Detection assistance device and conduction film assembly for whole breast ultrasonic detection

Abstract

The present invention discloses a detection assistance device for whole breast ultrasonic detection, which is applied to an ultrasonic image acquisition device. The ultrasonic image acquisition device includes a mounting opening and a linear array probe. The linear array probe is located in the mounting opening. The detection assistance device includes a carrier and a conduction film assembly. The carrier is disposed in the mounting opening and includes a receiving groove and a first opening. The linear array probe is received in the first opening. The conduction film assembly includes a soft body and a conduction unit. The soft body has a second opening, and the conduction unit is located in the second opening. The conduction film assembly is disposed in the receiving groove with the conduction unit corresponding to the first opening, so that the conduction unit contacts the linear array probe.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a detection assistance device for full breast ultrasound detection, and particularly to a conductive film assembly of the detection assistance device. Background Art

[0002] Breast cancer is one of the common cancers in women. For early detection and treatment, regular detection is quite important. Among them, the method of early detecting breast cancer by mammography has been quite common. It uses low-dose X-rays to fluoroscope breast tissues for contrast analysis. However, due to the different densities of breast tissues, false negative results may occur in X-ray mammography. Therefore, in some cases, breast ultrasound detection is used in combination.

[0003] The principle of breast ultrasound detection is that after high-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe into the breast tissue and then reflected or scattered back and received by the probe, the ultrasound detection system receives the sound waves and converts them into electrical signals, and then images can be provided for interpretation. Among them, the returned sound waves show different results according to the physical properties (such as tissue density) of the breast tissue, so different types of tissues can be distinguished. For example, it can distinguish cysts filled with mucus and solid tissues (tumors) in the breast. Therefore, breast ultrasound detection is often used as an auxiliary imaging tool for detecting high-density breasts.

[0004] In the initial method of breast ultrasound detection, a physician or technician must use a handheld ultrasound probe to slowly move to find abnormal tissues. Therefore, it depends on the experience and skills of the physician or technician, is difficult to be reproducible, and the detection time is long. In recent years, medical equipment manufacturers have provided a full breast ultrasound detection system according to the above-mentioned needs. It includes an examination bed and an ultrasound detection device (or called an ultrasound image acquisition device), and the ultrasound detection device has a rotating component. The subject can lie supine or prone on the examination bed, and the probe in the rotating component is aligned with the patient's breast, and the subject's breast is completely detected according to a preset rotation trajectory.

[0005] To ensure that the ultrasound transmission process is not interfered, a conductive gel disk is set, and the conductive gel is coated on the upper and lower surfaces of the film assembly. The probe contacts one surface, and the other surface is directly attached to the subject's breast. Since the conductive gel causes inconvenience in cleaning, a conductive film is also directly used. The conductive film is directly placed on a plastic disk, and the plastic disk has an opening to accommodate the probe, so that the probe can directly contact one surface of the conductive film, and the other surface is attached to the subject's breast. However, when the probe rotates, the conductive film also rotates, which continuously rubs the breast skin of the subject, causing discomfort to the subject, and there is a need for improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In view of the above problems, the main object of the present invention is to provide a detection auxiliary device and a conductive film assembly for full breast ultrasound detection. By including a soft body and a conduction unit in the conductive film assembly, the problems of difficult cleaning or discomfort to the examinee caused by the existing use of conductive gel or conductive film are solved.

[0007] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a detection auxiliary device for full breast ultrasound detection, which is applied to an ultrasonic image capturing device. The ultrasonic image capturing device includes an installation opening and a linear array probe, and the linear array probe is located in the installation opening. The detection auxiliary device includes a carrier and a conductive film assembly. The carrier is disposed in the installation opening. The carrier includes a receiving groove and a first opening, and the linear array probe is received in the first opening. The conductive film assembly includes a soft body and a conduction unit. The soft body has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and a second opening. The first surface faces the receiving groove. The conduction unit is located in the second opening. The conductive film assembly is disposed in the receiving groove with the conduction unit corresponding to the first opening, so that the conduction unit contacts the linear array probe.

[0008] To achieve the above object, the present invention further provides a conductive film assembly for full breast ultrasound detection, which is applied to a detection auxiliary device. The detection auxiliary device includes a carrier, and the carrier includes a receiving groove and a first opening, and a linear array probe is received in the first opening. The conductive film assembly includes a soft body and a conduction unit. The soft body has a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, and a second opening. The first surface faces the receiving groove. The conduction unit is located in the second opening. The conductive film assembly is disposed in the receiving groove with the conduction unit corresponding to the first opening, so that the conduction unit contacts the linear array probe.

[0009] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the conduction unit includes a convex portion and an extension portion. The configuration of the convex portion corresponds to the second opening, and the extension portion extends from one side of the convex portion. The convex portion is received in the second opening of the soft body, and the extension portion contacts the first surface of the soft body.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coefficient of friction of the second surface of the soft body is between 0.1 and 1.6.

[0011] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the soft body includes a soft layer and a smooth coating, and the smooth coating is coated on one surface of the soft layer, and the smooth coating forms the second surface of the soft body.

[0012] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second surface of the soft body is a concave structure.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second surface of the soft body is a curved surface, and the curvature of the second surface is greater than 130 mm.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the soft body has a central region and a curved surface region on the second surface. The curved surface region is adjacent to the central region, and the curvature of the curved surface region is greater than 60 millimeters.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier further includes at least one limiting portion disposed in the receiving groove. The soft body correspondingly has at least one recess on the first surface, and the limiting portion is received in the recess.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier further includes three limiting portions, wherein two limiting portions are adjacent to opposite sides of the first opening.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the carrier further includes at least one sealing member disposed on the periphery of the first opening and in contact with the conduction unit.

[0018] As described above, the detection auxiliary device for whole breast ultrasound detection according to the present invention includes a carrier and a conduction film assembly. The conduction film assembly includes a soft body and a conduction unit, and the conduction unit is located at the second opening of the soft body. Moreover, the conduction film assembly is disposed with the conduction unit in the receiving groove of the carrier, so that the conduction unit is in contact with the linear array probe to transmit ultrasound. By the design of the conduction unit being received in the soft body, the breast of the subject mainly contacts the soft body. When the conduction film assembly performs a rotational displacement movement, since the frictional force of the soft body on the breast of the subject is small, it will not cause too much discomfort to the subject, so as to achieve the effect of reducing the discomfort of the subject.

[0019] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments, but it is not intended to limit the present invention. Description of the Drawings

[0020] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the detection auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a whole breast ultrasound system.

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1 an exploded schematic diagram of the whole breast ultrasound system shown;

[0022] Figure 3 is Figure 1 a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the whole breast ultrasound system shown;

[0023] Figure 4A is Figure 2 an exploded schematic diagram of the ultrasound image acquisition device shown;

[0024] Figure 4B is Figure 4A an exploded schematic diagram of the carrier and the conduction film assembly shown;

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the combined conductive film assembly shown Figure 4B in

[0026] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the combined carrier shown Figure 4B in

[0027] Figure 7 Cross-sectional schematic diagram of the conductive film assembly shown Figure 5 in

[0028] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of the soft body on the first surface shown Figure 4B in

[0029] Among them, reference numerals

[0030] Ultrasonic image acquisition device 1 mounting opening 11

[0031] Drive module 12 linear array probe 13

[0032] Detection auxiliary device 2 carrier 20

[0033] Receiving groove 21 first opening 22

[0034] Seal 23 limiting parts 24, 24a, 24b

[0035] Conductive film assembly 30 soft body 31

[0036] First surface 311 second surface 312

[0037] Arc surface area 3121 central area 3122

[0038] Second opening 313 soft layer 314

[0039] Smoothing coating 315 recess 316

[0040] Conduction unit 32 convex part 321

[0041] Extension part 322 examination bed 4

[0042] Opening 41 whole breast ultrasound system S Detailed implementation manners

[0043] To better understand the technical content of the present invention, the following preferred specific embodiments are provided for illustration

[0044] First of all, the detection auxiliary device for whole breast ultrasound detection in this embodiment is the detection auxiliary device that can be applied to the whole breast ultrasound system and is used in cooperation with the ultrasound image acquisition device of the system to perform whole breast ultrasound detection. The following is an explanation of the architecture of the whole breast ultrasound systemFigure 1 Schematic diagram of the detection auxiliary device according to an embodiment of the present invention applied to a whole breast ultrasound system Figure 2 is Figure 1 exploded schematic diagram of the whole breast ultrasound system shown Figure 3 is Figure 1 cross-sectional schematic diagram of the whole breast ultrasound system shown Figure 4A is Figure 2 exploded schematic diagram of the ultrasonic image capturing device shown Figure 4B is Figure 4A exploded schematic diagram of the carrier and conductive film assembly shown. Please refer to Figures 1 to 4B shown at the same time. The whole breast ultrasound system S of this embodiment includes an ultrasonic image capturing device 1, a detection auxiliary device 2, and an examination couch 4. Among them, this embodiment takes the whole breast ultrasound system S in a lying position as an example for illustration. The ultrasonic image capturing device 1 is disposed inside the examination couch 4, and the examination couch 4 has an opening 41 near the front end, and the ultrasonic image capturing device 1 is disposed corresponding to the opening 41.

[0045] The ultrasonic image capturing device 1 includes an installation opening 11, a driving module 12, and a linear array probe 13. The ultrasonic image capturing device 1 can be installed into the inside of the examination couch 4 from the opening 41, so that the driving module 12 and the linear array probe 13 can correspond to the opening 41 of the examination couch 4. Also, the linear array probe 13 is connected to the driving module 12 and is located at the installation opening 11, and the driving module 12 drives the linear array probe 13 to scan according to a preset (rotation) trajectory. It should be noted that for the simplicity of the drawing, Figure 4A only the housing and the linear array probe 13 of the ultrasonic image capturing device 1 are drawn, and the driving module 12 is not drawn.

[0046] As Figure 4B shown, the detection auxiliary device 2 includes a carrier 20 and a conductive film assembly 30. The carrier 20 can be a conductive glue disk made of plastic material, such as but not limited to ABS resin or acrylic material, and is disposed at the installation opening 11. Also, the carrier 20 can be connected to the driving module 12, so that the driving module 12 can drive the linear array probe 13 and the carrier 20 to perform rotational displacement movement at the same time. Specifically, the carrier 20 includes a receiving groove 21 and a first opening 22. One surface of the conductive film assembly 30 corresponds to the carrier 20 and is disposed in the receiving groove 21 of the carrier 20. The subject lies on the examination couch 4, and the breast of the subject contacts the other surface (opposite to the surface of the carrier 20) of the conductive film assembly 30. Also, the linear array probe 13 is received in the first opening 22 and partially passes through the first opening 22, so that the linear array probe 13 can directly contact the conductive film assembly 30.

[0047] In this embodiment, the conductive film assembly 30 includes a soft body 31 and a conductive unit 32. The soft body 31 has a first surface 311 and a second surface 312 opposite to each other, and a second opening 313. Among them, the first surface 311 faces the receiving groove 21 of the carrier 20 and is placed in the receiving groove 21. The second surface 312 is the surface that contacts the breast of the subject. The second surface 312 of the soft body 31 in this embodiment is made of a material with a relatively small coefficient of friction against the human skin. For example, the coefficient of friction of the second surface 312 can be between 0.1 and 1.6.

[0048] The soft body 31 and the conductive unit 32 can be biocompatible materials, and the conductive unit 32 is a thin film structure or a colloidal structure that can transmit ultrasonic waves and is not easily interfered by external factors. In this embodiment, the conductive unit 32 takes the thin film structure as an example, which can be, for example but not limited to, water-soluble polymers, or polymer polymers, and can also be, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET for short), or its derivative alcoholized polyester material (PETG), polyethylene, medical grade polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), polyurethane and other thin films. In other embodiments, the conductive unit 32 can also be an ultrasonic conductive gel, or a water-containing component (such as a water bag).

[0049] The conductive unit 32 is located at the second opening 313 of the soft body 31. Since the conductive unit 32 in this embodiment is a thin film, it can be directly placed in the second opening 313 of the soft body 31. As Figure 4B shown, the conductive unit 32 in this embodiment preferably includes a convex portion 321 and an extension portion 322. The configuration of the convex portion 321 corresponds to the second opening 313, so that the convex portion 321 can be placed in the second opening 313 of the soft body 31, as Figure 5 shown, Figure 5 For Figure 4B the schematic diagram of the combined conductive film assembly shown.

[0050] For example, the second opening 313 is a rectangular opening. Correspondingly, the convex portion 321 is a strip shape of a similar size, so that the convex portion 321 can be placed into the second opening 313. Further, the extension portion 322 extends from one side of the convex portion 321. In this embodiment, the extension portion 322 extends outward from the four side edges of the convex portion 321. When the convex portion 321 is received in the second opening 313 of the soft body 31, the extension portion 322 contacts the first surface 311 of the soft body 31. Therefore, the position of the conduction unit 32 can be fixed by pressing the extension portion 322 by the soft body 31. In other embodiments, if the conduction unit 32 is a colloid structure, it can be coated on the linear array probe 13, and then the conduction unit 32 and the linear array probe 13 are received in the second opening 313 of the soft body 31 together.

[0051] Preferably, the carrier 20 further includes at least one seal 23, which is disposed on the periphery of the first opening 22 and contacts the conduction unit 32. Figure 6 For Figure 4B the schematic diagram of the combined carrier shown, please refer to Figure 6 shown. Specifically, the seal 23 can be made of soft and waterproof silicone rubber material and is a rectangular structure that fits the inner edge of the first opening 22. Further, the seal 23 has a through opening to receive the linear array probe 13, so that the seal 23 is in close contact with the linear array probe 13 to achieve a sealing effect.

[0052] Further, after the conduction film assembly 30 aligns the conduction unit 32 with the first opening 22, the conduction film assembly 30 is disposed in the receiving groove 21, so that the conduction unit 32 can contact the linear array probe 13 to transmit ultrasonic signals. It should be noted that the carrier 20 and the linear array probe 13 can jointly perform a rotational displacement movement to perform an ultrasonic scan detection on the whole breast of the subject. Further, this embodiment is not limited to imaging while performing the rotational displacement movement, and can also stop rotating and perform imaging after rotating to a specific position. Since the conduction film assembly 30 is directly disposed in the receiving groove 21 of the carrier 20, the conduction film assembly 30 can perform a rotational displacement movement together. Among them, most of the subject's breast contacts the soft body 31, which can provide a comfortable feeling for the subject. Further, when the conduction film assembly 30 performs a rotational displacement movement, since the frictional force of the soft body 31 on the subject's breast is small, it will not cause too much discomfort to the subject.

[0053] Preferably, the soft body 31 includes a soft layer 314 and a smooth coating 315. Specifically, the main body of the soft body 31 is the soft layer 314, and the smooth coating 315 is coated on one surface of the soft layer 314, so that the smooth coating 315 forms the second surface 312 of the soft body 31. Among them, the soft layer 314 is a polymer, which can be, for example but not limited to, silica gel, or a composition thereof with polyurethane (abbreviated as PU). Also, the material of the smooth coating 315 is not particularly limited in this embodiment, as long as the friction coefficient of the second surface 312 (smooth coating 315) of the soft body 31 is between 0.1 and 1.6. By providing the smooth coating 315, when the conductive film assembly 30 performs a rotational displacement movement, the friction force on the skin of the subject can be reduced to alleviate the discomfort during the examination.

[0054] Preferably, the second surface 312 of the soft body 31 can be a concave structure, which can be, for example but not limited to, a U-shaped or V-shaped concave structure. Specifically, the first surface 311 of the soft body 31 is a flat structure for placing flatly in the accommodation groove 21 of the carrier 20. The second surface 312 in contact with the subject's breast can be a concave structure, so that the subject's breast can be accommodated in the concave structure to reduce the pressure on the subject's breast. As Figure 5 shown, in this embodiment, the second surface 312 of the soft body 31 has a curved surface area 3121 and a central area 3122. Among them, the central area 3122 is located at the central position of the soft body 31, and the curved surface area 3121 is adjacent to the central area 3122 and extends outward from the central area 3122.

[0055] Figure 7 For Figure 5 the cross-sectional schematic diagram of the conductive film assembly shown, please refer to Figure 7 shown. Preferably, the radian of the curved surface area 3121 can be greater than 60 millimeters (mm) to reduce the pressure on the subject's breast. In practical applications, multiple soft bodies 31 can also be prepared, and their curved surface areas 3121 respectively have different radians, and soft bodies 31 with different radians can be provided according to the size of the subject's breast. In other embodiments, the second surface 312 can also directly be a curved surface, and the radian of the second surface 312 is between greater than 130 millimeters, which can also achieve the effect of reducing the pressure on the subject's breast.

[0056] Figure 8 For Figure 4B the schematic diagram of the first surface of the soft body shown, please also refer to Figure 6 and Figure 8As shown in the figure. To enable the carrier 20 and the conductive film assembly 30 to perform rotational displacement movements synchronously, the carrier 20 preferably further includes at least one limiting portion 24. In this embodiment, three limiting portions 24 are taken as an example for illustration. The limiting portions 24 are disposed in the accommodating groove 21. Preferably, two of the limiting portions 24a are adjacent to opposite sides of the first opening 22, and the other limiting portion 24b can be located at any position within the accommodating groove 21, preferably on the opposite side of the first opening 22. Correspondingly, the soft body 31 has at least one recess 316 on the first surface 311. The soft body 31 of this embodiment has three recesses 316, and their disposed positions correspond to the limiting portions 24. When the soft body 31 is assembled to the carrier 20, the limiting portions 24 are received in the recesses 316 to ensure that the carrier 20 can drive the conductive film assembly 30 to perform rotational displacement movements simultaneously.

[0057] Furthermore, the present invention further provides a conductive film assembly for whole breast ultrasound detection, which is applied to a detection auxiliary device. The detection auxiliary device includes a carrier, and the carrier includes an accommodating groove and a first opening, and the first opening accommodates a linear array probe. The conductive film assembly includes a soft body and a conductive unit. Details of other components and connection relationships can refer to the detection auxiliary device 2 and the conductive film assembly 30 of the foregoing embodiment, and will not be elaborated herein.

[0058] In summary, according to the detection auxiliary device for whole breast ultrasound detection of the present invention, it includes a carrier and a conductive film assembly. The conductive film assembly includes a soft body and a conductive unit, and the conductive unit is located at the second opening of the soft body. Also, the conductive film assembly is disposed with the conductive unit in the accommodating groove of the carrier, so that the conductive unit contacts the linear array probe to transmit ultrasound. By the design that the conductive unit is received in the soft body, the breast of the subject mainly contacts the soft body. When the conductive film assembly performs rotational displacement movements, since the frictional force of the soft body on the breast of the subject is small, it will not cause too much discomfort to the subject, so as to achieve the effect of reducing the discomfort of the subject.

[0059] Of course, the present invention can also have many other embodiments. Without departing from the spirit and essence of the present invention, those skilled in the art can make various corresponding changes and deformations according to the present invention, but these corresponding changes and deformations should all fall within the protection scope of the appended claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A detection auxiliary device for full-breast ultrasound detection, which is applied to an ultrasound image acquisition device, and includes an installation opening and a linear array probe. The linear array probe is located in the installation opening, and is characterized in that, The detection auxiliary device includes: A carrier member disposed in the installation opening, and the carrier member includes: A receiving groove; A first opening in which the linear array probe is received; and At least one limiting portion disposed in the receiving groove; and A conduction film assembly including: A soft body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a second opening, and at least one recess, the first surface facing the receiving groove, the recess being located on the first surface and corresponding to the limiting portion, and the limiting portion being received in the recess; and A conduction unit located at the second opening, wherein The conduction film assembly is disposed in the receiving groove with the conduction unit corresponding to the first opening, such that the conduction unit contacts the linear array probe.

2. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The conduction unit includes a convex portion and an extension portion, the configuration of the convex portion corresponding to the second opening, the extension portion extending from one side of the convex portion, the convex portion being received in the second opening of the soft body, and the extension portion contacting the first surface of the soft body.

3. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The coefficient of friction of the second surface of the soft body is between 0.1 and 1.

6.

4. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The soft body includes a soft layer and a smooth coating, the smooth coating being coated on a surface of the soft layer, and the smooth coating forms the second surface of the soft body.

5. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second surface of the soft body is a concave structure.

6. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second surface of the soft body is a curved surface, and the curvature of the second surface is greater than 130 mm.

7. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second surface of the soft body has a central region and a curved surface region, the curved surface region being adjacent to the central region, and the curvature of the curved surface region is greater than 60 mm.

8. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier member further includes three of the limiting portions, and two of the limiting portions are adjacent to opposite sides of the first opening.

9. The detection auxiliary device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The carrier member further includes at least one sealing member disposed on the periphery of the first opening and contacting the conduction unit.

10. A conduction membrane assembly for full-breast ultrasound detection, which is applied to a detection auxiliary device, and includes a carrier. The carrier includes a receiving groove and a first opening, and a linear array probe is received in the first opening. It is characterized in that, The carrier member further includes at least one limiting portion disposed in the receiving groove; And The conduction film assembly includes: A soft body having a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other, a second opening, and at least one recess, the first surface facing the receiving groove, the recess being located on the first surface and corresponding to the limiting portion, and the limiting portion being received in the recess; and A conduction unit located at the second opening, wherein The conduction film assembly is disposed in the receiving groove with the conduction unit corresponding to the first opening, such that the conduction unit contacts the linear array probe.

11. The conduction membrane assembly according to claim 10, characterized in that, The conduction unit includes a convex portion and an extension portion, the configuration of the convex portion corresponding to the second opening, the extension portion extending from one side of the convex portion, the convex portion being received in the second opening of the soft body, and the extension portion contacting the first surface of the soft body.

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