Ultrasonic imaging guided transcranial nerve regulation system and method

Abstract

The present invention discloses an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system and method, which are used to solve the technical problem of excessively high application cost of existing ultrasound regulation systems; the system comprises a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer, a multi-channel phased array controller and a host computer connected in sequence; the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is communicatively connected to the host computer; the host computer is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to multiple imaging echo signals and multiple control echo signals, and the target visualization target focus area is used for nerve regulation; the multi-channel phased array controller is used to generate low-power electrical signals and high-power electrical signals and transmit them to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer; the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is used to collect multiple imaging echo signals and multiple control echo signals according to the low-power electrical signals and the high-power electrical signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of ultrasonic nerve regulation, and in particular to an ultrasonic imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system and method. Background Art

[0002] Neuromodulation technology is an important tool for neuroscience research, neuroengineering and clinical applications. At present, common neuromodulation methods include deep brain stimulation (DBS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), optogenetics and transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS).

[0003] Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) is a very promising new non-invasive neuromodulation method. It focuses ultrasound waves in a certain area of ​​the brain to form energy convergence, and stimulates the nerves or functional areas of the brain to modulate brain function, thereby improving some disease symptoms. It has high spatial resolution, effectiveness in targeting deep brain structures, low cost and good safety.

[0004] Most existing ultrasound control systems need to be manually built and are composed of multiple devices. They are then combined with technologies such as CT (Computed Tomography) and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to obtain images of the patient's head for neural control. However, these imaging methods are very cumbersome and difficult to operate, and the system is bulky, resulting in excessively high application costs. Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system and method, which are used to solve the technical problem of excessively high application cost of existing ultrasound regulation systems.

[0006] The first aspect of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system, the system comprising a head-mounted annular array ultrasound transducer, a multi-channel phased array controller and a host computer connected in sequence;

[0007] The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is communicatively connected to the host computer;

[0008] The host computer is used to obtain a first control instruction; when multiple imaging echo signals are received, a second control instruction is generated, and a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map and multiple signal sending interval steps according to each of the imaging echo signals, and each of the signal sending interval steps is sent to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each of the control echo signals and the sound velocity imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural control;

[0009] The multi-channel phased array controller is used to generate a low-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving a first control instruction sent by the host computer; and generate a high-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving a second control instruction sent by the host computer;

[0010] The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is used to convert the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head when receiving the low-power electrical signal, so as to receive multiple imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasonic signal; when receiving the high-power electrical signal, convert the high-power electrical signal into a control ultrasonic signal, and transmit the control ultrasonic signal to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step, so as to receive multiple control echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasonic signal.

[0011] Optionally, the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer comprises two head-mounted structures, a circular structure and an electrical interface;

[0012] The two head-mounted structures are cross-arranged on the upper surface of the circular structure, and the head-mounted structures are arc-shaped;

[0013] An imaging array element group and a power array element group are symmetrically arranged on the inner side of the circular structure, and the electrical interface is arranged on the outer side of the circular structure;

[0014] The imaging array element group includes a plurality of imaging array elements, and the power array element group includes a plurality of power array elements;

[0015] The imaging array elements and the power array elements are symmetrically arranged one by one;

[0016] Each of the power array elements and each of the imaging array elements are connected to the multi-channel phased array controller via the electrical interface;

[0017] Each of the power array elements and each of the imaging array elements are communicatively connected to the host computer;

[0018] The imaging array element is used to convert the received low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasound signal and transmit it to the patient's head, so as to receive an imaging echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signal and a control echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasound signal;

[0019] The power array element is used to receive the imaging echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signal, convert the received high-power electrical signal into a control ultrasound signal, and transmit the control ultrasound signal to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step.

[0020] Optionally, the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is specifically used for:

[0021] When the low-power electrical signal is received, the received low-power electrical signal is converted into an imaging ultrasound signal through a target imaging array element and transmitted to the patient's head;

[0022] The imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signals are received by the imaging array elements and the power array elements respectively, and sent to the host computer;

[0023] The adjacent imaging array element is used as a new target imaging array element, and the received low-power electrical signal is converted into the imaging ultrasound signal through the new target imaging array element and transmitted to the patient's head, until a plurality of imaging array elements convert the low-power electrical signal into the imaging ultrasound signal and transmit it to the patient's head;

[0024] When the high-power electrical signal is received, the received high-power electrical signal is converted into a regulated ultrasonic signal through the target power array element, and the regulated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the signal transmission interval step;

[0025] Receiving, by each of the imaging array elements, a control echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasound signal and sending the signal to the host computer;

[0026] The adjacent power array element is used as a new target power array element, the received high-power electrical signal is converted into the regulated ultrasonic signal through the new target power array element, and the regulated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step, until multiple power array elements convert the high-power electrical signal into the regulated ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head.

[0027] Optionally, the multi-channel phased array controller includes a low-power module and a high-power module;

[0028] The low-power module is connected to each of the imaging array elements via the electrical interface;

[0029] The high power module is connected to each of the power array elements through the electrical interface.

[0030] Optionally, the preset signal processing algorithm includes a filtered back-projection algorithm, an Akaike information criterion algorithm, a Bezier curve theory, a ray tracing iteration algorithm, and a numerical simulation calculation algorithm; the host computer is specifically used for:

[0031] Obtaining a first control instruction and sending the instruction to the multi-channel phased array controller;

[0032] When a plurality of imaging echo signals are received, a second control instruction is generated and sent to the multi-channel phased array controller;

[0033] Performing signal segmentation on each of the imaging echo signals to determine a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0034] Calculating the variance value corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals according to the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0035] The Akaike information criterion algorithm is used to calculate the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0036] Determining the initial slowness distribution according to the flight time corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals using a filtered back projection algorithm;

[0037] Based on the Bezier curve theory, according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, determining the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0038] Performing path segmentation on the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, and determining sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the target propagation paths;

[0039] Based on a ray tracing iterative algorithm, the initial slowness distribution is optimized by using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each target propagation path to determine the target slowness distribution, and a sound velocity imaging diagram is generated according to the target slowness distribution;

[0040] Using a numerical simulation calculation algorithm to determine the signal transmission interval step between each power array element according to the sound velocity imaging diagram and send the signal to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer;

[0041] When multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to reconstruct each of the control echo signals to determine a beam path;

[0042] Superimposing the acoustic beam path and the sound velocity imaging map to determine an initial visualized target focus area;

[0043] Determining whether the initial visualized target focus area and the preset visualized target focus area are the same;

[0044] If they are the same, the initial visualization target focus area is used as the target visualization target focus area; and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural regulation.

[0045] A second aspect of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method, comprising:

[0046] When a plurality of imaging echo signals are received, a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map according to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0047] When multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each of the control echo signals and the sound velocity imaging diagram, and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural control.

[0048] Optionally, the preset signal processing algorithm includes a filtered back projection algorithm, an Akaike information criterion algorithm, a Bezier curve theory, and a ray tracing iteration algorithm; the step of using the preset signal processing algorithm to generate a sound velocity imaging map according to each of the imaging echo signals includes:

[0049] Performing signal segmentation on each of the imaging echo signals to determine a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0050] Calculating the variance value corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals according to the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0051] The Akaike information criterion algorithm is used to calculate the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0052] Determining the initial slowness distribution according to the flight time corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals using a filtered back projection algorithm;

[0053] Based on the Bezier curve theory, according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, determining the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals;

[0054] Performing path segmentation on the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, and determining sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the target propagation paths;

[0055] Based on a ray tracing iterative algorithm, the initial slowness distribution is optimized using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation path within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each target propagation path to determine the target slowness distribution, and a sound velocity imaging diagram is generated based on the target slowness distribution.

[0056] A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer device, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor executes the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as described in any one of the above items.

[0057] A fourth aspect of the present invention provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, and when the computer program is executed, the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as described in any one of the above are implemented.

[0058] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, and the computer program includes program instructions, wherein when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer executes the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as described in any one of the above.

[0059] It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the present invention has the following advantages:

[0060] The first aspect of the above technical solution of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system, which includes a head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer, a multi-channel phased array controller and a host computer connected in sequence; wherein the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer is communicatively connected to the host computer; the host computer is used to obtain a first regulation instruction; when multiple imaging echo signals are received, a second regulation instruction is generated, and a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map and multiple signal sending interval steps according to each imaging echo signal, and each signal sending interval step is sent to the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each control echo signal and the sound velocity imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for nerve regulation; the multi-channel phased array controller is used to generate a low-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving the first regulation instruction sent by the host computer; when receiving the second regulation instruction sent by the host computer, a high-power electrical signal is generated and transmitted to the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer. Array ultrasonic transducer; a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer, which is used to convert the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head when receiving a low-power electrical signal, so as to receive multiple imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasonic signal; when receiving a high-power electrical signal, the high-power electrical signal is converted into a control ultrasonic signal, and the control ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the interval step of each signal transmission, so as to receive multiple control echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasonic signal; based on the above scheme, the corresponding echo signal can be obtained by wearing the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer on the patient's head, without the need to splice multiple equipment, which can simplify the system structure, and at the same time, the upper computer processes the received imaging echo signal and the control echo signal based on the preset signal processing algorithm and the beamforming algorithm to obtain the target visualization target focus area, and the process of performing neural control through the target visualization target focus area, the present invention does not need to be combined with complex imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, can reduce the difficulty of operation, and thus reduce the application cost.

[0061] The second aspect of the above technical scheme of the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method. When multiple imaging echo signals are received, a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound speed imaging map according to each imaging echo signal; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine the target visualization target focus area according to each control echo signal and the sound speed imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for nerve regulation; based on the above scheme, based on the preset signal processing algorithm and the beamforming algorithm, the received imaging echo signals and the control echo signals are processed to obtain the target visualization target focus area, and the process of nerve regulation is performed through the target visualization target focus area. The present invention does not need to be combined with complex imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, can reduce the difficulty of operation, and thus reduce the application cost. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative labor.

[0063] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of wearing a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 4 An exemplary structural distribution diagram of an imaging array element group and a power array element group provided in the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 5 A comparison diagram of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system provided in the first embodiment of the present invention before and after correction of the focus area of ​​the visualized target point;

[0068] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the workflow of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system is provided for the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 7 A flowchart of the steps of an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;

[0070] The meanings of the symbols in the accompanying drawings are as follows:

[0071] 1. Electrical interface; 2. Head-mounted structure; 3. Circular structure; 4. Imaging array element group; 5. Power array element group. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0072] The embodiments of the present invention provide an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system and method, which are used to solve the technical problem of excessively high application costs of existing ultrasound regulation systems.

[0073] In order to make the purpose, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the embodiments described below are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0074] See also Figure 1 , Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system provided in Example 1 of the present invention.

[0075] The present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system, which includes a head-mounted annular array ultrasound transducer, a multi-channel phased array controller and a host computer connected in sequence;

[0076] The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is communicatively connected with the host computer;

[0077] The host computer is used to obtain a first control instruction; when multiple imaging echo signals are received, a second control instruction is generated, and a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map and multiple signal sending interval steps according to each imaging echo signal, and each signal sending interval step is sent to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each control echo signal and the sound velocity imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural control;

[0078] It should be noted that when it is necessary to perform neural regulation on the patient's head, a first control instruction is generated by a host computer (or PC) and sent to a multi-channel phased array controller, triggering the multi-channel phased array controller to control the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer to perform a transmission ultrasonic computed tomography scan on the patient's head, that is, to emit an imaging ultrasonic signal, receive multiple imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasonic signal, and reconstruct a sound velocity imaging image of the patient's head structure; a numerical simulation calculation algorithm is used to perform numerical simulation calculations on the sound velocity imaging image, so as to obtain the time interval (signal sending interval step) for transmitting the control ultrasonic signal between each power array element 4 in the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer, and then each signal sending interval step is sent to the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer, and each power array element in the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer then transmits a control ultrasonic signal to the patient's head according to the corresponding signal sending interval step.

[0079] Exemplarily, assuming that the number of power array elements is 3, a numerical simulation calculation algorithm is used to process the sound velocity imaging image, and a power array element closest to the focal area is taken as a reference, the delay is set to 0, and the signal sending interval step sizes corresponding to the three power array elements are 0, 8us, and 12us, respectively. That is, the signal sending interval step size of the first power array element that transmits a controlled ultrasonic signal is 0, and the delay of other array elements gradually increases with increasing distance. That is, after the first power array element transmits the controlled ultrasonic signal for 8us, the second power array element continues to transmit the controlled ultrasonic signal, and after another 12us, the third power array element continues to transmit the controlled ultrasonic signal.

[0080] In this embodiment, the present invention combines transmission ultrasound computed tomography and a preset signal processing algorithm, and uses an imaging control integrated wearable ultrasonic transducer (head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer) to transmit an imaging ultrasonic signal to the patient's head, and receives the returned echo signal to reconstruct a sound velocity imaging image of the patient's head structure; according to the reconstructed sound velocity imaging image, a computer is used to perform numerical simulation calculations to obtain the time delay of each power array element of the transducer, that is, the time interval (signal sending interval step) between each power array element for transmitting a control ultrasonic signal; according to the signal sending interval step for transmitting a control ultrasonic signal between each power array element, the time delay of each power array element is set, and a power ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head, acting on the actual target focus area, and the actual target focus area is visualized, thereby obtaining a target visualized target focus area for neural regulation, that is, the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is used to perform subsequent transcranial ultrasonic neural regulation or real-time monitoring on the target visualized target focus area.

[0081] The multi-channel phased array controller is used to generate a low-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving a first control instruction sent by the host computer; and generate a high-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving a second control instruction sent by the host computer;

[0082] It should be noted that the multi-channel phased array system consists of a high-power module and a low-power module. The high-power module adjusts the power array element to transmit the power ultrasonic signal for ultrasonic control, and the low-power module adjusts the imaging array element to transmit the imaging ultrasonic signal for ultrasonic imaging. The two modules can work simultaneously.

[0083] A head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is used to convert the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head when receiving a low-power electrical signal, so as to receive multiple imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasonic signal; when receiving a high-power electrical signal, the high-power electrical signal is converted into a control ultrasonic signal, and the control ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the interval step of each signal transmission, so as to receive multiple control echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasonic signal.

[0084] Please note that Figure 2 , a wearable hemispherical transducer (head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer) with integrated imaging and control having multiple array elements (imaging array elements and power array elements) is used. The size of the transducer is slightly larger than the patient's head. It is fixed on the patient's head through a head-mounted structure 2 in the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer. Each array element is individually adjusted to transmit or receive ultrasonic signals. The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer can perform imaging or control behaviors respectively, and has the characteristics of good real-time performance, low cost and strong portability.

[0085] As a further improvement, refer to Figure 3-Figure 4 , the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer includes two head-mounted structures 2, a circular structure 3 and an electrical interface 1;

[0086] The two head-mounted structures 2 are cross-arranged on the upper surface of the circular structure 3, and the head-mounted structures 2 are arc-shaped;

[0087] An imaging array element group 4 and a power array element group 5 are symmetrically arranged on the inner side of the circular structure 3, and an electrical interface 1 is arranged on the outer side of the circular structure 3;

[0088] The imaging array element group 4 includes a plurality of imaging array elements, and the power array element group 5 includes a plurality of power array elements;

[0089] The imaging array elements and the power array elements are symmetrically arranged one by one;

[0090] Each power array element and each imaging array element are connected to the multi-channel phased array controller via an electrical interface 1;

[0091] Each power array element and each imaging array element is connected to the host computer for communication;

[0092] An imaging array element is used to convert the received low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasound signal and transmit it to the patient's head, so as to receive an imaging echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signal and a control echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasound signal;

[0093] The power array element is used to receive the imaging echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signal, and convert the received high-power electrical signal into a control ultrasound signal, and transmit the control ultrasound signal to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step.

[0094] As a further improvement, the multi-channel phased array controller includes a low-power module and a high-power module;

[0095] The low-power module is connected to each imaging array element through an electrical interface;

[0096] The high power module is connected to each power array element through an electrical interface.

[0097] It should be noted that the array elements of the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer are divided into imaging array elements and power array elements. The frequency range of the imaging array element is 1-20MHz, and the frequency range of the power array element is 100KHz-10MHz. The two array elements are used for ultrasonic imaging or ultrasonic regulation, respectively. That is, both array elements can receive echo signals, but the imaging array element only transmits imaging ultrasonic signals, and the power array element only transmits power ultrasonic signals (regulating ultrasonic signals). The two array elements are distributed on the inner side of the transducer (the inner side of the annular structure, that is, the inner side of the circular structure 3), that is, the inner side of the circular structure 3 is symmetrically arranged with an imaging array element group 4 and a power array element group 5, and the imaging array elements in the imaging array element group 4 and the power array elements in the power array element group 5 are symmetrically arranged one by one; wherein, the power array elements and the imaging array elements both use piezoelectric elements. The two head-mounted structures 2 of the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer are cross-arranged on the upper surface of the circular structure 3, and the head-mounted structure 2 is arc-shaped (quasi-arch-shaped); the low-power module and the high-power module are respectively connected to the host computer.

[0098] Head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer, specifically used for:

[0099] When a low-power electrical signal is received, the received low-power electrical signal is converted into an imaging ultrasound signal through the target imaging array element and transmitted to the patient's head;

[0100] The imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signals are received by each imaging array element and each power array element respectively and sent to the host computer;

[0101] The adjacent imaging array element is used as a new target imaging array element, and the received low-power electrical signal is converted into an imaging ultrasound signal through the new target imaging array element and transmitted to the patient's head, until the multiple imaging array elements convert the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasound signal and transmit it to the patient's head;

[0102] When a high-power electrical signal is received, the received high-power electrical signal is converted into a regulated ultrasonic signal through the target power array element, and the regulated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the signal transmission interval step;

[0103] The control echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasound signals are received by each imaging array element and sent to the host computer;

[0104] The adjacent power array element is used as a new target power array element, and the received high-power electrical signal is converted into a controlled ultrasonic signal through the new target power array element. The controlled ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step until multiple power array elements convert the high-power electrical signal into a controlled ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head.

[0105] The target imaging array element is an imaging array element that transmits imaging ultrasound signals to the patient's head.

[0106] The target power array element is the power array element that transmits the regulated ultrasound signal to the patient's head.

[0107] It should be noted that when a low-power electrical signal is received, a certain imaging array element of the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer serves as a target imaging array element to transmit an imaging ultrasonic signal to the patient's head, and all other imaging array elements (excluding the imaging array element currently transmitting the imaging ultrasonic signal) and all power array elements 4 receive the returned imaging echo signal and send it to the host computer, and then excite the second imaging array element 5, that is, the adjacent imaging array element 5 is used as a new target imaging array element, and all other imaging array elements 5 and all power array elements 4 of the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer receive the returned imaging echo signal in the same way and send it to the host computer, and cycle in sequence until all imaging array elements 5 convert the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head; the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer based on the head-mounted design proposed in the present invention can fit the head more closely, reduce measurement errors, and improve the efficiency and accuracy of ultrasonic measurement; compared with traditional ultrasonic transducers, the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer has lower cost and higher cost performance.

[0108] Furthermore, when a high-power electrical signal is received, a certain power array element of the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is used as a target power array element to transmit a control ultrasonic signal to the patient's head, and then the second power array element is stimulated, that is, the adjacent power array element is used as a new target power array element, and the cycle is repeated in sequence until all power array elements convert the high-power electrical signal into a control ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head. All other imaging array elements 5 receive the returned control echo signal and send it to the host computer.

[0109] As a further improvement, the preset signal processing algorithms include filtered back-projection algorithm, Akaike information criterion algorithm, Bezier curve theory, ray tracing iteration algorithm, and numerical simulation calculation algorithm; the host computer is specifically used for:

[0110] Obtaining a first control instruction and sending it to a multi-channel phased array controller;

[0111] When a plurality of imaging echo signals are received, a second control instruction is generated and sent to the multi-channel phased array controller;

[0112] Performing signal segmentation on each imaging echo signal to determine a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0113] Calculating the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0114] The Akaike information criterion algorithm is used to calculate the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0115] The initial slowness distribution is determined based on the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal using a filtered back-projection algorithm;

[0116] Based on the Bessel curve theory, the target propagation path corresponding to each imaging echo signal is determined according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0117] Performing path segmentation on the target propagation path corresponding to each imaging echo signal, and determining sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each target propagation path;

[0118] Based on the ray tracing iterative algorithm, the initial slowness distribution is optimized by using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation paths within multiple pixels corresponding to each target propagation path, the target slowness distribution is determined, and the sound velocity imaging map is generated according to the target slowness distribution;

[0119] A numerical simulation algorithm is used to determine the signal transmission interval step between each power array element according to the sound velocity imaging diagram and send the signal to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer;

[0120] When multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to reconstruct each control echo signal to determine the acoustic beam path;

[0121] Superimpose the acoustic beam path and the sound velocity imaging map to determine the initial visualization target focus area;

[0122] Determine whether the initial visualization target focus area and the preset visualization target focus area are the same;

[0123] If they are the same, the initial visualization target focus area is used as the target visualization target focus area; the target visualization target focus area is used for neural regulation.

[0124] It should be noted that, in order to reconstruct the sound velocity imaging map, a transmission ultrasound computed tomography scan of the patient's head is performed using a head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer. The transducer is set to have one array element transmit imaging signals and the remaining array elements receive signals. Each array element transmits signals in turn, and the flight time of each transmitter-receiver pair (consisting of an imaging array element that transmits signals and an imaging array element or power array element that receives signals) is measured; then the initial slowness distribution is calculated based on the filtered back projection algorithm; based on the ray tracing iterative algorithm and the initial slowness distribution, iterative calculations are performed to obtain the final slowness distribution (target slowness distribution), and then the sound velocity imaging map is reconstructed.

[0125] The variance value corresponding to the imaging echo signal includes the variance value of the first sub-signal and the variance value of the second sub-signal.

[0126] Specifically, the flight time of each transmitter-receiver pair is first measured, that is, the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal, and the flight time of the imaging echo signal corresponding to each transmitter-receiver pair is extracted based on the AIC algorithm (Akaike Information Criterion algorithm). The AIC algorithm mainly estimates the flight time by detecting the difference between the signals before and after the flight time; the flight time processing process can be expressed as:

[0127] ;

[0128] in, is the flight time; is the variance value of the first sub-signal with the signal sampling point [1, k]; N is the number of sampling points in the signal region of interest; k is the sampling point corresponding to the assumed flight time in the signal region of interest; is the variance value of the second sub-signal with the signal sampling point [k+1,N].

[0129] Next, a filtered back-projection algorithm is used to determine the initial slowness distribution according to the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal; specifically: a one-dimensional Fourier transform is performed on the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal to determine multiple one-dimensional transformation times; a preset filtering function is used to obtain multiple filtering data according to each one-dimensional transformation time; a one-dimensional inverse Fourier transform is performed on each filtering data to determine multiple inverse transformation filtering data; multiple inverse transformation filtering data are back-projected to obtain multiple back-projection data; multiple back-projection data are superimposed to obtain the initial slowness distribution.

[0130] Furthermore, in actual propagation, sound waves always choose the propagation path with the shortest flight time for propagation, but actual biological tissues are non-uniform, and sound waves will refract at different tissue interfaces, that is, the propagation paths of the starting point and the end point may be curves. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the optimal propagation path between the transmitter-receiver pair, and model the optimal path between each transmitter-receiver pair (the array element of the transmitting signal and the array element of the receiving signal corresponding to each imaging echo signal will constitute a transmitter-receiver pair) as a Bezier curve, and use the quadratic Bezier curve as the generator of the optimal curve between the transmitter-receiver pair, that is, the present invention is based on the Bezier curve theory, and determines the target propagation path corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each imaging echo signal; wherein, the processing process of the target propagation path can be expressed as:

[0131] ;

[0132] in, is the target propagation path; t is the parameter on the Bezier curve, indicating that To the end The interpolation position is at the starting point when t is 0 , when t is 1, it is at the end point , to provide different points for spatial sampling of the Bezier curve; is the position coordinate of the power array element corresponding to the imaging echo signal, indicating the other end of the curve; The radius of curvature is a point on the perpendicular line connecting the transmitter-receiver pair, that is, connecting the power array element corresponding to the imaging echo signal and the imaging array element. Decide; is the position coordinate of the imaging array element corresponding to the imaging echo signal, indicating one end of the curve.

[0133] Furthermore, the target propagation path corresponding to each imaging echo signal is segmented to determine the sub-propagation paths within multiple pixels corresponding to each target propagation path; wherein, due to the relationship expression between the slowness distribution and the acoustic wave propagation path, it can be expressed as:

[0134] ;

[0135] in, is the theoretical flight time; is the propagation path of the target propagation path corresponding to the transmitter-receiver pair a (the power array element and the imaging array element corresponding to the imaging echo signal) within the bth pixel; is the slowness of the biological tissue at the bth pixel, and the slowness is the reciprocal of the speed of sound; n is the total number of pixels.

[0136] Based on the above foundation, after calculating the flight time of different Bezier curves to determine the target propagation path corresponding to each imaging echo signal, since the relationship expression between the slowness distribution and the acoustic wave propagation path cannot be directly calculated and solved, the relationship expression between the slowness distribution and the acoustic wave propagation path is solved by iterative calculation based on the ray tracing iterative algorithm and the initial slowness distribution. The ML-EM algorithm (ray tracing iterative algorithm, expectation maximization Algorithm) is used for optimization calculation, and finally the actual slowness distribution (target slowness distribution) is solved, and then the sound velocity imaging map is reconstructed; specifically, the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation path within multiple pixels corresponding to each target propagation path are used to update the initial slowness distribution, determine the intermediate slowness distribution, and count the number of iterations in real time to determine whether the number of iterations reaches the preset update number threshold. If it reaches, the intermediate slowness distribution is used as the target slowness distribution; if it does not reach, the intermediate slowness distribution is used as the new initial slowness distribution, and the execution is jumped to the step of updating the initial slowness distribution using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation path within multiple pixels corresponding to each target propagation path to determine the intermediate slowness distribution, until the number of iterations reaches the preset update number threshold, and the intermediate slowness distribution determined when the number of iterations reaches the preset update number threshold is used as the target slowness distribution; wherein, the updating process of the intermediate slowness distribution is specifically as follows:

[0137] ;

[0138] in, is the intermediate slowness distribution, indicating the slowness distribution of the nth iteration; is the initial slowness distribution, indicating the slowness distribution of the n-1th iteration; is the propagation path of the target propagation path corresponding to the transmitter-receiver pair a (the power array element and the imaging array element corresponding to the imaging echo signal) within the bth pixel; M is the total number of transmitter-receiver pairs; is the flight time; N is the total number of pixels segmented in the area to be reconstructed (area to be regulated) including the patient's head.

[0139] Furthermore, a numerical simulation calculation algorithm is used to perform numerical simulation on the sound velocity imaging diagram to calculate the time interval (signal sending interval step) for transmitting the regulated ultrasonic signal between each power array element in the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer, and then each signal sending interval step is sent to the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer. Each power array element in the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer then transmits the regulated ultrasonic signal to the patient's head according to the corresponding signal sending interval step.

[0140] Furthermore, each power array element in the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer transmits a control ultrasonic signal to the patient's head according to the corresponding signal sending interval step, the imaging array element receives the echo signal, and visualizes the actual target focus area, and determines whether the initial visualized target focus area is the same as the preset visualized target focus area. If not, the preset update number threshold is updated to obtain a new update number threshold, and the target slowness distribution is used as the new initial slowness distribution. The execution jumps to the step of updating the initial slowness distribution using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation path within multiple pixels corresponding to each target propagation path, determining the intermediate slowness distribution, and counting the number of iterations in real time until the initial visualized target focus area is the same as the preset visualized target focus area, and the initial visualized target focus area determined when the initial visualized target focus area and the preset visualized target focus area are the same is used as the target visualized target focus area, and finally the precise focusing of the transcranial nerve regulation target is successfully achieved.

[0141] It is worth mentioning that see Figure 5 , the reconstructed sound beam path is superimposed on the reconstructed sound velocity imaging map, so as to realize the visualization of the actual target focus area, which is used to judge whether the preset target focus area is the same as the actual target focus area. If the initial visualized target focus area is different from the preset visualized target focus area, it indicates that the area is not the area to be regulated in the patient's head, and it needs to be corrected, and the expected number of iterations is increased, and the sound velocity imaging map is re-determined until the initial visualized target focus area is the same as the preset visualized target focus area, thereby obtaining the target visualized target focus area.

[0142] For example, see Figure 6First, based on the ray tracing iterative algorithm technology, a wearable ultrasonic transducer (head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer) with integrated imaging and control is used to perform transmission ultrasonic computed tomography imaging on the patient's head to obtain a sound velocity imaging map of the patient's head structure; a visualized target focus area is preset, and the time delay of the transmitted signal between each power array element in the head-mounted circular array ultrasonic transducer is obtained by numerical simulation calculation; the signal sending interval step of each power array element is set according to each time delay, and a power ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head to act on the actual target focus area, and the actual target focus area is visualized to obtain an initial visualized target focus area, and it is judged whether the initial visualized target focus area is the preset visualized target focus area. If they are the same, subsequent control is started, otherwise the expected number of iterations is increased, and the sound velocity imaging map is re-determined until the initial visualized target focus area is the same as the preset visualized target focus area, and finally the precise focusing of the transcranial nerve regulation target is successfully achieved. The present invention is based on ultrasonic imaging and ultrasonic regulation, with a simple method and high regulation accuracy. It can improve the current disadvantages that the need to combine other imaging methods to achieve precise transcranial ultrasonic neuroregulation leads to higher costs, greater complexity, and difficulty in grassroots promotion, thereby achieving high regulation accuracy and facilitating grassroots promotion.

[0143] As a comparison of technical effects, it can be combined with existing technologies for reference. Neuromodulation technology is a method of intervening in the nervous system through physical or chemical means to regulate neuronal activity and improve the patient's quality of life and neurological function. In the field of traditional medical imaging, MRI equipment and scanning costs are high and require a long scanning time, which limits its application scenarios. CT imaging involves X-ray radiation, which poses a certain risk of radiation exposure to patients, and some soft tissues are not obvious on CT images, such as muscles and spinal cord. The above two methods have certain limitations in practical application. At present, the prior art also proposes a scheme to guide transcranial ultrasound focusing by combining MRI or CT imaging, but these schemes do not take into account that the actual focused ultrasound stimulation is actually forward propagating in the sound field simulation scheme. The focus of the ultrasound wave emitted by the ultrasonic transducer at the placement position obtained by the technical scheme based on the time reversal method may still have a certain degree of spatial error with the target target in the skull; and these schemes also fail to provide visualized sound field distribution information to guide the placement of the ultrasonic transducer.

[0144] Transcranial focused ultrasound stimulation (tFUS) has attracted much attention as a non-invasive neuromodulation method. tFUS has higher spatial accuracy and control depth, and can focus and transmit ultrasound energy to specific areas of the brain, thereby achieving the purpose of neuromodulation. Traditional tFUS technology is usually limited by the influence of the brain when focusing on the target, resulting in path changes and intensity attenuation when ultrasound penetrates the brain, making it difficult to accurately locate the position of the ultrasound transducer and the focus position of the sound beam. Therefore, this field urgently needs to develop a convenient transcranial focused ultrasound system to effectively reduce the ultrasound focus position offset error caused by the brain, guide the placement of the ultrasound transducer, and allow the focus of the transcranial ultrasound to accurately fall on the predetermined stimulation target in the skull.

[0145] In response to the problems existing in traditional tFUS technology, the present invention proposes an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system, which uses ultrasound imaging technology to obtain the sound velocity image of the patient's brain and accurately locate the specific area of ​​the brain. Specifically, the sound velocity image of the patient's head is obtained by transmission ultrasound imaging technology, and then the focused sound beam is refracted and corrected by numerical calculation method, so that the sound focus is located at the target point of regulation, and the time delay of each array element of the transducer is calculated; the time delay of each array element calculated by numerical simulation is set, and the transducer emits an ultrasound regulation signal to obtain the actual target focus area; the patient's brain is imaged again by transmission ultrasound to determine whether the actual target focus area is the preset area. After verifying that the focus point is the target target, subsequent regulation is performed, and finally the precise focusing of the transcranial nerve regulation target is successfully achieved. The present invention uses ultrasound imaging guidance, has the characteristics of full ultrasound, does not need to rely on other imaging methods, and can achieve accurate positioning and precise focusing of specific areas of the brain. It has the advantages of high spatial precision, large control depth, and non-invasiveness. It can effectively reduce the distortion of the brain caused by the propagation of ultrasonic beams, guide the emission delay of ultrasonic transducer array elements, and allow transcranial ultrasound to accurately focus on the target area of ​​neural regulation. At the same time, the present invention has broad application prospects in the treatment of brain diseases, neural function regulation, etc., and can bring safer and more effective treatment plans to patients.

[0146] In an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system, which includes a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer, a multi-channel phased array controller and a host computer connected in sequence; wherein the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is communicatively connected to the host computer; the host computer is used to obtain a first regulation instruction; when multiple imaging echo signals are received, a second regulation instruction is generated, and a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map and multiple signal sending interval steps according to each imaging echo signal, and each signal sending interval step is sent to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each control echo signal and the sound velocity imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for nerve regulation; the multi-channel phased array controller is used to generate a low-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving the first regulation instruction sent by the host computer; when receiving the second regulation instruction sent by the host computer, a high-power electrical signal is generated and transmitted to the head-mounted annular array The invention relates to a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer, which is used for converting the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasonic signal and transmitting it to the patient's head when receiving a low-power electrical signal, so as to receive a plurality of imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasonic signal; when receiving a high-power electrical signal, the high-power electrical signal is converted into a control ultrasonic signal, and the control ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the interval step of each signal transmission, so as to receive a plurality of control echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasonic signal; based on the above scheme, the corresponding echo signal can be obtained by wearing the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer on the patient's head, and there is no need to splice multiple devices, which can simplify the system structure. At the same time, the upper computer processes the received imaging echo signal and the control echo signal based on the preset signal processing algorithm and the beamforming algorithm to obtain the target visualization target focus area, and the process of performing neural control through the target visualization target focus area does not need to be combined with complex imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, which can reduce the difficulty of operation and thus reduce the application cost.

[0147] See also Figure 7 , Figure 7 A flowchart of the steps of an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

[0148] The present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method, comprising:

[0149] Step 701: when multiple imaging echo signals are received, a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map according to each imaging echo signal;

[0150] The preset signal processing algorithms include filtered back projection algorithm, Akaike information criterion algorithm, Bezier curve theory, and ray tracing iterative algorithm.

[0151] Further, step 701 may include the following sub-steps:

[0152] S11, performing signal segmentation on each imaging echo signal to determine a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0153] Step S12, calculating the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0154] Step S13, using the Akaike information criterion algorithm to calculate the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0155] Step S14, using a filtered back projection algorithm to determine the initial slowness distribution according to the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0156] Step S15, based on the Bezier curve theory, according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each imaging echo signal, determine the target propagation path corresponding to each imaging echo signal;

[0157] Step S16, segmenting the target propagation paths corresponding to the imaging echo signals, and determining sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to the target propagation paths;

[0158] Step S17, based on the ray tracing iterative algorithm, the initial slowness distribution is optimized using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation paths within multiple pixels corresponding to each target propagation path, the target slowness distribution is determined, and a sound velocity imaging diagram is generated according to the target slowness distribution.

[0159] Step 702: When multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each control echo signal and the sound velocity imaging diagram, and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural control.

[0160] In an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention provides an ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method. When multiple imaging echo signals are received, a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound speed imaging image according to each imaging echo signal; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each control echo signal and the sound speed imaging image, and the target visualization target focus area is used for nerve regulation; based on the above scheme, based on the preset signal processing algorithm and the beamforming algorithm, the received imaging echo signals and the control echo signals are processed to obtain the target visualization target focus area, and the process of nerve regulation is performed through the target visualization target focus area. The present invention does not need to be combined with complex imaging technologies such as CT and MRI, can reduce the difficulty of operation, and thus reduce the application cost.

[0161] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer device, including a memory and a processor, wherein a computer program is stored in the memory; when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor executes the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as described in the above-mentioned embodiment 2.

[0162] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program / instruction stored thereon. When the computer program / instruction is executed by a processor, the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method of the above-mentioned embodiment 2 are implemented.

[0163] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instruction, which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as described in any one of the second embodiments above.

[0164] In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation. For example, multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0165] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed on multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment.

[0166] As described above, the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, rather than to limit the same. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments may still be modified, or some of the technical features thereof may be replaced by equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not deviate the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system, characterized in that: The system comprises a head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer, a multi-channel phased array controller and a host computer which are connected in sequence; The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is communicatively connected to the host computer; The host computer is used to obtain a first control instruction; when multiple imaging echo signals are received, a second control instruction is generated, and a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map and multiple signal sending interval steps according to each of the imaging echo signals, and each of the signal sending interval steps is sent to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer; when multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each of the control echo signals and the sound velocity imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural control; The multi-channel phased array controller is used to generate a low-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving a first control instruction sent by the host computer; and generate a high-power electrical signal and transmit it to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer when receiving a second control instruction sent by the host computer; The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is used for, when receiving the low-power electrical signal, converting the low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasonic signal and transmitting it to the patient's head, so as to receive a plurality of imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasonic signal; when receiving the high-power electrical signal, converting the high-power electrical signal into a control ultrasonic signal, transmitting the control ultrasonic signal to the patient's head according to each signal sending interval step, so as to receive a plurality of control echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasonic signal; The preset signal processing algorithms include filtered back-projection algorithm, Akaike information criterion algorithm, Bezier curve theory, ray tracing iteration algorithm, and numerical simulation calculation algorithm; the host computer is specifically used for: Obtaining a first control instruction and sending the instruction to the multi-channel phased array controller; When a plurality of imaging echo signals are received, a second control instruction is generated and sent to the multi-channel phased array controller; Performing signal segmentation on each of the imaging echo signals to determine a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals; Calculating the variance value corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals according to the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals; The Akaike information criterion algorithm is used to calculate the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal; Determining the initial slowness distribution according to the flight time corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals using a filtered back projection algorithm; Based on the Bezier curve theory, according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, determining the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals; Performing path segmentation on the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, and determining sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the target propagation paths; Based on a ray tracing iterative algorithm, the initial slowness distribution is optimized by using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each target propagation path to determine the target slowness distribution, and a sound velocity imaging diagram is generated according to the target slowness distribution; Using a numerical simulation calculation algorithm to determine the signal transmission interval step between each power array element according to the sound velocity imaging diagram and send the signal to the head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer; When multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to reconstruct each of the control echo signals to determine a beam path; Superimposing the acoustic beam path and the sound velocity imaging map to determine an initial visualized target focus area; Determining whether the initial visualized target focus area and the preset visualized target focus area are the same; If they are the same, the initial visualized target focus area is used as the target visualized target focus area; The objective visualization target focal area is used for neuromodulation.

2. The ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer comprises two head-mounted structures, a circular structure and an electrical interface; The two head-mounted structures are cross-arranged on the upper surface of the circular structure, and the head-mounted structures are arc-shaped; An imaging array element group and a power array element group are symmetrically arranged on the inner side of the circular structure, and the electrical interface is arranged on the outer side of the circular structure; The imaging array element group includes a plurality of imaging array elements, and the power array element group includes a plurality of power array elements; The imaging array elements and the power array elements are symmetrically arranged one by one; Each of the power array elements and each of the imaging array elements are connected to the multi-channel phased array controller via the electrical interface; Each of the power array elements and each of the imaging array elements is communicatively connected to the host computer; The imaging array element is used to convert the received low-power electrical signal into an imaging ultrasound signal and transmit it to the patient's head, so as to receive an imaging echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signal and a control echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasound signal; The power array element is used to receive the imaging echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signal, convert the received high-power electrical signal into a control ultrasound signal, and transmit the control ultrasound signal to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step.

3. The ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The head-mounted annular array ultrasonic transducer is specifically used for: When the low-power electrical signal is received, the received low-power electrical signal is converted into an imaging ultrasound signal through a target imaging array element and transmitted to the patient's head; The imaging echo signals generated by the patient's head based on the imaging ultrasound signals are received by the imaging array elements and the power array elements respectively, and sent to the host computer; The adjacent imaging array element is used as a new target imaging array element, and the received low-power electrical signal is converted into the imaging ultrasound signal through the new target imaging array element and transmitted to the patient's head, until a plurality of imaging array elements convert the low-power electrical signal into the imaging ultrasound signal and transmit it to the patient's head; When the high-power electrical signal is received, the received high-power electrical signal is converted into a regulated ultrasonic signal through the target power array element, and the regulated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the signal transmission interval step; Receiving, by each of the imaging array elements, a control echo signal generated by the patient's head based on the control ultrasound signal and sending the signal to the host computer; The adjacent power array element is used as a new target power array element, the received high-power electrical signal is converted into the regulated ultrasonic signal through the new target power array element, and the regulated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the patient's head according to the signal sending interval step, until multiple power array elements convert the high-power electrical signal into the regulated ultrasonic signal and transmit it to the patient's head.

4. The ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The multi-channel phased array controller includes a low-power module and a high-power module; The low-power module is connected to each of the imaging array elements via the electrical interface; The high power module is connected to each of the power array elements through the electrical interface.

5. A method for transcranial nerve regulation guided by ultrasound imaging, characterized in that: include: When a plurality of imaging echo signals are received, a preset signal processing algorithm is used to generate a sound velocity imaging map according to each of the imaging echo signals; When multiple control echo signals are received, a beamforming algorithm is used to determine a target visualization target focus area according to each of the control echo signals and the sound velocity imaging map, and the target visualization target focus area is used for neural control; The preset signal processing algorithm includes a filtered back-projection algorithm, an Akaike information criterion algorithm, a Bezier curve theory, and a ray tracing iteration algorithm; the step of using the preset signal processing algorithm to generate a sound velocity imaging map according to each of the imaging echo signals includes: Performing signal segmentation on each of the imaging echo signals to determine a first sub-signal and a second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals; Calculating the variance value corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals according to the first sub-signal and the second sub-signal corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals; The Akaike information criterion algorithm is used to calculate the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal according to the variance value corresponding to each imaging echo signal; Determining the initial slowness distribution according to the flight time corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals using a filtered back projection algorithm; Based on the Bezier curve theory, according to the position coordinates of the power array element and the position coordinates of the imaging array element corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, determining the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals; Performing path segmentation on the target propagation path corresponding to each of the imaging echo signals, and determining sub-propagation paths within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each of the target propagation paths; Based on a ray tracing iterative algorithm, the initial slowness distribution is optimized using the flight time corresponding to each imaging echo signal and the sub-propagation path within a plurality of pixels corresponding to each target propagation path to determine the target slowness distribution, and a sound velocity imaging diagram is generated based on the target slowness distribution.

6. A computer device, characterized in that: It comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and when the computer program is executed by the processor, the processor executes the steps of the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as claimed in claim 5.

7. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that: When the computer program is executed, the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method according to claim 5 is implemented.

8. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer program product comprises a computer program stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer program comprises program instructions, wherein when the program instructions are executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the ultrasound imaging-guided transcranial nerve regulation method as described in claim 5.

Images