Ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging, ICE probe and four-dimensional imaging device

Abstract

The invention provides an ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging, an ICE probe and four-dimensional imaging equipment. The ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging comprises a control assembly, a linear array connected with the control assembly and arranged oppositely, and a reflection structure provided with a rotary reflection slope. The linear array comprises a plurality of array element structures which are arranged according to different preset directions and work independently; the control assembly is used for driving the rotary reflection slope to rotate; the control assembly is further used for driving a target array element structure matched with a target orientation to transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal according to the target orientation of the rotary reflection inclined plane at different acquisition moments so as to generate a corresponding section image at each acquisition moment, and the section images at different acquisition moments are synthesized to obtain a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image; wherein different array element structures correspond to different azimuth ranges of the rotary reflection inclined plane. The generated four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image can meet the medical requirement of accurate examination of the heart cavity.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to an ultrasonic transducer, an ICE (intracardiac ultrasound) probe and a four-dimensional imaging device for 4D (four-dimensional) imaging. Background Art

[0002] Since the mid-20th century, two-dimensional ultrasound (2D ultrasound echo imaging) technology has been widely used in clinical practice, especially in the fields of gynecology and obstetrics, as an important tool for medical diagnosis. It uses the reflection principle of ultrasound to generate two-dimensional images based on the characteristics of the reflected waves, providing doctors with an effective means to observe the structure of the fetus and internal organs of the human body. However, with the rapid development of medical technology, two-dimensional ultrasound has gradually revealed its limitations. For example, the observation effect is limited by the amount of amniotic fluid and the position of the fetus, and it is impossible to intuitively display dynamic changes, making it difficult to meet the growing demand for precision medicine.

[0003] To this end, after decades of unremitting efforts, researchers achieved a breakthrough from the exploration of two-dimensional plane images to three-dimensional stereoscopic imaging at the end of the 20th century. At the beginning of the 21st century, four-dimensional ultrasound (4D ultrasound echo imaging) technology that incorporates the time dimension was also born. Each step embodies the innovation and leap of medical imaging technology. Four-dimensional ultrasound technology not only retains the stereoscopic imaging advantages of three-dimensional ultrasound, but also realizes the observation of real-time dynamic activities of human internal organs and fetuses by introducing the time dimension, providing unprecedented visual experience and information for clinical diagnosis.

[0004] Intracardiac ultrasound imaging (ICE) is a branch of ultrasound echo imaging. The current intracardiac ultrasound imaging technology has limited field of view during surgery. Because the probe size is too small (outer diameter is only 3mm, and the internal available space is only 1-2.5mm), it is impossible to design a complex transducer swing mechanism, resulting in the four-dimensional imaging technology of the ICE probe being limited to the scope of scientific research. In current actual clinical practice, only three-dimensional imaging can be achieved, and it needs to be manually operated by doctors. The accuracy of imaging cannot be guaranteed, let alone four-dimensional imaging, which cannot meet clinical needs.

[0005] The existing 3D display ICE equipment needs to be manually operated by the doctor to control the catheter to rotate as uniformly as possible in the heart cavity to collect and store the cross-sectional images in all directions. After one rotation, the N cross-sectional images stored are combined using an algorithm to form a 360-degree 3D image. The time required for this process varies depending on the doctor's proficiency, and is approximately between 10 seconds and 3 minutes. However, the natural heart beats 60-120 times per second (patient), and the heart beats up to 140 times per second in special stages. In the process of the doctor's rotation, the size of the heart and the image are changing. The resulting cross-sectional matching errors, unclear and even contradictory pixels, even if a special algorithm is used to make judgments and choices, will still make the synthesized image blurry and the screen sheared. Therefore, this 3D ICE device is greatly limited in actual use.

[0006] In order to achieve the 4D effect on the ICE device, the existing technology uses an ultra-high precision matrix method to cut 32*64=2048 array elements from the 2.5*10mm size of the ICE probe, and then connects more than 4,000 lines in a space of less than 1mm through extremely fine lines to lead them to the catheter cable. Then, through the self-designed chip select chip, the opening time of each array element is controlled, thereby forming a 4D functional ICE probe in dual phased array mode. Although this process achieves the 4D effect, due to the need for precise size control, the size of each array element is only 50*140 microns. If one array element is cut during cutting, the entire transducer matrix will be scrapped. In addition, the mutually insulated ground wires and signal wires must be led out at this size, and they must be kept from crosstalking with each other. In addition, the development and production costs of high-voltage chip select chips make the cost of each disposable catheter probe as high as tens of thousands of dollars, resulting in the price of each probe catheter far beyond the affordability of ordinary patients. Therefore, this type of product has not been put into real clinical use and is only used in the field of scientific research.

[0007] Looking back at the current conventional catheter-type intracavitary B-ultrasound products, there is a design that uses an external electric device to rotate the probe at a uniform speed. For example, IVUS (intravascular ultrasound) equipment transmits the current and echo signal on the rotating single element to the stationary circuit board through a rotary transformer, and obtains the ultrasound image after processing through FPGA. However, since ICE is a multi-element transmitting and receiving probe, such as 64 elements, 96 elements, 128 elements, etc., to achieve the rotation of the elements, hundreds or even hundreds of leads need to be rotated together. In order to prevent them from being twisted due to rotation, the current of the rotating part must be transmitted to the stationary circuit board through hundreds of rotary transformers on one axis. This is unrealistic. According to the current smallest rotary transformer, the length of this axis alone needs to be 1-2 meters long, and the reasonable length of the doctor's operating handle is only 20 cm in total, and even the rotating axis is about 5 cm long. Obviously, it is impossible to design the ICE probe in this way.

[0008] There is also a rotating inclined plane with a constant angle to reflect the beamed ultrasound for scanning. For example, the patent application number is CN201910610675.0, which is applied to an intravascular ultrasound diagnosis system and method. This patent can achieve the effect of forming a 360-degree section after moving and rotating while the array element is stationary through inclined reflection. However, since ICE is a linear array (referred to as a linear array), multiple array elements simultaneously transmit multiple beams and receive echoes, and then form a phased array image based on the spatial focusing calculation of a single point or multiple points in the time dimension, and the above patent is for imaging of a single array element beam, if the imaging method of the above patent is applied to the four-dimensional imaging of ICE, the "high-dimensional saddle surface effect" distortion will be formed due to the disorder of the arranged beams at different angles. Summary of the invention

[0009] The technical problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to overcome the defect that the ICE probe in the prior art cannot realize four-dimensional dynamic imaging in clinical practice to meet the clinical use requirements, and to provide an ultrasonic transducer, an ICE probe and a four-dimensional imaging device for 4D imaging.

[0010] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging, the ultrasonic transducer comprising a control component, a linear array and a reflective structure connected to and arranged opposite to the control component;

[0012] The linear array includes a plurality of Hall elements fixedly arranged at a plurality of different positions, and a plurality of array element structures arranged in different preset directions and working independently, each of the array element structures is composed of a plurality of polarization array elements arranged in a straight line, and the array element structures are used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals;

[0013] The reflective structure is provided with a rotating reflective inclined plane and a magnetic element rotating along with the rotating reflective inclined plane;

[0014] The control component is used to send a first control instruction to the reflection structure to drive the rotating reflection inclined surface to rotate;

[0015] The control component is also used to send a second control instruction to the Hall element to drive the Hall element to detect the magnetic intensity information of the magnetic element;

[0016] The control component is also used to determine the target orientation of the rotating reflective slope according to the magnetic intensity information detected by each Hall element at different acquisition moments, send a third control instruction to a target array element structure matching the target orientation, so as to drive the target array element structure to transmit the ultrasonic signal, and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected by the rotating reflective slope along a preset reflection path at the target orientation, so as to generate a corresponding cross-sectional image at each acquisition moment, and synthesize the cross-sectional images at different acquisition moments to obtain a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image;

[0017] Wherein, different array element structures correspond to different azimuth ranges of the rotating reflective slope.

[0018] Preferably, the linear array is a square, and the linear array includes four array element structures;

[0019] The four array element structures are arranged in a cross shape.

[0020] Preferably, two Hall elements are arranged on each side of the linear array, and the two Hall elements are symmetrically arranged.

[0021] Preferably, a line connecting each of the Hall elements to a center point of the linear array forms a preset angle with an adjacent array element structure.

[0022] Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer further comprises a motor;

[0023] The reflective structure is connected to the rotor in the motor;

[0024] The motor is used to receive the first control instruction and drive the rotor to rotate, so as to drive the rotating reflective inclined surface in the reflective structure to rotate.

[0025] Preferably, the motor is further used to receive the first control instruction to drive the rotor to rotate clockwise, so as to drive the rotating reflective inclined plane to rotate clockwise;

[0026] Preferably, the motor is further used to receive the first control instruction to drive the rotor to rotate counterclockwise, so as to drive the rotating reflective inclined surface to rotate counterclockwise.

[0027] Preferably, the magnetic element comprises a magnet.

[0028] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, an ICE probe for 4D imaging is provided, the ICE probe comprising a controller and the ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging according to the first aspect of the present disclosure;

[0029] The controller is used to drive the control component of the ultrasonic transducer to work, so as to acquire corresponding cross-sectional images at different acquisition times.

[0030] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, an ICE four-dimensional imaging device is provided, the ICE four-dimensional imaging device comprising a processor, a display communicatively connected to the processor, and the ICE probe for 4D imaging according to the second aspect of the present disclosure;

[0031] The processor is used to receive the cross-sectional images acquired by the ICE probe at different acquisition times, and synthesize a plurality of cross-sectional images acquired by rotating the rotating reflection bevel for one circle to obtain a stereoscopic image;

[0032] The processor is further configured to send the stereoscopic image obtained after the rotating reflective inclined plane rotates once to the display;

[0033] The display is used to display the stereoscopic images in sequence according to the acquisition time to form a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound image.

[0034] On the basis of being in accordance with the common sense in the art, the above-mentioned preferred conditions can be arbitrarily combined to obtain the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] The positive progressive effect of the present disclosure lies in that: by arranging array element structures that work independently in different directions in coordination with the rotating reflective inclined plane, the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array element structure continuously pick up cross-sectional images around the catheter under the continuous rotation of the rotor, and by combining multiple cross-sectional images picked up during each rotation, a circular stereoscopic ultrasonic image of this week is obtained. As the rotor rotates rapidly and continuously, the stereoscopic ultrasonic images of each week are presented in sequence according to time, forming a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image of the heart that changes with the heart beating and looks around the inside of the heart, thereby meeting the medical needs of precise examination of the heart cavity. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the linear array structure in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 3Schematic diagram of the rotation state of the rotating reflective inclined plane in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure being in the a-position;

[0040] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the b orientation in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the c-position in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure being in the d position;

[0043] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure being in the e-position;

[0044] Fig. 9 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure being in the f position;

[0045] Fig.10 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the g orientation in Embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0046] Fig.11 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-sectional imaging corresponding to the rotating reflecting inclined plane in the h position in the embodiment 1 of the present disclosure;

[0047] Fig.12 This is a schematic diagram of the ICE probe structure used for 4D imaging in Example 2 of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] The present disclosure is further described below by way of examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to the scope of the examples.

[0049] Prefixes such as "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of the present disclosure only to distinguish different description objects, and have no limiting effect on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the described objects. The use of prefixes such as ordinal numbers to distinguish description objects in the embodiments of the present disclosure does not constitute a limitation on the described objects. For the statement of the described objects, please refer to the description in the context of the claims or embodiments, and no unnecessary limitation should be constituted due to the use of such prefixes. In addition, in the description of the present embodiment, unless otherwise specified, the meaning of "plurality" is two or more.

[0050] Example 1

[0051] In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an ultrasonic transducer 100 for 4D imaging is provided. Figure 1-2 As shown, the ultrasonic transducer 100 includes a control component (not shown in the figure), a linear array 1 and a reflective structure 2 connected to and arranged opposite to the control component;

[0052] The linear array 1 includes a plurality of Hall elements fixedly arranged at a plurality of different positions, and a plurality of array element structures arranged in different preset directions and working independently, each array element structure is composed of a plurality of polarization array elements arranged in a straight line, and the array element structure is used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals;

[0053] The reflective structure 2 is provided with a rotating reflective inclined plane and a magnetic element 21 that rotates along with the rotating reflective inclined plane;

[0054] The control component is used to send a first control instruction to the reflective structure 2 to drive the rotating reflective inclined surface to rotate;

[0055] The control component is also used to send a second control instruction to the Hall element to drive the Hall element to detect the magnetic intensity information of the magnetic element 21;

[0056] The control component is also used to determine the target orientation of the rotating reflective slope according to the magnetic intensity information detected by each Hall element at different acquisition times, send a third control instruction to a target array element structure matching the target orientation, so as to drive the target array element structure to emit an ultrasonic signal, and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected by the rotating reflective slope along a preset reflection path at the target orientation, so as to generate a corresponding cross-sectional image at each acquisition time, and synthesize the cross-sectional images at different acquisition times to obtain a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image;

[0057] Among them, different array element structures correspond to different azimuth ranges of the rotating reflection slope.

[0058] Specifically, a polarization process is used to produce an array element structure composed of multiple polarized array elements and arranged in a straight line in different directions in the linear array 1. Each array element structure is connected to the control component (for example, FPGA host) through a cable to receive the control command of the control component to start working. For example, for a circular linear array 1, multiple array elements located on the same diameter can be polarized to obtain an array element structure. Different diameters correspond to different array element structures, and multiple array element structures can be obtained; for another example, for a square linear array 1, the array elements on the central horizontal line, the central vertical line, and the two diagonal lines can be polarized to obtain four different array element structures. Among them, the array element material can be piezoelectric ceramics, and each array element structure can independently transmit and receive ultrasonic signals under the drive of the control component, while the unpolarized array elements do not have the function of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals.

[0059] The reflective structure 2 is arranged at a relative position to the linear array 1. A rotating reflective slope with a constant angle is arranged on the reflective structure 2. The ultrasonic signal After being reflected by the rotating reflection slope, the echo signal reflected by the human tissue is transmitted and returned to the linear array 1 by the rotating reflection slope. Among them, different array element structures in the linear array 1 correspond to rotating reflection slopes with different azimuth ranges.

[0060] In order to enable the control component to identify the position of the rotating reflective slope, Hall elements can be fixedly arranged at different positions around the linear array 1, and the number of Hall elements can be set according to actual needs. At the same time, a magnetic element 21 is arranged on the reflective structure 2, and the Hall element can detect the magnetic element 21 within a certain distance.

[0061] When the rotating reflecting slope rotates to different orientations, the Hall element located within a certain distance can detect the magnetic element 21, and the Hall element sends the orientation information to the control component. The control component can determine the target orientation of the rotating reflecting slope according to the position of the Hall element, thereby determining the target array element structure for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals.

[0062] When four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound imaging is required, the control component drives the rotating reflection bevel to rotate at a constant speed at a certain rotation speed, and drives the Hall element to detect the magnetic strength information of the magnetic element 21 to determine the target azimuth of the rotating reflection bevel at different times. The control component determines the matching target array element structure according to the azimuth range of the rotating reflection bevel, and controls the target array element structure to transmit and receive ultrasound signals. The ultrasound signal is transmitted after being reflected by the rotating reflection bevel, and the echo signal reflected by the human body tissue is also reflected by the rotating reflection bevel and received by the target array element structure, thereby obtaining a cross-sectional image in the heart cavity. Since the rotating reflection bevel rotates continuously, the ultrasound signal emitted by the target array element structure is reflected by the rotating reflection bevel at different angles at different acquisition times, and multiple cross-sectional images at different angles in the corresponding azimuth range can be obtained.

[0063] When the target azimuth of the rotating reflecting slope exceeds the azimuth range corresponding to the current target array element structure, the control component controls another matching target array element structure to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals, continues to collect cross-sectional images at different angles in the heart cavity, and controls the current target array element structure to stop transmitting ultrasonic signals to avoid signal interference and distortion caused by the "high-dimensional saddle surface effect", thereby ensuring the accuracy of four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic imaging.

[0064] When the rotating reflective inclined plane rotates one circle, the multiple cross-sectional images collected are synthesized through an algorithm to obtain a four-dimensional annular stereoscopic ultrasound image. The four-dimensional annular stereoscopic ultrasound images obtained after each rotation are presented in chronological order to obtain a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound image.

[0065] In this specific implementation, array element structures that are arranged in different directions and work independently are coordinated with the rotating reflective inclined plane, so that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array element structure continuously pick up cross-sectional images around the catheter under the continuous rotation of the rotor, and a plurality of cross-sectional images picked up during each rotation are combined to obtain a circular stereoscopic ultrasonic image of this week. As the rotor rotates rapidly and continuously, the stereoscopic ultrasonic images of each week are presented in sequence according to time, forming a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image of the heart that changes with the heart beats and looks around the heart, thereby meeting the medical needs of accurate examination of the cardiac cavity.

[0066] In a specific embodiment, Figure 1-2 As shown, the linear array 1 is a square, and the linear array 1 includes four array element structures;

[0067] The four array elements are arranged in a cross shape.

[0068] Specifically, taking the 19*19 linear array 1 as an example, a polarization process is used to manufacture four array element structures of "M" shape L1, L2, L3, and L4 in the linear array 1, with a total of 73 polarized elements, wherein the polarized array elements correspond to the gray part in the figure, and the unpolarized array elements correspond to the white part in the figure.

[0069] Since the cutting damage of the unpolarized part has no effect on the probe, the "M"-shaped array element process design reduces the scrap rate after the damaged array element is cut. Theoretically, the scrap rate ratio = array element / cutting matrix = 73 / 361≈0.20=20%, that is, the scrap rate is reduced to one-fifth of the original. However, in actual production, because the array element cutting is manually controlled or program controlled, a micro-tilt method is adopted when setting the manual or program control parameters, that is, when cutting, one side of the cutter can be intentionally protected, and the risk can be transferred to the other side. The polarized array element is intentionally controlled to protect, and there is no need to care about the useless array element on the adjacent other side. Therefore, in actual operation, the damage rate of the polarized array element will be far lower than 20%. According to conventional cutting techniques, in actual statistics, the scrap rate is controlled to less than 5% of the matrix 4D array element, which greatly improves the yield rate in production operations, which is equivalent to reducing material costs.

[0070] In a specific embodiment, Figure 1-2 As shown, two Hall elements are arranged on each side of the linear array 1, and the two Hall elements are symmetrically arranged. Preferably, the line connecting each Hall element to the center point of the linear array 1 forms a preset angle with the adjacent array element structure.

[0071] Specifically, eight Hall elements A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H are designed around the "M"-shaped linear array 1, and two are designed on each side of the quadrilateral. The angle between the position of each Hall element and the center point of the linear array 1 and the adjacent array element structure is 22.5 degrees. For example, the angle between the Hall element C and the array element structure L2 is 22.5 degrees, the angle between the array element structure L2 and the Hall element D is also 22.5 degrees, and the angle between CD is 22.5 degrees. is 45 degrees. Similarly, the angle between Hall element C and array element structure L1, and the angle between Hall element D and array element structure L3 are all 22.5 degrees, and so on. Thus, the four array element structures divide the linear array 1 into eight different angles, and each angle matches the different azimuth range of the rotating reflection slope. By dividing a circle of 360 degrees into eight 45-degree fan-shaped ranges, with the center line of the linear array as the central acoustic wave resonance point, extending 22.5 degrees to both sides, each single linear array has a narrow action angle, which effectively controls the high-dimensional saddle surface effect distortion.

[0072] A magnetic element is embedded at the lower end behind the reflective structure 2. Preferably, the magnetic element is a magnet for generating an electromagnetic field. When the rotating reflective inclined plane rotates, the magnetic intensities detected by the Hall elements at different positions are different, so that the orientation of the rotating reflective inclined plane can be determined according to the magnetic intensity information detected by the Hall elements A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, and then the matching target array element structure can be determined according to the orientation.

[0073] In a specific example, if Figure 3 As shown in the figure, ah in the figure respectively represent the eight states of the rotating reflective inclined plane when rotating clockwise. When the rotating reflective inclined plane is in the a position, the magnetic intensities detected by the Hall element E and the Hall element F are the same. The control component can determine that the position of the magnet is between the Hall element E and the Hall element F according to the magnetic intensity information sent by the Hall element E and the Hall element F. The matching target array element structure is L4. Therefore, the control component drives the array element structure L4 to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals. The collected tissue section image is shown in Figure 4As shown, and as the rotating reflection bevel rotates and moves clockwise, multiple sections at different angles are collected; when the rotating reflection bevel is in the b orientation, the magnetic element is directly above the Hall element F. At this time, the magnetic intensity detected by the Hall element F is the strongest. The Hall element E and the Hall element G are at the same distance from the magnetic element, and the detected magnetic intensity information is the same, but the magnetic intensity detected by the Hall element E is in a weakened state, and the magnetic intensity detected by the Hall element G is in an enhanced state. Therefore, the control component can determine that the rotating reflection bevel is sweeping over the Hall element F based on the magnetic intensity information sent by the Hall element E, the Hall element F, and the Hall element G. At this time, the control component starts the array element structure switching, switches the array element structure L4 to the array element structure L1, drives the array element structure L4 to stop transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals, and drives the array element structure L1 to start transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals. The collected blocking section diagram is shown in Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the rotating reflective bevel continues to move clockwise to collect multiple sections at different angles. By analogy, the order of the sections collected by the rotating reflective bevel from the a position to the h position is as follows: Figure 4-11 As shown, the image finally returns to the cross-sectional image corresponding to the a position, and the next cycle of cross-sectional image acquisition begins, which will not be described in detail here.

[0074] As the rotating reflecting ramp continuously rotates, multiple cross-sectional images around the heart cavity are continuously picked up, and the cross-sectional images of each week are combined to obtain a four-dimensional annular stereoscopic ultrasound image of that week. As the rotating reflecting ramp rotates rapidly and differently, the four-dimensional annular stereoscopic ultrasound images obtained for each rotation are presented in sequence according to time, so as to obtain a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound image of the inside of the heart that changes with the heart beating.

[0075] In a specific embodiment, Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasonic transducer 100 further includes a motor 3;

[0076] The reflective structure 2 is connected to the rotor in the motor 3;

[0077] The motor 3 is used to receive the first control instruction and drive the rotor to rotate, so as to drive the rotating reflecting inclined surface in the reflecting structure 2 to rotate.

[0078] Specifically, the ultrasonic transducer 100 is provided with a motor 3, which is assembled in the catheter, and the motor 3 is tightly bonded and fixed to the inner wall of the catheter, and is connected to the control component through the motor 3 lead (for example, a flat film lead with a thickness of 30 microns). The rotor diameter on the motor 3 is smaller than the diameter of the motor 3, and can rotate freely in the catheter. The rotor can rotate clockwise or counterclockwise under the drive of the motor 3 to drive the rotating reflection inclined surface on the reflection structure 2 to rotate. Among them, the motor 3 lead is close to the inner wall of the catheter so as not to affect the rotation of the rotor.

[0079] In a specific example, if Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasonic transducer 100 also includes an array element substrate 4 for fixing the position of the linear array 1 in the catheter. The cables of the polarization array elements are combined with the leads of the Hall element and the leads of the motor 3 to form a cable bundle 5 connected to the control component.

[0080] In one feasible manner, since the rotating reflective inclined plane rotates 360 degrees to form a circle, wherein a 180-degree semicircle is in a mirror image relationship with another 180-degree semicircle, the same array element structure can be used in the current orientation and the orientation 180 degrees later, respectively, and the four array element structures arranged at 90 degrees to each other can actually be used alternately as eight array element structures arranged at 45 degrees to each other.

[0081] In this specific embodiment, array element structures that are arranged in different directions and work independently are coordinated with the rotating reflective inclined plane, so that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array element structure continuously pick up cross-sectional images around the catheter under the continuous rotation of the rotor, and a plurality of cross-sectional images picked up during each rotation are combined to obtain a circular stereoscopic ultrasonic image of this rotation. As the rotor rotates rapidly and continuously, the stereoscopic ultrasonic images of each rotation are presented in sequence according to time, forming a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image of the heart that changes with the heart beating and looks around the heart, thereby meeting the medical needs of accurate examination of the cardiac cavity.

[0082] Example 2

[0083] In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an ICE probe 200 for 4D imaging is provided. Fig.12 As shown, the ICE probe 200 includes a controller (not shown in the figure) and the ultrasonic transducer 100 for 4D imaging described in any of the above embodiments;

[0084] The controller is used to drive the control components of the ultrasonic transducer 100 to work, so as to acquire corresponding cross-sectional images at different acquisition times.

[0085] Specifically, the ultrasonic transducer 100 for 4D imaging is placed at a preset position of the catheter 6 on the ICE probe 200, and the control component and the ultrasonic transducer 100 are led to the handle 7 through the catheter 6 via a lead wire. The doctor operates the control controller through the handle 7 to drive the control component of the ultrasonic transducer 100 to work, so as to collect multiple cross-sectional images around the heart cavity. The cross-sectional images are sent to the ICE four-dimensional imaging device via a communication cable 8 connected to the ICE four-dimensional imaging device to form a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image.

[0086] In this specific embodiment, array element structures that are arranged in different directions and work independently are coordinated with the rotating reflective inclined plane, so that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array element structure continuously pick up cross-sectional images around the catheter under the continuous rotation of the rotor, and a plurality of cross-sectional images picked up during each rotation are combined to obtain a circular stereoscopic ultrasonic image of this rotation. As the rotor rotates rapidly and continuously, the stereoscopic ultrasonic images of each rotation are presented in sequence according to time, forming a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image of the heart that changes with the heart beating and looks around the heart, thereby meeting the medical needs of accurate examination of the cardiac cavity.

[0087] Example 3

[0088] In a specific embodiment of the present disclosure, an ICE four-dimensional imaging device is provided, the ICE four-dimensional imaging device comprising a processor, a display in communication with the processor, and an ICE probe 200 for 4D imaging as described in any of the above embodiments;

[0089] The processor is used to receive the cross-sectional images acquired by the ICE probe 200 at different acquisition times, and synthesize a plurality of cross-sectional images acquired by rotating the rotating reflection bevel one circle to obtain a stereoscopic image;

[0090] The processor is also used to send the stereoscopic image obtained after the rotating reflective inclined plane rotates once to the display;

[0091] The display is used to display the stereoscopic images in sequence according to the acquisition time to form a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound image.

[0092] Specifically, by connecting the ICE probe 200 for 4D imaging to the processor of the ICE four-dimensional imaging device, the multiple cross-sectional images continuously collected around the heart cavity are transmitted to the processor for synthesis processing of the multiple cross-sectional images per rotation, and stereoscopic images at different times are obtained, which are sent to the display for display according to time to form a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound image.

[0093] In this specific embodiment, array element structures that are arranged in different directions and work independently are coordinated with the rotating reflective inclined plane, so that the ultrasonic waves emitted by the array element structure continuously pick up cross-sectional images around the catheter under the continuous rotation of the rotor, and a plurality of cross-sectional images picked up during each rotation are combined to obtain a circular stereoscopic ultrasonic image of this rotation. As the rotor rotates rapidly and continuously, the stereoscopic ultrasonic images of each rotation are presented in sequence according to time, forming a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image of the heart that changes with the heart beating and looks around the heart, thereby meeting the medical needs of accurate examination of the cardiac cavity.

[0094] Although the specific embodiments of the present disclosure are described above, those skilled in the art should understand that this is only an example, and the protection scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art may make various changes or modifications to these embodiments without departing from the principles and essence of the present disclosure, but these changes and modifications all fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducer includes a control component, a linear array and a reflection structure connected to and arranged opposite to the control component; The linear array includes a plurality of Hall elements fixedly arranged at a plurality of different positions, and a plurality of array element structures arranged in different preset directions and working independently, each of the array element structures is composed of a plurality of polarization array elements arranged in a straight line, and the array element structures are used to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals; The reflective structure is provided with a rotating reflective inclined plane and a magnetic element rotating along with the rotating reflective inclined plane; The control component is used to send a first control instruction to the reflective structure to drive the rotating reflective inclined surface to rotate; the control component is also used to send a second control instruction to the Hall element to drive the Hall element to detect the magnetic intensity information of the magnetic element; The control component is also used to determine the target orientation of the rotating reflective slope according to the magnetic intensity information detected by each Hall element at different acquisition moments, send a third control instruction to a target array element structure matching the target orientation, so as to drive the target array element structure to transmit the ultrasonic signal, and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected by the rotating reflective slope along a preset reflection path at the target orientation, so as to generate a corresponding cross-sectional image at each acquisition moment, and synthesize the cross-sectional images at different acquisition moments to obtain a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasonic image; Wherein, different array element structures correspond to different azimuth ranges of the rotating reflective slope.

2. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The linear array is a square, and the linear array includes four array element structures; The four array element structures are arranged in a cross shape.

3. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 2, characterized in that: Two Hall elements are arranged on each side of the linear array, and the two Hall elements are symmetrically arranged.

4. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 3, characterized in that: A line connecting each Hall element to the center point of the linear array forms a preset angle with an adjacent array element structure.

5. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducer also includes a motor; The reflective structure is connected to the rotor in the motor; The motor is used to receive the first control instruction and drive the rotor to rotate, so as to drive the rotating reflective inclined surface in the reflective structure to rotate.

6. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The motor is further configured to receive the first control instruction and drive the rotor to rotate clockwise, thereby driving the rotating reflective inclined plane to rotate clockwise.

7. The ultrasonic transducer according to claim 5, characterized in that: The motor is further configured to receive the first control instruction and drive the rotor to rotate counterclockwise, thereby driving the rotating reflective inclined surface to rotate counterclockwise.

8. The ultrasonic transducer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The magnetic element includes a magnet.

9. An ICE probe for 4D imaging, characterized in that: The ICE probe comprises a controller, an ultrasonic transducer for 4D imaging as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8; The controller is used to drive the control component of the ultrasonic transducer to work, so as to acquire corresponding cross-sectional images at different acquisition times.

10. An ICE four-dimensional imaging device, characterized in that: The ICE four-dimensional imaging device comprises a processor, a display communicatively connected to the processor, and an ICE probe for 4D imaging as claimed in claim 9; The processor is used to receive the cross-sectional images acquired by the ICE probe at different acquisition times, and synthesize a plurality of cross-sectional images acquired by rotating the rotating reflection inclined plane for one circle to obtain a stereoscopic image; The processor is further configured to send the stereoscopic image obtained after the rotating reflective inclined plane rotates once to the display; The display is used to display the stereoscopic images in sequence according to the acquisition time to form a four-dimensional dynamic ultrasound image.

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