Ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system, comprising a multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array, a multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit, a multi-channel time-sharing multiplexing unit, a signal analysis processing module, and a lung point prompt unit. The ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system of the present invention adopts a flexible multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array to better fit the human body, controls the ultrasonic data entering the signal analysis processing module through the multi-channel time-sharing multiplexing unit, and uses a simple signal light to display the signal analysis processing module's judgment result on whether there is pleural sliding under the ultrasonic sensor array element, so that doctors can quickly find and mark the lung point of pneumothorax patients without using a display screen, thereby assisting in judging the location and volume of the pneumothorax.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of medical imaging, and in particular relates to an ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system. Background Art

[0002] Pneumothorax refers to the state of gas accumulation caused by the entry of gas into the pleural cavity. It is usually caused by lung disease or external force, which causes the rupture of lung tissue and visceral pleura, or the rupture of tiny emphysematous bubbles near the surface of the lung, and the air in the lung and bronchi escapes into the pleural cavity. Pneumothorax caused by chest wall or lung trauma is called traumatic pneumothorax, and spontaneous pneumothorax caused by spontaneous rupture of lung tissue due to disease is called spontaneous pneumothorax. Spontaneous pneumothorax is more common in young and middle-aged men or those with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and tuberculosis. Pneumothorax is one of the pulmonary emergencies. In severe cases, it can be life-threatening, but it can be cured with timely treatment.

[0003] At present, the main imaging methods for pneumothorax diagnosis are chest X-ray and CT. However, chest X-ray is a projection imaging, which is easy to cause missed diagnosis. CT is the gold standard for pneumothorax diagnosis, especially for small pneumothorax, localized pneumothorax, and the differentiation of bullae from pneumothorax is more sensitive and accurate than X-ray chest X-ray. However, CT has strong radioactivity, long diagnosis time, and large size, which cannot be widely used. In recent years, ultrasound has also been used for pneumothorax diagnosis and has achieved good results. Pneumothorax can be diagnosed by observing signs such as pleural sliding, B-line, and lung point. However, pneumothorax diagnosis is mostly performed in the emergency department. Due to the lack of basic knowledge and skills of emergency doctors in interpreting ultrasound images, the ultrasound diagnosis rate of pneumothorax is low, the efficiency is low, and the condition is easily delayed. Summary of the invention

[0004] In view of the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system and method, which adopts a flexible multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array to better fit the human body, controls the ultrasonic data entering the signal analysis and processing module through a multi-channel time-sharing multiplexing unit, and uses a simple signal light to display the signal analysis and processing module's judgment result on whether there is pleural sliding under the ultrasonic sensor array element, so that the doctor can quickly find and mark the lung point of the pneumothorax patient without using a display screen, thereby assisting in judging the location and volume of the pneumothorax.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, on the one hand, the present invention provides an ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system, comprising a multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array, a multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit, a multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit, a signal analysis and processing module, and a lung point prompt unit; wherein,

[0006] The multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit is used to transmit ultrasonic signals to the human body and receive ultrasonic signals reflected by the human body;

[0007] The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array includes 2 nan ultrasonic sensor array element, used for converting the ultrasonic signal reflected by the human body and received by the multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit into a digital signal for forming an ultrasonic image;

[0008] The multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit is used to control the on and off of each ultrasonic sensor array element in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array;

[0009] The signal analysis and processing module is used to determine whether there is pleural sliding in the ultrasound image below each ultrasound sensor array element according to the digital signal;

[0010] The lung point prompt unit is used to display the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module.

[0011] Furthermore, the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array is in a strip shape, and its width is smaller than or equal to the width between the ribs of the human body, that is, smaller than or equal to the distance between two adjacent upper and lower ribs of the human body.

[0012] Furthermore, the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array includes 4, 8, 16, 32, 64 or more ultrasonic sensor array elements, that is, n≧2. The specific number and arrangement of ultrasonic sensor array elements can be determined according to the size of the ultrasonic sensor and actual needs. For example, if the size of the ultrasonic sensor is small, more ultrasonic sensor array elements can be arranged, so the measurement of the lung point position is more accurate, but it will also increase the cost and measurement time, so a certain balance needs to be made between the two. Preferably, the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array includes 8, 16, and 32 ultrasonic sensor array elements as the best.

[0013] Furthermore, the base of the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array is made of flexible material, so that it can be bent to better fit the human chest. When in use, the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array is attached to the chest intercostal space. If the length of the array is shorter than the intercostal space length, the array can be slid along the intercostal space length to cover the entire intercostal space length.

[0014] Further, the ultrasonic sensor array element is an A-type ultrasonic sensor, and its working mode is an M-ultrasound mode, and the ultrasonic image formed is an M-ultrasound image. The signal analysis and processing module determines whether there is pleural sliding under the current ultrasonic sensor array element by intelligently identifying the M-ultrasound image. Regarding the method for judging whether there is pleural sliding, Chinese patent application CN112801954A has a detailed description. Simply put, if there is only a seashore sign in the M-ultrasound image, there is pleural sliding under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor array element (i.e., normal situation); if there is only a barcode sign, there is no pleural sliding under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor array element (i.e., pneumothorax); if there are both a beach sign and a barcode sign, there is a lung point under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor array element; if it is found that the M-ultrasound images under two adjacent ultrasonic sensor array elements show different signs, the middle position of the two ultrasonic sensor array elements is marked as the lung point, that is, the alternation of the beach sign and the barcode sign under the M-ultrasound image.

[0015] Furthermore, the multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit opens each ultrasonic sensor array element channel in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array in turn during detection, so that the ultrasonic digital signal of each ultrasonic sensor array element enters the signal analysis and processing module in turn for processing in a time-division manner, thus realizing the time-division multiplexing of the signal analysis and processing module. Therefore, the present invention only needs one analysis and processing module, which greatly saves costs; and because the analysis and processing module only needs to process the ultrasonic sensor array data of one channel each time, the data processing amount is small, and the performance requirements of the analysis and processing module are not high, which further reduces the cost of the present invention.

[0016] Furthermore, the analysis and processing module can also use the technology in Chinese invention patent application CN111297395A to assist in identifying the pleural line, so that it can only focus on the images below the pleural line, so as to further reduce the data processing volume of the analysis and processing module and effectively improve the recognition efficiency and accuracy of pleural sliding and disappearance of pleural sliding.

[0017] Furthermore, the lung point prompt unit includes a plurality of signal lights, which correspond one to one with the ultrasonic sensor array elements, and are used to display the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module on whether there is pleural sliding below the ultrasonic sensor array element. For example, if there is pleural sliding (beach sign) below the ultrasonic sensor array element, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a green light; if the pleural sliding below the ultrasonic sensor array element disappears (barcode sign), the corresponding signal light is displayed as a red light and an alarm is sounded; if there is both pleural sliding (beach sign) and disappearance of pleural sliding (barcode sign) below the ultrasonic sensor array element, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a yellow light to indicate that the position below the ultrasonic sensor array element is the lung point. In this way, the doctor can mark the yellow light position and the junction position of the green light and the red light as the lung point with a marker pen, so that the doctor can quickly find the lung point without using the ultrasonic image display screen, thereby assisting in judging the position and volume of the pneumothorax.

[0018] Further, the plurality of signal lights are arranged next to the corresponding plurality of ultrasonic sensors in a one-to-one correspondence.

[0019] On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for quickly marking the lung point position of a pneumothorax patient using the above-mentioned ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system, comprising the following steps:

[0020] (1) The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array is attached to a certain intercostal space of the pneumothorax patient, and the ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system is turned on. At this time, the multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit continuously transmits ultrasonic signals to the human body and receives ultrasonic signals reflected by the human body, while the multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit turns on each ultrasonic sensor element in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array in turn, so that the ultrasonic signal obtained by each ultrasonic sensor element enters the signal analysis and processing module in turn for processing to determine whether there is pleural sliding under each ultrasonic sensor element.

[0021] (2) The signal light of the lung point prompt unit displays whether there is pleural sliding under each ultrasonic sensor array element according to the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module. The doctor marks the lung point position on the pneumothorax patient according to the prompt of the signal light. For example, if there is pleural sliding (beach sign), the corresponding signal light is green; if the pleural sliding disappears (barcode sign), the corresponding signal light is red; if there is both pleural sliding (beach sign) and disappearance of pleural sliding (barcode sign), the corresponding signal light is yellow. The doctor can mark the yellow light position and the position between the green and red lights as the lung point position with a marker pen.

[0022] (3) Move the multi-channel ultrasound sensor array to other intercostal locations or other intercostal locations of the pneumothorax patient for measurement, and mark the location of the lung point; after all intercostal locations have been measured and marked, the marked areas can assist the doctor in determining the location and volume of the pneumothorax.

[0023] The beneficial technical effects of the present invention are at least manifested in the following aspects:

[0024] (1) The present invention adopts a flexible multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array to replace the traditional single ultrasonic probe, which can better fit the human body and detect an area while being stationary, so the detection efficiency and accuracy are higher.

[0025] (2) The present invention uses a multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit to control the switching of the ultrasonic sensor array element channels, so that the ultrasonic signal of each ultrasonic sensor array element enters the signal analysis and processing module in turn in time division for processing, thereby reducing the data processing volume and performance requirements of the analysis and processing module, thereby reducing the cost of the present invention.

[0026] (3) The present invention uses a simple signal light to display the signal analysis and processing module's judgment result on whether there is pleural sliding below the ultrasonic sensor array element, so that the doctor can quickly find and mark the lung point of the pneumothorax patient without using a display screen, thereby assisting in judging the location and volume of the pneumothorax. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 A-mode ultrasound images of the pleural sliding beach sign (a) and the pleural sliding disappearance barcode sign (b) in M ​​mode;

[0029] Figure 3 It is an A-mode ultrasound image in which the beach sign and barcode sign appear alternately in M ​​mode. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. The following embodiments are implemented on the premise of the technical solution of the present invention, and detailed implementation methods and specific operation processes are given, but the protection scope of the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments.

[0031] like Figure 1-3As shown, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system, comprising a multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1, a multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit, a multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit, a signal analysis and processing module, and a lung point prompt unit; wherein the multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit is used to transmit ultrasonic signals to the human body and receive ultrasonic signals reflected by the human body; the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 includes eight ultrasonic sensor array elements, which are used to convert the ultrasonic signals reflected by the human body and received by the multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit into digital signals for forming ultrasonic images; the multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit is used to control the on and off of each ultrasonic sensor array element in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1; the signal analysis and processing module is used to determine whether there is pleural sliding in the ultrasonic image below the ultrasonic sensor according to the digital signal; and the lung point prompt unit is used to display the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module.

[0032] The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 is in the shape of a strip, and its width is less than or equal to the width of the intercostal space 2 of the human body, that is, less than or equal to the distance between two adjacent ribs 3 of the upper and lower parts of the human body. The base of the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 is made of a flexible material, so that it can be bent to better fit the human chest. When in use, the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 is attached to the intercostal space 2 of the chest. If the length of the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 is shorter than the length of the intercostal space 2, the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 can be slid along the length direction of the intercostal space 2 to cover the entire length of the intercostal space 2.

[0033] The specific number and arrangement of the ultrasonic sensor array elements may be determined according to the size of the ultrasonic sensor and actual needs. For example, if the size of the ultrasonic sensor is small, more ultrasonic sensor array elements may be arranged, so that the measurement of the lung point position is more accurate, but it will also increase the cost and measurement time, so a certain balance needs to be struck between the two.

[0034] The ultrasonic sensor array element is an A-type ultrasonic sensor, and its working mode is an M-ultrasound mode, and the ultrasonic image formed is an M-ultrasound image. The signal analysis and processing module determines whether there is pleural sliding under the current ultrasonic sensor by intelligently identifying the M-ultrasound image. Regarding the method for judging whether there is pleural sliding, Chinese patent application CN112801954A has a detailed description. Simply put, if there is only a seashore sign in the M-ultrasound image, there is pleural sliding under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor (i.e., normal situation); if there is only a barcode sign, there is no pleural sliding under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor (i.e., pneumothorax); if there are both a beach sign and a barcode sign, there is a lung point under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor. In addition, if it is found that the M-ultrasound images under two adjacent ultrasonic sensors show different signs, the middle position of the two ultrasonic sensors is marked as the lung point, that is, the alternation of the beach sign and the barcode sign under the M-ultrasound image.

[0035] The multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit opens each ultrasonic sensor array element channel in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 in turn during detection, so that the ultrasonic signal of each ultrasonic sensor enters the signal analysis and processing module in turn in time division for processing, thus realizing the time-division multiplexing of the signal analysis and processing module. Therefore, the present invention only needs one analysis and processing module, which greatly saves costs; and because the analysis and processing module only needs to process the ultrasonic sensor data of one channel each time, the data processing amount is small, and the performance requirements of the analysis and processing module are not high, which further reduces the cost of the present invention.

[0036] The analysis and processing module can also use the technology in Chinese invention patent application CN111297395A to assist in identifying the pleural line, so that it can only focus on the images below the pleural line to further reduce the data processing volume of the analysis and processing module, and effectively improve the recognition efficiency and accuracy of pleural sliding and disappearance of pleural sliding.

[0037] The lung point prompt unit includes a plurality of signal lights, which are arranged one by one next to the corresponding plurality of ultrasonic sensors, and are used to display the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module on whether there is pleural sliding under the corresponding ultrasonic sensor. For example, if there is pleural sliding (beach sign) under the ultrasonic sensor, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a green light; if the pleural sliding disappears (barcode sign) under the ultrasonic sensor, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a red light and an alarm is sounded; if there is both pleural sliding (beach sign) and disappearance of pleural sliding (barcode sign) under the ultrasonic sensor, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a yellow light to indicate that the position under the ultrasonic sensor is the lung point. In this way, the doctor can mark the yellow light position and the junction position of the green light and the red light as the lung point with a marker pen, so that the doctor can quickly find the lung point without using the ultrasonic image display screen, thereby assisting in judging the position and volume of the pneumothorax.

[0038] The present invention also provides a method for quickly marking the lung point position of a pneumothorax patient using the ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system, comprising the following steps:

[0039] (1) The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 is attached to a certain intercostal space 2 of the pneumothorax patient, and the ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system is turned on. At this time, the multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit continuously transmits ultrasonic signals to the human body and receives ultrasonic signals reflected by the human body, while the multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit turns on each ultrasonic sensor array element in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array 1 in turn, so that the ultrasonic signal obtained by each ultrasonic sensor array element enters the signal analysis and processing module in turn for processing to determine whether there is pleural sliding under each ultrasonic sensor.

[0040] (2) The signal light of the lung point prompt unit indicates whether there is pleural sliding under each ultrasound sensor according to the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module. The doctor marks the lung point position on the pneumothorax patient according to the prompt of the signal light. For example, if there is pleural sliding (beach sign), the corresponding signal light is green; if the pleural sliding disappears (barcode sign), the corresponding signal light is red; if there is both pleural sliding (beach sign) and disappearance of pleural sliding (barcode sign), the corresponding signal light is yellow. The doctor can mark the yellow light position and the position between the green and red lights as the lung point position with a marker pen.

[0041] (3) The multi-channel ultrasound sensor array 1 is moved to other positions of the intercostal space 2 of the pneumothorax patient or other intercostal spaces 2 for measurement, and the position of the lung point is marked; after all intercostal spaces 2 are measured and marked, the marked area can assist the doctor in determining the position and volume of the pneumothorax.

[0042] The preferred specific embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above. It should be understood that ordinary technicians in the field can make many modifications and changes based on the concept of the present invention without creative work. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by technicians in the technical field based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning or limited experiments on the basis of the prior art should be within the scope of protection determined by the claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system, characterized in that: It includes a multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array, a multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit, a multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit, a signal analysis and processing module, and a lung point prompt unit; wherein, The multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit is used to transmit ultrasonic signals to the human body and receive ultrasonic signals reflected by the human body; The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array comprises 2 n The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array comprises an ultrasonic sensor array element, which is used to convert the ultrasonic signal reflected by the human body and received by the multi-channel ultrasonic signal transceiver unit into a digital signal for forming an ultrasonic image; the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array is in a strip shape, and its width is less than or equal to the distance between two adjacent upper and lower ribs of the human body; the base of the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array is made of a flexible material; The multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit is used to control the on and off of each ultrasonic sensor array element in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array; the multi-channel time-division multiplexing unit sequentially opens each ultrasonic sensor array element channel in the multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array during detection, so that the digital signal of each ultrasonic sensor array element sequentially enters the signal analysis and processing module for processing in a time-division manner; The signal analysis and processing module is used to determine whether there is pleural sliding in the ultrasound image below each ultrasound sensor array element according to the digital signal; The lung point prompt unit is used to display the judgment result of the signal analysis and processing module; the lung point prompt unit includes multiple signal lights, and the multiple signal lights are arranged one by one next to the corresponding multiple ultrasonic sensor array elements; if there is pleural sliding under the ultrasonic sensor array element, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a green light; if the pleural sliding under the ultrasonic sensor array element disappears, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a red light; if there is both pleural sliding and disappearance of pleural sliding under the ultrasonic sensor array element, the corresponding signal light is displayed as a yellow light.

2. The ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The multi-channel ultrasonic sensor array includes 4, 8, 16, 32 or 64 ultrasonic sensor array elements.

3. The ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic sensor array element is an A-type ultrasonic sensor, its working mode is an M-ultrasound mode, and the ultrasonic image formed is an M-ultrasound image.

4. The ultrasonic pneumothorax rapid detection and analysis system according to claim 1, characterized in that: When making a judgment, the analysis and processing module first identifies the pleural line in the ultrasound image, and then only makes a judgment on the ultrasound image below the pleural line.

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