Modulation-enhanced conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe and diagnostic device

Abstract

The present invention belongs to the technical field of medical ultrasonic instruments and equipment, and proposes a conformable wearable cardiac ultrasound probe and diagnostic equipment enhanced with an acoustic artificial structure. The array transducer of the wearable ultrasound probe is provided with a curved surface that conforms to the human body, ensuring that the wearable ultrasound probe adheres effectively to the human body and improving the resolution of received ultrasonic echo signals. Furthermore, an acoustic artificial structure comprising a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material and a piezoelectric material filled in the mesh structure is fixed to the curved surface, which can suppress sidelobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal, further improving the resolution of the received ultrasonic echo signal. By designing a conformable curved surface on the array transducer and fixing the acoustic artificial structure on the curved surface, the present invention can achieve high-resolution cardiac ultrasound images while reducing the coverage area of ​​the array transducer when attached to the human body, providing a reliable basis for wearable ultrasound products capable of imaging.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of medical ultrasonic instruments and equipment, and in particular relates to a modulation-enhanced conformal cardiac wearable ultrasonic probe and diagnostic equipment. Background Art

[0002] Medical imaging technologies include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), and ultrasound. Ultrasound is the primary imaging method for cardiac examinations due to its low cost, lack of radiation, and real-time detection. However, ultrasound requires an operator to operate a probe to scan the patient, and the operator must be on-site to perform the operation. This not only requires operator experience, but more importantly, in certain special circumstances, such as epidemics, deep sea, aerospace, and battlefields, there are risks and difficulties for the operator to arrive at the site. In addition, the patient must be on-site and lie still for the examination, which can only reflect the structure and function of organs or tissues during the brief examination period. Although stress ultrasound is available clinically, which is performed as soon as possible after the stress, it still cannot reflect the triggers of the patient's disease attack in the natural state or the state of the organ tissues after the attack, and it is difficult to provide detailed disease information. Although technologies such as remote ultrasound or ultrasound robots are currently available, it is still difficult to address the disadvantage of requiring patients to be on-site.

[0003] The inventors discovered that wearable ultrasound products have emerged to address the problems encountered in ultrasound examinations. However, current wearable ultrasound systems have reduced the coverage area of ​​the array transducer to enhance the wearable experience, making it difficult to fully scan the entire organ tissue. They can only image superficial arteries and cannot perform cardiac ultrasound imaging. Furthermore, multiple array transducer groups are used to fully cover the examined organ tissue, resulting in a large array transducer group and a reduced wearable experience. Existing extendable patch array transducers can only detect pulse pulsation and cannot perform imaging. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention proposes a modulation-enhanced conformal cardiac ultrasound diagnostic device, which can obtain high-resolution cardiac ultrasound images on the basis of reducing the coverage area when the array transducer is attached to the human body.

[0005] In order to achieve the above objectives, the first aspect of the present invention provides a modulation-enhanced conformal cardiac ultrasound diagnostic device, which adopts the following technical solutions:

[0006] A modulation-enhanced conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe comprises a wearable ultrasound probe body;

[0007] The ultrasound probe is modulated and enhanced to eliminate the transducer grating lobe and improve the imaging resolution;

[0008] The wearable ultrasound probe body is provided with an array transducer, which is provided with a curved surface for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, and an acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the curved surface; the acoustic artificial structure includes a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material and a piezoelectric material filled in the mesh structure to suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0009] Furthermore, the array transducer includes a lens layer, a matching layer fixed to the lens layer, a piezoelectric layer fixed to the matching layer, and a backing layer fixed to the piezoelectric layer; the acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the lens layer.

[0010] Furthermore, the piezoelectric layer performs conversion between electrical signals and ultrasonic waves, and the backing layer is used to increase the relative bandwidth of the wearable ultrasonic probe.

[0011] Furthermore, the piezoelectric layer is connected to a signal transmission module, and the signal transmission module is connected to a data transmission module via a switching module.

[0012] Furthermore, the signal transmission module is a flexible circuit board.

[0013] Furthermore, the wearable ultrasound probe also includes a first fixing strap connected to the array transducer, and a second fixing strap connected to the first fixing strap; the data transmission module is a coaxial cable, which is arranged in the first fixing strap.

[0014] Furthermore, the second fixing belt is provided with a data processing and wireless transmission module connected to the data transmission module.

[0015] Furthermore, a surface of the lens layer fixing the acoustic artificial structure is set to be arc-shaped, and the curvature radius of the arc is designed according to the curve of the human body surface; the lens layer focuses the ultrasonic wave.

[0016] Furthermore, the array transducer is adhered to the surface of human skin through hydrogel.

[0017] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the second aspect of the present invention provides a conformal cardiac ultrasound diagnostic device enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure, which adopts the following technical solution:

[0018] A conformal cardiac diagnostic device enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure comprises a wearable ultrasound probe and a data processing and wireless transmission module connected to the wearable ultrasound probe;

[0019] The wearable ultrasound probe includes a wearable ultrasound probe body for receiving ultrasound echo signals; the data processing and wireless transmission module is used to process the echo signals to obtain a diagnosis result, and transmit the diagnosis result to the outside in a wireless transmission manner;

[0020] The wearable ultrasound probe body is provided with an array transducer, which is provided with a curved surface for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, and an acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the curved surface; the acoustic artificial structure includes a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material and a piezoelectric material filled in the mesh structure to suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0021] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0022] The present invention provides an array transducer of a wearable ultrasound probe with an arc-shaped surface that conforms to the human body for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, thereby ensuring the adhesion of the wearable ultrasound probe to the human body and improving the resolution of the received ultrasonic echo signals. At the same time, an acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the arc-shaped surface. The acoustic artificial structure includes a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material and a piezoelectric material filled in the mesh structure, which can suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal, further improving the resolution of the received ultrasonic echo signal. The present invention, by designing a conformable arc-shaped surface on the array transducer and fixing the acoustic artificial structure on the arc-shaped surface, can achieve high-resolution ultrasonic images on the basis of reducing the coverage area when the array transducer is attached to the human body. The invention is particularly suitable for application scenarios requiring high-resolution and high-frequency imaging of the heart, peripheral arteries, etc., and provides a reliable basis for imageable wearable ultrasound products. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The drawings constituting a part of the specification of this embodiment are used to provide a further understanding of this embodiment. The schematic embodiments and descriptions of this embodiment are used to explain this embodiment and do not constitute an improper limitation on this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of an array transducer according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the acoustic artificial structure of Example 1 of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection of the adapter module according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the front view of a human body in use according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram of the back of a human body in use according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of side lobes in signals collected by the silent artificial structure array transducer according to Example 1 of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 Schematic diagram of side lobes in signals collected by the acoustic artificial structure array transducer according to Example 1 of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of grating lobes in signals collected by a silent artificial structure array transducer according to Example 1 of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 9 Schematic diagram of grating lobes in signals collected by an acoustic artificial structure array transducer according to Example 1 of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 10 This is the application state of Example 1 of the present invention in the peripheral artery area;

[0034] Figure 11 The application state of Example 1 of the present invention in the heart area;

[0035] Among them, 1. Array transducer; 11. Acoustic artificial structure; 1101. Piezoelectric material; 1102. High molecular polymer material; 12. Lens layer; 13. Matching layer; 14. Piezoelectric layer; 15. Backing layer; 16. Signal transmission module; 17. Adapter module; 18. Data transmission module; 2. First fixing belt; 3. Second fixing belt; 4. Data processing and wireless transmission module; 5. Energy supply module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0037] It should be noted that the following detailed descriptions are exemplary and are intended to provide further explanation of the present application. Unless otherwise specified, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.

[0038] Example 1:

[0039] Current wearable ultrasound products, in order to enhance the wearing experience, reduce the coverage area of ​​the array transducer, making it difficult to fully scan the entire organ tissue. They can only image superficial arteries and cannot meet the needs of cardiac ultrasound imaging. If multiple array transducer array groups are used to fully cover the examined organ tissue, the entire array transducer group will be large in size, affecting the wearing experience.

[0040] To address the above issues, this embodiment provides a conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced with an acoustic artificial structure, comprising a wearable ultrasound probe body; an array transducer 1 is provided on the wearable ultrasound probe body, the array transducer 1 is provided with a curved surface for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, and an acoustic artificial structure 11 is fixed on the curved surface; the acoustic artificial structure 11 includes a mesh structure composed of a polymer material 1102, and a piezoelectric material 1101 filled in the mesh structure, so as to suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal.

[0041] Specifically, during operation, the excitation signal generated by the auxiliary ultrasound system is transmitted wirelessly and stimulates the wearable ultrasound probe after data processing. The wearable ultrasound probe transmits ultrasound and receives an ultrasound echo signal. The ultrasound echo signal is processed and then transmitted wirelessly to the ultrasound system, and an ultrasound image is obtained through the ultrasound system. The array transducer 1 of the wearable ultrasound probe is provided with a curved surface that conforms to the human body for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, thereby ensuring the adhesion of the wearable ultrasound probe to the human body and improving the resolution of the received ultrasonic echo signals. At the same time, an acoustic artificial structure 11 is fixed on the curved surface. The acoustic artificial structure includes a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material 1102 and a piezoelectric material 1101 filled in the mesh structure. The side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal can be suppressed, thereby further improving the resolution of the received ultrasonic echo signal. By designing a conformable curved surface on the array transducer 1 and fixing the acoustic artificial structure 11 on the curved surface, the present invention can achieve high-resolution cardiac ultrasound images on the basis of reducing the coverage area when the array transducer is attached to the human body, providing a reliable basis for imaging wearable ultrasound products.

[0042] Optionally, the array transducer 1 is not limited to a piezoelectric array transducer. The array transducer 1 can be a linear array transducer, a planar array transducer, or other array-type transducer, or a transducer with a MEMS, CMUT, or PMUT architecture. The polymer material 1102 in the acoustic artificial structure 11 can be configured in a strip shape to achieve the construction of a mesh structure. The acoustic artificial structure 11 is configured to include the polymer material 1102 constituting the mesh structure and the piezoelectric material 1101 filled in the mesh structure. In order to suppress sidelobes, the size of each array element is generally less than 0.5 times the wavelength (the wavelength of sound waves in water). For a 1MHz transducer, the array element size is less than 0.75mm; for a 3MHz transducer, the array element size is less than 0.25mm; and for a 7.5MHz transducer, the array element size is less than 0.1mm. Therefore, under the condition that no sidelobes are generated, the higher the frequency of the transducer, the smaller the array element size of the transducer. Two-dimensional array transducers have a large number of elements, and the processing, especially the element wiring process, is complex and challenging. The minimum element spacing achievable with current wiring processes for two-dimensional arrays is approximately 0.4 mm, corresponding to a frequency of approximately 2 MHz. Therefore, current processes significantly restrict the ability to increase the frequency of two-dimensional array transducers, thereby improving imaging resolution. Therefore, this embodiment, based on current transducer processing accuracy, produces a high-frequency two-dimensional array with larger element sizes. By introducing an acoustic artificial structure, the sidelobes in the high-frequency two-dimensional array beam are suppressed, generating a high-quality high-frequency acoustic beam (>3 MHz), thereby improving imaging quality. For example, for a conformable, wearable 16*16 element two-dimensional array 7.5 MHz ultrasound transducer, an acoustic artificial structure is designed. This structure consists of a 16*16 sub-wavelength thick grid, each grid consisting of a 0.4 mm piezoelectric ceramic element embedded in epoxy resin. The ratio of the element size to the element size is 0.8, which can suppress sidelobes in the 7.5 MHz high-frequency beam.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the array transducer may include a lens layer 12, a matching layer 13 fixed to the lens layer 12, a piezoelectric layer 14 fixed to the matching layer 13, and a backing layer 15 fixed to the piezoelectric layer 14; the acoustic artificial structure 11 is fixed on the lens layer 12. Specifically, the lens layer 12 can focus ultrasound waves, the matching layer 13 can be used to optimize ultrasound transmission, the piezoelectric layer 14 can convert electrical signals and ultrasound waves into each other through the piezoelectric effect, and the backing layer 15 can be used to increase the relative bandwidth of the probe; the entire acoustic artificial structure 11 is used to suppress side lobes and grating lobes; wherein, the matching layer 13 can be one or more layers, and the piezoelectric layer 14 can be piezoelectric ceramics, piezoelectric single crystal materials, piezoelectric composite materials or other piezoelectric materials.

[0044] The piezoelectric layer 14 can be connected to a signal transmission module 16, which is connected to a data transmission module 18 via an adapter module 17. The signal transmission module 16 can be configured as a flexible circuit board to transmit excitation signals and receive echo signals. The flexible circuit board can be flexibly attached to the human body, improving stability during the diagnostic process.

[0045] The signal transmission module 16 is configured as a flexible circuit board, which forms a flexible tail wing for signal transmission in the array transducer 1, one end of which enters the array transducer 1 and the other end is connected to the wearable flexible circuit, forming a complete system with the energy supply module 5, etc.

[0046] like Figure 4 and Figure 5 As shown, the wearable ultrasound probe further includes a first fixing strap 2 connected to the array transducer 1, and a second fixing strap 3 connected to the first fixing strap 2; the data transmission module 18 can be configured as a coaxial cable, which is arranged in the first fixing strap 2; the second fixing strap 3 can be provided with a data processing and wireless transmission module 4 connected to the data transmission module 18, and a power supply module 5 for supplying power to the entire device, such as a battery.

[0047] It can be understood that the first fixing strap 2 and the second fixing strap 3 can fix the array transducer 1 on the heart of the human body. At the same time, the array transducer 1 can be adhered to the surface of human skin through hydrogel. The hydrogel serves as an acoustic coupling medium layer to fill the gap between the lens layer 12 and the human skin, thereby improving the adhesion effect between the lens layer 12 and the human skin. The entire device is worn by adhering to the skin surface through hydrogel, and a fixing strap with a flexible circuit inside can also be added to improve stability, thereby ensuring the stability of signal transmission.

[0048] But it should be pointed out that Figure 4 and Figure 5 The wearing method shown is one of the embodiments and does not mean that the wearing method of the present invention must use a fixing belt. Due to the small size and low weight of the present invention, it can be directly adhered to the skin surface in the form of hydrogel adhesion, such as the peripheral artery area such as the carotid artery and the heart area to achieve imaging, such as Figure 10 and Figure 11 The fixed-belt method, due to its prominent power supply and signal transmission functions, can achieve extremely long-term imaging and data transmission in complex communication environments.

[0049] In order to further improve the adhesion effect between the lens layer 12 and the human skin, the side of the lens layer 12 used to fix the acoustic artificial structure 11 is set to an arc shape, and the curvature radius of the arc can be designed according to the imaging depth and the human body surface curve, so that the designed arc is closely attached to the human body surface structure; the lens layer 12 can diffuse the emission excitation signal, increase the diagnostic detection area, and focus the docking return signal, further ensuring the stability of signal transmission.

[0050] This embodiment provides a conformal and acoustic artificial structure-enhanced wearable ultrasound diagnostic device, which uses a micro-array transducer in conjunction with electronic beam deflection to achieve a wide scanning range. An acoustic artificial structure 11 is attached to the surface of the array transducer 1 to improve resolution, and then is non-invasively fixed to the skin area corresponding to the organ tissue to be examined using glue such as hydrogel, thereby achieving real-time monitoring and ultrasound imaging 24 hours a day.

[0051] like Figure 6 and Figure 7 As shown in FIG, the side lobes are effectively suppressed after applying the acoustic artificial structure 11, wherein: Figure 6 This is the effect diagram without artificial structure. Figure 7 This is the effect diagram with artificial structure. Figure 8 and Figure 9 As shown in FIG, the comparison of the effect of effectively suppressing the grating lobe after applying the acoustic artificial structure 11 is shown, wherein, Figure 8 This is the effect diagram without artificial structure. Figure 9 This is the effect diagram with artificial structure.

[0052] Example 2:

[0053] This embodiment provides a conformal cardiac diagnostic device enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure, comprising a wearable ultrasound probe and a data processing and wireless transmission module 4 connected to the wearable ultrasound probe;

[0054] The wearable ultrasound probe includes a wearable ultrasound probe body for receiving ultrasound echo signals; the data processing and wireless transmission module 4 is used to process the echo signals to obtain a diagnosis result, and transmit the diagnosis result to the outside in a wireless transmission manner;

[0055] The wearable ultrasound probe body is provided with an array transducer 1, and the array transducer 1 is provided with a curved surface for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, and an acoustic artificial structure 11 is fixed on the curved surface; the acoustic artificial structure 11 includes a mesh structure composed of a polymer material 1102 and a piezoelectric material 1101 filled in the mesh structure to suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal; it should be noted that the wearable ultrasound probe in this embodiment has all the technical features of the wearable ultrasound probe in Example 1, which will not be described in detail here.

[0056] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this embodiment and is not intended to limit this embodiment. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that this embodiment may be modified and varied in various ways. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, or improvements made within the spirit and principles of this embodiment shall be within the scope of protection of this embodiment.

Claims

1. A conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure, characterized in that: including a wearable ultrasound probe body; The wearable ultrasound probe body is provided with an array transducer, and the array transducer is provided with a curved surface for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, and an acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the curved surface. The array transducer includes a lens layer, a matching layer fixed to the lens layer, a piezoelectric layer fixed to the matching layer, and a backing layer fixed to the piezoelectric layer; the acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the lens layer; the acoustic artificial structure includes a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material, and a piezoelectric material filled in the mesh structure, so as to suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal.

2. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 1, wherein: The piezoelectric layer performs conversion between electrical signals and ultrasonic waves, and the backing layer is used to improve the relative bandwidth of the wearable ultrasonic probe.

3. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 1, wherein: The piezoelectric layer is connected to a signal transmission module, and the signal transmission module is connected to a data transmission module via a switching module.

4. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 3, wherein: The signal transmission module is a flexible circuit board.

5. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 3, wherein: The wearable ultrasound probe further includes a first fixing strap connected to the array transducer, and a second fixing strap connected to the first fixing strap; the data transmission module is a coaxial cable and is disposed in the first fixing strap.

6. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 5, characterized in that: The second fixing belt is provided with a data processing and wireless transmission module connected to the data transmission module.

7. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 1, wherein: The lens layer fixes the acoustic artificial structure on a side thereof and is configured to be arc-shaped, and the curvature radius of the arc is designed according to the curve of the human body surface; the lens layer focuses the ultrasonic wave.

8. The conformal cardiac wearable ultrasound probe enhanced by an acoustic artificial structure according to claim 1, wherein: The array transducer is adhered to the surface of human skin through hydrogel.

9. Acoustic artificial structure-enhanced conformal cardiac diagnostic device, characterized in that It includes a wearable ultrasound probe and a data processing and wireless transmission module connected to the wearable ultrasound probe; The wearable ultrasound probe includes a wearable ultrasound probe body for receiving ultrasound echo signals; the data processing and wireless transmission module is used to process the echo signals to obtain a diagnosis result, and transmit the diagnosis result to the outside in a wireless transmission manner; The wearable ultrasound probe body is provided with an array transducer, and the array transducer is provided with a curved surface for receiving ultrasonic echo signals, and an acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the curved surface. The array transducer includes a lens layer, a matching layer fixed to the lens layer, a piezoelectric layer fixed to the matching layer, and a backing layer fixed to the piezoelectric layer; the acoustic artificial structure is fixed on the lens layer; the acoustic artificial structure includes a mesh structure composed of a high molecular polymer material, and a piezoelectric material filled in the mesh structure, so as to suppress side lobes and grating lobes in the ultrasonic echo signal.

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