Ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system

Abstract

The present invention provides an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope and an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope includes an insertion portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a photoacoustic excitation component and an ultrasound probe having a shell, the ultrasound probe is connected to the distal end of the insertion portion, and the photoacoustic excitation component is connected to the outer side of the shell. In such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope, the photoacoustic excitation component is externally connected to the ultrasound probe, and the ultrasound probe can be closer to the existing ultrasound probe structure, with almost no change to the existing ultrasound probe structure. Such a connection is simpler, and the operation during the overall assembly can also be simpler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope and an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system. Background Art

[0002] Compared with traditional open surgery, laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of smaller wounds, less blood loss and faster recovery. It has been widely used in surgical treatment.

[0003] In some existing laparoscopes, a photoacoustic imaging component is integrated into the ultrasound probe to enable the laparoscope to achieve multiple imaging modes. However, integrating the photoacoustic imaging component into the ultrasound probe requires assembling the photoacoustic imaging component inside the ultrasound probe, which greatly changes the structure of the ultrasound probe itself and is also very difficult to assemble. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to at least partially solve the problems existing in the prior art, according to one aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is provided. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope includes an insertion portion and a head portion. The head portion includes a photoacoustic excitation component and an ultrasound probe having a shell, the ultrasound probe is connected to the distal end of the insertion portion, and the photoacoustic excitation component is connected to the outer side of the shell.

[0005] The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope provided by the present invention can realize ultrasound, photoacoustic and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging, so as to realize high-resolution, high-contrast, high-sensitivity structural imaging and functional imaging of a large depth of the tissue body, greatly improving the accuracy of in vivo diagnosis. Moreover, in such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope, the photoacoustic excitation component is externally connected to the ultrasound probe, and the ultrasound probe can be closer to the existing ultrasound probe structure, and there is almost no change to the existing ultrasound probe structure. The photoacoustic excitation component is externally connected to the outside of the ultrasound probe housing, so that the connection is simpler, and the operation during the overall assembly can also be simpler. For situations where photoacoustic imaging is required in practical applications, the photoacoustic excitation component can be installed before surgery. Such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope can decide whether to connect the photoacoustic excitation component to the ultrasound probe according to clinical needs, and has a wider range of applications and will not cause waste of medical resources when used.

[0006] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic excitation assembly includes a light window shell and a first shell, the light window shell is connected to the first shell, the shell includes an acoustic window shell and a second shell, the acoustic window shell is connected to the second shell, wherein the light window shell is abutted against the acoustic window shell from the side, and at least a portion of the second shell is surrounded by the first shell.

[0007] Illustratively, the first housing is detachably connected to the second housing.

[0008] Exemplarily, a threaded connection portion is provided on the first shell, a threaded fitting portion is provided on the second shell, and a fastener is passed through the threaded connection portion and the threaded fitting portion so that the first shell can be detachably connected to the second shell.

[0009] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic excitation assembly includes an isolation member, which is fixedly connected to the first shell, and the isolation member, the light window housing and the first shell form a sealed accommodating cavity.

[0010] Exemplarily, the spacer is fitted to the second shell.

[0011] Exemplarily, the first housing is connected to the second housing by snap-fitting.

[0012] Exemplarily, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope also includes a connecting piece, a snap-fitting portion is provided on the connecting piece, and a snap-fitting portion is provided on the second shell. Through the cooperation between the snap-fitting portion and the snap-fitting portion, the connecting piece is snap-fitted to the second shell and the first shell is located between the connecting piece and the second shell.

[0013] Exemplarily, the snap-fitting portion includes a foot and a supporting portion, one end of the supporting portion is connected to the connecting piece, and the other end is connected to the foot, and the snap-fitting portion includes a snap-fitting groove, and the foot is snapped into the snap-fitting groove to achieve the fit between the snap-fitting portion and the snap-fitting portion.

[0014] Exemplarily, the snap-fitting portion includes a first snap-fitting portion located at the distal end of the connecting member and a second snap-fitting portion located at the proximal end of the connecting member, and the snap-fitting portion includes a first snap-fitting portion and a second snap-fitting portion, the first snap-fitting portion cooperates with the first snap-fitting portion, and the second snap-fitting portion cooperates with the second snap-fitting portion, and the first snap-fitting portion and the second snap-fitting portion form a limit for the first shell in the axial direction along the head end portion.

[0015] Exemplarily, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope further includes a light guide, which is detachably connected to the outside of the insertion portion and the distal end of the light guide is connected to the photoacoustic excitation component.

[0016] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic excitation component is bonded and fixed to the ultrasound probe.

[0017] Exemplarily, the light window housing and the sound window housing are bonded and fixed.

[0018] Exemplarily, a light window structure is disposed between the first shell and the second shell, a first side of the light window structure is connected to the first shell, and a second side of the light window structure adjacent to the first side is connected to the light window housing.

[0019] Exemplarily, a third side of the light window structure opposite to the first side is bonded to the sound window housing.

[0020] Exemplarily, a third side of the light window structure opposite to the first side is bonded to the second housing.

[0021] Exemplarily, the second side is adhesively fixed to the light window housing.

[0022] According to another aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system is provided. The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system comprises an ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe, a photoacoustic excitation light source, and any one of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscopes described above, wherein the ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe is connected to the photoacoustic excitation light source, and the photoacoustic excitation light source is connected to the photoacoustic excitation component through a light guide, and the ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe is connected to the insertion portion through an ultrasound connector.

[0023] A series of simplified concepts are introduced in the summary of the invention, which will be further described in detail in the detailed description. The summary of the invention does not mean to attempt to define the key features and essential technical features of the claimed technical solution, nor does it mean to attempt to determine the scope of protection of the claimed technical solution.

[0024] The advantages and features of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The following drawings of the present invention are used as part of the present invention for understanding the present invention. The drawings show the embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions, and are used to explain the principles of the present invention. In the drawings,

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 2 A bottom view of a portion of an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 3 for Figure 2 A partial top view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0029] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A partial side view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0030] Figure 5 for Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0031] Figure 6 A partial stereoscopic view of an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, wherein a photoacoustic excitation component and a part of a light guide are shown;

[0032] Figure 7 for Figure 6 An exploded view of a portion of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0033] Figure 8 is a stereoscopic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Fig. 9 for Figure 8 A partial exploded view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0035] Fig.10 A partial stereoscopic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Fig.11 for Fig.10 A top view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0037] Fig.12 for Fig.10 An exploded view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic hybrid laparoscope is shown;

[0038] Fig.13 for Fig.10 A cross-sectional view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0039] Fig.14 A bottom view of a portion of an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0040] Fig.15 for Fig.14 A top view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown;

[0041] Fig.16 for Fig.14 The side view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic hybrid laparoscope is shown;

[0042] Fig.17 for Fig.14 An exploded view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is shown, wherein the light guide is not shown;

[0043] Fig.18 for Fig.14 A cross-sectional view of the ultrasound-photoacoustic hybrid laparoscope shown; and

[0044] Fig.19 FIG. 4 is a partial schematic diagram of a light guide according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0046] 100. Ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope; 101. Head end; 102. Insertion part; 103. Operation part; 104. Light guide; 105. Ultrasound connector; 106. Puncture slot; 107. Indicator light window; 110. Ultrasound probe; 111. Housing; 1111. Sound window housing; 1112. Second housing; 11122. Snap-fitting part; 11122a. First snap-fitting part; 11122b. Second snap-fitting part; 112. Ultrasonic transducer; 120. Photoacoustic excitation assembly; 121. Light window housing; 1211. Protrusion; 1212. First light window; 12121. First inclined surface; 1213. Second light window; 12131. Second inclined surface; 122. First housing; 1221. Mounting hole; 123. Isolation piece; 124. Accommodating cavity; 125 , connecting piece; 1251, clamping part; 12511, foot; 12512, supporting part; 1251a, first clamping part; 1251b, second clamping part; 126, optical window structure; 1261, first side; 1262, second side; 12621, recess; 1263, third side; 1264, first structure; 12641, first through hole; 1265, second structure; 12651, second through hole; 130, cavity; 140, optical fiber bundle; 141, first optical fiber bundle segment; 1411, first sub-optical fiber; 14111, first fixing piece; 142, second optical fiber bundle segment; 1421, second sub-optical fiber; 14211, second fixing piece; 150, fixing ring; 200, ultrasound-photoacoustic host; 300, photoacoustic excitation light source; 400, fastener. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] In the following description, a large amount of details are provided so that the present invention can be thoroughly understood. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the following description only exemplarily illustrates a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the present invention can be implemented without one or more such details. In addition, in order to avoid confusion with the present invention, some technical features well known in the art are not described in detail.

[0048] According to one aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope is provided, which can have a variety of imaging modes, can support ultrasound imaging mode, photoacoustic imaging mode and ultrasound-photoacoustic fusion imaging mode, and help improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope can be applied to any suitable imaging system, including but not limited to ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system. Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system is provided.

[0049] For the convenience of description, the distal end mentioned below refers to the end of the ultrasound-photoacoustic compound laparoscope that is closer to the observed object when the operator uses the ultrasound-photoacoustic compound laparoscope; the proximal end mentioned below refers to the end of the ultrasound-photoacoustic compound laparoscope that is closer to the operator when the operator uses the ultrasound-photoacoustic compound laparoscope.

[0050] See also Figure 1 The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system may include an ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe 200, a photoacoustic excitation light source 300, and any ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 to be described below. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 may include a head end 101, an insertion portion 102, and an operating portion 103. The insertion portion 102 may be connected between the head end 101 and the operating portion 103, and the insertion portion 102 and the head end 101 may be inserted into the body of the object to be observed. The head end 101 may include a photoacoustic excitation component and an ultrasound probe. The ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe 200 may be connected to the photoacoustic excitation light source 300, and the photoacoustic excitation light source 300 may be connected to the photoacoustic excitation component through a light guide 104. The photoacoustic excitation component may mainly play the role of transmitting and emitting photoacoustic excitation light. The photoacoustic excitation component may generally include a housing and a light window housing connected to the housing. The housing and the light window housing may be integrated or separately connected. The housing may be formed on the main body of the photoacoustic excitation component, and the light window housing may be a part of the photoacoustic excitation component that participates in emitting photoacoustic excitation light. By aligning or connecting the light guide to the light window housing, the photoacoustic excitation light transmitted by the light guide can be emitted through the light window housing. For example, the distal end of the light guide can extend into the space enclosed by the housing of the photoacoustic excitation assembly, and the distal end of the light guide can be aligned with the light window housing, so that after the light guide transmits the photoacoustic excitation light to the light window housing, the photoacoustic excitation light is emitted to the outside from the light window housing. An intelligent button can be provided on the operating part 103. By controlling the operating part 103, a signal can be sent to the ultrasound-photoacoustic host 200, and then the start of the photoacoustic excitation light source 300 can be controlled. The photoacoustic excitation light source 300 can emit photoacoustic excitation light, and the photoacoustic excitation light source 300 can be a pulsed laser light source, or a pulse-modulated light-emitting diode (LED) or laser diode (LD) and other suitable forms. The photoacoustic excitation light emitted by the photoacoustic excitation light source 300 can be transmitted to the photoacoustic excitation component through the light guide 104. The photoacoustic excitation component can irradiate the photoacoustic excitation light onto the biological tissue. The biological tissue absorbs the light energy and generates thermal expansion. In the pulse interval of the photoacoustic excitation light, the energy is released and the tissue contracts. High-frequency ultrasound is generated during the thermal expansion and contraction process. The ultrasound-photoacoustic main unit 200 can be connected to the insertion part 102 through the ultrasound connector 105. Figure 5, the ultrasonic probe 110 can be connected to the distal end of the insertion portion 102. An ultrasonic transducer 112 can be provided in the ultrasonic probe 110, and the ultrasonic transducer 112 can emit and receive ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic transducer 112 receives ultrasonic waves generated by biological tissue under the action of photoacoustic excitation light, and the generated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic-photoacoustic host 200 to realize photoacoustic imaging. In addition, the ultrasonic-photoacoustic host 200 can generate ultrasonic pulse signals, and the ultrasonic pulse signals can be transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 112 via the ultrasonic connector 105, and then the ultrasonic transducer 112 can generate ultrasonic waves. After the ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the biological tissue, ultrasonic echoes will be generated. The ultrasonic transducer 112 receives the ultrasonic echoes and transmits signals to the ultrasonic-photoacoustic host, thereby realizing ultrasonic imaging. On this basis, the emission timing of the photoacoustic excitation light and the ultrasonic pulse signal is controlled so that ultrasonic imaging and photoacoustic imaging are performed alternately at preset time intervals, and ultrasonic-photoacoustic fusion imaging can be realized. The time interval here is preferably 1 μs-100 μs, which is not perceptible to the human eye, and does not produce motion artifacts. Visually, it can be considered that ultrasound imaging and photoacoustic imaging are imaged simultaneously. Such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 uses photoacoustic imaging to supplement ultrasound imaging, so that the overall imaging effect is better, and high-resolution, high-contrast, and high-sensitivity structural imaging and functional imaging of biological tissues at greater depths can be achieved.

[0051] See also Figure 2-Figure 7, the head end 101 may include a photoacoustic excitation component 120 and an ultrasonic probe 110 having a housing 111, and the ultrasonic probe 110 may be connected to the distal end of the insertion portion 102. A puncture groove 106 may also be provided on the head end 101, and the puncture groove 106 may guide the puncture trajectory of the puncture needle. The number and position of the puncture grooves 106 may be arbitrary, for example, the distal end of the head end 101 may be provided with a puncture groove 106, and the proximal end of the head end 101 may also be provided with a puncture groove 106. An indication light window 107 may be provided near the puncture groove 106, and the indication light window 107 may emit an indication laser, which irradiates outward from the body of the observed object, for example, irradiates on the abdominal wall, and can indicate the insertion position of the puncture needle. The indication light window 107 may be in various suitable forms such as a built-in LD. The ultrasonic transducer 112 may be provided in a cavity formed by the enclosure of the housing 111. The ultrasonic probe 110 can be connected to the distal end of the insertion portion 102 by welding, snap-fitting, threading or other suitable forms. The photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be connected to the outside of the housing 111. The photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be detachably connected to the outside of the housing 111, for example, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be connected to the outside of the housing 111 by threading, snap-fitting or other suitable forms. Of course, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can also be connected to the outside of the housing 111 by a similar adhesive form. When the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is adhesively connected to the outside of the housing 111, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can still be removed by destroying the adhesive part. Therefore, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is connected to the outside of the housing 111, and it can be considered that the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be detachable. In addition, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasonic transducer 112 are separated by the housing 111, and it can be considered that the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is external to the ultrasonic probe 110.

[0052] When such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 is in use, if photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic fusion imaging are not required in the clinical situation, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 may not be assembled before the operation, or the photoacoustic excitation component 120 may be disassembled. At this time, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can only realize ultrasound imaging, and the parts inserted into the body of the object to be observed are the insertion part 102 and the ultrasound probe 110, which is similar to the common ultrasound laparoscope. This does not change the operator's usage habits, and the operator's usage experience can be better. Moreover, in this way, only the ultrasound probe 110 needs to be washed and disinfected after the operation, which can save medical resources. If photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic fusion imaging are required in the clinical situation, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be kept connected to the outside of the housing 111 before the operation, so that photoacoustic imaging can be used to supplement ultrasound imaging, and the overall imaging effect achieved is better. After the operation, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be disassembled, and the ultrasound probe 110 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized respectively. This will make the overall disinfection of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 simpler and more convenient, and the disinfection effect will be better, which is conducive to reuse.

[0053] Of course, in the ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, when using the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100, it can also be used in conjunction with an optical hard mirror. The optical hard mirror and the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can be inserted into the body of the observed object at the same time. The optical imaging of the optical hard mirror can facilitate the observation of the position and angle of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100, so that the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can be inserted into the appropriate position at a predetermined angle. The optical imaging of the optical hard mirror can also observe the indicating laser of the indicating light window 107, further ensuring that the puncture needle is inserted into the body of the observed object at the correct position.

[0054] The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 provided by the present invention can realize ultrasound, photoacoustic and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging, so as to realize high-resolution, high-contrast, high-sensitivity structural imaging and functional imaging of a large depth of the tissue body, greatly improving the accuracy of in vivo diagnosis. Moreover, in such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is externally connected to the ultrasound probe 110, and the ultrasound probe 110 can be closer to the existing ultrasound probe structure, and there is almost no change to the existing ultrasound probe structure. The photoacoustic excitation component 120 is externally connected to the outer side of the housing 111 of the ultrasound probe 110, so that the connection is simpler, and the operation during the overall assembly can also be simpler. For situations where photoacoustic imaging is required in practical applications, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be installed before surgery. Such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can decide whether to connect the photoacoustic excitation component 120 to the ultrasound probe 110 according to clinical needs, and has a wider range of applications and will not cause waste of medical resources when used.

[0055] For example, see Figure 5, the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 may include a light window housing 121 and a first shell 122, and the light window housing 121 may be connected to the first shell 122. The light window housing 121 may include a transparent light window made of a non-metallic fully transparent material, and the light window housing 121 may be designed into any number and form as needed. For example, the structure of the light window housing 121 may be designed as needed so that the photoacoustic excitation light passing through the light window housing 121 will be refracted in a predetermined direction. The light window housing 121 may be connected to the first shell 122 by welding, snap-on, threaded connection or other various suitable forms. The housing 111 may include an acoustic window housing 1111 and a second shell 1112, and the acoustic window housing 1111 may be connected to the second shell 1112. Ultrasonic waves may pass through the acoustic window housing 1111. The acoustic window housing 1111 may be in the form of an acoustic lens, or may be other various acoustic elements that can converge or diverge sound waves. The acoustic window housing 1111 may include an acoustic window made of an opaque silicone material. The acoustic window housing 1111 may be formed by an integrated process with the second housing 1112, or may be separately produced and processed from the second housing 1112 and then connected together by welding, clamping, threading, or other suitable forms. The acoustic window housing 1111 and the second housing 1112 may together form the housing 111, and protect the ultrasonic transducer 112 inside the cavity enclosed by the housing 111. The light window housing 121 can be attached to the acoustic window housing 1111 from the side (that is, the emission surfaces of the light window housing and the acoustic window housing face similar directions, and the sides of the non-emitting surfaces are attached to each other), the light window housing 121 can be directly connected to the acoustic window housing 1111 by various forms such as bonding or clamping, or can only be tightly attached to the acoustic window housing 1111. Here, the light window housing 121 is attached to the acoustic window housing 1111, and it can be considered that there is almost no gap between the light window housing 121 and the acoustic window housing 1111, so that the whole can have good sealing. At least part of the second shell 1112 can be surrounded by the first shell 122, and the light window housing 121, the first shell 122, the acoustic window housing 1111 and the second shell 1112 can be enclosed to form a sealed cavity 130. The photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 may include an isolator 123 located in the cavity 130, and the isolator 123 may further divide the cavity 130 into a receiving cavity 124, that is, the isolator 123, the first shell 122 and the light window shell 121 may enclose the receiving cavity 124, and the receiving cavity 124 may be located in the cavity 130. The isolator 123 will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments and drawings. Since the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 needs to be in direct contact with human tissue and blood during use, the sealing of the head end 101 of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 is very important.Even if the isolation member 123 is not provided in the cavity 130, the cavity 130 formed by the light window housing 121, the first shell 122, the acoustic window housing 1111 and the second shell 1112 can also be sealed, so that the internal structure of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can be prevented from being contaminated by the outside when in use. The light guide 104 can include an optical fiber bundle 140 extending into the cavity 130. The light guide 104 can extend into the cavity 130 through the mounting hole 1221 on the first shell 122, and the portion of the light guide 104 located in the cavity 130 can include the optical fiber bundle 140. The sealed cavity 130 can prevent the optical fiber bundle 140 from being contaminated by the external environment. Moreover, the light window shell 121, the first shell 122, the sound window shell 1111 and the second shell 1112 enclose a sealed cavity 130, and the whole only needs to be cleaned and disinfected on the outside during cleaning, disinfection and sterilization, which further makes the cleaning and disinfection of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 simpler and more convenient.

[0056] Exemplarily, the first shell 122 is detachably connected to the second shell 1112. The first shell 122 can be detachably connected to the second shell 1112 by threaded connection, snap-on connection or other various suitable forms, which will be described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The first shell 122 can be detachably connected to the second shell 1112, which can make the disassembly of the photoacoustic excitation component 120 easier. When photoacoustic imaging is not required, it can be more convenient to disassemble the photoacoustic excitation component 120 before surgery; when the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is involved in the detection of biological tissue, it can also be more convenient to disassemble the photoacoustic excitation component 120 after surgery to wash and disinfect the ultrasound probe 110 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 separately.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 2-Figure 7, a threaded connection portion may be provided on the first shell 122, a threaded matching portion may be provided on the second shell 1112, and a fastener 400 may be inserted into the threaded connection portion and the threaded matching portion so that the first shell 122 can be detachably connected to the second shell 1112. Any number of threaded connection portions may be provided on the first shell 122, and any number of threaded matching portions may also be provided on the second shell 1112. For the sake of overall sealing, the number of threaded connection portions on the first shell 122 may correspond to the number of threaded matching portions on the second shell 1112, and the first shell 122 may be detachably connected to the second shell 1112 by using a corresponding number of fasteners 400. The first shell 122 is detachably connected to the second shell 1112 by using a threaded connection, and the overall structure is simpler and easier to implement. On this basis, after the first shell 122 is threadedly connected to the second shell 1112, the light window housing 121 can be closely attached to the sound window housing 1111 through reasonable size design. In this way, the ultrasound probe 110 and the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 are detachably connected only by the fastener 400, and the disassembly of the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 is simpler and more convenient. At the same time, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can have better sealing performance.

[0058] For example, see Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 may include an isolator 123, the isolator 123 may be fixedly connected to the first shell 122, and the isolator 123, the light window housing 121 and the first shell 122 may enclose a sealed accommodating chamber 124. That is, the isolator 123 encloses the light window housing 121 and the first shell 122 in the cavity 130 to form the accommodating chamber 124, and it can be considered that the accommodating chamber 124 is located in the cavity 130. The isolator 123 is fixedly connected to the first shell 122, and the light window housing 121 is connected to the first shell 122, so the isolator 123, the first shell 122 and the light window housing 121 are connected together as a whole, so that the whole can be disassembled. After such a whole is disassembled, it still encloses a sealed accommodating chamber 124, that is, even after the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 as a whole is disassembled, the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 as a whole itself is still sealed. When such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 is in use, after the connection between the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasound probe 110 is disassembled, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasound probe 110 can be cleaned and disinfected separately. The photoacoustic excitation component 120 itself has good sealing performance, and the cleaning can be simpler and more convenient. The connection and disassembly between such a photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasound probe 110 are also simpler and more convenient.

[0059] Exemplarily, the isolation piece 123 can fit the second shell 1112. When the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 is connected to the ultrasound probe 110, the isolation piece 123 fits the second shell 1112 to make the internal structure of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 more compact, so that the size of the overall device can be further reduced, which is more conducive to use in clinical surgery.

[0060] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 8-Figure 13 , the first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 can be connected by snapping. The first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 can be directly connected by snapping. For example, a snapping portion can be provided on the first shell 122, and a snap-fitting portion can be provided on the second shell 1112. By snap-fitting the snap-fitting portion with the snap-fitting portion, the first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 can be snap-connected. In this way, the overall structure is simpler, and when the first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 are directly snap-connected, the overall assembly is also simpler.

[0061] The first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 may also be connected by indirect snap-fitting. Exemplarily, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 may also include a connector 125, a snap-fitting portion 1251 may be provided on the connector 125, and a snap-fitting portion 11122 may be provided on the second shell 1112. Through the cooperation of the snap-fitting portion 1251 and the snap-fitting portion 11122, the connector 125 may be snap-fitted to the second shell 1112 and the first shell 122 may be located between the connector 125 and the second shell 1112. Through the snap-fitting of the connector 125 and the second shell 1112, the first shell 122 is equivalent to being sandwiched between the connector 125 and the second shell 1112, so that the first shell 122 is indirectly snap-fitted to the second shell 1112. Whether it is a direct snap-on connection or an indirect snap-on connection, the first shell 122 is snap-on connected to the second shell 1112, and the disassembly and assembly of the connection between the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasound probe 110 in such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 is simpler, easier to implement, and easier to operate. However, when the first shell 122 is directly snap-on connected to the second shell 1112, since a snap-on portion needs to be provided on the first shell 122, the size matching between the first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 is difficult to meet, so that the overall sealing is difficult to ensure. Therefore, the first shell 122 is indirectly snap-on connected to the second shell 1112 through a connector 125, and the design of the connector 125 only needs to meet the snap-on connection and sealing requirements, and the overall size matching can be better, so that better sealing can be achieved. The connector 125 may include a part made of plastic. Since the connector 125 has a low cost, the connector 125 may be disposable, that is, when the snap connection between the connector 125 and the second housing 1112 is disassembled, the connector 125 may be destroyed for disassembly. Such a connector 125 only needs to meet the stability and sealing requirements of the snap connection when designed, that is, the connection between the first housing 122 and the second housing 1112 can be more stable and the sealing can be better.

[0062] For example, see Fig.12 and Fig.13, the clamping portion 1251 may include a foot 12511 and a support portion 12512, one end of the support portion 12512 may be connected to the connector 125, and the other end may be connected to the foot 12511, and the clamping fitting portion 11122 may include a clamping groove, and the foot 12511 may be clamped into the clamping groove to achieve the clamping portion 1251 and the clamping fitting portion 11122. The foot 12511 and the support portion 12512 may be designed into any suitable form as required. The clamping groove may match the foot 12511. The clamping of the foot 12511 into the clamping groove may enable the clamping portion 1251 to be stably clamped to the clamping fitting portion 11122. The clamping fitting of such a clamping portion 1251 and the clamping fitting portion 11122 is simpler, and only the foot 12511 needs to be clamped into the clamping groove. When the connecting piece 125 includes a part made of plastic and is a disposable component, the foot 12511 can be designed to have a larger size. After the foot 12511 is inserted into the snap-in slot, it can be more stable. When the photoacoustic excitation component 120 needs to be disassembled, it is only necessary to destroy the foot 12511 and / or the supporting part 12512 to complete the disassembly.

[0063] For example, see Figure 8-Figure 13 The clamping portion 1251 may include a first clamping portion 1251a located at the distal end of the connecting piece 125 and a second clamping portion 1251b located at the proximal end of the connecting piece 125, and the clamping fitting portion 11122 may include a first clamping fitting portion 11122a and a second clamping fitting portion 11122b, the first clamping fitting portion 11122a may cooperate with the first clamping portion 1251a, and the second clamping fitting portion 11122b may cooperate with the second clamping portion 1251b, and the first clamping portion 1251a and the second clamping portion 1251b may form a limit for the first shell 122 along the axial direction of the head end portion 101 (CC direction shown in the figure). The first snap-fitting part 11122a cooperates with the first snap-fitting part 1251a, and the second snap-fitting part 11122b cooperates with the second snap-fitting part 1251b. There are two snap-fitting positions between the connecting piece 125 and the second shell 1112, and the snap-fitting between the connecting piece 125 and the second shell 1112 can be more stable; at the same time, the first snap-fitting part 1251a and the second snap-fitting part 1251b form a limit for the first shell 122, which can make the first shell 122 more stable between the second shell 1112 and the connecting piece 125, so that the stability of the overall device can be better. Moreover, in such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100, there is no need for the connecting piece 125 and the second shell 1112 to clamp the first shell 122, so the requirements for size matching in production and processing are lower and easier to achieve.

[0064] Exemplarily, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 may also include a light guide 104, which may include an optical fiber, and the outside of the optical fiber may be covered with a protective skin. The light guide 104 may be detachably connected to the outside of the insertion portion 102 and the distal end of the light guide 104 may be connected to the photoacoustic excitation component 120. The light guide 104 may be indirectly connected to the insertion portion 102 through a detachable fixing ring, and the relative position of the light guide 104 and the insertion portion 102 may be fixed by a fixing ring 150. Of course, the light guide 104 may also be detachably connected to the insertion portion 102 by snap-fitting or other various suitable forms. The light guide 104 is detachably connected to the outside of the insertion portion 102, and on the basis that the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is detachably connected to the ultrasound probe 110, the light guide 104 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 may be detachable as a whole. When such an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 is used, if photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic fusion imaging are not required in the clinical situation, the light guide 104 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 may not be assembled before the operation, or the light guide 104 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 may be disassembled. At this time, the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can only realize ultrasound imaging, and the parts inserted into the body of the object to be observed are the insertion part 102 and the ultrasound probe 110, which are similar to the common ultrasound laparoscope. This does not change the operator's usage habits, and the operator's usage experience can be better. Moreover, in this way, only the ultrasound probe 110 needs to be washed and disinfected after the operation, which can save medical resources. If photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic fusion imaging are required in the clinical situation, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be kept connected to the outside of the housing 111 before the operation, and the light guide 104 can be kept connected to the outside of the insertion part 102, so that photoacoustic imaging can be used to supplement the ultrasound imaging, and the overall imaging effect achieved is better. After the operation, the light guide 104 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be disassembled, and the ultrasound probe 110, the light guide 104 and the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be cleaned, disinfected and sterilized respectively. In this way, the overall disinfection of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 will be simpler and more convenient, the disinfection effect will be better, and it will be conducive to reuse.

[0065] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 14-18, the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasonic probe 110 can be bonded and fixed. The photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be connected to the outside of the housing 111 by bonding and fixing. Among them, any part of the photoacoustic excitation component 120 can be connected to the outside of the housing 111 by bonding and fixing. The bonding and fixing connection form is very simple and easy to operate, and the overall assembly is also simpler and more convenient. Exemplarily, the light window housing 121 and the sound window housing 1111 can be bonded and fixed. Usually, the light window housing 121 and the sound window housing 1111 can be located on the same side of the head end 101, and the first shell 122 and the second shell 1112 can be located on the other side of the head end 101. Since the first shell 122 is connected to the light window housing 121, and the second shell 1112 is connected to the sound window housing 1111, the light window housing 121 and the sound window housing 1111 are bonded and fixed, which can further improve the sealing of the overall device. Moreover, when the light window housing 121 and the acoustic window housing 1111 are bonded and fixed, the internal structure of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can be more compact, the overall size can be smaller, and it is more suitable for use in clinical surgery. It can be understood that although the light window housing 121 and the acoustic window housing 1111 are bonded and fixed, the connection between the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasonic probe 110 can still be destructively disassembled, for example, the light window housing 121 can be destroyed to disassemble the photoacoustic excitation component 120, or the photoacoustic excitation component 120 and the ultrasonic probe 110 can be separated by using a solvent that dissolves the adhesive. In other words, even if the light window housing 121 and the acoustic window housing 1111 are bonded and fixed, it is still considered that the photoacoustic excitation component 120 at this time can be detachable and maintainable.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Fig.17 and Fig.18 A light window structure 126 may be disposed between the first housing 122 and the second housing 1112. A first side 1261 of the light window structure 126 may be connected to the first housing 122, and a second side 1262 of the light window structure 126 adjacent to the first side 1261 may be connected to the light window housing 121. The first side 1261 of the light window structure 126 may be a side of the light window structure 126 close to the outside of the head end 101, and the second side 1262 of the light window structure 126 may be a side of the light window structure 126 close to the distal end. The light window housing 121 is connected to the first housing 122 through the light window structure 126. The connection area between the light window housing 121 and the light window structure 126 plus the connection area between the first housing 122 and the light window structure 126 is much larger than the connection area when the light window housing 121 is directly connected to the first housing 122, so that the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 can be more stable as a whole.

[0067] Exemplarily, the third side 1263 of the light window structure 126 opposite to the first side 1261 can be bonded to the acoustic window housing 1111. The third side 1263 of the light window structure 126 can be a side of the light window structure 126 close to the inside of the head end 101. The light window structure 126 bonded to the acoustic window housing 1111 can reduce the gap inside the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100, making the internal structure more compact, so that the overall size can be smaller and more suitable for application in clinical surgery. Moreover, the light window structure 126 bonded to the acoustic window housing 1111 can further improve the sealing of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100.

[0068] Exemplarily, the third side 1263 of the light window structure 126 opposite to the first side 1261 can be bonded to the second housing 1112. Bonding the light window structure 126 to the second housing 1112 can reduce the gap inside the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100, making the internal structure more compact, so that the overall size can be smaller and more suitable for application in clinical surgery. Moreover, bonding the light window structure 126 to the second housing 1112 can further improve the sealing of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100.

[0069] Exemplarily, the second side 1262 can be bonded and fixed to the light window housing 121. The second side 1262 of the light window structure 126 can be bonded and fixed to the light window housing 121 by thinly coating with glue, which can improve the stability of the connection between the light window structure 126 and the light window housing 121, and can also make the gap between the light window structure 126 and the light window housing 121 smaller, so that the internal structure of the photoacoustic excitation component 120 is more compact. Moreover, the photoacoustic excitation light is finally emitted from the light window housing 121, and the light window structure 126 is bonded and fixed to the light window housing 121 by thinly coating with glue, which can prevent the transmission of the photoacoustic excitation light from being affected by an excessively thick and uneven glue layer.

[0070] For example, see Fig.17 and Fig.18 , a recessed portion 12621 that is recessed away from the light window housing 121 may be provided on the second side 1262, and a convex portion 1211 that protrudes toward the second side 1262 may be provided on the inner surface of the light window housing 121, and the convex portion 1211 may be inserted into the concave portion 12621. The insertion of the convex portion 1211 into the concave portion 12621 can position the light window housing 121, and can make it easier and more convenient to connect the light window structure 126 to the light window housing 121. When the light window structure 126 is adhesively connected to the light window housing 121, the provision of the convex portion 1211 and the concave portion 12621 can increase the adhesive area, so that the stability of the light window structure 126 being adhesively connected to the light window housing 121 can be further improved without increasing the adhesive thickness, and the overall stability of the photoacoustic excitation assembly 120 is also better.

[0071] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Fig.17 , Fig.18 and Fig.19 , and see Figure 7 The light guide 104 may include an optical fiber bundle 140 extending into the cavity 130, and the optical fiber bundle 140 may be bifurcated into a first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and a second optical fiber bundle segment 142 in the cavity 130. When an isolating member 123 is provided in the cavity 130, the optical fiber bundle 140 may be bifurcated into a first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and a second optical fiber bundle segment 142 in the accommodating cavity 124. The light window housing 121 may include a first light window 1212 and a second light window 1213 located on both sides of the acoustic window housing 1111. A light window structure 126 may be disposed in the cavity 130. The light window structure 126 may include a first structure 1264 connected to the first light window 1212 and a second structure 1265 connected to the second light window 1213. The distal end of the first optical fiber bundle 141 may be connected to the first structure 1264 and aligned with the first light window 1212. The distal end of the second optical fiber bundle 142 may be connected to the second structure 1265 and aligned with the second light window 1213. Through different designs, the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 may have different relative positional relationships. For example, the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 may be located on opposite sides of the ultrasound probe 110, or may be located on adjacent sides of the ultrasound probe 110. Optionally, the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 can guide the refraction of the photoacoustic excitation light, respectively, and then change the emission path of the photoacoustic excitation light beam to form a better photoacoustic excitation light field. In this way, through the cooperation of the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 with the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213, the divergence angle, the emission angle, and the irradiation area of ​​the photoacoustic excitation light emitted from the light window housing 121 can be designed as needed, and then the sensitivity of the photoacoustic imaging can be improved and the imaging area can be expanded as needed.

[0072] Exemplarily, the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 may be configured to refract the photoacoustic excitation light transmitted by the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 toward the middle of the ultrasonic probe 110, respectively. Exemplarily, the inner surface of the first light window 1212 may have a first inclined surface 12121, the first inclined surface 12121 may be inclined in a direction close to the housing 111 and toward the proximal end, and the distal end of the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 may be aligned with the first inclined surface 12121. Exemplarily, the inner surface of the second light window 1213 may have a second inclined surface 12131, the second inclined surface 12131 may be inclined in a direction close to the housing 111 and toward the proximal end, and the distal end of the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 may be aligned with the second inclined surface 12131. Thus, the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 may refract the photoacoustic excitation light transmitted by the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 toward the middle of the ultrasonic probe 110, respectively, as shown in FIG. Figure 5 and Fig.18 As shown, refracted toward the central axis MM. Figure 5 and Fig.18 A schematic diagram of the photoacoustic excitation light field is shown. The photoacoustic excitation light field has stronger energy near the imaging plane of the ultrasound probe 110. With such a design, the imaging effect of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can be better. In addition to setting the first inclined surface 12121 and the second inclined surface 12131, there can be various other ways to make the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 respectively refract the photoacoustic excitation light toward the central axis MM of the ultrasound probe 110, which will not be elaborated here. Regardless of the way in which the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 are constructed to refract the photoacoustic excitation light transmitted by the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 toward the middle of the ultrasound probe 110, the imaging effect of the ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope 100 can be better. In addition, the first light window 1212 has a first bevel 12121, the second light window 1213 has a second bevel 12131, the distal end of the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 can be aligned almost vertically with the first bevel 12121, and the distal end of the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 can be aligned almost vertically with the second bevel 12131, so that the light window housing 121 can better guide the refraction of photoacoustic stimulated light, and the alignment relationship between the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 and the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 and the light window housing 121 is also more stable.

[0073] For example, see Fig.19, the distal ends of the multiple first sub-optical fibers 1411 included in the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 can be separated from each other and form a first arc-shaped structure, and the distal ends of the multiple second sub-optical fibers 1421 included in the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 can be separated from each other to form a second arc-shaped structure. The distal ends of the multiple first sub-optical fibers 1411 can have the same shape or different shapes. Preferably, the distal ends of the multiple first sub-optical fibers 1411 can be in the form of multiple thin cylinders. After the distal ends of the multiple first sub-optical fibers 1411 are separated from each other, the angles formed between each other can be evenly distributed. In the first arc-shaped structure formed by the distal ends of the multiple first sub-optical fibers 1411, the outermost positioning angle α as shown in the figure can be greater than or equal to the scanning angle of the ultrasonic probe 110. The distal ends of the multiple second sub-optical fibers 1421 can be similar to the distal ends of the multiple first sub-optical fibers 1411, and no further description is given. It is worth noting that the first arc-shaped structure formed at the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 and the second arc-shaped structure formed at the distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421, the first arc-shaped structure and the second arc-shaped structure may be the same or different, and are not specifically limited here. The ultrasound probe 110 typically has an arc-shaped acoustic window housing 1111, and the first light window 1212 and the second light window 1213 are both arc-shaped to match the acoustic window housing 1111. Such a design can achieve that the outgoing optical path of the photoacoustic excitation light is coaxial with the acoustic path of the ultrasound detection of the ultrasound probe 110.

[0074] For example, see Figure 7 and Fig.17The first structural member 1264 may be provided with a plurality of first through holes 12641 corresponding to the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411, the axes of the plurality of first through holes 12641 may pass through the center of the first arc-shaped structure, and the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 may be fixed in the corresponding first through holes 12641. The second structural member 1265 may be provided with a plurality of second through holes 12651 corresponding to the distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421, the axes of the plurality of second through holes 12651 may pass through the center of the second arc-shaped structure, and the distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421 may be fixed in the corresponding second through holes 12651. The first through holes 12641 may match the shapes of the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411, and the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 may be fixedly connected to the plurality of first through holes 12641 by gluing, and the distal end of each finely branched first sub-optical fiber 1411 may correspond to one first through hole 12641. The second structural member 1265 can be similar to the first structural member 1264, and will not be described in detail here. This fixing method is not only simple in structure, but also allows the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 and the distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421 to be protected by the first structural member 1264 and the second structural member 1265, and is not easily changed in position due to external reasons such as collision, thereby improving the stability of the overall device.

[0075] Exemplarily, the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 may be respectively provided with first fixing members 14111, and the plurality of first fixing members 14111 may be fixed to the plurality of first through holes 12641 in a one-to-one correspondence. Exemplarily, the distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421 may be respectively provided with second fixing members 14211, and the plurality of second fixing members 14211 may be fixed to the plurality of second through holes 12651 in a one-to-one correspondence. Optionally, the first fixing member 14111 and the second fixing member 14211 may be formed by an optical fiber tube sleeved on the optical fiber, and may serve as a supporting structure for the optical fiber. Optionally, the first fixing member 14111 and the second fixing member 14211 may also be hard segments formed by various curing methods. The distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 are connected to the plurality of first through holes 12641 through the first fixing member 14111, which can effectively protect the distal ends of the plurality of first sub-optical fibers 1411 and facilitate fixing the distal end of the first optical fiber bundle segment 141 to the first structural member 1264. The distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421 are connected to the plurality of second through holes 12651 through the second fixing member 14211, which can effectively protect the distal ends of the plurality of second sub-optical fibers 1421 and facilitate fixing the distal end of the second optical fiber bundle segment 142 to the second structural member 1265.

[0076] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by directional words such as "front", "back", "up", "down", "left", "right", "lateral", "vertical", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", etc. is usually based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings, and is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description. Unless otherwise specified, these directional words do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention; the directional words "inside" and "outside" refer to the inside and outside relative to the contour of each component itself.

[0077] For ease of description, regional relative terms such as "above", "above", "on the upper surface of", "above", etc. may be used here to describe the regional positional relationship between one or more components or features shown in the figure and other components or features. It should be understood that regional relative terms include not only the orientation of the components as described in the figure, but also different orientations in use or operation. For example, if the components in the accompanying drawings are inverted as a whole, the components "above other components or features" or "above other components or features" will include the situation where the components are "below other components or structures" or "below other components or structures". Therefore, the exemplary term "above" may include both "above" and "below". In addition, these components or features may also be positioned at other different angles (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or other angles), and this article is intended to include all of these situations.

[0078] It should be noted that the terms used herein are only for describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present invention. As used herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the singular form is also intended to include the plural form. In addition, it should be understood that when the terms "comprise" and / or "include" are used in this specification, it indicates the presence of features, steps, operations, parts, components and / or combinations thereof.

[0079] It should be noted that the terms "first", "second", etc. in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above-mentioned drawings are used to distinguish similar objects, and are not necessarily used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that the numbers used in this way can be interchanged where appropriate, so that the embodiments of the present invention described herein can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein.

[0080] The present invention has been described by the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are only for the purpose of example and description, and are not intended to limit the present invention to the scope of the described embodiments. In addition, it can be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and more variations and modifications can be made according to the teachings of the present invention, and these variations and modifications all fall within the scope of the protection claimed by the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope, comprising an insertion portion and a head portion, characterized in that: The tip portion includes a photoacoustic excitation assembly and an ultrasound probe having a housing, the ultrasound probe being connected to a distal end of the insertion portion, and the photoacoustic excitation assembly being connected to an outer side of the housing.

2. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photoacoustic excitation component includes a light window shell and a first shell, the light window shell is connected to the first shell, the shell includes an acoustic window shell and a second shell, the acoustic window shell is connected to the second shell, wherein the light window shell is abutted against the acoustic window shell from the side, and at least part of the second shell is surrounded by the first shell.

3. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: The first housing is detachably connected to the second housing.

4. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first shell is provided with a threaded connection portion, the second shell is provided with a threaded matching portion, and a fastener is passed through the threaded connection portion and the threaded matching portion, so that the first shell can be detachably connected to the second shell.

5. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 4, characterized in that: The photoacoustic excitation assembly includes an isolation member, which is fixedly connected to the first shell, and the isolation member, the light window housing and the first shell form a sealed accommodating cavity.

6. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 5, characterized in that: The isolation member is attached to the second shell.

7. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first shell is connected to the second shell by snapping.

8. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 3, characterized in that: The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope also includes a connecting piece, a clamping portion is provided on the connecting piece, and a clamping fitting portion is provided on the second shell. Through the cooperation between the clamping portion and the clamping fitting portion, the connecting piece is clamped to the second shell and the first shell is located between the connecting piece and the second shell.

9. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 8, characterized in that: The snap-fitting portion includes a foot and a supporting portion, one end of the supporting portion is connected to the connecting piece, and the other end is connected to the foot, and the snap-fitting portion includes a snap-fitting groove, and the foot is snapped into the snap-fitting groove to achieve the cooperation between the snap-fitting portion and the snap-fitting portion.

10. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 9, characterized in that: The snap-fitting portion includes a first snap-fitting portion located at the distal end of the connecting member and a second snap-fitting portion located at the proximal end of the connecting member, and the snap-fitting portion includes a first snap-fitting portion and a second snap-fitting portion, the first snap-fitting portion cooperates with the first snap-fitting portion, and the second snap-fitting portion cooperates with the second snap-fitting portion, and the first snap-fitting portion and the second snap-fitting portion form a limit for the first shell in the axial direction along the head end portion.

11. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to any one of claims 2 to 10, characterized in that: The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope further includes a light guide, which is detachably connected to the outside of the insertion portion and the distal end of which is connected to the photoacoustic excitation component.

12. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 2, characterized in that: The photoacoustic excitation component is bonded and fixed to the ultrasonic probe.

13. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 12, characterized in that: The light window shell is bonded and fixed to the sound window shell.

14. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 13, characterized in that: A light window structure is disposed between the first shell and the second shell. A first side of the light window structure is connected to the first shell, and a second side of the light window structure adjacent to the first side is connected to the light window housing.

15. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 14, characterized in that: A third side of the light window structure opposite to the first side is bonded to the sound window housing.

16. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 14, characterized in that: A third side of the light window structure opposite to the first side is bonded to the second shell.

17. The ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope according to claim 14, characterized in that: The second side is adhesively fixed to the light window housing.

18. An ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, characterized in that: It includes an ultrasound-photoacoustic main unit, a photoacoustic excitation light source and an ultrasound-photoacoustic composite laparoscope as described in any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the ultrasound-photoacoustic main unit is connected to the photoacoustic excitation light source and the photoacoustic excitation light source is connected to the photoacoustic excitation component through a light guide, and the ultrasound-photoacoustic main unit is connected to the insertion part through an ultrasonic connector.

Images