Mammary gland simulation phantom test platform and application method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a breast simulation phantom test platform and an application method thereof, and the platform comprises at least two first linear guide rails (10) which are arranged in parallel in the y direction; the second linear guide rail (20) is arranged in the x direction, and the two ends of the second linear guide rail (20) are installed on the sliding blocks (11) of the first linear guide rail (10), so that the second linear guide rail (20) can translate in the y direction; the telescopic connecting piece (30) is installed in the z direction, one end of the telescopic connecting piece (30) is connected with the sliding block (21) of the second linear guide rail (20), and the other end of the telescopic connecting piece (30) can be connected with a mammary gland imitating phantom (50); and a sliding block on the annular guide rail (40) is configured to be capable of mounting the ultrasonic curved surface array transducer (60), so that the ultrasonic curved surface array transducer (60) can perform circular motion around the breast-imitating phantom (50) on the connecting piece (30), and the detection angle of the breast-imitating phantom (50) is adjusted. And immersing the breast-imitating phantom into the ultrasonic coupling medium by using the platform, and carrying out imaging and thermal ablation testing.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of ultrasound curved array focused imaging and thermal ablation, and in particular to a breast phantom testing platform based on ultrasound curved array and an application method thereof. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasonic curved array focused imaging and thermal ablation technology have important application prospects in the medical field, especially in the diagnosis and treatment of breast diseases. With the continuous development of ultrasound imaging technology, ultrasound curved array probes and focusing technology have gradually become important means to improve imaging quality and treatment accuracy. Ultrasonic focused imaging can capture detailed information of breast tissue with high resolution, while thermal ablation technology provides a new option for non-invasive treatment of tumors such as breast cancer. In order to effectively verify and optimize the effects of these technologies, the construction of a breast phantom test platform is particularly important.

[0003] In the diagnosis of breast diseases, ultrasound imaging technology has been widely used in the detection and monitoring of breast masses due to its advantages such as being non-invasive, real-time and convenient. However, traditional planar array probes have certain resolution limitations during imaging, especially when performing in-depth detection of breast tissue, and it is difficult to provide sufficient details. For this reason, ultrasound curved array probes have emerged. Their curved design can achieve a wider scanning angle and higher focusing capabilities, thereby obtaining higher quality images. Through ultrasound focused imaging technology, doctors can more accurately identify lesion areas in breast tissue, providing support for early diagnosis of the disease.

[0004] Thermal ablation is another breakthrough technology in breast cancer treatment. This technology precisely heats tumor tissues through ultrasound-guided thermal energy transfer, causing thermal denaturation of tumor cells to achieve therapeutic effects. Due to its non-invasive characteristics, thermal ablation has become an important method for the treatment of diseases such as breast cancer. However, the effect of thermal ablation is closely related to the positioning of the treatment area, the accuracy of energy transfer, and the real-time feedback of the tissue, which requires the precise positioning of the tumor during treatment and real-time monitoring of temperature changes in the ablation area.

[0005] In order to evaluate the actual application effect of ultrasound curved array focused imaging and thermal ablation technology, the breast phantom came into being. The breast phantom helps researchers test and verify the performance of ultrasound imaging and thermal ablation technology by simulating the physical properties of real breast tissue. The breast phantom is generally made of biocompatible materials and has similar acoustic and thermal properties to the human breast. It can be used to test the imaging quality, focusing effect of the probe, and energy transfer and temperature control during thermal ablation. Through these tests, ultrasound equipment and ablation systems can be further optimized to improve the accuracy and reliability of their clinical applications. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a mammary gland phantom testing platform and an application method thereof, which provide a stable experimental environment for imaging and thermal ablation testing of the mammary gland phantom.

[0007] In a first aspect, a mammary gland phantom test platform is provided, comprising: at least two first linear guides arranged in parallel along the y direction; a second linear guide arranged along the x direction, with both ends mounted on sliders of the first linear guides so that the second linear guides can translate along the y direction; a retractable connector mounted along the z direction, with one end connected to the slider of the second linear guide and the other end configured to be connected to a mammary gland phantom; and an annular guide, with the slider thereon configured to be able to mount an ultrasonic curved array transducer so that the ultrasonic curved array transducer can move in a circle around the mammary gland phantom on the connector, thereby adjusting the detection angle of the mammary gland phantom.

[0008] In the second aspect, an application method of the mammary gland phantom test platform is proposed, and the mammary gland phantom is immersed in an ultrasonic coupling medium by using the platform to perform imaging and thermal ablation tests. The position of the first linear guide slider, the position of the second linear guide slider, the height of the connector and / or the position of the ultrasonic curved array transducer on the circular track are controlled so that the mammary gland phantom is completely immersed in the ultrasonic coupling medium and is within the test range of the ultrasonic curved array transducer; the mammary gland phantom is imaged and tested by using the ultrasonic curved array transducer to find the target; the position of the ultrasonic curved array transducer on the circular track is adjusted to align it with the target; the beam of the ultrasonic curved array transducer is controlled to perform thermal ablation tests on the target. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of a mammary gland phantom testing platform according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a linear guide rail, a retractable connector and a mammary gland phantom according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Figure 3 , Figure 4 Schematic diagram of a U-shaped member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of a sleeve of a connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] Figure 6 Schematic diagram of the shaft of a connecting member according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] In the description of the embodiments, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "installation", "connection", etc. should be understood in a broad sense, for example, it can be fixed installation, connection, or detachable installation, connection, or integrated installation, connection; it can be directly installed, connected, or indirectly installed, connected through an intermediate medium. For those skilled in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the embodiments can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0015] The present invention provides a stable platform for imaging and thermal ablation testing of a mammary gland phantom, through which the position of the mammary gland phantom in an ultrasound coupling medium can be easily adjusted. Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, a mammary gland phantom test platform comprises: a first linear guide rail 10, a second linear guide rail 20, a retractable connector 30 and an annular guide rail 40.

[0016] There are at least two first linear guides 10 , which are arranged in parallel along the y direction.

[0017] The second linear guide rail 20 is arranged along the x direction, and both ends are mounted on the sliders 11 of the first linear guide rail 10. That is, the second linear guide rail 20 can translate along the y direction.

[0018] The connecting member 30 is vertically mounted on the slider 21 of the second linear guide rail 20 , that is, the connecting member 30 can translate along the x-direction.

[0019] The mammary gland phantom 50 is fixed on the connecting member 30. Since the connecting member 30 is retractable, the mammary gland phantom 50 can move up and down in the z direction.

[0020] x, y, and z are perpendicular to each other. That is, the position of the mammary gland phantom 50 can be accurately adjusted in the three directions of x, y, and z.

[0021] The ultrasonic curved array transducer 60 is fixed on the slider 41 of the annular guide rail 40, and can move in a circle around the mammary gland phantom 50 on the annular guide rail 40 to change the detection angle. Combined with the fact that the mammary gland phantom 50 can move in three directions, x, y, and z, the ultrasonic curved array transducer 60 can finally detect the mammary gland phantom 50 in all directions. As for the installation position of the annular guide rail 40, it can be selected according to the specific experimental environment, such as a horizontal bracket. The annular guide rail 40 has a plurality of connecting ears 42 for connecting with the bracket.

[0022] The ultrasound curved array transducer 60 is used to perform an imaging test on the mammary gland phantom 50 to determine the target position, and then the ultrasound curved array transducer 60 is further fixed at the angle where the target is located to perform a thermal ablation test on the target.

[0023] For example, the structures of the first linear guide 10, the second linear guide 20 and the annular guide 40 are conventional technologies. Both ends of the first linear guide 10 and the second linear guide 20 have limit portions 12 and 22 to prevent the slider from sliding out. The sliders 11, 21, 41 of the first linear guide 10, the second linear guide 20 and the annular guide 40 can be locked after being moved into place.

[0024] In one embodiment, the connector 30 is connected by Figure 3 , Figure 4 The two U-shaped parts 23 and 24 shown are connected to the slider 21 of the second linear guide 20. One U-shaped part 23 is connected to the slider 21, specifically the slider 21 is embedded in the recess 230 of the U-shaped part 23, and they are fixed together by fasteners such as screws. The recess 240 of the other U-shaped part 24 is in sliding contact with the second linear guide 20. The connecting ears 230 and 240 of the two U-shaped parts 23 and 24 are fixed together by screws 25. The two U-shaped parts 23 and 24 as a whole can drive the connecting part 30 to move in the x direction with the slider 21. The U-shaped parts 23 and 24 are made of ABS synthetic plastic, which has high elasticity and toughness to ensure the stability of the platform during the experiment. In another embodiment, the connecting part 30 can be directly fixed on the slider 21.

[0025] As mentioned above, the connecting member 30 is retractable, but its specific structure can adopt any known prior art. Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, the connecting member 30 includes a sleeve 31 and a shaft 32 matched therewith. The flange 35 at the end of the sleeve 31 is connected to the U-shaped member 24 or the slider 21 through fasteners such as screws. The shaft 32 is connected to the mammary gland phantom 50. The shaft 32 is at least partially located in the sleeve 31. The sleeve 31 and the shaft 32 have a plurality of positioning holes 33 along the vertical direction. The sleeve 31 and the shaft 32 can be locked by screwing the bolt 34 into the positioning hole 33. The length of the shaft 32 extending from the sleeve 31 can be changed by adjusting the positioning hole 33 into which the positioning pin 34 is inserted, thereby realizing the adjustment of the height of the mammary gland phantom 50.

[0026] The mammary gland phantom 50 is fixed on the platform 70. Specifically, the connecting member 30 is connected to one side of the platform 70, and the mammary gland phantom 50 is fixed to the other side of the platform 70. The platform 70 has a sleeve 71 connected to the shaft 32. There is a reinforcing rib between the sleeve 71 and the platform 70.

[0027] When in use, the mammary gland phantom test platform needs to be immersed in the test environment, such as water or other ultrasonic coupling media, to ensure that the ultrasonic transducer can transmit and collect ultrasonic signals. First, adjust the x, y, and z of the mammary gland phantom so that the mammary gland phantom is completely immersed in the test environment and is within the test range of the ultrasonic curved array transducer; then, adjust the position of the ultrasonic transducer on the circular track so that its angle is within the range required for testing in the mammary gland phantom; finally, after performing an imaging test on the mammary gland phantom, perform thermal ablation on the target body, adjust the angle of the ultrasonic transducer to the required angle, and use beam control to perform a thermal ablation test on the target body.

Claims

1. A mammary gland phantom test platform, characterized in that: Include: At least two first linear guide rails (10) are arranged in parallel along the y direction; A second linear guide rail (20) arranged along the x-direction, with both ends mounted on the slider (11) of the first linear guide rail (10), so that the second linear guide rail (20) can translate along the y-direction; A retractable connecting member (30) installed along the z direction, one end of which is connected to the slider (21) of the second linear guide rail (20), and the other end of which is configured to be connected to a mammary gland phantom (50); and The slider (41) on the annular guide rail (40) is configured to be able to install an ultrasonic curved array transducer (60), so that the ultrasonic curved array transducer (60) can move in a circle around the mammary gland phantom (50) on the connecting member (30), thereby adjusting the detection angle of the mammary gland phantom (50).

2. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 1, characterized in that: The mammary gland model (50) is installed on the platform (70), and the other end of the connecting member (30) is connected to the platform (70).

3. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting member (30) is connected to the slider (21) of the second linear guide rail (20) via two U-shaped members (23, 24), wherein a recess (230) of one U-shaped member (23) is fixedly connected to the slider (21), a recess (240) of the other U-shaped member (24) is in sliding contact with the second linear guide rail (20), and connecting ears (230, 240) of the two U-shaped members (23, 24) are connected.

4. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 3, characterized in that: The one end of the connecting member (30) is connected to the U-shaped member (24).

5. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two U-shaped pieces (23, 24) are made of ABS synthetic plastic.

6. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 2, characterized in that: The connecting member (30) comprises a sleeve (31) and a shaft (32) matched therewith, the length of the shaft (32) extending from the sleeve (31) can be adjusted, the sleeve (31) is connected to a slider (21) of a second linear guide rail (20), and the shaft (32) is configured to be connected to a breast phantom (50).

7. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 6, characterized in that: A plurality of positioning holes (33) are provided on the sleeve (31) and the shaft (32) along the vertical direction, and positioning pins (34) are inserted into different positioning holes (33) to adjust the height of the simulated mammary gland phantom (50).

8. The mammary gland phantom test platform according to claim 6, characterized in that: The platform (70) is provided with a shaft sleeve connected to the shaft (32).

9. An application method of the mammary gland phantom test platform according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: The platform is used to immerse the breast phantom into the ultrasound coupling medium for imaging and thermal ablation testing.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that Controlling the position of the slider (11) of the first linear guide rail (10), the position of the slider (21) of the second linear guide rail (20), the height of the connecting member (30) and / or the position of the ultrasonic curved array transducer (60) on the annular track (40) so that the simulated breast phantom (50) is completely immersed in the ultrasonic coupling medium and is within the test range of the ultrasonic curved array transducer (60); Performing an imaging test on the mammary gland phantom (50) using an ultrasonic curved array transducer (60) to find the target; Adjusting the position of the ultrasonic curved array transducer (60) on the annular track (40) so that it is aligned with the target; The beam of the ultrasonic curved array transducer (60) is controlled to perform a thermal ablation test on the target body.

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