Ultrasonic transducer inspection apparatus and method

Abstract

The present invention aims to enable easy inspection of an ultrasonic transducer used for high-density focused ultrasonic therapy. In the inspection of the ultrasonic transducer, selection and observation processing including the following processing is performed: (i) processing of selecting a pair of split faces from among the pairs of split faces obtained by splitting a bowl face (40) by a plurality of split faces including a central axis (36) of the bowl face (40), that is, a plurality of pairs of split faces with respect to the central axis (36); (ii) processing of causing the ultrasonic transducer (28) provided on the selected pair of split faces among the pairs of split faces to transmit ultrasonic waves; (iii) processing of setting an ultrasonic probe (12) in a state in which an ultrasonic beam is scanned on an observation face through the pair of split faces; and (iv) processing of obtaining ultrasonic wave data for the observation face on which the ultrasonic beam is scanned. The selection and observation processing is performed for the pairs of split faces, respectively, and the state of the ultrasonic transducer (28) is determined from the ultrasonic wave data obtained in each selection and observation processing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer inspection device and method, and more particularly to a technique for inspecting multiple ultrasonic transducers disposed on a bowl-shaped surface. Background Technology

[0002] Treatment devices using High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) therapy have become widely used. These devices, called HIFU irradiation devices or HIFU irradiation systems, cause tissue necrosis by irradiating the treatment site with ultrasound waves.

[0003] HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) devices typically consist of multiple ultrasonic transducers mounted on a bowl-shaped surface. These transducers are positioned so that the ultrasonic waves emitted by each transducer converge on a single point, creating a focal point. During treatment, the focal point is first aligned with the treatment area, and then ultrasonic irradiation is performed. To confirm the irradiation location, an ultrasound diagnostic device is used to project the focal point onto the ultrasound image.

[0004] Patent Document 1 below describes an ultrasound therapy device in which the focal position is observed using an ultrasound diagnostic device that displays B-mode images (tomographic images). In this device, a low-level ultrasound wave that does not affect the tissue is transmitted by an ultrasound transducer used for treatment. Simultaneously, an ultrasound imaging probe transmits and receives ultrasound waves to display a tomographic image. Because the acoustic properties of the examined tissue change with tissue temperature, the focal position in the tomographic image exhibits varying degrees of brightness.

[0005] Patent Document 2 below describes a technique for evaluating deviations in the irradiation position or irradiation path before treatment with high-density focused ultrasound therapy.

[0006] Existing technical documents

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JPH8071069

[0009] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. JPH7047079 Summary of the Invention

[0010] The problem to be solved by the present invention

[0011] In HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) irradiation devices, the characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer can sometimes change due to external impacts or variations over time, leading to phenomena such as focal deviation from the ideal position and reduced intensity of therapeutic ultrasound waves at the focal point. Therefore, a technique that allows for easy inspection of the ultrasonic transducer is needed.

[0012] The purpose of this invention is to enable easy inspection of ultrasound transducers used in high-density focused ultrasound therapy.

[0013] Problem Solving Methods

[0014] This invention relates to an ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that it comprises: a transducer control device for controlling a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed on a bowl-shaped surface; a probe drive device for rotating an ultrasonic probe disposed on a central axis of the bowl-shaped surface about the central axis; a data acquisition device for acquiring ultrasonic data through the ultrasonic probe; and a controller for controlling the transducer control device, the probe drive device, and the data acquisition device. Before treatment using the ultrasonic transducers, the controller: controls the transducer control device to cause the ultrasonic transducers disposed on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis, among a plurality of segmented surfaces obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface with a plurality of cutting surfaces including the central axis, to transmit ultrasonic waves; the controller performs the following selective observation processing on each of the plurality of segmented surfaces: from the plurality of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis... Among the segmented surfaces, a pair of segmented surfaces are selected; by controlling the transducer control device, the ultrasonic transducer disposed on the selected pair of segmented surfaces transmits ultrasonic waves with an intensity lower than that used during treatment; by controlling the probe drive device, the ultrasonic probe is set to scan the ultrasonic beam across the observation surface of the selected pair of segmented surfaces; by controlling the data acquisition device, ultrasonic data for the observation surface where the ultrasonic beam is scanned is obtained; before treatment using the ultrasonic transducer, the controller processes the ultrasonic intensity at treatment reference points set for multiple ultrasonic transducers based on the ultrasonic data for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, and displays the information corresponding to the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces on the display device.

[0015] Preferably, the controller determines the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces based on the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces.

[0016] Preferably, the controller determines the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces by comparing the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces with a reference value.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that it comprises: a transducer control device for controlling a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed on a bowl-shaped surface; a probe driving device for rotating an ultrasonic probe disposed on the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface around the central axis; a data acquisition device for acquiring ultrasonic data through the ultrasonic probe; and a controller for controlling the transducer control device, the probe driving device, and the data acquisition device, wherein the controller is configured to: control the transducer control device to cause the ultrasonic transducers disposed on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis to transmit ultrasonic waves among a plurality of segmented surfaces obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface by a plurality of cutting surfaces including the central axis; the controller performs the following selective observation processing for each pair of segmented surfaces: from relative to Among the multiple pairs of segmented planes of the central axis, one pair of segmented planes is selected; the transducer control device is controlled to cause the ultrasonic transducer disposed on the selected pair of segmented planes to transmit ultrasonic waves; the probe drive device is controlled to set the ultrasonic probe to scan the ultrasonic beam through the observation plane of the selected pair of segmented planes; the data acquisition device is controlled to obtain the ultrasonic data for the observation plane where the ultrasonic beam is scanned; the controller processes the ultrasonic intensity at the treatment reference point set for multiple ultrasonic transducers based on the ultrasonic data for each of the multiple pairs of segmented planes; and the state of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented planes is determined based on the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented planes.

[0018] Furthermore, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that it comprises: a transducer control device for controlling a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed on a bowl-shaped surface; a probe driving device for rotating an ultrasonic probe disposed on the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface around the central axis; a data acquisition device for acquiring ultrasonic data through the ultrasonic probe; and a controller for controlling the transducer control device, the probe driving device, and the data acquisition device, wherein the controller is configured to: control the transducer control device to cause the ultrasonic transducers disposed on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis to transmit ultrasonic waves from a plurality of segmented surfaces obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface by a plurality of cutting surfaces including the central axis; the controller performs the following selective observation processing for each pair of segmented surfaces: from the central axis... Among multiple pairs of segmented planes of the spindle, one pair of segmented planes is selected; the transducer control device is controlled to cause the ultrasonic transducer located on the selected pair of segmented planes to transmit ultrasonic waves; the probe drive device is controlled to set the ultrasonic probe to scan the ultrasonic beam across the observation plane of the selected pair of segmented planes; the data acquisition device is controlled to obtain the ultrasonic data for the observation plane where the ultrasonic beam is scanned; the controller processes the ultrasonic intensity at treatment reference points set for multiple ultrasonic transducers based on the ultrasonic data for each of the multiple pairs of segmented planes; the state of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented planes is determined by comparing the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented planes with a reference value.

[0019] Preferably, the controller is used to display information corresponding to the ultrasonic intensity obtained for the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces on a display device.

[0020] Furthermore, the present invention provides an inspection method for inspecting multiple ultrasonic transducers disposed on a bowl-shaped surface. The method is characterized by performing the following selection and observation processing on multiple pairs of segmented surfaces obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface with multiple cutting surfaces including the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface, each pair relative to the central axis: selecting one pair of segmented surfaces from the multiple pairs; causing the ultrasonic transducers disposed on the pair of segmented surfaces to emit ultrasonic waves; setting the ultrasonic probe to scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface passing through the pair of segmented surfaces; obtaining ultrasonic data for the observation surface where the ultrasonic beam is scanned; and determining the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces based on the ultrasonic data obtained for each pair of segmented surfaces.

[0021] Preferably, determining the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces includes: processing the ultrasonic intensity at treatment reference points set for the plurality of ultrasonic transducers based on the ultrasonic data for each of the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces; and determining the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces based on the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces.

[0022] Invention Effects

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to easily inspect the ultrasound transducer used in high-density focused ultrasound therapy. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a HIFU irradiation system.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a top-down conceptual diagram of a bowl-shaped surface.

[0026] Figure 3A The image shows a pair of segmentation surfaces that become the transmission segmentation surface.

[0027] Figure 3B The image shows a pair of segmentation surfaces that become the transmission segmentation surface.

[0028] Figure 3C The image shows a pair of segmentation surfaces that become the transmission segmentation surface.

[0029] Figure 3D The image shows a pair of segmentation surfaces that become the transmission segmentation surface.

[0030] Figure 4 The image shown is an example of an image displayed on a display device.

[0031] Figure 5 The image shown is an example of an image displayed on a display device. Detailed Implementation

[0032] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical structural parts shown in different figures are labeled with the same reference numerals, and repeated descriptions thereof are omitted. In this specification, terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" refer to… Figure 1 The orientation on paper. The terms used to indicate such orientations are not intended to impose restrictions on the orientation of the structural components when they are set up.

[0033] (I) Overview of HIFU Irradiation Systems

[0034] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of the HIFU irradiation device 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1In the diagram, the direction to the right is the positive X-axis. Furthermore, the direction outward from the plane of the paper is the positive Y-axis, and the downward direction within the plane of the paper is the Z-axis. The HIFU irradiation system 100 includes a HIFU transducer unit 10, an ultrasonic probe 12, a water bag 14, a probe drive device 16, a data acquisition device 18, a transducer control device 20, a display device 22, and a controller 24.

[0035] The HIFU transducer unit 10 includes a bowl-shaped transducer housing 26 with its opening facing downwards and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers 28 fixed to the transducer housing 26. The shape of the transducer housing 26 can be the same as the shape of the side of a cone. Here, a cone refers to a three-dimensional shape formed by all straight lines extending from a point in space to its base. In addition, the transducer housing 26 can have a dome-shaped shape with its top bulging out. Each ultrasonic transducer 28 is fixed to the transducer housing 26 in such a way that the ultrasonic intensity at the treatment reference point P below the transducer housing 26 is increased when each ultrasonic transducer 28 transmits ultrasonic waves.

[0036] The controller 24 can be a personal computer, tablet computer, etc. An operating device (not shown) for the user to operate the HIFU irradiation system 100 is connected to the controller 24. The operating device may include a mouse, a touchscreen integrated with the display device 22, a switch, a keyboard, etc.

[0037] The transducer control device 20, under the control of the controller 24, causes each ultrasonic transducer 28 to generate ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, the transducer control device 20, under the control of the controller 24, adjusts the intensity of the ultrasonic waves generated by each ultrasonic transducer 28.

[0038] The ultrasonic probe 12 is mounted on the transducer housing 26 to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves at a position below the transducer housing 26 and above the treatment reference point P. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic probe 12 extends vertically through the apex of the transducer housing 26, and the transceiver unit 30 for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves faces downward.

[0039] Below the HIFU transducer unit 10, there is a water bladder 14 that matches the acoustic impedance between each ultrasound transducer 28 and the patient 34 with the acoustic impedance between the ultrasound probe 12 and the patient 34. The water bladder 14 can be a bladder filled with water or other substances. The ultrasound probe 12 extends from above the water bladder 14 into its interior, so that the transceiver unit 30 is located inside the water bladder 14.

[0040] The data acquisition device 18 may be an ultrasonic diagnostic device. Under the control of the controller 24, the data acquisition device 18 performs the following processing: The data acquisition device 18 causes the ultrasonic probe 12 to emit ultrasonic waves and scans the beam (ultrasonic beam) formed by the emitted ultrasonic waves. Specifically, the ultrasonic beam is scanned within the observation plane of the central axis 36 extending vertically from the apex of the self-transducer housing 26. The data acquisition device 18 causes the ultrasonic probe 12 to receive reflected ultrasonic waves arriving from the direction of the ultrasonic beam, and obtains received signals based on the reflected ultrasonic waves received from each direction of the ultrasonic beam. The data acquisition device 18 generates ultrasonic data based on the received signals obtained on the observation plane and outputs it to the controller 24. The ultrasonic data is, for example, data representing a B-mode image (tomographic image) acquired for the observation plane.

[0041] Under the control of the controller 24, the probe drive device 16 causes the ultrasonic probe 12 to rotate around the central axis 36, and the observation surface of the ultrasonic probe 12 rotates through the rotation of the central axis 36.

[0042] During treatment, the water-filled balloon 14, the ultrasound probe 12, and the HIFU transducer unit 10 are configured such that the bottom of the water-filled balloon 14 is in close contact with the patient 34. Before the therapeutic ultrasound waves are irradiated from the HIFU transducer unit 10 to the patient 34, a positioning procedure as described below is performed.

[0043] The transducer control device 20 causes each ultrasound transducer 28, including the HIFU transducer unit 10, to transmit ultrasound waves with an intensity lower than that used during treatment. The probe drive device 16 sets the rotation angle position of the ultrasound probe 12 such that the ultrasound probe 12 scans the ultrasound beam within an observation plane at a predetermined rotation angle position. The data acquisition device 18 causes the ultrasound probe 12 to scan the ultrasound beam within the observation plane to obtain ultrasound data and transmits it to the controller 24. The controller 24 causes a B-mode image representing the ultrasound data to be superimposed on an image representing the treatment reference point P on a display device 22. The user, acting as the operator, refers to the image displayed on the display device 22 to confirm the difference between the location (focal point) where the ultrasound waves transmitted by the HIFU transducer unit 10 are enhanced and the location of the treatment reference point P.

[0044] If the difference between the focal point and the treatment reference point P is not within the allowable range, the user adjusts the position or orientation of the water bag 14, the ultrasound probe 12, and the HIFU transducer unit 10. Alternatively, the user adjusts the contact state between the water bag 14 and the patient 34. Once the user confirms that the focal point is aligned with the treatment reference point P, or that the difference between the focal point and the treatment reference point P is within the allowable range, the user operates the controller 24 for treatment. The controller 24 controls the transducer control device 20 according to the user's operation. Under the control of the controller 24, the transducer control device 20 causes each ultrasound transducer 28 to emit therapeutic ultrasound waves of the required intensity. This achieves the ablation of biological tissue at the focal point, thereby achieving the therapeutic purpose.

[0045] (II) Inspection of HIFU transducer unit

[0046] In the HIFU irradiation system 100, the characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer 28 may sometimes change due to external impacts or changes over time, resulting in phenomena such as the focal point deviating from the ideal position or the intensity of the therapeutic ultrasound at the focal point decreasing. Therefore, in this embodiment, the HIFU irradiation system 100 performs the transducer check as described below before treatment.

[0047] In the transducer inspection, a phantom 38 simulating the patient 34 is used instead of the patient 34. That is, the water bag 14, the ultrasound probe 12, and the HIFU transducer unit 10 are configured such that the water bag 14 is in close contact with the phantom 38. Furthermore, the imaginary bowl-shaped surface with multiple ultrasound transducers 28 is divided into multiple segmented surfaces by multiple cut surfaces including the central axis 36, and only the ultrasound transducers 28 located on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis 36 transmit ultrasound waves.

[0048] Figure 2 This is a top-view concept drawing of the bowl-shaped surface 40. Figure 2 In the example, the bowl-shaped surface 40 is divided at 45° intervals by three cutting planes C1 to C3, each containing the central axis 36, thus forming eight dividing planes D1 to D8. The angle between cutting planes C1 and C2 is 45°, as is the angle between cutting planes C2 and C3, and each dividing plane occupies a 45° angular range in the XY plane. When the azimuth angle of the positive X-axis is set to 0° and the counterclockwise direction from the top viewpoint is set to the positive azimuth angle, the dividing plane Dj occupies an azimuth angle range greater than or equal to 45° × (j-1) and less than 45° × j, where j is any integer from 1 to 8.

[0049] Dividing surfaces D1 and D5 are opposite each other through central axis 36, as are dividing surfaces D2 and D6. Furthermore, dividing surfaces D3 and D7 are opposite each other through central axis 36, and dividing surfaces D4 and D8 are opposite each other through central axis 36.

[0050] The transducer control device 20 selects a pair of segmentation surfaces Dk and D(k+4) from a plurality of pairs of segmentation surfaces relative to the central axis 36, and causes the ultrasonic transducers 28 mounted on the selected pair of segmentation surfaces to transmit ultrasonic waves with an intensity lower than that used during treatment. Here, k is any integer from 1 to 4. Simultaneously, the probe drive device 16 sets the rotation angle position of the ultrasonic probe 12 such that the rotation angle position of the observation surface is within the azimuth angle range occupied by the transmitting segmentation surface. Here, the "transmitting segmentation surface" refers to the pair of segmentation surfaces Dk and D(k+4) on which the ultrasonic transducers 28 transmitting ultrasonic waves are mounted.

[0051] For example, when k=1, i.e., the transmitting segment is segment D1 and D5, the azimuth angle range occupied by the transmitting segment is greater than or equal to 0° and less than 45°, and greater than or equal to 180° and less than 225°. Therefore, the probe drive device 16 sets the rotation angle position of the ultrasonic probe 12 in such a way that the rotation angle position of the observation surface is within the range of greater than or equal to 0° and less than 45° or within the range of greater than or equal to 180° and less than 225°. Furthermore, since the observation surface is a plane, the range of greater than or equal to 0° and less than 45° and the range of greater than or equal to 180° and less than 225° are the same range.

[0052] When k=3, that is, when the transmitting split surface is split surface D3 and D7, the probe driving device 16 sets the rotation angle position of the ultrasonic probe 12 in such a way that the angular position of the observation surface is within the range of greater than or equal to 90° and less than 135° or within the range of greater than or equal to 270° and less than 315°.

[0053] Furthermore, the probe drive device 16 can set the rotation angle position of the ultrasonic probe 12 such that the rotation angle position of the observation surface is the center azimuth angle within the azimuth angle range occupied by the transmitting segmentation surface. For example, when the transmitting segmentation surface is segmentation surface D1 and D5 (k=1), the probe drive device 16 can set the rotation angle position of the ultrasonic probe 12 such that the rotation angle position of the observation surface is 22.5° and 202.5°. Similarly, when the transmitting segmentation surface is segmentation surface D3 and D7 (k=3), the probe drive device 16 can set the rotation angle position of the ultrasonic probe 12 such that the rotation angle position of the observation surface is 112.5° and 292.5°.

[0054] After setting the rotation angle position of the observation surface to the rotation angle position corresponding to the transmission segmentation surface, the data acquisition device 18 scans the ultrasonic beam with the ultrasonic probe 12 and obtains the received signal based on the reflected ultrasonic waves received from the ultrasonic beam in each direction. The data acquisition device 18 generates ultrasonic data based on the received signal obtained from the observation surface and outputs it to the controller 24.

[0055] The controller 24 measures the intensity Lk of the ultrasound at the treatment reference point P based on the ultrasound data obtained for the segmented planes Dk and D(k+4). In the following description, the intensity of the ultrasound at the treatment reference point P (ultrasound intensity) is sometimes referred to as the reference point intensity.

[0056] The probe drive unit 16, data acquisition unit 18, transducer control unit 20, and controller 24 sequentially calculate the reference point intensity Lk for all k. In the example above, the probe drive unit 16, data acquisition unit 18, transducer control unit 20, and controller 24 sequentially calculate the reference point intensity Lk for k=1 to k=4 respectively. After calculating the reference point intensity Lk for the previous pair of segmentation surfaces (previously transmitted segmentation surfaces), the process of calculating the reference point intensity Lk for the next pair of segmentation surfaces (subsequently transmitted segmentation surfaces) can begin either under user operation or automatically under the control of controller 24.

[0057] exist Figure 3A In the diagram, shaded lines represent a pair of dividing surfaces D1 and D5 that become the transmitting dividing surface in the case of k=1, and the transceiver component 30 of the ultrasonic probe 12 is represented by a rectangle in the central part of the bowl-shaped surface 40. The length direction of the rectangle representing the transceiver component 30 indicates the extension direction of the observation surface. Figure 3B In the diagram, the pair of dividing surfaces D2 and D6 that become the transmitting dividing surfaces in the case of k=2 are represented by shaded lines, and the transceiver component 30 of the ultrasonic probe 12 is represented in the central part of the bowl-shaped surface 40. Figure 3C and Figure 3D Using the same representation, a pair of dividing surfaces that become the transmitting dividing surfaces and the transceiver component 30 of the ultrasonic probe 12 are shown in the cases of k=3 and k=4, respectively.

[0058] The controller 24 determines the state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces based on the reference point intensities obtained for each pair of segmented surfaces. For example, the controller 24 calculates the average value of the reference point intensities Lk obtained for all k. When there is a pair of segmented surfaces (transmitting segmented surfaces) where the absolute value of the difference between the reference point intensity and the average value is greater than a predetermined value, the controller 24 determines that the ultrasonic transducers 28 located on that pair of segmented surfaces are abnormal. Furthermore, the controller 24 can also determine that the ultrasonic transducers 28 located on that pair of segmented surfaces are abnormal when the absolute value of the difference between the reference point intensity and a predetermined reference value is greater than a predetermined value. The reference value can be a value obtained in advance based on experiments, simulations, etc.

[0059] When an ultrasonic transducer 28 is identified as having an abnormality in one of the multiple pairs of split surfaces, the controller 24 can display the specific information of that pair of split surfaces on the display device 22.

[0060] (III) Display Processing

[0061] The controller 24 can display information representing the intensity of reference points obtained for multiple pairs of segmented surfaces on the display device 22. The user can refer to the information displayed on the display device 22 to determine whether there is any abnormality in the ultrasonic transducer 28. Figure 4 The image shown is an example of an image displayed by the controller 24 on the display device 22.

[0062] In this image, the dividing planes D1 to D8 are conceptually represented by fan-shaped patterns obtained by dividing the circular pattern 50 into eight equal segments at an angle. The fan-shaped patterns representing the dividing planes D1 to D8 are colored, and an intensity reference pattern 52 is displayed at the top of the image. In the intensity reference pattern 52, three ranges arranged from largest to smallest represent the intensity of the reference point, and each range is represented by a corresponding color. Specifically, the color of the left-hand bar area corresponds to the dividing plane with a higher (stronger) reference point intensity, while the color of the right-hand bar area corresponds to the dividing plane with a lower (weaker) reference point intensity, and the color of the central bar area corresponds to the dividing plane with a medium-intensity reference point intensity.

[0063] The user refers to the image displayed on the display device 22 and, by comparing it with other segmented surfaces, confirms whether there is a pair of segmented surfaces with a lower reference point intensity. If there are segmented surfaces with a lower reference point intensity compared to other segmented surfaces, the user can determine that the ultrasonic transducer 28 on that pair of segmented surfaces is malfunctioning.

[0064] exist Figure 4 In the example, the intensity of the reference point corresponding to the pair of split surfaces D2 and D6 is less than the intensity of the reference points corresponding to other split surfaces. Therefore, the user can determine that there is an abnormality in the ultrasonic transducer 28 on the pair of split surfaces D2 and D6.

[0065] Here, we will use the example of representing the reference point intensity by three ranges arranged in descending order in the intensity reference pattern 52. In the intensity reference pattern 52, the reference point intensity can also be represented by two, four, or more ranges arranged in descending order. Furthermore, in addition to using color to represent the magnitude of the reference point intensity, the magnitude of the reference point intensity can also be represented by pattern differences such as shading.

[0066] The controller 24 can display the intensity of the reference point corresponding to each pair of split surfaces on the display device 22. This value can be displayed simultaneously with the fan-shaped pattern or it can replace the fan-shaped pattern. When there is a pair of split surfaces where the absolute value of the difference between the reference point intensity and the predetermined reference value is greater than the predetermined value, the user can determine that there is an abnormality in the ultrasonic transducer 28 set on the pair of split surfaces.

[0067] (iv) Coupling status check

[0068] The above describes an implementation method for checking the condition of the ultrasound transducer 28 by determining whether there is an abnormality. In the HIFU irradiation system 100, the quality of the ultrasound connection (coupling state) between the ultrasound transducer 28 and the patient 34 can also be determined. In this case, such as... Figure 1 As shown, the water bag 14, the ultrasound probe 12, and the HIFU transducer unit 10 are configured such that the bottom of the water bag 14 is in close contact with the patient 34.

[0069] The probe drive device 16, data acquisition device 18, transducer control device 20, and controller 24 perform the same operation as when determining whether the ultrasonic transducer 28 is abnormal, sequentially calculating the reference point intensity Lk for all k. After calculating the reference point intensity Lk for the first pair of segmented surfaces, the process of calculating the reference point intensity Lk for the next pair of segmented surfaces can begin either under the user's operation or automatically under the control of the controller 24.

[0070] The controller 24 determines the state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces based on the reference point intensities obtained for each pair of segmented surfaces. For example, the controller 24 calculates the average value of the reference point intensities Lk obtained for all k. When there is a pair of segmented surfaces where the absolute value of the difference between the reference point intensities and the average value is greater than a predetermined value, the controller 24 determines that the coupling state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 located on that pair of segmented surfaces is poor. Furthermore, the controller 24 can also determine that the coupling state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 located on that pair of segmented surfaces is poor when the absolute value of the difference between the reference point intensities and a predetermined reference value is greater than a predetermined value.

[0071] When one pair of split surfaces is determined to have a poorly coupled ultrasonic transducer 28, the controller 24 can display the specific information identifying that pair of split surfaces on the display device 22. Furthermore, the controller 24 can store the information identifying the pair of split surfaces as having a poorly coupled state. During treatment, the controller 24 can refer to the coupling information and control the transducer control device 20 in a manner that limits the intensity of therapeutic ultrasonic waves on the ultrasonic transducers 28 on the split surfaces determined to have a poorly coupled state.

[0072] Similarly, during coupling status checks, the controller 24 can display information representing the intensity of reference points obtained for multiple pairs of segmented surfaces on the display device 22. The user can refer to the information displayed on the display device 22 to determine whether the coupling status of the ultrasonic transducer 28 is good. Figure 5 The image shown is an example of an image displayed by the controller 24 on the display device 22.

[0073] exist Figure 5 In the example, the reference point intensities corresponding to the segmentation surfaces D1 and D5, as well as D2 and D6, are relatively low, with the reference point intensities corresponding to the segmentation surfaces D1 and D5 being the lowest. Accordingly, the user can determine that the coupling state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 on the segmentation surfaces D1 and D5 is poor.

[0074] The user can store coupling information of a pair of segmented surfaces that are specifically identified as having poor coupling in the controller 24. The controller 24 can refer to the coupling information during treatment and control the transducer control device 20 in a way that limits the intensity of therapeutic ultrasound waves on the ultrasonic transducers 28 on the segmented surfaces that are identified as having poor coupling.

[0075] Similarly, during coupling status checks, the controller 24 can display the intensity of the reference points corresponding to each pair of segmented surfaces on the display device 22. This value can be displayed simultaneously with the fan-shaped pattern or displayed in place of the fan-shaped pattern. When there is a pair of segmented surfaces where the absolute value of the difference between the reference point intensity and the predetermined reference value is greater than the predetermined value, the user can determine that the coupling status of the ultrasonic transducers 28 located on that pair of segmented surfaces is poor.

[0076] The above describes an implementation where the bowl-shaped surface 40 is divided at 45° intervals, and the condition of the ultrasonic transducer 28 is checked based on the eight divisions. Alternatively, the bowl-shaped surface 40 can be divided at angular intervals other than 45°, obtained by dividing 360° by an even number greater than or equal to 4.

[0077] (V) Methods of using HIFU irradiation systems and their effects

[0078] In the HIFU irradiation system 100, a probe drive unit 16, a data acquisition unit 18, a transducer control unit 20, and a controller 24 constitute an ultrasonic transducer inspection device for inspecting multiple ultrasonic transducers 28 mounted on the bowl-shaped surface 40. During this inspection, selective observation processing, including the following processes (i) to (iv), is performed on multiple pairs of segmented surfaces:

[0079] (i) Divide the bowl-shaped surface 40 with multiple cutting surfaces including the central axis 36 of the bowl-shaped surface 40 to obtain multiple pairs of dividing surfaces, i.e. multiple pairs of dividing surfaces opposite to each other through the central axis 36, and select a pair of dividing surfaces from the multiple pairs of dividing surfaces;

[0080] (ii) To cause an ultrasonic transducer 28 disposed on a pair of split surfaces selected from a plurality of split surfaces to transmit ultrasonic waves;

[0081] (iii) The ultrasonic probe 12 is set to scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface of a pair of segmented surfaces selected from multiple pairs of segmented surfaces;

[0082] (iv) Obtain ultrasonic data for the observation surface scanned by the ultrasonic beam.

[0083] By selectively observing multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, ultrasonic data for each pair of segmented surfaces is obtained, and the state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 corresponding to each pair of segmented surfaces is determined. In determining the state of the ultrasonic transducers 28, it is possible to determine whether there are any abnormalities in the ultrasonic transducers 28, and also whether the coupling state of the ultrasonic transducers 28 is good.

[0084] According to this method, the state of the ultrasonic transducer 28 can be determined without setting up a new measuring device. Furthermore, steps such as removing the ultrasonic transducer 28 from the HIFU irradiation system 100 are unnecessary. Therefore, it is possible to easily determine the state of the ultrasonic transducer 28.

[0085] Figure Labels

[0086] 10: HIFU transducer unit; 12: Ultrasonic probe; 14: Water bag; 16: Probe drive device; 18: Data acquisition device; 20: Transducer control device; 22: Display device; 24: Controller; 26: Transducer housing; 28: Ultrasonic transducer; 30: Transceiver unit; 34: Patient; 36: Central axis; 38: Phantom; 40: Bowl-shaped surface; 100: HIFU irradiation system.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that, include: A transducer control device for controlling multiple ultrasonic transducers mounted on a bowl-shaped surface; A probe driving device causes an ultrasonic probe, which is mounted on the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface, to rotate around the central axis; A data acquisition device for acquiring ultrasonic data through the ultrasonic probe; and A controller is used to control the transducer control device, the probe driving device, and the data acquisition device. Before treatment using the ultrasound transducer, the controller is used to: By controlling the transducer control device, ultrasonic waves are transmitted by the ultrasonic transducer located on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis, which are obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface by a plurality of cutting surfaces including the central axis. The controller performs the following selection and observation processing for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces: Select one pair of dividing planes from a plurality of pairs of dividing planes relative to the central axis; By controlling the transducer control device, the ultrasonic transducer disposed on one of the pairs of segmentation surfaces selected from the plurality of pairs of segmentation surfaces transmits ultrasonic waves with an intensity lower than that during treatment. By controlling the probe driving device, the ultrasonic probe is set to scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface of one of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces selected from the segmented surfaces. By controlling the data acquisition device, ultrasonic data is obtained for the observation surface scanned by the ultrasonic beam. Before using the ultrasound transducer for treatment, the controller For each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the ultrasonic intensity at the treatment reference point set for each of the multiple ultrasonic transducers is calculated based on the ultrasonic data. The information corresponding to the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is displayed on the display device.

2. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller Based on the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the state of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is determined.

3. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The controller The state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is determined by comparing the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each pair of segmented surfaces with a reference value.

4. An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that, include: A transducer control device for controlling multiple ultrasonic transducers mounted on a bowl-shaped surface; A probe driving device causes an ultrasonic probe, which is mounted on the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface, to rotate around the central axis; A data acquisition device for acquiring ultrasonic data through the ultrasonic probe; and A controller is used to control the transducer control device, the probe driving device, and the data acquisition device. The controller is used for: By controlling the transducer control device, ultrasonic waves are transmitted by the ultrasonic transducer located on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis, which are obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface by a plurality of cutting surfaces including the central axis. The controller performs the following selection and observation processing for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces: Select one pair of dividing planes from a plurality of pairs of dividing planes relative to the central axis; By controlling the transducer control device, the ultrasonic transducer disposed on one of the pairs of segmented surfaces selected from the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces is made to transmit ultrasonic waves. By controlling the probe driving device, the ultrasonic probe is set to scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface of one of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces selected from the segmented surfaces. By controlling the data acquisition device, ultrasonic data is obtained for the observation surface scanned by the ultrasonic beam. The controller For each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the ultrasonic intensity at the treatment reference point set for the multiple ultrasonic transducers is calculated based on the ultrasonic data. Based on the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the state of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is determined.

5. An ultrasonic transducer inspection device, characterized in that, include: A transducer control device for controlling multiple ultrasonic transducers mounted on a bowl-shaped surface; A probe driving device causes an ultrasonic probe, which is mounted on the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface, to rotate around the central axis; A data acquisition device for acquiring ultrasonic data through the ultrasonic probe; and A controller is used to control the transducer control device, the probe driving device, and the data acquisition device. The controller is used for: By controlling the transducer control device, ultrasonic waves are transmitted by the ultrasonic transducer located on a pair of segmented surfaces relative to the central axis, which are obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface by a plurality of cutting surfaces including the central axis. The controller performs the following selection and observation processing for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces: Select one pair of dividing planes from a plurality of pairs of dividing planes relative to the central axis; By controlling the transducer control device, the ultrasonic transducer disposed on one of the pairs of segmented surfaces selected from the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces is made to transmit ultrasonic waves. By controlling the probe driving device, the ultrasonic probe is set to scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface of one of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces selected from the segmented surfaces. By controlling the data acquisition device, ultrasonic data is obtained for the observation surface scanned by the ultrasonic beam. The controller For each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the ultrasonic intensity at the treatment reference point set for the multiple ultrasonic transducers is calculated based on the ultrasonic data. The state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is determined by comparing the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each pair of segmented surfaces with the reference value.

6. The ultrasonic transducer inspection device as described in claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The controller is used to display the information corresponding to the ultrasonic intensity obtained for the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces on the display device.

7. A method for inspecting multiple ultrasonic transducers disposed on a bowl-shaped surface, characterized in that, For the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces obtained by dividing the bowl-shaped surface by multiple cutting surfaces containing the central axis of the bowl-shaped surface, and each pair of segments relative to the central axis, the following selective observation processing is performed: From the plurality of pairs of dividing planes, select one pair of dividing planes; The ultrasonic transducer disposed on the pair of split surfaces transmits ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic probe is set to scan the ultrasonic beam on the observation surface through the pair of split surfaces. Obtain ultrasonic data for the observation surface scanned by the ultrasonic beam. Based on the ultrasonic data obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is determined.

8. The inspection method as described in claim 7, characterized in that, Determining the state of the ultrasonic transducers corresponding to the plurality of pairs of segmented surfaces includes: For each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the ultrasonic intensity at the treatment reference point set for the multiple ultrasonic transducers is calculated based on the ultrasonic data. Based on the ultrasonic intensity obtained for each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces, the state of the ultrasonic transducer corresponding to each of the multiple pairs of segmented surfaces is determined.

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