrodes of the outer electrode layer are arranged circumferentially around the backing ring. The ultrasonic wafer surrounds the outer circumference of the annular backing ring. The inner electrode layer is located on the inner ring of the ultrasonic wafer. Electric pulses are passed to excite the inner surface of the ultrasonic wafer. The outer electrode layer is located on the outer circumference of the ultrasonic wafer. Electric pulses are passed to excite the outer surface of the ultrasonic wafer. The electrodes of the inner electrode layer are arranged perpendicular to the electrodes of the outer electrode layer. By changing the excitation positions of the inner and outer electrode layers on the ultrasonic wafer, the circumferential and focusing positions of the ultrasonic transducer can be adjusted, thereby ensuring uniform imaging of the ultrasonic transducer in the sound field area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0028] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the arrangement structure of the ultrasonic transducer provided by the present invention;

[0029] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the expanded structure of the inner electrode layer;

[0030] Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the electrode wire lead-out structure of the middle and inner electrode layers;

[0031] Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the expanded structure of the inner and outer electrode layers;

[0032] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the arrangement structure of the ultrasonic endoscope system provided by the present invention;

[0033] Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the end structure of the ring array ultrasonic transducer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] The invention discloses an ultrasonic transducer, which improves the imaging effect of the ultrasonic transducer; the invention also provides an ultrasonic endoscope system.

[0035] The following will provide a clear and complete description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0036] like Figure 1 As shown, Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the arrangement structure of the ultrasonic transducer provided by the present invention.

[0037] This embodiment provides an ultrasonic transducer, comprising an annular backing ring 1 and an ultrasonic crystal 2 attached to the outer circumference of the backing ring 1. The inner ring of the ultrasonic crystal 2 is provided with an inner electrode layer 3 surrounding the outer circumference of the backing ring 1, and the outer ring of the ultrasonic crystal 2 is provided with an outer electrode layer 4 surrounding the outer circumference thereof. The electrodes of the inner electrode layer 3 are arranged along the axial direction of the backing ring 1, while the electrodes of the outer electrode layer 4 are arranged circumferentially around the backing ring 1. The ultrasonic crystal 2 surrounds the outer circumference of the annular backing ring 1. The inner electrode layer 3 is located within the inner ring of the ultrasonic crystal 2. Electric pulses are applied to excite the inner surface of the ultrasonic crystal 2. The outer electrode layer 4 is located within the outer circumference of the ultrasonic crystal 2. Electric pulses are applied to excite the outer surface of the ultrasonic crystal. The electrodes of the inner electrode layer 3 are arranged perpendicular to the electrodes of the outer electrode layer 4. By varying the excitation positions of the inner electrode layers 3 and the outer electrode layers 4 on the ultrasonic crystal, the circumferential and focal positions of the ultrasonic transducer can be adjusted, thereby ensuring uniform imaging of the ultrasonic transducer within the sound field.

[0038] like Figure 2-Figure 4 As shown, Figure 2 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the expanded structure of the inner electrode layer; Figure 3 for Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the electrode wire lead-out structure of the middle and inner electrode layers; Figure 4 for Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the expanded structure of the middle and outer electrode layers.

[0039] In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the inner electrode layer 3 includes a central electrode 33 and multiple sets of side electrodes symmetrically arranged on either side of the central electrode; the width of the central electrode 33 is proportional to the width of each side electrode. The inner electrode layer 3 is arranged axially along the backing ring 1, and comprises the central electrode 33 and multiple sets of side electrodes symmetrically located on either side of the central electrode 33. Each set of side electrodes includes two side electrodes symmetrically located on either side of the central electrode 33 in the width direction. By arranging the width of the central electrode 33 proportionally to the width of each side electrode, different electrical pulses can be used to excite the electrodes at different depths along the axial direction of the ultrasonic transducer, thereby adjusting the imaging of the ultrasonic transducer along its axial direction and achieving ultrasound focusing at different depths.

[0040] Specifically, the width of the central electrode 33 is twice the width of each side electrode. To meet the radial imaging requirements of a 1.5D ultrasonic transducer, setting the width of the central electrode 33 to twice that of the side electrodes allows for 1.5D imaging to replace 1D using the same size ultrasonic transducer.

[0041] In a specific embodiment of this case, the side electrodes include a first side electrode 32 and a second side electrode 31, respectively located on the inner and outer sides of the center electrode 33. The inner electrode layer 3 includes a center lead Y3 extending from the center electrode 33, a first side lead Y2 extending from the first side electrode 32, and a second side lead Y1 extending from the second side electrode 31. To meet the medical imaging requirements of ultrasonic transducers, the first side electrodes 32 and the second side electrodes 31 are symmetrically arranged on either side of the center electrode 33. The first side electrodes 32 include two symmetrically located across the width of the center electrode 33. The second side electrodes 31 also include two symmetrically located across the center electrode and located outside the first side electrode 32.

[0042] The electrode leads of the inner electrode layer 3 are provided with a center electrode 33 to separately lead out a center lead Y3 , the two lead-out electrode lines of the first side electrode 32 are then merged into a first side lead Y2 , and the two lead-out electrode lines of the second side electrode 31 are then merged into a second side lead Y1 .

[0043] like Figure 2 and Figure 3 As shown, the inner electrode layer 33 has three electrode leads, Y1, Y2 and Y3. Y1 is the second side lead of the second side electrode 31 of the outermost layer of the inner electrode layer, Y2 is the first side lead of the first side electrode 32 of the inner electrode layer 33, and Y3 is the center lead of the center electrode 33. By performing different electrode excitations on Y1, Y2 and Y3, an electric field can be formed at different positions of the ultrasonic chip in the axial direction, thereby realizing depth adjustment of the imaging of the ultrasonic transducer in the axial direction.

[0044] In a specific embodiment of the present case, a ground electrode lead for applying an excitation electric field to the ultrasonic chip is led out from the inner electrode layer 33, and a positive electrode lead for applying an excitation electric field to the ultrasonic chip is led out from the outer electrode layer 4.

[0045] In one specific embodiment of this invention, multiple electrode array elements 41 are arranged in parallel on the outer electrode layer 4, each with an electrode lead extending therefrom. The electrodes of the outer electrode layer 4 circumferentially extend along the circumference of the backing ring 1, forming a perpendicular arrangement to the axial electrodes of the inner electrode layer 3. Multiple electrode array elements 41 are arranged in parallel on the outer electrode layer 4, each with an electrode lead. Electric pulses are applied through these different electrode leads, stimulating electrode array elements at different locations around the circumference of the outer electrode layer.

[0046] The excitation electric field generated on the inner electrode layer 3 is used to adjust the position of the backing block 1 in the axial direction, and the excitation electric field generated on the outer electrode layer 4 is used to adjust the position of the backing block 1 in the circumferential direction. The two together excite the ultrasonic chip to generate ultrasonic waves, which can achieve focusing in the depth direction and circumferential deflection of ultrasonic imaging, thereby obtaining better image quality.

[0047] In a specific embodiment of the present case, the ultrasonic chip 2 includes a plurality of long strip ultrasonic array elements arranged along the axial direction of the backing ring, and the plurality of ultrasonic array elements are evenly arranged around the circumference of the backing ring; the outer diameter of the ultrasonic chip is not greater than 13 mm, and the center frequency of the ultrasonic chip is 3 to 15 MHz.

[0048] The ultrasonic chip adopts a long strip of ultrasonic array elements. The length of each ultrasonic array element should be consistent with the width of the inner electrode layer and the width of the outer electrode layer. At the same time, to adapt to the medical application of the ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic endoscope system, the outer diameter of the ultrasonic chip is set to no more than 13 mm, and the center frequency of the ultrasonic chip is 3 to 15 MHz. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer with an inner electrode layer and an outer electrode layer in this embodiment can be used to replace the existing ultrasonic transducer, realizing the imaging scheme of replacing the 1D array with a 1.5D phased array using the existing ultrasonic endoscope system.

[0049] Specifically, if Figure 2-Figure 4 As shown, the inner electrode layer 3 is composed of a middle electrode, a first side electrode, and a second side electrode. The electrode direction of the inner electrode layer is set to the Y direction, and its electrode lead wires include three electrode leads: the inner layer middle lead wire Y3, the first side lead wires Y2 of the two inward rows of first side electrodes, and the second side lead wires Y1 of the two outermost rows of second side electrodes. The electrode direction of the outer electrode layer 4 is set to the X direction, and the electrode array elements 41 are numbered from left to right in the order of X1, X2, X3...Xn. The ground electrode pulse is introduced into the Y direction, the positive electrode pulse is introduced into the X direction, and the X direction is connected to the ground electrode. The positive and ground electrode leads are used to control the array elements, and the addressable excitation can be performed on the rows and columns composed of the X and Y directions to achieve deep focusing in the near field, midfield and far field in the Y direction and focus deflection in the X direction, so as to obtain higher quality and more complete image information in medicine. The row and column addressed lead method can also well solve the problem of multi-element array leads.

[0050] In one embodiment of this case, a first matching layer, a second matching layer, and an acoustic lens 6 are sequentially stacked around the outer electrode layer 4. To meet the structural requirements of the ultrasonic endoscope system, the matching layer 5 and the acoustic lens 6 can be arranged around the outer electrode layer 4 to meet the structural requirements of the ultrasonic transducer. Of course, the stacking structure can be increased or decreased based on the actual structure of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0051] like Figure 5 and Figure 6 As shown, Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the arrangement structure of the ultrasonic endoscope system provided by the present invention; Figure 6 for Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the end structure of the ring array ultrasonic transducer.

[0052] Based on the ultrasonic transducer provided in the above embodiments, the present invention also provides an ultrasonic endoscope system, including an endoscopic ultrasonic excitation system 12, an optical imaging system 13, a display 51 and a puncture needle system 52. The puncture needle system 52 includes an insertion part 23 that can be inserted into the subject, a front hard part 20, a bending part 21 and a flexible tube part 22 arranged at the front end of the insertion part 23, and a ring array ultrasonic transducer 201 is arranged in the front hard part 20, and the ring array ultrasonic transducer 201 is provided with an ultrasonic transducer as provided in the above embodiments.

[0053] The end of the front hard part 20 is provided with a water spray hole 202, an air jet hole 203, and a puncture hole 204. The light source 205 provides lighting for the optical camera 206. When sampling, the front hard part 20 enters the subject, and the puncture needle 30 extends from the puncture hole 204 to take a biopsy sample.

[0054] Since the ultrasonic endoscope system adopts the ultrasonic transducer of the above embodiment, the beneficial effects of the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic endoscope system can be referred to the above embodiment.

[0055] In one embodiment of this invention, the endoscopic ultrasound excitation system includes a two-stage excitation system for stimulating the inner and outer electrode layers, respectively. By configuring the endoscopic ultrasound excitation system with a ground electrode excitation system and a positive electrode excitation system, the addressable excitation requirements for the inner and outer electrode layers are met, thus satisfying the 1.5D operation requirements of the ultrasonic endoscope system.

[0056] The above description of the disclosed embodiments is intended to enable one skilled in the art to implement or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown herein but is intended to conform to the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer, characterized in that: The ultrasonic wafer comprises an annular backing ring and an ultrasonic wafer attached to the outer circumference of the backing ring, wherein the inner ring of the ultrasonic wafer is provided with an inner electrode layer surrounding the outer circumference of the backing ring, and the outer ring of the ultrasonic wafer is provided with an outer electrode layer surrounding the circumference thereof; The electrodes of the inner electrode layer are arranged in the axial direction of the backing ring, and the electrodes of the outer electrode layer are arranged in the circumferential direction around the backing ring; The inner electrode layer includes a central electrode and a plurality of side electrodes symmetrically arranged on both sides of the central electrode; The width of the central electrode is arranged in proportion to the width of each of the side electrodes, and the width of the central electrode is twice the width of each of the side electrodes; A plurality of electrode array elements are arranged in parallel on the outer electrode layer, and an electrode lead is drawn out from each electrode array element. The electrodes of the outer electrode layer surround the circumference of the backing ring and are arranged perpendicularly to the axial electrodes of the inner electrode layer.

2. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that The side electrodes include a first side electrode and a second side electrode respectively close to the inner side and the outer side of the central electrode; The inner electrode layer includes a center lead wire led out from the center electrode, a first side lead wire led out from the first side electrode, and a second side lead wire led out from the second side electrode.

3. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that A ground electrode lead for applying an excitation electric field to the ultrasonic chip is led out from the inner electrode layer, and a positive electrode lead for applying an excitation electric field to the ultrasonic chip is led out from the outer electrode layer.

4. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that A plurality of electrode array elements are arranged in parallel on the outer electrode layer, and an electrode lead is drawn out from each of the electrode array elements.

5. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that The ultrasonic chip includes a plurality of long strip ultrasonic array elements arranged along the axial direction of the backing ring, and the plurality of ultrasonic array elements are evenly arranged around the circumference of the backing ring; The outer diameter of the ultrasonic chip is no more than 13 mm, and the center frequency of the ultrasonic chip is 3-15 MHz.

6. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that A first matching layer, a second matching layer and an acoustic lens are sequentially stacked on the periphery of the outer electrode layer.

7. An ultrasonic endoscope system, comprising an endoscope ultrasonic excitation system, an optical imaging system, a display, and a puncture needle system, wherein the puncture needle system comprises an insertion portion capable of being inserted into a subject, a front hard portion, a bending portion, and a flexible tube portion disposed at the front end of the insertion portion, wherein a ring array ultrasonic transducer is disposed within the front hard portion, and wherein: The ring array ultrasonic transducer is provided with the ultrasonic transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The ultrasonic endoscope system according to claim 7, wherein: The endoscope ultrasound excitation system includes a two-stage excitation system for respectively exciting the inner electrode layer and the outer electrode layer.

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