Elasticity detection vibration device, probe, method and system

Abstract

The present invention provides an elastic detection vibration device, including a first vibration part and a driving part, and also including an adjusting part that can be selectively fixed to the first vibration part. When the adjusting part is fixed to the first vibration part, the two constitute a second vibration part, and the upper end surface of the second vibration part is jointly constituted by the upper end surface of the adjusting part and the upper end surface of the first vibration part, or the upper end surface of the second vibration part is constituted by the upper end surface of the adjusting part alone; when the adjusting part is not fixed to the first vibration part, the driving part is used to drive the first vibration part to vibrate; when the adjusting part is fixed to the first vibration part, the driving part is used to drive the second vibration part to vibrate. The above elastic detection vibration device only needs one elastic detection vibration device to solve the problem of requiring multiple elastic detection probes of different models in conventional transient elastic imaging, effectively reducing the economic cost of transient elastic imaging detection; the present invention provides an elastic detection probe, method and system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ultrasound and medical equipment, and in particular to an elastic detection vibration device, an elastic detection probe including the elastic detection vibration device, a control method and an elastic detection system. Background Art

[0002] Clinical practice has found that changes in the hardness or elasticity of biological tissues are often closely related to the degree of tissue lesions. Elastography has important research significance in the early diagnosis of soft tissue lesions. As a liver disease detection technology, transient elastography (TE) is non-invasive, rapid, and quantitative. It can provide an effective tool for early screening, diagnosis, and treatment evaluation of liver disease for people with chronic liver disease. It solves the problems of trauma and inaccuracy of traditional diagnostic methods and has broad application prospects. At present, due to its accuracy in diagnosing the degree of fibrosis, it has been recommended by major global liver disease guidelines, including the World Health Organization.

[0003] The principle of transient elastography is to determine the hardness of the liver by measuring the propagation speed of low-frequency shear waves in liver tissue fibers, thereby evaluating the degree of liver fibrosis. Conventional transient elastography uses different elastic detection handles for patients of different body types. The three types of handles currently used are: S, M, and XL. The top structure size of the S-type elastic detection handle is 5mm, which is mainly used for elastic detection of children (children have narrow rib gaps); the M-type is mainly for elastic detection of regular adults. Considering the rib gap and elastic detection effect of adults, the top structure size of the M-type elastic detection handle is set to 7mm; the XL-type elastic detection handle is mainly for elastic detection of obese patients. Increasing the size of its top structure increases the detection depth to a certain extent, which improves the detection depth effect.

[0004] However, in conventional transient elastic imaging technology, when testing patients with different degrees of obesity, it is necessary to switch elastic testing handles of different sizes or shapes, so that hospitals need to purchase multiple elastic testing handles of different models to meet the clinical needs of testing different types of patients, resulting in high costs. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an elasticity detection vibration device to solve the problem of high cost of the existing transient elastic imaging detection technology.

[0006] The present invention provides an elastic detection vibration device, comprising a first vibration part and a driving part, and also comprising an adjustment part that can be selectively fixed to the first vibration part, when the adjustment part is fixed to the first vibration part, the two constitute a second vibration part, the upper end surface of the second vibration part is jointly constituted by the upper end surface of the adjustment part and the upper end surface of the first vibration part, or the upper end surface of the second vibration part is solely constituted by the upper end surface of the adjustment part; when the adjustment part is not fixed to the first vibration part, the driving part is used to drive the first vibration part to vibrate; when the adjustment part is fixed to the first vibration part, the driving part is used to drive the second vibration part to vibrate.

[0007] The above-mentioned elasticity detection vibration device is provided with a selectively fixable adjustment part at the head end of the first vibration part. The adjustment part is fixed to the end of the elasticity detection vibration device to change the size of the end of the elasticity detection vibration device, thereby meeting different clinical practical needs. Ultimately, only one elasticity detection vibration device is needed to solve the problem of requiring multiple elasticity detection probes of different models in conventional transient elastic imaging, thereby effectively reducing the economic cost of transient elastic imaging detection.

[0008] Furthermore, there are one or more adjusting parts.

[0009] Furthermore, the adjusting part has a containing cavity, and at least a part of the upper end of the first vibration part is located in the containing cavity of one of the adjusting parts.

[0010] Furthermore, the accommodating cavity of the adjusting portion is a through cavity, and the upper end surface of the first vibration portion and the upper end surface of the adjusting portion are planar or approximately planar.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper end surface of the first vibration part is any one of circular, elliptical, square and rectangular.

[0012] Furthermore, the upper end surface of the adjusting portion is annular.

[0013] Furthermore, the longitudinal section of the adjusting portion is in an inverted U-shape or a convex shape, and the area of ​​the upper end surface of the adjusting portion is different from the area of ​​the upper end surface of the first vibration portion.

[0014] Furthermore, the adjusting part and the first vibrating part are fixed by screw fixing, snap fixing, or magnetic fixing.

[0015] Furthermore, the adjustment part has a uniform thickness, is located on the upper end surface of the first vibration part, has an upper end surface area different from that of the first vibration part, and the corresponding portion of the adjustment part and the upper end surface of the first vibration part is made of sound-transparent material.

[0016] Furthermore, in the second vibration part, the contact between the first vibration part and the adjustment part is tightly fitted; when there are multiple adjustment parts, the contact between the adjustment parts is tightly fitted.

[0017] Furthermore, a coupling member is provided between the adjusting part and the first vibrating part.

[0018] Furthermore, an identification portion is provided on the adjusting portion, and the identification portion is used to identify the size of the adjusting portion.

[0019] Furthermore, the first vibrating part is an ultrasonic transducer, and the first vibrating part is also used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals.

[0020] Furthermore, it also includes an ultrasonic transducer, which is arranged inside or below the first vibration part.

[0021] Furthermore, at least a portion of the first vibration portion and the second vibration portion located at the front end of the ultrasonic transducer detection surface is a sound-transmitting structure.

[0022] Further, when the ultrasonic transducer is disposed below the first vibrating portion, the first vibrating portion / the second vibrating portion is directly or indirectly connected to the ultrasonic transducer.

[0023] Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer is a multi-element ultrasonic transducer.

[0024] Further, when the first vibration part is directly connected to the ultrasonic transducer, the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer is fully or partially covered by the lower end of the first vibration part.

[0025] Furthermore, when the first vibration part is indirectly connected to the ultrasonic transducer, a connecting piece is provided between the first vibration part and the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer, and the connecting piece is made of a sound-transparent material.

[0026] Furthermore, the first vibration part is arranged coaxially with the ultrasonic transducer.

[0027] Furthermore, the first vibration part and the adjustment part are arranged coaxially.

[0028] Furthermore, the width of the upper end surface of the first vibration part or the second vibration part is 5-15 mm.

[0029] Furthermore, the first vibration part is column-shaped or table-shaped.

[0030] Further, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates synchronously with the ultrasonic transducer.

[0031] Further, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates synchronously with the ultrasonic transducer, or the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates independently.

[0032] Furthermore, the bandwidth of the ultrasonic transducer ranges from 1 MHz to 40 MHz.

[0033] Further, the shape of the adjusting portion matches the shape of at least a portion of the first vibrating portion.

[0034] The present invention also provides an elastic detection probe, comprising the elastic detection vibration device as described in any one of the above items, and also comprising an elastic detection handle shell, wherein the elastic detection vibration device is at least partially located in the elastic detection handle shell.

[0035] Furthermore, the first vibration part or the second vibration part is movably fixed to the elastic detection handle housing in a sealed manner.

[0036] Furthermore, it also includes a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure of the contact surface between the first vibration part, the second vibration part and the measured medium.

[0037] The present invention also provides an elasticity detection method, using any of the elasticity detection probes described above to perform elasticity detection, the method comprising:

[0038] Step 1: According to the target to be detected, selectively install the adjustment part to adjust the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device to form the first vibration part or the second vibration part;

[0039] Step 2: After the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected to excite shear waves;

[0040] Step 3: Using the ultrasonic transducer to track and detect the shear wave to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;

[0041] Step 4: Analyze the ultrasonic echo signal to extract structural information and characteristic information of the target to be detected, wherein the characteristic information includes at least one of shear wave velocity, liver fat content, and viscoelasticity of the target to be detected;

[0042] Step 5: Display the structural information and characteristic information.

[0043] Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer is turned on to track and detect the shear wave before, during, or after the first vibrating part or the second vibrating part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected.

[0044] Furthermore, after the upper end surface size of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the pressure value between the first vibration part or the second vibration part and the target to be detected is judged. If the set value condition is met, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected; if the set value is not met, the pressure value between the first vibration part or the second vibration part and the target to be detected is adjusted to meet the set value condition, and the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected.

[0045] Furthermore, the third step also includes, before the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave, automatically identifying the upper end surface size of the first vibration part or the second vibration part, and loading the emission center frequency of the second array of the ultrasonic transducer according to the upper end surface size.

[0046] Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave, which means that the second array of the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave.

[0047] The present invention also provides an elasticity detection system, comprising any of the elasticity detection probes described above, and also comprising a signal processing device, a control device, and a display device;

[0048] The signal processing device is connected to the control device and is used to process the received ultrasonic signal to obtain the structural information and characteristic information of the tissue to be detected;

[0049] The control device is used to control the ultrasonic transducer of the elastic detection probe to send and receive signals, and to control the first vibration part or the second vibration part to vibrate;

[0050] The display device is used to display the structural information and characteristic information. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0053] Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0054] Figure 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0055] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention

[0056] Figure 6is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0057] Figure 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0059] Fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0060] Fig.10 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Fig.11 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0062] Fig.12 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0063] Fig.13 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] Fig.14 A schematic diagram of the structure of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention

[0065] Fig.15 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Fig.16 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] Fig.17 is a schematic structural diagram of an elasticity detection probe in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0068] Fig.18 is a schematic structural diagram of a first vibrating portion and an adjusting portion in an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0069] Fig.19 is a schematic structural diagram of an adjusting portion in an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0070] Fig. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional structural diagram of a first vibrating portion and an ultrasonic transducer in an elasticity detection vibration device in another embodiment of the present invention;

[0071] Fig.21is a flow chart of an elasticity detection method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] Description of main component symbols:

[0073] First vibration part 10 Sealing rubber ring 34 Elastic test handle housing 60 Drive unit 20 Ultrasonic transducer 40 Connectors 70 Adjustment Department 30 Elastic medium 50 Coupling 80

[0074] The following specific implementation manner will further illustrate the present invention in conjunction with the above-mentioned drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0075] In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. Several embodiments of the present invention are provided in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0076] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be a central element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be a central element at the same time. The terms "vertical", "horizontal", "left", "right" and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only.

[0077] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0078] See also Figure 1 A first embodiment of the present invention provides an elastic detection vibration device, comprising a first vibration part 10 and a driving part 20, and also comprising an adjusting part 30 that can be selectively fixed to the first vibration part 10. When the adjusting part 30 and the first vibration part 10 are fixed, the two constitute a second vibration part. The upper end surface of the second vibration part is jointly constituted by the upper end surface of the adjusting part 30 and the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10. When the adjusting part 30 is not fixed to the first vibration part 10, the driving part 20 is used to drive the first vibration part 10 to vibrate; when the adjusting part 30 and the first vibration part 10 are fixed, the driving part 20 is used to drive the second vibration part to vibrate.

[0079] Specifically, when the upper end surface of the second vibration part is composed of the upper end surface of the adjustment part 30 and the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10, there is a through cavity in the middle of the detachable adjustment part 30, and the through cavity is used to accommodate at least a part of the upper end structure of the first vibration part 10. The upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 is circular, and can also be other shapes, such as any one of an ellipse, a square, and a rectangle. The shape of the adjustment part 30 matches the shape of at least a part of the first vibration part 10: when the first vibration part 10 is columnar or table-shaped, the adjustment part 30 as a whole can be a ring of a corresponding shape.

[0080] In this embodiment, the adjusting part 30 is in the shape of a circular cylinder, and the upper end surface of the adjusting part 30 is in the shape of a ring. The upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 is in a plane or a nearly plane with the upper end surface of the adjusting part 30. When the adjusting part 30 is installed together with the first vibration part 10, the upper end surface of the adjusting part 30 is kept in the same plane or a nearly plane with the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 to form an integral plane or a nearly plane, and the plane or the nearly plane formed by the combination becomes the upper end surface of the second vibration part. In the formed second vibration part, the first vibration part 10 and the adjusting part 30 are closely fitted at the contact point. After the adjusting part 30 is added, it and the first vibration part 10 together constitute the second vibration part, and the upper end surface size of the vibration part (the first vibration part and the second vibration part can both be called the vibration part) can be changed from the original d0 to d1 (based on the fact that the first vibration part 10 is cylindrical and the adjusting part is in the shape of a circular cylinder). The adjusting part 30 and the first vibration part 10 are coaxially arranged with the central axis of the first vibration part 10. When the adjusting part 30 is not fixed to the first vibrating part 10, the driving part 20 is used to drive the first vibrating part 10 to vibrate; when the adjusting part 30 is fixed to the first vibrating part 10, the driving part 20 is used to drive the second vibrating part to vibrate (because the adjusting part 30 is fixed to the first vibrating part 10 at this time, the driving of the second vibrating part can be achieved by driving the first vibrating part 10 or / and driving the adjusting part 30).

[0081] The elastic detection vibration device is provided with a selectively fixed adjustment part 30 at the head end of the first vibration part 10, and the number of the adjustment parts is one or more. When the adjustment parts are more than one, the upper end surface size of each adjustment part is different. The upper end surface size of each adjustment part (for example, when the adjustment part is annular, it refers to the difference between the inner and outer radius of the annular ring) is between 1mm and 10mm, so that in use, through the cooperation of the first vibration part 10 and the corresponding adjustment part, a vibration part size suitable for the target to be detected (for example, the upper surface of the skin of a child, an adult, or an obese person) is formed. By fixing the adjustment part 30 to the end of the elastic detection vibration device to change the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device, different clinical practical needs are met, and finally, only one elastic detection vibration device is needed to solve the problem of requiring multiple elastic detection probes of different models in conventional transient elastic imaging, which effectively reduces the economic cost of transient elastic imaging detection.

[0082] See also Figure 2 , Figure 3 , Figure 4 The elastic detection vibration device provided by the second and third embodiments of the present invention, the difference between the second, third and fourth embodiments and the first embodiment is that, in the second, third and fourth embodiments, the upper end surface of the second vibration part is independently constituted by the upper end surface of the adjustment part 30; the longitudinal section of the adjustment part 30 is inverted U-shaped ( Figure 2 as shown), or convex ( Figure 3 as shown), or in one-line ( Figure 4 As shown in the figure, the area of ​​the upper end surface of the adjusting portion 30 is different from the area of ​​the upper end surface of the first vibration portion 10; the upper end of the adjusting portion 30 has a uniform thickness, the adjusting portion 30 is at least partially located on the upper end surface of the first vibration portion 10, and the portion of the adjusting portion 30 corresponding to the upper end surface of the first vibration portion 10 is made of sound-transparent material.

[0083] Specifically, when the selectively detachably fixed adjustment part 30 and the first vibration part 10 constitute the second vibration part, the upper end surface of the second vibration part can also be constituted by the upper end surface of the adjustment part 30 alone (such as Figure 2-Figure 4 The longitudinal section of the adjusting portion 30 is in an inverted U-shape (eg Figure 2 ), or convex (such as Figure 3 ), or a straight line ( Figure 4 The area of ​​the upper end surface of the adjusting portion 30 is different from the area of ​​the upper end surface of the first vibration portion 10 . Figure 2 , 3In the embodiment, the adjusting part 30 has a receiving cavity, and at least a portion of the upper end of the first vibration part 10 is located in the receiving cavity of one of the adjusting parts 30. Specifically, the adjusting part 30 can completely cover the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 and wrap at least the upper end portion of the first vibration part 10 (such as Figure 2 and Figure 3 ), or it may wrap the entire first vibration part 10 (not shown), and the adjustment part 30 and the first vibration part 10 are installed and fixed to form a second vibration part.

[0084] In one embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal section of the adjusting portion 30 is in the shape of a straight line (eg Figure 4 ), the adjusting part 30 has a uniform thickness, the adjusting part 30 is located on the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10, the upper end surface area of ​​the adjusting part 30 is different from the upper end surface area of ​​the first vibration part 10, and the corresponding part of the adjusting part 30 and the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 is made of sound-transmitting material. The upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 and the adjusting part 30 are tightly fixed at the contact point, which is conducive to the propagation of ultrasonic signals between the first vibration part 10 and the adjusting part 30.

[0085] See also Figure 2-Figure 4 The upper end surface of the second vibration part formed is entirely composed of the upper end surface of the adjustment part 30. The upper end surface of the adjustment part 30 refers to the smallest cross-sectional area of ​​the upper end of the adjustment part 30. Specifically, when the adjustment part 30 is a convex shape, the upper end surface of the adjustment part 30 is the upper end surface of the convex part. Figure 3 As shown. At least the upper end of the adjustment part 30 and the area corresponding to the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 are made of sound-transparent material. Only sound-transparent material can allow ultrasonic signals to propagate from the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10, which is helpful to realize the detection of shear wave signals generated in the target to be detected when the first vibration part 10 vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected by using ultrasonic signals. Specifically, in the second vibration part, the contact between the first vibration part 10 and the adjustment part 30 is tightly fitted; the adjustment part 30 can be separately arranged in front of the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 and fixed by sound-transparent bonding. The upper end surface size of the adjustment part 30 can be larger than the upper end surface size d0 of the first vibration part (such as Figure 2 ), or smaller than the upper end surface size of the first vibration part 10 (as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4 By installing and removing the adjustment parts with different shapes and upper end surface sizes, the size of the upper end surface of the vibration part can be adjusted.

[0086] It should be noted that the adjustment of the size of the upper end surface of the second vibration part can be achieved by combining multiple adjustment parts 30, that is, in order to achieve the required size of the upper end surface of the vibration part, multiple adjustment parts 30 can be used at the same time, for example, two adjustment parts 30 are installed and used at the same time, see Figure 5 , to meet the requirements for the size of the upper end surface of the second vibrating part. When there are multiple adjusting parts 30, the first vibrating part 10 and the adjacent adjusting parts fit closely, and the contact parts of the adjacent two adjusting parts 30 fit closely.

[0087] In one embodiment of the present invention, please refer to Figure 5 , the upper end surface size of the first vibration part 10 is d0. If the size of the upper end surface of the second vibration part is to be adjusted to d2, two annular columnar adjustment parts 30 can be combined and fixed together with the first vibration part in a nested manner. The upper end surfaces of the two adjustment parts 30 and the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 together constitute the upper end surface size d2 of the second vibration part (such as Figure 5 ). Similarly, two "inverted U-shaped" adjustment parts can also be used in the form of overlapping caps (such as Figure 6 ), and the desired size requirement of the upper end face of the second vibration part is achieved by using them at the same time. At this time, the size of the upper end face of the second vibration part is the size of the upper end face of the outer layer adjustment part. When there are multiple adjustment parts 30, the first vibration part 10 and the adjacent adjustment parts fit closely, and the contact parts of the adjacent two adjustment parts 30 fit closely.

[0088] The adjusting part 30 and the first vibrating part 10 are fixed together, and under the action of the driving part 20, the two are driven synchronously together. The fixing method of the adjusting part 30 and the first vibrating part 10 is spiral fixing (such as Figure 7 ), snap-on fixing (such as Figure 8 ), or magnetic fixation, magnetic fixation.

[0089] Specifically, Figure 7 As shown, a male thread is provided at the place where the lower end of the adjusting part 30 contacts the outer wall of the first vibrating part 10, and a female thread is provided at the position corresponding to the first vibrating part 10, so that the adjusting part 30 and the first vibrating part 10 are fixed together by rotation. When this threaded installation is adopted, the adjusting part 30 is required to be symmetrical in shape of the rotation axis.

[0090] In addition, the adjusting part 30 can also be installed in a snap-fit ​​manner, in which case the adjusting part 30 is not required to be symmetrical about the rotation axis. For example, holes are provided on both sides of the adjusting part 30, and a protrusion is provided at the position corresponding to the first vibration part 10, and the adjusting part 30 can be fixedly installed by snapping the holes with the protrusion of the first vibration part. Figure 8 shown.

[0091] Figure 1-Figure 4 In the embodiment, the first vibration part 10 itself is an ultrasonic transducer; of course, the ultrasonic transducer 40 can also be arranged inside the first vibration part 10, such as Fig. 20 As shown, at this time, at least the portion of the first vibration part 10 located at the front end of the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is a sound-permeable structure; it can be understood that in other cases of the present invention with an ultrasonic transducer, at least the portion of the first vibration part 10 located at the front end of the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is a sound-permeable structure.

[0092] When the ultrasonic transducer 40 is disposed below the first vibration part 10 , the first vibration part 10 is directly or indirectly connected to the ultrasonic transducer 40 .

[0093] See also Fig. 9 , Fig.10 In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic detection vibration device further includes an ultrasonic transducer 40, and the ultrasonic transducer 40 is disposed below the first vibration part 10, and the ultrasonic transducer 40 is directly contacted and fixed with the first vibration part 10 (for example, the first vibration part 10 is directly attached to the upper surface of the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40). Specifically, the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is fully or partially covered by the lower end of the first vibration part 10. For example, in FIG. 9 , a portion of the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is contacted and covered by the first vibration part 10, while Fig.10 In the embodiment, the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is completely contacted and covered by the first vibration part 10. Based on the direct contact connection between the first vibration part 10 and the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40, when generating shear waves, the driver drives the vibration part (the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part) to vibrate synchronously with the ultrasonic transducer 40.

[0094] Fig.11 , Fig.12 Another embodiment of the present invention is shown, in which the fixation between the vibration part 10 and the ultrasonic transducer 40 is an indirect connection, more specifically, the vibration part 10 and the ultrasonic transducer 40 are indirectly connected through a connecting piece. Based on the indirect connection between the first vibration part 10 and the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40, when generating shear waves, the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part and the ultrasonic transducer 40 vibrate synchronously, or the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part 40 vibrates alone.

[0095] Specifically, Fig.11 , 12 and Fig. 9 , and 10 are different in that Fig.11 , 12The elastic detection vibration device shown also has a connector 70. The connector 70 is a deformable sound-permeable medium. The connector 70 has sound-permeable, deformable, elastic and retractable properties. Further, the connector 70 can be a synthetic polymer of polyacrylamide gel; or the connector 70 is a cavity, and the cavity contains a sound-permeable medium. The sound-permeable medium can also be a sound-permeable liquid, such as water, glycerin and other media in which ultrasonic signals can propagate. The outer upper surface of the cavity at least encloses the edge of the vibration part 10 and the ultrasonic transducer 40 and is composed of an elastic membrane. The elastic membrane located on the ultrasonic propagation channel of the ultrasonic transducer 40 has a sound-permeable property.

[0096] Fig.11 , 12 The elastic detection vibration device of the embodiment in the embodiment may be optionally provided with a fixing part (not shown). When the fixing part is provided, the ultrasonic transducer 40 is fixed on the fixing part, so that during the vibration of the vibration part, the ultrasonic transducer 40 remains stationary (i.e., the vibration part vibrates alone). When the vibration part vibrates, the distance between it and the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer will change. With the help of the sound-transmissive deformable elastic property of the connecting member 70, even if the distance between the vibration part and the ultrasonic transducer 40 changes, the connection between them can still be maintained, ensuring that the ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 40 is smoothly transmitted through the connecting member 70. The ultrasonic transducer can be fixed to the elastic detection handle housing 50 by a fixing frame (not shown in the figure). It can be further understood that, by utilizing the connecting function of the first connecting member, the ultrasonic transducer can track and detect the shear wave generated by the vibration of the vibration part in a static state, thereby improving the accuracy of transient elastic imaging detection and realizing transient elastic detection of the shallow depth position (within 2 cm) of the target to be detected (if the ultrasonic transducer participates in the vibration to generate shear waves, that is, the ultrasonic transducer either detects while vibrating or detects after stopping vibration. When the ultrasonic transducer detects while vibrating, it is necessary to perform motion compensation processing on the subsequent collected signals. The motion compensation processing is to remove the influence of the vibration of the ultrasonic transducer itself on the collected signals through an algorithm; when the ultrasonic transducer vibrates and then detects, the shear wave generated by the vibration has propagated to a certain depth inside the tissue, so it is impossible to realize transient elastic imaging detection of shallow tissue). It can be understood that at least the part of the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part located at the front end of the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is a sound-permeable structure. This is because ultrasonic imaging can only be performed if the imaging surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 (ultrasonic signal propagation area) is made of acoustically transparent material.

[0097] It should be noted that when the ultrasonic transducer 40 is disposed below the first vibration part 10, the vibration part 10 and the ultrasonic transducer 40 may be fixed in a direct connection or an indirect connection. The vibration part 10 is at least located in the ultrasonic signal propagation area of ​​the ultrasonic transducer and is made of a sound-transparent material to perform ultrasonic imaging.

[0098] When the ultrasonic transducer 40 is arranged below the first vibration part 10, the ultrasonic transducer is usually a multi-element ultrasonic transducer. Each element can work independently, that is, to realize the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic transducer 40 can be a phased array, a convex array, a linear array or other types of transducers. The bandwidth range of the ultrasonic transducer 40 is 1MHz to 40MHz. The ultrasonic transmission frequency of the ultrasonic element can be changed and switched according to actual clinical needs. The ultrasonic transducer 40 has a two-dimensional imaging function, which can realize the image guidance function required for transient elastic imaging. The image guidance function can be used to avoid those areas in the liver that are not suitable for transient elastic detection, such as large blood vessels, cysts, etc.; the two-dimensional imaging area realized by the ultrasonic transducer 40 will be limited to a certain extent by the size limit of the upper end face of the second vibration component, but it also has an image guidance function to a certain extent. In one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer 40 has a first array and a second array; the first array is used for ultrasonic grayscale imaging, and the anatomical structure of the target to be detected can be observed through the ultrasonic grayscale imaging. The first array is most of the array elements or all of the array elements of the ultrasonic transducer 40. The second array is a small part of the array elements of the ultrasonic transducer 40, which is one array element or multiple array elements. The center of the second array is directly opposite to the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part, that is, the upper end surface of the first vibration part or the upper end surface of the second vibration part is directly opposite to the center position of the second array. The second array is used to track and detect the propagation of shear waves generated by vibration.

[0099] It should be noted that when the adjustment part has a through-cavity structure, the adjustment part 30 may not be required to have sound permeability characteristics. Fig. 9As shown. In this case, the adjustment part 30 is arranged around the first vibration part 10. The ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 40 can only be transmitted to the inside of the target to be detected through the first vibration part 10. Even if the adjustment part 30 does not have the sound transmission characteristic, the ultrasonic transducer 40 can still be used for two-dimensional imaging, but the size of the two-dimensional imaging is limited by the size of the end of the first vibration part 10. In order to further improve and expand the imaging range of the ultrasonic transducer 40, the adjustment part 30 is further set to have the sound transmission characteristic, and the lower end of the adjustment part 30 is kept connected to the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40, because only by maintaining the connection can the ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 40 have the opportunity to propagate to the adjustment part and even to the target to be detected.

[0100] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Fig. 9 and Fig.10 The first vibration part 10 and the adjusting part 30 are in close contact. The adjusting part 30 is a sound-permeable structure, and the lower end of the adjusting part 30 is in close contact with the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 ( Fig. 9 ); or, the lower end of the adjustment portion 30 is closely fitted and fixed to the surface shape of the first vibration portion 10 ( Fig.10 Only when they are tightly fitted and fixed, the ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 40 can be smoothly transmitted.

[0101] In other embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 9 and Fig.10 As shown, the ultrasonic transducer 40 is a multi-element ultrasonic transducer, and the first vibration part 10 is arranged at the front end of the ultrasonic transducer 40. The surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 can be completely covered by the first vibration part 10, or it can be partially covered. When the ultrasonic transducer 40 is partially covered, after the adjustment part 30 is fixed to the first vibration part 10, the lower end of the adjustment part 30 should be connected with the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40, and the connection is conducive to the propagation of the ultrasonic signal. When the first vibration part 10 is completely covered on the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40, at least part of the lower end of the fixed adjustment part 30 (the lower end at the tangent position to the imaging surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40) should match the shape of the first vibration part 10 and be connected in a close connection, which is also to allow the ultrasonic signal to propagate unimpeded to the tissue to be detected, and to achieve the image guidance function of two-dimensional imaging.

[0102] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 13-Figure 15In order to better ensure that the adjusting part 30 is closely fitted to the first vibration part 10 or to the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40, a coupling member 80 is provided in at least a partial area between the adjusting part 30 and the first vibration part 10 or between the outer wall of the first vibration part 10 and the adjusting part.

[0103] Specifically, when the ultrasonic transducer 40 is disposed below the first vibration part 10 and is a multi-element ultrasonic transducer, in order to realize the imaging function of the multi-element ultrasonic transducer 40, the ultrasonic signal emitted by the ultrasonic transducer 40 needs to smoothly penetrate the first vibration part 10 and the adjustment part 30 to propagate into the target to be detected. The purpose of setting the coupling member 80 is to achieve seamless fixation between the adjustment part 30 and the first vibration part 10, which is conducive to the propagation of ultrasonic signals. The coupling member 80 can be disposed between the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 and the adjustment part 30 ( Fig.15 ), or may be disposed between the outer wall of the first vibration part 10 and the adjustment part 30 ( Fig.13 , Fig.14 ). Considering that the function of the coupling member 80 is to allow the ultrasonic signal to pass smoothly, it only needs to be set in the ultrasonic signal propagation area, and such settings are all for realizing or optimizing the propagation of the ultrasonic signal on the path at that location. The coupling member 80 is made of a sound-permeable material. The coupling member 80 has sound-permeable properties and can be squeezed and deformed. For example, it can be a capsule structure made of an elastic membrane with a stretchable property. The capsule contains a sound-permeable material. The material can be a solid with a variable volume, or a liquid, such as water, glycerin and other sound-permeable liquids.

[0104] In one embodiment of the present invention, an identifiable portion is provided at the upper end of the adjusting portion 30, and the identifiable portion allows the elastic detection handle system to automatically recognize that when the adjusting portion 30 is in action, the size of the upper end surface of the vibration portion 30 is automatically recognized.

[0105] In one embodiment of the present invention, a marking column may be provided at the lower end of the adjusting portion 30, and the position of the marking column corresponds to the switch position of the switch circuit in the detection handle. The adjusting portion 30 may be an adjusting portion 30 having a cavity structure, such as an inverted U-shaped or convex-shaped adjusting portion 30, or may be an annular columnar adjusting portion 30. The marking column 32 may be provided at the lower end of the adjusting portion 30. When the adjusting portion 30 with the marking column is fixed together with the first vibration portion 10, the marking column may turn on the corresponding switch circuit, and the information related to the adjusting portion 30 may be extracted and identified through the conducting circuit, and the related parameters may be used in the subsequent signal processing. The design scheme that the model of the adjusting portion 30 can be automatically identified is helpful to optimize and automate the detection results and improve the practical comfort of the operator.

[0106] In other embodiments of the present invention, the adjusting portion 30 may partially cover the end of the elastic detection handle, such as only covering the first vibration portion 10; or may cover the entire end of the elastic detection handle.

[0107] See also Fig.16 , the adjusting part 30 not only covers the first vibration part 10, but the lower end of the adjusting part 30 continues to extend downward and directly covers the end of the entire elastic detection probe. This design can better realize the detection of different patients using a disposable adjusting part 30. On the one hand, it solves the switching of different sizes, and on the other hand, it realizes disposable practicality, which enhances health and safety and reduces the risk of skin infection between different patients. In this case, if the adjusting part 30 completely covers the end of the elastic detection handle, considering that the upper end of the adjusting part 30 always has a certain thickness, then when the adjusting part 30 is fixed to the first vibration part 10, it will increase or change the distance between the ultrasonic transducer 40 and the original target to be detected, thereby causing changes in related parameters in the subsequent algorithm. In order not to change the distance between the detection surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 and the original target to be detected, the upper end of the adjusting part 30 may not be closed. In order to prevent external liquid from flowing into the space between the adjusting part 30 and the first vibration 30, a sealing rubber ring 34 may be provided at the port junction.

[0108] See also Fig.17 , Fig.17 and Fig.16 The difference is that Fig.17 In the embodiment, the upper end surface of the second vibration part is formed by the upper end surface of the adjustment part 30 and the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 .

[0109] It should be noted that the first vibration part 10 is not limited to a cylindrical shape, but may also be a truncated cone shape. The corresponding adjustment part 30 is also not limited to a circular ring shape, but may also be a truncated cone ring cylinder shape (such as Fig.19 The shape of the upper end surface of the adjusting portion is not limited to a circular ring, but may also be a rounded square ring (such as Fig.18 ).

[0110] It should be noted that when performing transient elastic imaging detection, the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part needs to be placed in the inter-rib gap. Considering that the ultrasonic transducer 40 can have a two-dimensional imaging function, when the vibration part (the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part) is placed in the inter-rib gap, the imaging surface of the ultrasonic transducer 40 needs to be parallel to the two inter-rib gaps, so that the two-dimensional imaging area of ​​the ultrasonic transducer 40 just avoids the ribs (the ribs hinder the two-dimensional imaging). When placed in this position, the width d1 of the upper end surface of the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration in the direction parallel to the inter-rib gap is in the range of 5mm to 15mm. This size range can facilitate the placement of the vibration part (the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration) in the inter-rib gap on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can generate a suitable shear wave field to facilitate transient elastic imaging.

[0111] In one embodiment of the present invention, a pressure sensor is also included to detect the pressure between the first vibration part 10, the second vibration part and the contact surface of the medium to be detected. It should be noted that, during the transient elastic detection, it is necessary to apply a certain pressure to the target to be detected to help generate the required shear wave. However, the pressure is difficult to control through the perception of the operator, thereby reducing the detection repeatability of transient elastic imaging, and then reducing the quality of elastic detection. Therefore, preferably, a pressure detection device is also provided in the device of the present invention, and the pressure detection device can be a pressure sensor, and the pressure sensor can be a contact pressure sensor or a screw-type pressure sensor. The pressure detection device is used to detect the pressing force between the vibration part and the target to be detected. In one embodiment, a pressure sensor (not shown in the figure) can be arranged between the vibration part and the driving part 20, and the pressure sensor can sense the pressure between the upper surface of the vibration part and the target to be detected. The operator can further determine whether to turn on the shear wave excitation of transient elastic imaging according to the pressure, thereby improving the repeatability and quality of elastic detection.

[0112] In one embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an elastic detection probe, comprising the elastic detection vibration device as described in any one of the above items, and also comprising an elastic detection handle housing 60, wherein the elastic detection vibration device is at least partially located in the elastic detection handle housing 60. The first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part is sealed and movably fixed to the elastic detection handle housing 60. Specifically, Figure 9-14 In the embodiment of the present invention, the first vibration part 10 is fixed to the elastic detection handle housing 60 through the elastic medium 50. The elastic medium 50 can keep the first vibration part 10 fixed to the elastic detection handle housing 60 when the first vibration part 10 vibrates. Through this fixing arrangement, liquid can be prevented from entering the elastic detection handle housing 60.

[0113] The above-mentioned elasticity detection probe is provided with a selectively fixable adjustment part 30 at the head end of the first vibration part 10. The adjustment part 30 is fixed to the end of the elasticity detection vibration device to change the size of the end of the elasticity detection vibration device, thereby meeting different clinical practical needs. Ultimately, only one elasticity detection probe is needed to solve the problem of requiring multiple elasticity detection probes of different models in conventional transient elastic imaging, thereby effectively reducing the economic cost of transient elastic imaging detection.

[0114] It should be noted that, for the convenience of explanation, the driving part is omitted in some figures of the present invention.

[0115] See also Fig.21 In one embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided an elasticity detection method, which uses any of the elasticity detection probes described above to perform elasticity detection. The method (method one) includes:

[0116] Step 1: According to the target to be detected, selectively install the adjustment part to adjust the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device to form the first vibration part or the second vibration part. It can be understood that different upper end surface sizes are usually used for different detection objects. For example, when detecting children, the upper end surface size is smaller (5mm); when detecting ordinary adults, the size used is 7mm; when the detection object is an obese patient, because fat promotes shear wave attenuation, a larger size (such as 10mm) vibration part can be used for vibration, which helps to increase the detection depth.

[0117] Step 2: After the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected to excite shear waves;

[0118] Step 3: Using the ultrasonic transducer to track and detect the shear wave to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;

[0119] Step 4: Analyze the ultrasonic echo signal to extract structural information and characteristic information of the target to be detected, wherein the characteristic information includes at least one of shear wave velocity, fat content of the target to be detected (such as liver), and viscoelasticity of the target to be detected.

[0120] Step 5: Displaying the structural information and characteristic information. To further explain, the detection results include information such as the structural information, viscoelasticity information, or fat content level of the tissue.

[0121] The control method of the elastic detection probe mentioned above selectively installs the adjustment part 30 according to the target to be detected, so as to adjust the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device to form the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part, that is, a selectively fixable adjustment part 30 is provided at the head end of the first vibration part 10, and the size of the end of the elastic detection vibration device is changed by fixing the adjustment part 30 to the end of the elastic detection vibration device, so as to meet different clinical practical needs, and finally only one elastic detection vibration device is needed to solve the problem that multiple elastic detection probes of different models are required in conventional transient elastic imaging, which effectively reduces the economic cost of transient elastic imaging detection. Then, after the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the first vibration part 10 or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected to excite shear waves, and then the ultrasonic transducer is used to track and detect the shear waves to obtain ultrasonic echo signals, and then the ultrasonic echo signals are analyzed to extract structural information and characteristic information of the target to be detected, and the characteristic information includes at least one of shear wave velocity, liver fat content, and viscoelasticity of the target to be detected. Finally, the structural information and characteristic information are displayed to realize transient elastic imaging detection.

[0122] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer is turned on to track and detect the shear wave before, during, or after the first vibrating part or the second vibrating part vibrates on the target surface to be detected, so as to detect and track the stimulated shear wave.

[0123] In one embodiment of the present invention, after the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the pressure value between the first vibration part or the second vibration part and the target to be detected is judged. If the set value condition is met, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected; if the set value is not met, the pressure value between the first vibration part or the second vibration part and the target to be detected is adjusted to meet the set value condition, and the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected, so that the elastic detection vibration device can only work under the specified pressure value, thereby improving the operational convenience and standardization of transient elastic imaging detection.

[0124] In one embodiment of the present invention, the third step also includes, before the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave, automatically identifying the upper end surface size of the first vibration part or the second vibration part, and loading the emission center frequency of the ultrasonic transducer according to the upper end surface size, so that the elastic detection vibration device can only work at a specified frequency, thereby improving the operational convenience and standardization of transient elastic imaging detection.

[0125] In one embodiment of the present invention, the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave, which means that the second array of the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave.

[0126] When the ultrasonic transducer is a multi-element array and can perform two-dimensional imaging (method 2):

[0127] Step 1: Perform two-dimensional imaging using the first array element of the ultrasonic transducer, enter the ultrasonic grayscale imaging mode, and realize the image guidance function;

[0128] When the detection system of the composite probe based on the elastic detection is used to detect patients, there are two imaging modes, one is the conventional B-type ultrasound imaging mode (ultrasound grayscale imaging mode), and the other is the transient elastic imaging detection mode. During the detection, first, the vibrating component of the composite probe is placed in the gap between the two ribs close to the liver. The initial position of the elastic detection probe is roughly perpendicular to the skin surface. Couplers are added to the place where the vibrating component contacts the ribs and the surrounding positions, so that the upper end surface of the vibrating part is in full contact with the skin on the rib surface, and B-type ultrasound imaging is performed using the first array of the ultrasonic transducer. Through B-type ultrasound imaging, it can be observed whether the imaging area contains large blood vessels, bile ducts or local lesions. These imaging areas can be avoided by observation, and then the image guidance function is realized.

[0129] To further explain, when two-dimensional imaging is performed, in order to help increase the imaging range, the size of the upper end surface of the vibration part can be adjusted to a maximum size, which helps to increase the imaging area of ​​the ultrasonic ring energy as much as possible.

[0130] Step 2: After selecting the position, the adjustment part is selectively installed according to the different targets to be detected to adjust the size of the upper end surface of the vibration to form the first vibration part or the second vibration part.

[0131] It should be noted, however, that after the optimal position is selected, different vibrating portion sizes are selected according to the differences in the detection objects to achieve the best instantaneous elastic detection.

[0132] Step 3: After adjusting the size of the upper end surface of the vibration part, enter the elastic imaging detection mode; use the adjusted vibration part to vibrate on the surface of the target to be detected to generate shear waves;

[0133] Step 4: before, during, or after the adjusted vibration part vibrates, the second array of the ultrasonic transducer is turned on to detect and track the stimulated shear wave.

[0134] Step 5: Analyze the signal detected by the ultrasonic transducer to extract the structural information and characteristic information of the target to be detected, wherein the characteristic information includes at least one of shear wave velocity, fat content of the target to be detected, and viscoelasticity of the target to be detected.

[0135] Step 6: Display the test results.

[0136] Specifically, the detection results include structural information and characteristic information of the tissue.

[0137] Step 7: The ultrasonic transducer re-enters the ultrasonic grayscale imaging mode and displays the grayscale image.

[0138] Considering that the size of the vibration part can be automatically identified, further speaking, when the ultrasonic transducer is a multi-element array, the frequency of the ultrasonic transducer can be switched. Based on method 2, a step of automatically switching the second array frequency is added.

[0139] Step 1: Perform two-dimensional imaging using the first array element of the ultrasonic transducer, enter the ultrasonic grayscale imaging mode, and realize the image guidance function;

[0140] Specifically, when two-dimensional imaging is performed, in order to help increase the imaging range, the size of the upper end surface of the vibration part can be adjusted to a maximum size, which helps to increase the imaging area of ​​the ultrasonic transducer as much as possible.

[0141] Step 2: After selecting the position, selectively install the adjustment part according to the different targets to be detected to adjust the size of the upper end surface of the vibration.

[0142] After the best position is selected, different vibrating part sizes are selected according to the difference of the detection object to achieve the best instantaneous elastic detection.

[0143] Step 3: After adjusting the size of the upper end surface of the vibration part, enter the elastic imaging detection mode; use the adjusted vibration part to vibrate on the surface of the target to be detected to generate shear waves;

[0144] Step 4: After adjusting the size of the upper end surface of the vibration part, the system can automatically identify the size of the upper end surface and reload the parameters such as the emission center frequency of the second array of the ultrasonic transducer according to the size of the upper end surface.

[0145] It should be noted that when testing children, the detection depth is relatively shallow, and high-frequency ultrasonic signals can be used for detection; when testing obese patients, since fat causes shear waves and ultrasonic signals to be easily attenuated, low-frequency ultrasonic signals are usually used for detection.

[0146] Step 5: Before, during, or after the adjusted vibration part vibrates, the second array of the ultrasonic transducer is turned on to detect and track the stimulated shear wave according to the reloaded ultrasonic frequency.

[0147] Step 6: Analyze the signal detected by the ultrasonic transducer to extract the structural information and characteristic information of the target to be detected, wherein the characteristic information includes at least one of shear wave velocity, fat content of the target to be detected, and viscoelasticity of the target to be detected.

[0148] Step 7: Display the test results.

[0149] It should be noted that the detection result includes structural information and feature information of the target to be detected.

[0150] Step 8: The ultrasonic transducer re-enters the ultrasonic grayscale imaging mode and displays the grayscale image.

[0151] An embodiment of the present invention further provides an elasticity detection system, comprising any of the elasticity detection probes described above, and further comprising a signal processing device, a control device, and a display device;

[0152] The signal processing device is connected to the control device and is used to process the received ultrasonic signal and obtain the structural information and characteristic information of the tissue to be detected; the signal processing device can be a CPU chip to realize the signal processing function.

[0153] The control device is used to control the ultrasonic transducer of the elastic detection probe to send and receive signals, and to control the vibration of the first vibration part or the second vibration part; wherein the control device can be an MCU control chip to achieve control of the vibration of the first vibration part or the second vibration part.

[0154] The display device is used to display the structural information and characteristic information. The display device can be a device with display function such as a liquid crystal display

[0155] The above-mentioned elasticity detection system, by providing a selectively fixable adjustment part at the head end of the first vibration part, and then fixing the adjustment part to the end of the elasticity detection vibration device to change the size of the end of the elasticity detection vibration device, thereby meeting different clinical practical needs. Ultimately, only one elasticity detection system is needed to realize multiple elasticity detection systems of different models required in conventional transient elastic imaging, effectively reducing the economic cost of transient elastic imaging detection.

[0156] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. An elasticity detection vibration device, comprising a first vibration part and a driving part, characterized in that: It also includes an adjusting part that can be selectively fixed to the first vibrating part. When the adjusting part and the first vibrating part are fixed, the two constitute a second vibrating part, and the upper end surface of the second vibrating part is jointly constituted by the upper end surface of the adjusting part and the upper end surface of the first vibrating part, or the upper end surface of the second vibrating part is solely constituted by the upper end surface of the adjusting part; when the adjusting part is not fixed to the first vibrating part, the driving part is used to drive the first vibrating part to vibrate; when the adjusting part and the first vibrating part are fixed, the driving part is used to drive the second vibrating part to vibrate.

2. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The number of the adjusting parts is one or more.

3. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjusting part has a containing cavity, and at least a part of the upper end of the first vibrating part is located in the containing cavity of one of the adjusting parts.

4. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The accommodating cavity of the adjusting part is a through cavity, and the upper end surface of the first vibration part and the upper end surface of the adjusting part are in a plane or approximately in a plane.

5. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper end surface of the adjusting portion is annular.

6. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The longitudinal section of the adjusting portion is in an inverted U-shape or a convex shape, and the area of ​​the upper end surface of the adjusting portion is different from the area of ​​the upper end surface of the first vibration portion.

7. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 3, characterized in that: The adjusting part and the first vibrating part are fixed by screw fixing, snap-fit ​​fixing, or magnetic fixing.

8. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adjustment part has a uniform thickness, is located on the upper end surface of the first vibration part, has an upper end surface area different from that of the first vibration part, and a portion of the adjustment part corresponding to the upper end surface of the first vibration part is made of a sound-transmitting material.

9. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the second vibration part, the contact between the first vibration part and the adjustment part is tightly fitted; when there are multiple adjustment parts, the contact between the adjustment parts is tightly fitted.

10. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 9, characterized in that: A coupling member is disposed between the adjusting portion and the first vibrating portion.

11. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first vibrating part is an ultrasonic transducer, and the first vibrating part is also used for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals.

12. The elasticity detection vibration device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: It also includes an ultrasonic transducer, which is arranged inside or below the first vibration part.

13. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 12, characterized in that: At least the first vibration part and the second vibration part located at the front end of the ultrasonic transducer detection surface are of a sound-transmitting structure.

14. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 13, characterized in that: When the ultrasonic transducer is disposed below the first vibrating portion, the first vibrating portion / the second vibrating portion is directly or indirectly connected to the ultrasonic transducer.

15. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first vibration part and the adjustment part are arranged coaxially.

16. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 13, characterized in that: The bandwidth of the ultrasonic transducer ranges from 1 MHz to 40 MHz.

17. The elasticity detection vibration device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The shape of the adjustment part matches the shape of at least a portion of the first vibration part.

18. An elastic detection probe, characterized in that: It comprises the elastic detection vibration device as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, and also comprises an elastic detection handle shell, wherein the elastic detection vibration device is at least partially located in the elastic detection handle shell.

19. The elasticity detection probe according to claim 18, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure on the contact surface between the first vibration part, the second vibration part and the measured medium.

20. A method for detecting elasticity, characterized in that: Using the elasticity detection probe according to any one of claims 18 to 19 to perform elasticity detection, the method comprises: Step 1: According to the target to be detected, selectively install the adjustment part to adjust the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device to form the first vibration part or the second vibration part; Step 2: After the size of the upper end surface of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected to excite shear waves; Step 3: Using the ultrasonic transducer to track and detect the shear wave to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal; Step 4: Analyze the ultrasonic echo signal to extract structural information and characteristic information of the target to be detected, wherein the characteristic information includes at least one of shear wave velocity, fat content of the target to be detected, and viscoelasticity of the target to be detected; Step 5: Display the structural information and characteristic information.

21. The elasticity detection method according to claim 20, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducer is turned on at a time point for tracking and detecting the shear wave before, during, or after the first vibrating part or the second vibrating part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected.

22. The elasticity detection method according to claim 21, characterized in that: After the upper end surface size of the elastic detection vibration device is adjusted, the pressure value between the first vibration part or the second vibration part and the target to be detected is judged. If the set value condition is met, the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected; if the set value is not met, the pressure value between the first vibration part or the second vibration part and the target to be detected is adjusted to meet the set value condition, and the first vibration part or the second vibration part vibrates on the surface of the target to be detected.

23. The elasticity detection method according to claim 21, characterized in that: The third step also includes, before the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave, automatically identifying the size of the upper end surface of the first vibration part or the second vibration part, and loading the ultrasonic transducer transmission center frequency according to the upper end surface size.

24. The elasticity detection method according to claim 22, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave, which means that the second array of the ultrasonic transducer tracks and detects the shear wave.

25. The elasticity detection method according to claim 21, characterized in that: When the ultrasonic transducer is a multi-element ultrasonic transducer, before the first step, it also includes using the first array element of the ultrasonic transducer to perform two-dimensional imaging, entering the ultrasonic grayscale imaging mode, and realizing the image guidance function; after the fifth step, re-entering the ultrasonic grayscale imaging mode and displaying the grayscale image.

26. An elasticity detection system, characterized in that: The elasticity detection probe according to any one of claims 20 to 25 further comprises a signal processing device, a control device, and a display device; The signal processing device is connected to the control device and is used to process the received ultrasonic signal to obtain the structural information and characteristic information of the tissue to be detected; The control device is used to control the ultrasonic transducer of the elastic detection probe to send and receive signals, and to control the first vibration part or the second vibration part to vibrate; The display device is used to display the structural information and characteristic information.

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