Photoacoustic excitation instrument, ultrasonic probe, and ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system

Abstract

The invention provides a photoacoustic excitation instrument, an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system, the photoacoustic excitation instrument comprises an insertion part, an operation part and a light guide piece, the far end of the insertion part is provided with a photoacoustic excitation light window, the operation part is formed at the near end of the insertion part, and the light guide piece is arranged on the operation part. The photoacoustic excitation light is conducted to the photoacoustic excitation light window through the light guide piece and is emitted through the photoacoustic excitation light window to form an irradiation area, and an insertion part with a limiting step is formed at the far end of the insertion part. Therefore, the photoacoustic excitation instrument can be conveniently combined with the ultrasonic probe to form an ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system and can also be conveniently separated from the ultrasonic probe, so that the photoacoustic excitation instrument and the ultrasonic probe can be combined for use and can also be separated for independent use, and an operator can conveniently decide whether the photoacoustic excitation instrument needs to be used or not according to actual conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of medical devices, and in particular to a photoacoustic excitation device, an ultrasound probe 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 order to achieve better imaging effects, the laparoscope used in existing laparoscopic surgery pre-assembles the ultrasound probe and the photoacoustic excitation device into a medical device that is inserted into the human body for detection, so as to integrate the ultrasound imaging function and the photoacoustic imaging function. However, the structure of the combined device is complex and difficult to clean. In cases where clinical diagnosis and treatment can be completed using only the ultrasound imaging function, the combined device is still inserted into the human body, and the postoperative disinfection will waste medical resources; in addition, the assembly process of the combined device will also increase costs. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to at least partially solve the problems existing in the prior art, a photoacoustic excitation device is provided according to one aspect of the present invention. The photoacoustic excitation device includes an insertion portion, an operating portion and a light guide, a photoacoustic excitation light window is provided on the distal end of the insertion portion, the operating portion is formed at the proximal end of the insertion portion, the photoacoustic excitation light is transmitted to the photoacoustic excitation light window through the light guide, and is emitted through the photoacoustic excitation light window to form an irradiation area, wherein a plug-in portion with a limiting step is formed on the distal end of the insertion portion.

[0005] The photoacoustic excitation device provided by the present invention has a plug-in portion with a limiting step formed on the distal end of the insertion portion. By inserting the plug-in portion into the ultrasonic probe, the device can be combined with the ultrasonic probe to form an ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system. Not only is the combination of the photoacoustic excitation device and the ultrasonic probe simpler and easier to implement, the photoacoustic excitation device can be conveniently combined with the ultrasonic probe to form an ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system, and it is also convenient to separate from the ultrasonic probe, so that the photoacoustic excitation device and the ultrasonic probe can be used in combination or separated and used separately, which is convenient for the operator to decide whether to use the photoacoustic excitation device according to actual conditions. When such a photoacoustic excitation device is applied to the ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system and assembled with the ultrasonic probe, it is not necessary to assemble the photoacoustic excitation device and the ultrasonic probe in advance and then insert them into the human body for detection. The operator can decide at any time whether to use the photoacoustic excitation device according to the actual situation during the operation. If necessary, the photoacoustic excitation device and the ultrasonic probe can be inserted during the operation to achieve photoacoustic imaging and ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging, so that the overall imaging effect meets the requirements. In cases where clinical diagnosis and treatment can be completed using only an ultrasound probe, there is no need to insert a photoacoustic excitation device, thereby eliminating the need for cleaning and disinfection of the photoacoustic excitation device and reducing the waste of medical resources.

[0006] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic excitation apparatus includes a housing, a portion of which forms an operating portion, and another portion of which forms an insertion portion.

[0007] Exemplarily, the housing has an instrument channel extending from the proximal end to the distal end for allowing the medical instrument to pass through.

[0008] Exemplarily, one end of the light guide is located in the shell and faces the photoacoustic excitation light window, and the other end of the light guide passes through the proximal end of the shell.

[0009] Exemplarily, an instrument channel for allowing medical instruments to pass through is provided from the proximal end of the operating portion to the distal end of the insertion portion, and the light guide is arranged around the instrument channel.

[0010] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic excitation light window is disposed around the distal end of the instrument channel.

[0011] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic excitation light window is surrounded by the distal end of the housing.

[0012] Exemplarily, at least at the distal end of the insertion portion, the outer wall of the shell is formed with a cylindrical surface of a preset length.

[0013] According to another aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe is provided, which comprises a detection section and a matching section, wherein the detection section is provided with an ultrasonic transducer and an acoustic window, and ultrasonic waves pass through the acoustic window to form a detection area, and the matching section is provided with a positioning groove which penetrates the ultrasonic probe, and the positioning groove forms a limited position portion, so that the positioning groove can only be inserted into any of the aforementioned photoacoustic excitation devices at the end of the ultrasonic probe opposite to the acoustic window, and its insertion position is limited.

[0014] Exemplarily, the positioning groove includes a first groove segment and a second groove segment, and the limiting portion is configured to form a limiting surface between the first groove segment and the second groove segment.

[0015] Exemplarily, the first slot segment is arranged on the side of the ultrasonic probe away from the acoustic window, and the second slot segment is arranged on the side of the ultrasonic probe close to the acoustic window. The inner wall of the first slot segment and the inner wall of the second slot segment form concentric cylindrical surfaces, and the inner diameter of the first slot segment is larger than the inner diameter of the second slot segment.

[0016] Exemplarily, from the notch of the positioning groove to the bottom of the positioning groove, the center line of the positioning groove gradually approaches the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the notch is arranged on the side of the ultrasonic probe away from the acoustic window, and the bottom of the groove is arranged on the side of the ultrasonic probe close to the acoustic window.

[0017] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, comprising the photoacoustic excitation device as described above and the ultrasound probe as described above, wherein the plug-in portion is inserted into the positioning groove and the ultrasound probe and the photoacoustic excitation device are combined in a predetermined posture through the limiting step and the limiting portion, so that the irradiation area and the detection area at least partially overlap.

[0018] Exemplarily, on a projection plane at a preset distance from the ultrasound probe, a projection area formed by the irradiation region is not smaller than a projection area formed by the detection region.

[0019] Exemplarily, the probe housing is connected to an ultrasound-photoacoustic host, which has an imaging interface for displaying a detection area and an instrument pushing guide line.

[0020] 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.

[0021] The advantages and features of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] 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,

[0023] Figure 1 is a partial schematic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 is a partial stereoscopic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of a photoacoustic stimulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 5A A partial cross-sectional view of a photoacoustic stimulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 5B for Figure 5A A partial side view of the photoacoustic stimulation device shown;

[0029] Figure 6 is a partial schematic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Fig. 7A A partial cross-sectional view of a photoacoustic stimulation device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 7B for Fig. 7A A partial side view of the photoacoustic stimulation device shown; and

[0032] Figure 8 Schematic diagram of an ultrasound-photoacoustic host imaging interface according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] The above drawings include the following reference numerals:

[0034] 100, ultrasonic probe; 110, probe shell; 111, detection section; 112, matching section; 1121, positioning groove; 1121a, first groove section; 1121b, second groove section; 1121c, limiting surface; 120, ultrasonic transducer; 130, acoustic window; 200, photoacoustic excitation instrument; 210, shell; 211, insertion part; 2111, plug-in part; 2111a, connecting section; 2111b, light emitting section; 2111c, abutment surface; 212, operating part; 220, photoacoustic excitation light window; 230, light guide; 240, instrument channel; 250, cable; 260, light guide; 300, instrument push guide wire; 400, optical hard endoscope; 500, puncture needle; 600, abdominal cavity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] 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.

[0036] An embodiment of the present invention provides a photoacoustic excitation device, which can be assembled with an ultrasonic probe. Therefore, according to another aspect of the present invention, an ultrasonic probe is provided, which can be assembled with the photoacoustic excitation device. The photoacoustic excitation device provided in the present application is not limited to being assembled with the ultrasonic probe provided in the present application, and similarly, the ultrasonic probe provided in the present application is not limited to being equipped with the photoacoustic excitation device provided in the present application. Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system is provided, which can include any of the photoacoustic excitation devices to be introduced below and any of the ultrasonic probes to be introduced below. The photoacoustic excitation device, ultrasonic probe and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system provided according to the present invention will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0037] In order to generally understand the present invention, an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system is first described.

[0038] The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system provided by the present invention can have a variety of imaging modes, can support ultrasound imaging mode, photoacoustic imaging mode and ultrasound-photoacoustic fusion imaging mode, which is helpful to improve the accuracy of disease diagnosis. The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system may include an ultrasound probe and a photoacoustic excitation device. The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system may also include an ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe and a photoacoustic excitation light source, the photoacoustic excitation light source and the ultrasound probe may be connected to the ultrasound-photoacoustic mainframe, respectively, and the photoacoustic excitation device may be connected to the photoacoustic excitation light source. The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system can be applied to any suitable clinical surgery. For example, the ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system can be applied to laparoscopic surgery, in which case the ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system may include a laparoscopic ultrasound probe, a photoacoustic excitation device and an optical hard endoscope.

[0039] For the convenience of description, the distal end mentioned below refers to the end of the ultrasound probe closer to the observed object when the operator uses the ultrasound probe, or the end of the photoacoustic excitation device closer to the observed object when the operator uses the photoacoustic excitation device; the proximal end mentioned below refers to the end of the ultrasound probe closer to the operator when the operator uses the ultrasound probe, or the end of the photoacoustic excitation device closer to the operator when the operator uses the photoacoustic excitation device.

[0040] like Figure 1 , Figure 4 , Figure 5A and Figure 5B As shown, the photoacoustic excitation instrument 200 may include an insertion portion 211, an operating portion 212 and a light guide 230. A photoacoustic excitation light window 220 may be provided at the distal end of the insertion portion 211 (because this end is closer to the observed object when in use, it is called the distal end). The operating portion 212 may be formed at the proximal end of the insertion portion 211 (because this end is closer to the operator when in use, it is called the proximal end). The photoacoustic excitation light may be conducted to the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 via the light guide 230, and emitted through the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 to form an irradiation area (shown in area G). Among them, a plug-in portion 2111 having a limiting step may be formed at the distal end of the insertion portion 211.

[0041] See also Figure 4 The photoacoustic stimulation device 200 may further include a cable 250 and a light guide 260. The light guide 260 may be connected to the photoacoustic stimulation light source. The insertion portion 211, the operation portion 212, the cable 250 and the light guide 260 may be connected in sequence.

[0042] The operation part 212 may be provided with an intelligent button. By controlling the operation part 212, a signal may be sent to the ultrasound-photoacoustic host, thereby controlling the start of the photoacoustic excitation light source. The photoacoustic excitation light source may emit photoacoustic excitation light, and the photoacoustic excitation light source may be a pulsed laser light source, or may be 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 may be transmitted to the photoacoustic excitation device 200 via the light guide 260, and then the distal end of the insertion part 211 on the photoacoustic excitation device 200 may emit photoacoustic excitation light. The photoacoustic excitation light is irradiated onto biological tissue, and the biological tissue absorbs light energy and generates thermal expansion. The energy is released and contracted in the pulse gap of the photoacoustic excitation light, and high-frequency ultrasound waves are generated along with the process of thermal expansion and contraction. The ultrasound-photoacoustic host may be connected to the ultrasound probe 100, and the ultrasound probe 100 may be provided with an ultrasonic transducer 120, which may emit and receive ultrasonic signals. The ultrasonic transducer 120 receives the ultrasonic wave generated by the biological tissue under the action of the photoacoustic excitation light, and the generated ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the ultrasonic-photoacoustic host to realize photoacoustic imaging. In addition, the ultrasonic-photoacoustic host can also generate an ultrasonic pulse signal, which can be transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer 120, and then the ultrasonic transducer 120 can generate an ultrasonic wave. After the ultrasonic wave is transmitted to the biological tissue, an ultrasonic echo will be generated. The ultrasonic transducer 120 receives the ultrasonic echo and transmits the signal 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 the ultrasonic imaging and the photoacoustic imaging are performed alternately according to the preset time interval, so that the ultrasonic-photoacoustic fusion imaging can be realized. The time interval here is preferably 1μs-100μs, such a time interval will not be perceived by the human eye, there will be no motion artifacts, and it can be visually considered that the ultrasonic imaging and the photoacoustic imaging are imaged simultaneously. The ultrasonic-photoacoustic host can include an imaging interface, for example, the ultrasonic-photoacoustic host can be connected to a display, and the imaging interface can be displayed on the display. The above-mentioned photoacoustic imaging, ultrasound imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging can all be displayed on the imaging interface.

[0043] The photoacoustic excitation device 200 provided by the present invention has a plug-in portion 2111 with a limiting step formed on the distal end of the insertion portion 211. By inserting the plug-in portion 2111 into the ultrasonic probe 100, the device can be combined with the ultrasonic probe 100 to form an ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system. Not only is the combination of the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the ultrasonic probe 100 simpler and easier to implement, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 can be conveniently combined with the ultrasonic probe 100 to form an ultrasonic-photoacoustic imaging system, and can also be conveniently separated from the ultrasonic probe 100. Therefore, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the ultrasonic probe 100 can be used in combination or separated and used separately, so that the operator can decide whether to use the photoacoustic excitation device 200 according to actual conditions. When such a photoacoustic excitation device 200 is applied to an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system and assembled with an ultrasound probe 100, it is not necessary to assemble the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the ultrasound probe 100 in advance and then insert them into the human body for detection. The operator can decide at any time whether to use the photoacoustic excitation device 200 according to the actual situation during the operation. If necessary, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 can be inserted during the operation to combine with the ultrasound probe 100, thereby realizing photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging, so that the overall imaging effect meets the requirements. In the case where clinical diagnosis and treatment can be completed with only an ultrasound probe 100, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 does not need to be inserted, thereby eliminating the need to wash and disinfect the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and reducing the waste of medical resources.

[0044] Exemplarily, the photoacoustic stimulation device 200 may include a housing 210. A portion of the housing 210 may form an operating portion 212, and another portion of the housing 210 may form an insertion portion 211, that is, the operating portion 212 and the insertion portion 211 may be integrally formed, so that the housing 210 has a simple structure and is easy to process, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost. Of course, the operating portion 212 and the insertion portion 211 may also be separately processed from the housing 210 and connected together by any suitable form such as welding, clamping or threaded connection.

[0045] In an embodiment not shown, the housing 210 may be penetrated by an instrument channel 240 for medical instruments to pass through from the proximal end to the distal end (i.e., from the end of the housing 210 close to the operator to the end of the housing 210 close to the observed object). Taking the application of the ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system to laparoscopic surgery as an example, a puncture needle 500 may be required during the clinical operation. The puncture needle 500 can pass through the instrument channel 240 in the photoacoustic excitation device 200 to reach the lesion location, without the need to make an additional hole in the patient's abdomen to insert the puncture needle 500. In other clinical operations, various suitable medical instruments can pass through the instrument channel 240 to reach the lesion location, which makes the operation simpler and more convenient, and does not require an additional hole in the patient's body, thereby alleviating the patient's pain and further reducing the wound.

[0046] For example, see Fig. 7A and Figure 5A One end of the light guide 230 can be located in the housing 210 and facing the photoacoustic excitation light window 220. The other end of the light guide 230 can pass through the proximal end of the housing 210. This can facilitate the distal end of the light guide 230 to align with the photoacoustic excitation light window 220, so that the photoacoustic excitation device 200 can emit a better effect of photoacoustic excitation light.

[0047] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Fig. 7A and Figure 7B , an instrument channel 240 for passing medical instruments may be provided from the proximal end of the operating portion 212 to the distal end of the insertion portion 211, and the light guide 230 may be arranged around the instrument channel 240. Specifically, the proximal end of the light guide 230 may be connected to the light guide portion 260. The photoacoustic excitation light emitted by the photoacoustic excitation light source may be transmitted to the light guide 230 via the light guide portion 260, and then transmitted to the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 by the light guide 230, thereby, the photoacoustic excitation instrument 200 may emit photoacoustic excitation light through the photoacoustic excitation light window 220.

[0048] The light guide 230 may include a plurality of optical fiber bundles, and the plurality of optical fiber bundles in the light guide 230 may be pre-connected to the housing 210 in a ring shape along the circumferential direction, and the light guide 230 is naturally enclosed to form an instrument channel 240. Such an instrument channel 240 is arranged through the housing 210. Compared with the light guide 230 and the instrument channel 240 being arranged in other forms in the photoacoustic excitation device 200, for example, compared with the light guide 230 and the instrument channel 240 being respectively located on opposite sides of the photoacoustic excitation device 200, when the medical device passes through the instrument channel 240 to operate the lesion position, the photoacoustic excitation light transmitted by the light guide 230 is emitted through the photoacoustic excitation light window 220, and the irradiation area G formed can better cover the lesion position and evenly irradiate the lesion area, so as to provide better guidance for the operation of the medical device. Moreover, the optical fiber bundles are evenly distributed, so that the internal structure of such a photoacoustic excitation device 200 is more compact and the radial size can be smaller.

[0049] Of course, in some embodiments, the instrument channel 240 may also be an independent structure having a cylindrical outer wall.

[0050] From the proximal end to the distal end of the housing 210, an instrument channel 240 for the medical instrument to pass through is passed through, and the light guide 230 is arranged around the instrument channel 240. For example, see Fig. 7A and Figure 7BThe photoacoustic excitation light window 220 can be arranged around the distal end of the instrument channel 240. Such a photoacoustic excitation light window 220 can avoid blocking the medical device extending from the distal end of the instrument channel 240, and such a photoacoustic excitation light window 220 can better match the distal end of the light guide 230 arranged on the instrument channel 240.

[0051] For example, see Figure 5A and Figure 5B , the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 can be surrounded by the far end of the shell 210. The far end of the shell 210 surrounds the photoacoustic excitation light window 220. On the one hand, the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 is located inside the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and does not have a portion extending outside the photoacoustic excitation device 200. In this way, the shell 210 can protect the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 to prevent the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 from being contaminated and damaged; on the other hand, the photoacoustic excitation light is transmitted to the photoacoustic excitation light window 220, and is refracted by the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 and then emitted from the photoacoustic excitation light window 220. At this time, since the far end of the shell 210 surrounds the photoacoustic excitation light window 220, the direction of the photoacoustic excitation light emitted from the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 is more controllable. For example, at this time, the photoacoustic excitation light emitted from the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 will be roughly along the axis direction of the shell 210, and the irradiation area G formed can be an area symmetrical about the axis of the shell 210.

[0052] In one embodiment of the present invention, see Figure 5B and Figure 7B , at least at the distal end of the insertion portion 211, the outer wall of the housing 210 may be formed with a cylindrical surface of a preset length. In this way, the insertion posture of the plug-in portion 2111 (i.e., the posture of the plug-in portion 2111 when inserted into the positioning groove 1121 described later) may not be restricted, and the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the ultrasound probe 100 may be easily assembled.

[0053] According to another aspect of the present invention, see Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 , an ultrasonic probe 100 is provided, which may include a probe shell 110, and the ultrasonic probe 100 may have a detection section 111 and a matching section 112. The detection section 111 may be provided with an ultrasonic transducer 120 and an acoustic window 130. Ultrasonic waves may pass through the acoustic window 130 to form a detection area (area M shown in the figure). A positioning groove 1121 that passes through the probe shell 110 may be provided on the matching section 112. The positioning groove 1121 may form a limited position portion, so that the positioning groove 1121 can only be inserted into the aforementioned photoacoustic excitation device 200 at the end of the ultrasonic probe 100 opposite to the acoustic window 130, and its insertion position is limited.

[0054] The ultrasonic transducer 120 may be disposed inside the acoustic window 130. The acoustic window 130 may be made of an opaque silicone material.

[0055] The positioning groove 1121 can be a semi-open through groove arranged on the side of the probe shell 110, or it can be a through hole that penetrates the two sides of the probe shell 110. The centerline direction of the positioning groove 1121 can be perpendicular to the axial direction of the ultrasonic probe 100, or it can be at a certain angle to the axial direction of the ultrasonic probe 100. The external shape of the plug-in portion 2111 can match the positioning groove 1121, and the positioning groove 1121 can guide, limit and fix the plug-in portion 2111. Specifically, the plug-in portion 2111 is inserted into the positioning groove 1121 from one end of the positioning groove 1121, and the photoacoustic excitation light emitted by the photoacoustic excitation light window 220 can be emitted from the other end of the positioning groove 1121 through the positioning groove 1121.

[0056] See also Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The positioning groove 1121 may include a first groove section 1121a and a second groove section 1121b. The limiting portion may be configured as a limiting surface 1121c formed between the first groove section 1121a and the second groove section 1121b.

[0057] See also Figure 1 and Figure 3 , the first slot section 1121a can be set on the side of the ultrasonic probe 100 away from the acoustic window 130. The second slot section 1121b can be set on the side of the ultrasonic probe 100 close to the acoustic window 130. The inner wall of the first slot section 1121a and the inner wall of the second slot section 1121b can be formed as concentric cylindrical surfaces, and the inner diameter of the first slot section 1121a is larger than the inner diameter of the second slot section 1121b. In this way, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 can be held by the operator at any rotation angle so that the plug-in portion 2111 is inserted into the positioning slot 1121, and the annular limiting surface 1121c will not block the photoacoustic excitation light window 220.

[0058] It should be noted that when the inner wall of the positioning groove 1121 and the outer wall of the plug-in portion 2111 are both formed as cylindrical surfaces, the inner wall of the positioning groove 1121 and the outer wall of the plug-in portion 2111 are concentric. The preset length of the cylindrical surface formed by the outer wall of the plug-in portion 2111 is related to the depth of the first groove section 1121a of the positioning groove 1121, and the former can be equal to or greater than the latter.

[0059] Exemplarily, the plug-in portion 2111 can be inserted into the first slot section 1121a from one end of the first slot section 1121a away from the second slot section 1121b. The inner diameter of the first slot section 1121a can be slightly larger than the outer diameter of the plug-in portion 2111, and the inner diameter of the second slot section 1121b can be slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the plug-in portion 2111, so that the plug-in portion 2111 inserted into the first slot section 1121a will not be able to enter the second slot section 1121b, and the connection between the first slot section 1121a and the second slot section 1121b will form a limit for the plug-in portion 2111. Specifically, at least part of the plug-in portion 2111 can abut against the limit surface 1121c. The limit surface 1121c can be in the form of a step surface, and the limit surface 1121c can be perpendicular to the center line of the positioning groove 1121, or it can be at a certain angle to the center line of the positioning groove 1121. At least part of the plug-in portion 2111 may be pressed against the limiting surface 1121c in any suitable manner. When the limiting surface 1121c is perpendicular to the center line of the positioning groove 1121, the limiting surface 1121c is equivalent to the step surface between the first groove section 1121a and the second groove section 1121b, and the plug-in portion 2111 may have a step surface corresponding thereto, and this part of the step surface on the plug-in portion 2111 may be pressed against the limiting surface 1121c. When the limiting surface 1121c forms a certain angle with the center line of the positioning groove 1121, the limiting surface 1121c may be an inclined transition surface between the first groove section 1121a and the second groove section 1121b, and the peripheral edge of the end of the plug-in portion 2111 may be pressed against such a limiting surface 1121c. Since at least part of the plug-in portion 2111 can abut against the limiting surface 1121c, such a positioning groove 1121 has a better limiting and fixing effect on the plug-in portion 2111. When the plug-in portion 2111 is inserted into the positioning groove 1121, it is not easy to pass through the positioning groove 1121. The plug-in portion 2111 will be limited by the limiting surface 1121c and stay in a suitable position in the positioning groove 1121. Moreover, at least part of the plug-in portion 2111 abuts against the limiting surface 1121c. The limiting surface 1121c has a supporting effect on the photoacoustic excitation device 200, and it is not easy to shake during use. When the operator inserts the photoacoustic excitation instrument 200 during the operation, the insertion part 2111 abuts against the limit surface 1121c, which will prompt the operator that the insertion part 2111 of the photoacoustic excitation instrument 200 has been inserted into the appropriate position in the positioning groove 1121, so that the operator can have a better user experience when using such an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, and the photoacoustic excitation light can be more accurately irradiated to the area where photoacoustic imaging is desired, that is, the irradiation area G formed by the photoacoustic excitation light can at least partially overlap with the detection area M of the ultrasonic transducer 120.

[0060] For example, see Figure 3 and Figure 4The plug-in portion 2111 may include a connecting section 2111a located in the first slot section 1121a and a light-emitting section 2111b located in the second slot section 1121b, the outer wall of the light-emitting section 2111b may abut against the inner wall of the second slot section 1121b, and a contact surface 2111c may be formed between the light-emitting section 2111b and the connecting section 2111a, and the contact surface 2111c may abut against the limiting surface 1121c. Understandably, at this time, the connecting section 2111a, the light-emitting section 2111b and the contact surface 2111c may form a limiting step. The outer diameter of the connecting section 2111a may match the inner diameter of the first slot section 1121a, and the outer diameter of the light-emitting section 2111b may match the inner diameter of the second slot section 1121b. The abutting surface 2111c is connected between the light emitting section 2111b and the connecting section 2111a. When the abutting surface 2111c abuts against the limiting surface 1121c, the connecting section 2111a can be located in the first slot section 1121a, and the light emitting section 2111b can be located in the second slot section 1121b. Since the outer wall of the light emitting section 2111b abuts against the inner wall of the second slot section 1121b, the second slot section 1121b can limit and fix the light emitting section 2111b. Such a plug-in portion 2111 can be inserted into the positioning slot 1121 more stably, and the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the ultrasonic probe 100 can be more stable when combined in a predetermined posture.

[0061] It is understandable that it is only necessary to ensure that the plug-in portion 2111 is inserted into the positioning groove 1121 and the ultrasound probe 100 and the photoacoustic excitation device 200 are combined in a predetermined posture through the limiting step and the limiting portion. The positioning groove 1121 and the plug-in portion 2111 can also be constructed as other structures.

[0062] It should be noted that the so-called predetermined posture means that when the ultrasound probe 100 and the photoacoustic excitation device 200 are combined in a predetermined posture, the irradiation area G formed by the photoacoustic excitation light and the detection area M of the ultrasound transducer 120 can at least partially overlap.

[0063] Exemplarily, from the notch of the positioning groove 1121 to the bottom of the positioning groove 1121, the center line of the positioning groove 1121 can gradually approach the ultrasonic transducer 120, wherein the notch can be set on the side of the ultrasonic probe 100 away from the acoustic window 130, and the bottom of the groove can be set on the side of the ultrasonic probe 100 close to the acoustic window 130. Understandably, the notch of the positioning groove 1121 is the end opening of the first groove section 1121a away from the second groove section 1121b, and the bottom of the positioning groove 1121 is the end opening of the second groove section 1121b away from the first groove section 1121a. The photoacoustic excitation light emitted by the photoacoustic excitation device 200 will be emitted toward the irradiation area G along the center line direction of the positioning groove 1121. The center line of the positioning groove 1121 is tilted toward the ultrasonic transducer 120, which can ensure that the irradiation area G has a larger overlap with the detection area M, so that in such an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, the effects of photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging can be better.

[0064] In other embodiments, the limiting portion provided in the positioning groove 1121 may also be in other available shapes, such as one or more protrusions provided on the inner wall of the positioning groove 1121, and the shape of the protrusions may also be adapted to the shape of the plug-in portion 2111 of the aforementioned photoacoustic excitation device 200. As long as the positioning groove 1121 can limit the insertion direction and insertion position of the photoacoustic excitation device 200, the requirements of the present invention for solving the technical problem are met.

[0065] Ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging systems can be used in laparoscopic surgery, where the operator needs to operate under pneumoperitoneum. Figure 1 , the ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system may include the photoacoustic excitation device 200 as described above and the ultrasound probe 100 as described above. The plug-in portion 2111 may be inserted into the positioning groove 1121 and cooperate with the limiting portion through the limiting step to combine the ultrasound probe 100 and the photoacoustic excitation device 200 in a predetermined posture so that the irradiation area G and the detection area M at least partially overlap. Thus, ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging can be achieved in the overlapping portion of the irradiation area G and the detection area M. Further, the ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system may also include an optical hard mirror 400. After the abdominal cavity 600 of the observed object is inflated, the ultrasound probe 100, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the optical hard mirror 400 may be extended into the abdominal cavity 600. The optical hard mirror 400 may be first extended into the abdominal cavity 600, and after observation using optical imaging, the photoacoustic excitation device 200 and the ultrasound probe 100 may be operated to extend into the abdominal cavity 600 and approach the lesion location.

[0066] Since the ultrasonic transducer 120 can send and receive ultrasonic signals, and the photoacoustic excitation device 200 needs to cooperate with the ultrasonic probe to realize photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging as a whole, in fact, the imaging area for realizing photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging as a whole is the overlapping part of the irradiation area G and the detection area M. If the projection area formed by the irradiation area G is smaller than the projection area formed by the detection area M on the projection surface with a preset distance from the ultrasonic probe 100, the overlapping part of the irradiation area G and the detection area M is also smaller than the detection area M, and the imaging area for realizing photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging is also smaller than the detection area M. Exemplarily, on the projection surface with a preset distance from the ultrasonic probe 100, the projection area formed by the irradiation area G may not be smaller than the projection area formed by the detection area M. At this time, the overlapping part of the irradiation area G and the detection area M may be the detection area M. In such an ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, the imaging areas of ultrasound imaging, photoacoustic imaging and ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging are all the detection area M, realizing the largest imaging area, and the effect of participating in diagnosis and treatment can be better. It can be understood that the preset distance mentioned here refers to the distance between the ultrasound probe 100 and the observed object.

[0067] For example, see Figure 3 and Figure 8 , the probe housing 110 may be connected to an ultrasound-photoacoustic host. The ultrasound-photoacoustic host may have an imaging interface that displays the detection area M and the instrument push guide line 300. The instrument push guide line 300 may prompt the operator of the pushing direction of the medical instrument in the instrument channel 240. The instrument push guide line 300 may be used to prompt the relative position of the axial direction of the instrument channel 240 and the ultrasonic transducer 120. The imaging interface may include a position diagram of the ultrasonic transducer 120, and the detection area M may be determined according to the position of the ultrasonic transducer 120. The instrument channel 240 may be coaxial with the positioning groove 1121, and the axial direction of the instrument channel 240 may be positioned on the imaging interface according to the actual positional relationship between the ultrasonic transducer 120 and the positioning groove 1121, so that the axial direction of the instrument channel 240 may be displayed on the imaging interface as the instrument push guide line 300 to prompt the operator. The imaging interface of the ultrasound-photoacoustic host includes a detection area M, which can provide prompts for the push of medical devices. The operator only needs to observe the imaging interface to determine whether it is appropriate to push the medical device at the current position, which can provide a better user experience.

[0068] 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.

[0069] 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.

[0070] 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.

[0071] 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.

[0072] 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. A photoacoustic stimulation device, characterized in that: include: An insertion portion, wherein a photoacoustic excitation light window is provided at a distal end of the insertion portion; an operating portion formed at a proximal end of the insertion portion; as well as A light guide, through which the photoacoustic excitation light is transmitted to the photoacoustic excitation light window and emitted through the photoacoustic excitation light window to form an irradiation area; Wherein, a plug-in portion with a limiting step is formed on the distal end of the insertion portion.

2. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The photoacoustic excitation device includes a housing, a portion of which forms the operation portion, and another portion of which forms the insertion portion.

3. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The shell is penetrated from the proximal end to the distal end by an instrument channel for allowing the medical instrument to pass through.

4. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: One end of the light guide is located in the housing and faces the photoacoustic excitation light window, and the other end of the light guide passes through the proximal end of the housing.

5. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to claim 4, characterized in that: An instrument channel for medical instruments to pass through is provided from the proximal end of the operating portion to the distal end of the insertion portion, and the light guide is arranged around the instrument channel.

6. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The photoacoustic excitation light window is arranged around the distal end of the instrument channel.

7. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The photoacoustic excitation light window is surrounded by the distal end of the housing.

8. The photoacoustic stimulation device according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that: At least at the distal end of the insertion portion, the outer wall of the shell is formed with a cylindrical surface of a preset length.

9. An ultrasonic probe, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe comprises a detection section and a matching section, the detection section is provided with an ultrasonic transducer and an acoustic window, ultrasonic waves pass through the acoustic window to form a detection area, and the matching section is provided with a positioning groove penetrating the ultrasonic probe, the positioning groove forms a limiting portion, so that the positioning groove can only be inserted into the photoacoustic excitation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 at the end of the ultrasonic probe opposite to the acoustic window, and its insertion position is limited.

10. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, characterized in that: The positioning groove includes a first groove section and a second groove section, and the limiting portion is configured to form a limiting surface between the first groove section and the second groove section.

11. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 10, characterized in that: The first slot section is arranged on a side of the ultrasonic probe away from the acoustic window, and the second slot section is arranged on a side of the ultrasonic probe close to the acoustic window. The inner wall of the first slot section and the inner wall of the second slot section form concentric cylindrical surfaces, and the inner diameter of the first slot section is larger than the inner diameter of the second slot section.

12. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 9, characterized in that: From the slot opening of the positioning slot to the slot bottom of the positioning slot, the center line of the positioning slot gradually approaches the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the slot opening is arranged on a side of the ultrasonic probe away from the acoustic window, and the slot bottom is arranged on a side of the ultrasonic probe close to the acoustic window.

13. An ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system, characterized in that: It comprises the photoacoustic excitation device as described in any one of claims 1 to 8 and the ultrasound probe as described in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein the plug-in portion is inserted into the positioning groove and cooperates with the limiting portion through the limiting step so that the ultrasound probe and the photoacoustic excitation device are combined in a predetermined posture so that the irradiation area and the detection area at least partially overlap.

14. The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to claim 13, characterized in that: On a projection plane at a preset distance from the ultrasonic probe, a projection area formed by the irradiation region is not smaller than a projection area formed by the detection region.

15. The ultrasound-photoacoustic imaging system according to claim 13, characterized in that: The probe shell is connected to an ultrasound-photoacoustic host, and the ultrasound-photoacoustic host has an imaging interface that displays the detection area and the instrument pushing guide line.

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