Ultrasonic system and control method

Abstract

This application relates to an ultrasonic system and control method as described above. The ultrasonic system includes a laser, an optical scanning device, and a multi-element photoacoustic transducer. The laser can emit laser light toward the optical scanning device. The optical scanning device can adjust the propagation direction and pattern of the laser light based on the element information of the photoacoustic transducer. The multi-element photoacoustic transducer can generate focused ultrasound based on the adjusted laser light. This application abandons traditional piezoelectric transducers and uses an optical solution for ultrasound excitation. Compared to piezoelectric transducers, this solution avoids electromagnetic interference and can realize an easily fabricated high-resolution, multi-element small transducer array while generating modulated ultrasound.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ultrasonic transducers, and in particular to an ultrasonic system and a control method. Background Art

[0002] To date, ultrasound has become a common biomedical imaging and treatment tool, as well as a cell stimulation and regulation tool. Traditional ultrasonic transducers are electrically driven devices that rely on the piezoelectric and inverse piezoelectric properties of materials to achieve the conversion between "electricity" and "sound".

[0003] However, high-resolution ultrasonic imaging (<100 μm) is restricted due to the limited bandwidth of ultrasonic signals generated by the piezoelectric effect, and the difficulty in coupling between piezoelectric materials limits the preparation of focused transducers. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, it is necessary to provide an ultrasound system and a control method that can improve the resolution in order to address the above technical problems.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides an ultrasound system, which includes a laser, an optical scanning device, and a multi-element photoacoustic transducer;

[0006] a laser, for emitting laser light to the optical scanning device;

[0007] An optical scanning device for adjusting the propagation direction and the pattern formed by the laser according to the array element information of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer;

[0008] A multi-element photoacoustic transducer is used to generate focused ultrasound according to the adjusted laser.

[0009] In one embodiment, the ultrasound system further comprises a controller, wherein the control device is connected to the laser and the optical scanning device respectively;

[0010] The controller is used to control the laser or light scanning device;

[0011] A laser, configured to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device under the control of a controller;

[0012] The optical scanning device is used to adjust the propagation direction of the laser and the pattern formed according to the array element information of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer under the control of the controller.

[0013] In one embodiment, the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes a plurality of elements;

[0014] Each array element is used to generate focused ultrasound according to the adjusted laser.

[0015] In one embodiment, the multi-element photoacoustic transducer is a single-layer film or a cylinder.

[0016] In one embodiment, the arrangement of the multiple array elements includes one of a square, a hexagonal, an aligned arrangement, and a cross arrangement.

[0017] In one embodiment, the bottom surface shape of the single-layer film or cylinder includes one of a spherical concave shape, an aspheric concave shape, a plane shape, and a convex shape.

[0018] In one embodiment, the diameter of the spherical concave multi-element photoacoustic transducer is 0.01 mm to 50 mm.

[0019] In one embodiment, the absorption layer material of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes one of carbon black, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, candle ash, metal nanoparticles and graphite.

[0020] In one embodiment, the expansion layer material of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes one of polydimethylsiloxane, polymethyl methacrylate and zinc oxide.

[0021] In one embodiment, the pulse width of the laser is greater than 0.1 ns, and the wavelength range of the laser is 400 nm-3500 nm.

[0022] In a second aspect, the present application further provides a method for controlling an ultrasound system, the method comprising:

[0023] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0024] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0025] Modulated focused ultrasound is generated based on the adjusted laser light.

[0026] In a third aspect, the present application further provides a computer device. The computer device includes a memory and a processor. The memory stores a computer program. When the processor executes the computer program, the following steps are performed:

[0027] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0028] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0029] Modulated focused ultrasound is generated based on the adjusted laser light.

[0030] In a fourth aspect, the present application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0031] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0032] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0033] Focused ultrasound is generated based on the adjusted laser light.

[0034] In a fifth aspect, the present application further provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0035] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0036] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0037] Modulated focused ultrasound is generated based on the adjusted laser light.

[0038] The ultrasonic system and control method described above include a control device, a laser, an optical scanning device, and a multi-element photoacoustic transducer. The laser can emit laser light toward the optical scanning device. The optical scanning device can adjust the propagation direction and pattern of the laser light based on the element information of the photoacoustic transducer. The multi-element photoacoustic transducer can generate focused ultrasound based on the adjusted laser light. This application abandons traditional piezoelectric transducers and uses an optical solution for ultrasound excitation. Compared to piezoelectric transducers, this solution avoids electromagnetic interference and can realize a small, easily fabricated transducer array that can generate high-resolution ultrasound while ensuring multiple elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound system in one embodiment;

[0040] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a multi-element photoacoustic transducer according to an embodiment;

[0041] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound system in another embodiment;

[0042] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a modulated array arrangement in one embodiment;

[0043] Figure 5 A concave schematic diagram of a multi-element ultrasonic circulator in one embodiment;

[0044] Figure 6 1. A schematic flow chart of a control method for an ultrasound system according to an embodiment;

[0045] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the internal structure of a computer device in one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of this application more clear, the following further describes this application in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain this application and are not intended to limit this application.

[0047] First, before specifically introducing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the technical background on which the embodiments of the present application are based is introduced.

[0048] Ultrasound has become a common tool for biomedical imaging and cell stimulation / modulation. However, traditional ultrasound transducers are electrically driven devices that rely on the piezoelectric and inverse piezoelectric properties of materials to convert electricity into sound. However, the limited bandwidth of piezoelectric transducers and the difficulty of coupling between piezoelectric materials restrict the fabrication of focused transducers. Furthermore, their limited spatial resolution makes arraying difficult.

[0049] Unlike piezoelectric transducers, photoacoustic transducers have a simple structure and a variety of implementation methods. They are light-driven devices that follow the energy conversion relationship between light, heat, and sound, generating ultrasonic signals by irradiating a photoacoustic material with a pulsed laser.

[0050] Compared with the tedious and complex preparation process of traditional piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, the preparation of photoacoustic transducers is extremely simple. It only requires the light absorber and the expander to be made into a composite material. In addition, the high-absorbency material is used to efficiently absorb laser energy, thereby efficiently converting the laser energy into heat. At the same time, the nanoscale light absorber allows heat to be quickly transferred to the surrounding medium. As the thermal diffusion time decreases, this rapid and efficient heat transfer can guide the expander to expand faster, thereby generating high-amplitude, high-bandwidth ultrasound, thereby improving the resolution of ultrasound. The unit size of the photoacoustic transducer can be smaller, and there is no crosstalk between the device units. There is no need to consider the tedious "electrical connection" problem, and electromagnetic field interference is avoided. Therefore, it has great advantages in the miniaturization and arraying of acoustic devices.

[0051] The transverse direction of the ultrasonic field at the focus of the photoacoustic transducer is related to the radius and curvature radius of the ultrasonic transducer, and is defined as R=0.71V / NA*f, where v is the ambient sound velocity, f is the center frequency, and NA is the ratio of the radius to the curvature radius. It can be seen that the resolution of ultrasound is related to the center frequency and the curvature radius. Therefore, by changing the thickness and excitation wavelength of the transducer, low-frequency ultrasound and high-frequency ultrasound can be achieved as required. By adjusting the ratio of the curvature radius to the radius, high spatial resolution can be achieved. At the same time, the gain of the focus is directly related to the NA. The higher the NA, the higher the focus gain and the higher the sound pressure generated. Therefore, by changing the morphology of the material and the excitation wavelength, high spatial resolution can be achieved with a smaller size.

[0052] The currently used multi-element ultrasonic transducers based on piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers have the following drawbacks when performing imaging or cell stimulation / regulation:

[0053] Electromagnetic interference, poor electromagnetic shielding capabilities of piezoelectric transducers and long-distance signal transmission lines, lead to low signal-to-noise ratios of ultrasonic signals and poor image quality. Ultrasonic phased arrays are composed of multiple ultrasonic probes arranged in a certain regular order. By regulating the excitation signals of each element of the transducer, the sound waves are non-invasively and precisely focused. However, in many applications, miniaturization, arraying, and high-precision compatibility are often required. However, periodic arrays are limited by their size and geometric structure, and their sound field characteristics are often accompanied by large side lobes and grating lobes, resulting in unsatisfactory focusing effects. The compatibility between the number of array elements and the focusing effect is solved by arranging the array elements, but this will limit the sound pressure. In short, the above requirements are incompatible, and the process of cutting piezoelectric transducers is relatively complex.

[0054] Based on this, in response to the problems of limited bandwidth of piezoelectric transducers, difficulty in coupling between piezoelectric materials, cumbersome connections, difficulty in miniaturization and arraying, this application provides an ultrasonic system and control method to solve the above technical problems.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, an ultrasound system is provided. The ultrasound system of an embodiment of the present application includes a control device 1, a laser 2, an optical scanning device 3 and a multi-element photoacoustic transducer 4.

[0056] The control device 1 is connected to the laser 2 and the optical scanning device 3. The controller 1 can be a built-in controller of the laser 2 or the optical scanning device 3, or any device that can generate signals, such as a function generator, a data acquisition card, a single-chip microcomputer, a development board, etc. The laser 2 and the optical scanning device 3 can also be controlled by their own software.

[0057] In the embodiment of the present application, the controller 1 is used to control the laser 2 and the optical scanning device 3. The laser 2 is used to emit laser light to the optical scanning device 3 under the control of the controller 1. The laser is a laser that can generate light that excites the photoacoustic effect, including but not limited to visible light lasers, infrared lasers, continuous lasers, fiber lasers, etc.

[0058] Under the control of controller 1, optical scanning device 3 adjusts the propagation direction and pattern of the laser beam based on the array element information of multi-element photoacoustic transducer 4. Multi-element photoacoustic transducer 4 generates focused ultrasound based on the adjusted laser beam. This multi-element photoacoustic transducer can be used in applications requiring high-precision ultrasound, such as tissue imaging, neural modulation, cell stimulation, and acoustic tweezers manipulation.

[0059] Specifically, the pulsed laser generated by the laser is transmitted to the optical scanning device through a free-space optical path or optical fiber. The light is modulated by the digital micromirror on the optical scanning device, reflected by the reflector of the optical scanning device and changes the propagation direction of the laser. At the same time, the optical scanning device can modulate the light into multiple light spots corresponding to the multi-element photoacoustic transducer, so that the laser can act on the photoacoustic transducer and be converted into ultrasonic waves.

[0060] The above-mentioned ultrasound system includes a control device, a laser, an optical scanning device and a multi-element photoacoustic transducer; the control device is connected to the laser and the optical scanning device respectively; a controller can control the laser and the optical scanning device; the laser can emit laser light to the optical scanning device under the control of the controller; the optical scanning device can adjust the propagation direction and formed pattern of the laser light according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer under the control of the controller; the multi-element photoacoustic transducer can generate focused ultrasound based on the adjusted laser light.

[0061] The embodiments of this application abandon traditional piezoelectric transducers and use optical solutions for ultrasonic excitation, which can realize easily prepared small transducer arrays. They can generate high-resolution ultrasound while ensuring multiple array elements. They can realize sub-millimeter high-precision, multi-element, miniaturized, focused, modulated ultrasound with simple processes. This application uses photo-induced ultrasonic transducer arrays to realize the preparation of large-area, multi-element, miniaturized, high-precision, and high-resolution transducer arrays. The transducer arrays can be used to excite sound fields of different patterns, which can be applied to various fields of biomedicine and industry.

[0062] In an exemplary embodiment, based on the above embodiment, see Figure 2 The multi-element photoacoustic transducer 4 of the embodiment of the present application includes a plurality of elements, and each composite photoacoustic layer 41 constitutes the multi-element photoacoustic transducer 4; each element is used to generate focused ultrasound according to the adjusted laser.

[0063] In the embodiments of the present application, the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes multiple elements. Based on the above embodiments, the controller can also control the optical scanning device to adjust the energy incident on the photoacoustic transducer to adjust the sound pressure of each individual element. The ultrasound waves in this case can be focused ultrasound waves. The photoacoustic transducer can adjust the radius and thickness of each element to meet different applications in different biological tissues, thereby generating signals of different frequencies or different focal depths to meet imaging and stimulation requirements at different depths.

[0064] Furthermore, if Figure 3 As shown, the control device may include a data acquisition card 11 and a controller 12. The data acquisition card 11 is connected to the laser 2 and the light scanning device 3 controller. The data acquisition card 11 transmits signals and collects level signals to achieve synchronization and control of the light scanning device 3. An image display is connected to the data acquisition card 11 and is configured to display images based on the digital signals.

[0065] Specifically, light originates from the laser 2 and is transmitted to the optical scanning device 3 through beam expansion, beam contraction, collimation, coupling, etc. The regulated light generated by the optical scanning device 3 controlled by the data acquisition card 11 is transmitted to the multi-element photoacoustic transducer 4, and regulated focused ultrasound is generated through the composite photoacoustic layer 41 of each element. Figure 4 The diagram shows the arrangement of the array after modulation.

[0066] The multi-element photoacoustic transducer of the present invention can provide different optical patterns through an optical scanning device, thereby generating acoustic excitation signals with different patterns, thereby achieving the purpose of generating fixed-point modulated ultrasound. Compared with the tedious and complex preparation process of traditional piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers, the preparation of photoacoustic transducers is relatively simple.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, based on the above embodiments, the multi-element photoacoustic transducer of the embodiment of the present application is a single-layer thin film.

[0068] In the embodiment of the present application, the multi-element photoacoustic transducer can exist as an independent film, or can be backed by materials such as glass, or the film can be made on the surface of an optical fiber / optical fiber bundle.

[0069] In the embodiment of the present application, compared with the traditional ultrasonic transducer's required three-layer (at least three-layer) structural system of matching layer-crystal layer-backing layer, and the three-layer structure needs to be precisely connected using acoustic impedance matching glue, the photoacoustic transducer generally has only one layer structure.

[0070] In one exemplary embodiment, based on the above embodiments, the bottom surface shape of the single-layer film or cylinder in the embodiment of the present application includes one of a spherical concave shape, an aspheric concave shape, a planar lattice, and a convex shape. The arrangement of the multiple elements includes one of a square, a hexagonal, an aligned arrangement, and a cross arrangement.

[0071] In the embodiment of the present application, by changing the bottom surface shape of a single-layer film or cylinder of a multi-element photoacoustic transducer to one of a spherical concave shape, an aspheric concave shape, a planar lattice, and a convex shape, it is possible to achieve different focal depths, different imaging depths, and different sound pressures on the same transducer.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment, based on the above embodiment, as Figure 5 The figure shows a concave example of a multi-element ultrasonic circulator. The diameter of the spherical concave multi-element photoacoustic transducer in the embodiment of the present application is 0.01 mm to 50 mm.

[0073] In the embodiments of the present application, the ratio of the radius of curvature to the radius of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer significantly affects the transducer's ultrasonic resolution. Therefore, controlling the radius of curvature and radius within a reasonable range can effectively improve ultrasonic resolution. Due to the self-focusing effect of the concave transducer, the sound pressure at the focus of the ultrasonic transducer is stronger than that of an unfocused transducer. Furthermore, the concave photoacoustic transducer has a better focusing effect than a piezoelectric transducer, which facilitates the generation of a smaller sound field at the focus and achieves high resolution.

[0074] In one exemplary embodiment, based on the above embodiments, the absorption layer material of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer of the present application includes one of carbon black, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, candle ash, metal nanoparticles, and graphite. The expansion layer material of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes one of polydimethylsiloxane, polymethyl methacrylate, and zinc oxide.

[0075] In the case where the long wavelength is greater than 3000 nm, the absorption layer material may not be used, and only the expansion layer material polydimethylsiloxane may be used.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present application, pulsed laser light generated by a laser is transmitted to an optical scanning device via a free-space optical path or optical fiber. The light is modulated by a digital micromirror and reflected by the optical scanning device's reflector, changing the laser's propagation direction. Simultaneously, the optical scanning device modulates the light into multiple light spots corresponding to a multi-element ultrasonic circulator, allowing the modulated laser light to act on a photoacoustic transducer and generate ultrasound waves for customized positional stimulation. The modulated light is then transmitted to a concave candle ash and polydimethylsiloxane composite film, achieving high-precision, focused multi-element ultrasonic excitation.

[0077] The candle ash efficiently absorbs laser energy, emitting ultrasound waves through the highly transparent, high-thermal-expansion PDMS material. We will fabricate a laser-ultrasound transducer based on a multi-element concave film array to generate focused ultrasound waves, achieving high resolution. Leveraging the properties of composite materials, individual array elements can be extremely small, allowing for the creation of as many elements as possible within a limited area, generating multiple pixels.

[0078] In an exemplary embodiment, based on the above embodiment, the pulse width of the laser in the embodiment of the present application is greater than 0.1 ns, and the wavelength range of the laser is 400 nm-3500 nm.

[0079] In the embodiment of the present application, the laser pulse width is set to be greater than 0.1ns, and the wavelength range of the laser is set to be 400nm-3500nm. The light spot emitted after the light scanning period needs to be able to cover a single transducer array to generate the maximum sound pressure.

[0080] In an exemplary embodiment, Figure 6 As shown, an embodiment of the present application further provides a method for controlling an ultrasound system, which includes the following S101 to S103.

[0081] S101, controlling a laser to emit laser light to a light scanning device.

[0082] In an embodiment of the present application, the control device is connected to the laser, and the control device controls the laser to emit laser light to the light scanning device by transmitting signals and collecting level signals.

[0083] S102 , controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer.

[0084] In the embodiment of the present application, the control device controls the light scanning device to scan light to different positions and generate different light patterns according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer.

[0085] S103 , generating modulated focused ultrasound according to the adjusted laser light.

[0086] In an embodiment of the present application, the control device controls the light scanning device to scan light to different positions and generate different light patterns according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer. The light can be transformed according to the position and shape of the transducer, and finally the light can be transmitted to the transducer array. At the position where the light is transmitted by the light scanning device, the composite photoacoustic layer absorbs the light and generates focused ultrasound.

[0087] Specifically, a control device directs the pulsed laser light generated by a laser to be transmitted via a free-space optical path or optical fiber to an optical scanning device. The light is modulated by a digital micromirror, reflected by the optical scanning device's reflector, and its propagation direction is changed. Simultaneously, the optical scanning device modulates the light into multiple light spots corresponding to the multi-element ultrasonic circulator, allowing the laser light to act on the photoacoustic transducer and be converted into ultrasonic waves. The modulated light is then transmitted to a concave film made of a composite material of candle ash and polydimethylsiloxane, achieving high-precision, focused multi-element ultrasonic excitation.

[0088] The candle ash efficiently absorbs laser energy and, thanks to the highly transparent and thermally expanded PDMS material, transmits the ultrasound waves. We will fabricate a laser-ultrasonic transducer based on a multi-element concave film to generate focused ultrasound waves, achieving high resolution. Leveraging the properties of composite materials, individual elements can be made extremely small. Furthermore, the energy incident on the photoacoustic transducer can be controlled by controlling the optical scanning device, thereby adjusting the sound pressure of each individual element. The ultrasound waves can then be focused. The photoacoustic transducer can adjust the radius and thickness of each element to suit different biological tissue applications, generating signals of varying frequencies or focal depths to meet imaging and stimulation requirements at varying depths. Furthermore, the ultrasound excitation frequency can be adjusted by adjusting the laser pulse width, ultimately creating as many elements as possible within a limited area, thereby generating multiple pixels.

[0089] The control method for the ultrasonic system described above controls a laser to emit laser light toward an optical scanning device; the optical scanning device is then controlled to adjust the propagation direction and pattern of the laser light based on the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer, thereby generating modulated focused ultrasound based on the adjusted laser light. The embodiments of the present application utilize a laser-ultrasonic transducer based on a concave thin film with multiple array elements to generate focused ultrasound and achieve high resolution.

[0090] By utilizing the characteristics of composite materials, a single array element can be made extremely small in size, which enables the miniaturization and arraying of ultrasonic transducers, and can generate modulated high-sound-pressure, high-resolution ultrasound at different depths, positions, and frequencies.

[0091] The photoacoustic transducer array proposed in this application abandons the traditional piezoelectric transducer and uses an optical solution for ultrasonic excitation. It can realize an easy-to-prepare small transducer array, which can generate high-resolution ultrasound while ensuring multiple array elements. At the same time, the ultrasonic excitation can be programmable through light, and it is easier to prepare and lower in cost than piezoelectric transducers.

[0092] It should be understood that, although the various steps in the flowcharts involved in the various embodiments described above are displayed in sequence according to the instructions of the arrows, these steps are not necessarily executed in sequence in the order indicated by the arrows. Unless otherwise specified herein, there is no strict order restriction on the execution of these steps, and these steps can be executed in other orders. Moreover, at least a portion of the steps in the flowcharts involved in the various embodiments described above can include multiple steps or multiple stages, and these steps or stages are not necessarily executed and completed at the same time, but can be executed at different times, and the execution order of these steps or stages is not necessarily to be carried out in sequence, but can be executed in turn or alternately with other steps or at least a portion of steps or stages in other steps.

[0093] In one embodiment, a computer device is provided. The computer device may be a control device, and its internal structure diagram may be as follows: Figure 7 As shown. The computer device includes a processor, memory, an input / output interface, a communication interface, a display unit, and an input device. The processor, memory, and input / output interface are connected via a system bus, and the communication interface, display unit, and input device are connected to the system bus via the input / output interface. The processor of the computer device is used to provide computing and control capabilities. The memory of the computer device includes a non-volatile storage medium and internal memory. The non-volatile storage medium stores an operating system and computer programs. The internal memory provides an environment for the operation of the operating system and computer programs in the non-volatile storage medium. The input / output interface of the computer device is used to exchange information between the processor and external devices. The communication interface of the computer device is used to communicate with external terminals via wired or wireless means, and the wireless means can be achieved via Wi-Fi, mobile cellular networks, NFC (near-field communication), or other technologies. When executed by the processor, the computer program implements a method for controlling an ultrasound system. The display unit of the computer device is used to form a visually visible image and can be a display screen, a projection device, or a virtual reality imaging device. The display screen can be a liquid crystal display screen or an electronic ink display screen, and the input device of the computer device can be a touch layer covering the display screen, or a button, trackball or touchpad set on the computer device casing, or an external keyboard, touchpad or mouse.

[0094] Those skilled in the art will understand that Figure 7 The structure shown in the figure is only a block diagram of a part of the structure related to the solution of the present application, and does not constitute a limitation on the computer device to which the solution of the present application is applied. The specific computer device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or have a different component arrangement.

[0095] In one embodiment, a computer device is provided, including a memory and a processor, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory, and when the processor executes the computer program, the following steps are implemented:

[0096] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0097] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0098] Generates modulated focused ultrasound based on adjusted laser light

[0099] In one embodiment, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored. When the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are implemented:

[0100] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0101] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0102] Modulated focused ultrasound is generated based on the adjusted laser light.

[0103] In one embodiment, when the computer program is executed by a processor, the following steps are further implemented:

[0104] In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program, which, when executed by a processor, implements the following steps:

[0105] controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device;

[0106] Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the photoacoustic transducer;

[0107] generating modulated focused ultrasound according to the adjusted laser light;

[0108] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of relevant countries and regions.

[0109] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-mentioned embodiments can be implemented by instructing the relevant hardware through a computer program. The computer program can be stored in a non-volatile computer-readable storage medium. When the computer program is executed, it can include the processes of the above-mentioned embodiments. In particular, any reference to memory, database, or other media used in the embodiments provided in this application can include at least one of non-volatile and volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can include read-only memory (ROM), magnetic tape, floppy disk, flash memory, optical memory, high-density embedded non-volatile memory, resistive random access memory (ReRAM), magnetic random access memory (MRAM), ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM), phase change memory (PCM), graphene memory, etc. Volatile memory can include random access memory (RAM) or external cache memory, etc. By way of illustration and not limitation, RAM can take various forms, such as static random access memory (SRAM) or dynamic random access memory (DRAM). The databases involved in the various embodiments provided herein may include at least one of a relational database and a non-relational database. Non-relational databases may include, but are not limited to, distributed databases based on blockchains. The processors involved in the various embodiments provided herein may be, but are not limited to, general-purpose processors, central processing units (CPUs), graphics processing units (GPUs), digital signal processors (DSPs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), data processing logic devices based on quantum computing, and the like.

[0110] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined arbitrarily. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0111] The above-described embodiments merely represent several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, and these modifications and improvements fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An ultrasound system, characterized in that: The ultrasonic system includes a laser, an optical scanning device and a multi-element photo-ultrasonic transducer; The laser is used to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device; The optical scanning device is used to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer; The multi-element photo-ultrasonic transducer is used to generate high-resolution self-focusing ultrasound based on the photo-ultrasonic material according to the adjusted laser; The multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes multiple elements; the multi-element photoacoustic transducer is specifically used to adjust the radius and thickness of each element according to different applications of different biological tissues to generate high-resolution self-focusing ultrasound of different frequencies or different focal depths.

2. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein The ultrasound system further includes a controller, which is connected to the laser and the optical scanning device respectively; The controller is used to control the laser or the light scanning device; The laser is used to emit laser light to the optical scanning device under the control of the controller; The optical scanning device is used to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer under the control of the controller.

3. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein The multi-element photoacoustic transducer is a single-layer film or a cylinder.

4. The ultrasound system according to claim 3, wherein: The bottom surface shape of the single-layer film or the cylinder includes one of a spherical concave shape, an aspheric concave shape, a plane lattice, and a convex shape.

5. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein The diameter of the spherical concave multi-element photoacoustic transducer is 0.01 mm to 50 mm.

6. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein The absorption layer material of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes one of carbon black, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, candle ash, metal nanoparticles and graphite.

7. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein The expansion layer material of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes one of polydimethylsiloxane, polymethyl methacrylate and zinc oxide.

8. The ultrasound system according to claim 1, wherein The pulse width of the laser is greater than 0.1 ns, and the wavelength range of the laser is 400 nm-3500 nm.

9. A control method for an ultrasound system, characterized in that: The method comprises: controlling the laser to emit laser light toward the optical scanning device; Controlling the optical scanning device to adjust the propagation direction and the formed pattern of the laser according to the array element information of the multi-element photoacoustic transducer; Controlling the multi-element photoacoustic transducer to generate high-resolution self-focusing ultrasound based on the photoacoustic material according to the adjusted laser; The multi-element photoacoustic transducer includes a plurality of elements, and controlling the multi-element photoacoustic transducer to generate high-resolution self-focusing ultrasound based on a photoacoustic material according to the adjusted laser light includes: The radius and thickness of each array element are adjusted according to different applications of different biological tissues to generate high-resolution self-focusing ultrasound with different frequencies or different focal depths.

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