Detection device

Abstract

The invention discloses a detection device. The detection device is used for detecting muscular fascia nodules. The detection device comprises a palpation detection unit and a detection unit, wherein the palpation detection unit is used for detecting the hardness of muscular fascia nodules in muscular tissues; the pressure feedback unit is electrically connected with the palpation detection unit and is used for ensuring that the pressure of the palpation detection unit acting on the skin tissue is within a pressure threshold value; the signal processing unit is electrically connected with the palpation detection unit and is used for receiving and processing the pressure signal of the palpation detection unit; wherein the palpation detection unit and the pressure feedback unit are arranged on a detection probe of the detection device. According to the detection device, the palpation detection unit can effectively identify muscular fascia nodules and improve the efficiency of muscular fascia nodule detection, and is matched with the pressure feedback unit, so that the acting force of the detection device acting on muscular tissues is kept consistent, the standardization of the detection process is ensured, and the detection accuracy is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of medical devices, and more specifically, to a detection device. Background Technology

[0002] Myofascial nodules are a common pathological manifestation of myofascial pain syndrome. They usually appear as localized tense nodules or sensitive points located in muscles or fascia, which produce localized pain or referred pain when pressed.

[0003] Currently, in clinical examinations, doctors typically use palpation to press on muscle tissue to determine the presence and approximate location of myofascial nodules. During palpation, the doctor applies pressure to the area being examined with their fingers, making a preliminary assessment based on changes in tissue stiffness and the patient's pain response. However, this method relies heavily on the doctor's experience and subjective judgment, and the objectivity and accuracy of the results are easily affected by the operator's experience level. Furthermore, relying solely on the doctor's palpation judgment makes large-scale screening and quantitative recording difficult.

[0004] Therefore, how to provide a detection device that at least partially solves the above problems has become a technical problem that needs to be solved in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, this application proposes a detection device.

[0006] According to this application, a detection device is proposed for detecting myofascial nodules; the detection device includes: a palpation detection unit for detecting the stiffness of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue; a pressure feedback unit electrically connected to the palpation detection unit for ensuring that the pressure exerted by the palpation detection unit on the skin tissue is within a pressure threshold; and a signal processing unit electrically connected to the palpation detection unit for receiving and processing the pressure signal from the palpation detection unit; wherein the palpation detection unit and the pressure feedback unit are both disposed on the detection probe of the detection device.

[0007] Preferably, the touch detection unit is a sensor, which includes a flexible pressure sensor array or an optical tactile sensor; the touch detection unit is disposed at the first end of the detection probe and is in direct contact with the skin.

[0008] Preferably, the pressure feedback unit is one or more of a display screen, indicator light, buzzer, speaker, or audible and visual alarm; the pressure feedback unit is activated when the pressure applied to the skin tissue by the touch detection unit is greater than the pressure threshold.

[0009] Preferably, the pressure threshold is 0.5-2.0 N / cm. 2 .

[0010] Preferably, the detection device further includes: an ultrasonic detection unit, which is electrically connected to the signal processing unit and is used to detect the location of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue; the ultrasonic detection unit is disposed at the center of the detection probe or on the side of the detection probe.

[0011] Preferably, the palpation detection unit is an ultrasound detection unit, which indirectly detects the mechanical impedance difference of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue by measuring the change in ultrasound echo time or amplitude, so as to indirectly detect the hardness of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue.

[0012] Preferably, the ultrasound detection unit and the palpation detection unit of the detection device perform detection simultaneously; or when the palpation detection unit detects myofascial nodules based on the hardness of the muscle tissue, the ultrasound detection unit is activated for detection.

[0013] Preferably, the signal processing unit of the detection device receives and processes the signals from the ultrasound detection unit and the palpation detection unit.

[0014] Preferably, the ultrasonic detection unit includes an ultrasonic transducer, which is used to generate ultrasound and receive echo signals.

[0015] Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer is a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer or a CUMT ultrasonic transducer.

[0016] Preferably, the detection device further includes: a control unit for controlling the detection device to detect and generate detection results; a display unit electrically connected to the signal processing unit for displaying the detection process and outputting detection results in real time; and a power supply unit for supplying power to the detection device.

[0017] The detection device in this application can effectively identify myofascial nodules through the palpation detection unit, thereby improving the efficiency of myofascial nodule detection. In addition, in conjunction with the pressure feedback unit, it ensures that the force exerted by the detection device on the muscle tissue remains consistent, thereby ensuring the standardization of the detection process and improving the accuracy of detection.

[0018] Other features and advantages of this application will be described in detail in the following detailed description section. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which form part of this application, are used to provide a further understanding of this application, and the illustrative embodiments and descriptions thereof are used to explain this application. In the drawings: Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a handheld detection probe in a detection device according to a preferred embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solution of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0021] Myofascial nodules are palpable, nodular, hard nodules that occur in muscles and surrounding fascia. They are taut bundles of muscle fibers or "nodules" that can be felt in skeletal muscles, and are commonly found in the neck, shoulders, back, and lower back. Currently, diagnosis is often made by palpation, relying on the doctor's or examiner's manual examination. Palpation can reveal nodules that are "rice grains," "peas," or "cord-like." However, palpation depends on the doctor's or examiner's experience and subjective judgment, resulting in low consistency between different doctors. Even the same doctor may produce inconsistent results at different times. Furthermore, it is difficult to quantify and record.

[0022] Therefore, according to this application, a detection device is proposed for detecting myofascial nodules; the detection device includes: a palpation detection unit for detecting the stiffness of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue; a pressure feedback unit electrically connected to the palpation detection unit for ensuring that the pressure exerted by the palpation detection unit on the skin tissue is within a pressure threshold; and a signal processing unit electrically connected to the palpation detection unit for receiving and processing the pressure signal from the palpation detection unit; wherein the palpation detection unit and the pressure feedback unit are both disposed on the detection probe of the detection device.

[0023] The aforementioned detection probe can be in an appropriate form, such as a handheld or wearable device. The probe includes a skin contact end, with a palpation detection unit disposed thereon. The handheld probe also includes a handheld end, with a pressure feedback unit disposed thereon. A button may be optionally provided on the side of the handheld end for easy operation, allowing the operator to turn the detection mode on / off or switch modes. Both the handheld end and the side of the skin contact end are made of rigid material, which can be selected according to actual needs, for example, plastic.

[0024] The skin contact end of the aforementioned wearable detection probe can be an elastic band or a palpation detection unit placed in a specific area of ​​a compression garment for detecting the stiffness of fixed muscle tissue during prolonged static or dynamic processes. The pressure feedback unit can be located on the elastic band or compression garment to prevent excessive pressure from the skin contact end acting on the muscle tissue.

[0025] In this application, a handheld detection probe is used as an example (e.g.) Figure 1 (As shown).

[0026] The aforementioned detection device can be an integrated device, for example, a wire is provided at the end of the handheld end of the handheld detection probe to connect to the signal processing unit, or the detection probe can be wirelessly connected to the signal processing unit, for example, via Bluetooth, USB or network connection.

[0027] Myofascial nodules are typically harder than the surrounding tissues and are more difficult to press under the same pressure. The palpation detection unit described above can determine the location of myofascial nodules by observing changes in the hardness of the muscle tissue.

[0028] Improper pressure applied to the skin by the palpation detection unit can directly affect the test results. Excessive pressure may cause false positives, and compression of deeper tissues may obscure the true location of nodules. Insufficient pressure may fail to reach the tense bands or nodules, also resulting in false positives. Therefore, only within an appropriate pressure range can the presence of nodules be accurately reflected. In this application, a pressure feedback unit provides timely feedback on the pressure applied to the skin by the palpation detection unit, ensuring that the pressure applied by the palpation detection unit remains within an appropriate range. This maintains consistent pressure throughout the detection process, improving the reliability and repeatability of the test results, thereby increasing the efficiency of myofascial detection and standardizing the detection process.

[0029] The pressure feedback unit can be set in an appropriate location. For example, both the palpation detection unit and the pressure feedback unit can be set on the detection probe. When the pressure of the palpation detection unit exceeds the pressure threshold, the pressure feedback unit is triggered to remind the operator to reduce the pressure.

[0030] The aforementioned signal processing unit can receive and process the pressure signal from the palpation detection unit. It can amplify and filter the weak analog signal output by the palpation detection unit (removing high-frequency noise and low-frequency drift), and convert it into a digital pressure matrix signal (pressure signal) P(x, y, t) through a multiplexer and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), where x and y are the sensor coordinates and t is the time series.

[0031] To detect myofascial nodules, the palpation detection unit is preferably a sensor, which may include a flexible pressure sensor array or an optical tactile sensor. The optical tactile sensor involves placing a camera within a flexible transparent substrate and analyzing pressure distribution by capturing images of the deformation of the upper elastic light-emitting layer under pressure. Preferably, the sensor is a flexible pressure sensor, which has a stronger ability to identify small nodules. The flexible pressure sensor encapsulates M×N (e.g., 16×16 or 32×32) micro-pressure sensing units arranged in a matrix on a flexible substrate at the skin contact end. This flexible substrate allows the palpation detection unit to conform well to the muscle curves of the neck, shoulders, and back. Each sensing unit can be a piezoresistive, capacitive, or piezoelectric micro-sensor, capable of measuring the vertical pressure applied to it in real time. The palpation detection unit is located at the first end of the detection probe, in direct contact with the skin. Preferably, the pressure threshold is 0.5-2.0 N / cm². 2 Preferably 0.8 N / cm 2 The optimal value is 1 N / cm. 2 More preferably 1.5 N / cm 2 .

[0032] To remind operators to control the pressure applied to the skin by the palpation detection unit within the pressure threshold, the pressure feedback unit can preferably be one or more of a display screen, indicator light, buzzer, speaker, or audible and visual alarm, which can be selected according to actual needs. In this application, to avoid affecting the operator's operation of the detection probe, the pressure feedback unit can be an indicator light or a buzzer. When the pressure applied to the skin tissue by the palpation detection unit exceeds the pressure threshold, the pressure feedback unit is activated, thereby ensuring that the force applied by different operators using the palpation detection unit is consistent, thus improving the repeatability of myofascial nodule detection, increasing the reliability of the results, and making the detection process more standardized.

[0033] To further visualize myofascial nodules, the detection device preferably further includes an ultrasound detection unit electrically connected to the signal processing unit for detecting the location of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue. The ultrasound detection unit is positioned at the center or side of the detection probe; for example, one or more ultrasound transducers can be positioned at the center of the skin contact end of the detection probe, or around the skin contact end of the detection probe, or on one side, depending on actual needs. The ultrasound detection unit allows for imaging of the myofascial nodules, depth localization, and quantitative assessment, improving the accuracy and consistency of the detection results. Preferably, the ultrasound detection unit and the palpation detection unit of the detection device can be used simultaneously; or, when the palpation detection unit detects a myofascial nodule based on the hardness of the muscle tissue, the ultrasound detection unit is activated for detection. This allows for one-dimensional depth or two-dimensional cross-sectional anatomical analysis of a specific location, acquiring morphological information such as the depth and size of the myofascial nodule within the muscle tissue while simultaneously obtaining information on its hardness, thus achieving integrated screening and preliminary confirmation.

[0034] According to another embodiment of this application, the palpation detection unit can be an ultrasound detection unit. This ultrasound detection unit indirectly detects the mechanical impedance differences of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue by measuring changes in ultrasound echo time or amplitude, thereby indirectly detecting the stiffness of the myofascial nodules in muscle tissue. The aforementioned ultrasound detection unit is used to transmit and receive low-frequency micro-ultrasound signals.

[0035] For ultrasonic testing, the ultrasonic testing unit preferably includes an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasound and receiving echo signals. Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer is a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer or a CUMT ultrasonic transducer, more preferably a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer, to detect tissue structure images, nodule locations, and morphological information of the myofascial layers.

[0036] In order to combine the pressure signal of the palpation detection unit with the imaging signal of the ultrasound detection unit, preferably, the signal processing unit of the detection device receives and processes the signals of the ultrasound detection unit and the palpation detection unit, and realizes the objective identification and quantitative assessment of nodules by synchronously acquiring, fusing and analyzing multimodal information on mechanical properties and tissue structure, thereby improving the accuracy, reliability and repeatability of the detection.

[0037] To detect myofascial nodules, the detection device may preferably include a control unit for controlling the detection device and generating detection results. This control unit is the core processor of the detection device, such as an ARM Cortex-A series processor. Its processing flow is as follows: 1) Data preprocessing: Receive the pressure signal P(x,y,t) from the palpation detection unit and perform temperature compensation and sensor non-uniformity calibration; 2) Mechanical feature extraction: Calculate the quasi-static elastic parameters for each scanning position (corresponding to the sensor array coverage area). Record the pressure-time curve of each sensor unit as the probe slides uniformly across the skin surface. By analyzing this curve and combining it with the preset probe movement speed (which can be estimated by the inertial measurement unit (IMU) built into the probe or manually input by the operator), the apparent hardness (or compliance) of the local tissue can be calculated. The specific algorithm can be based on a simplified mechanical model, such as treating the tissue as a spring-damped system and inferring the stiffness coefficient through the pressure response; 3) Palpation detection image generation and nodule identification: Map the calculated hardness distribution data of the entire scanning area into a two-dimensional pseudo-color elastic cloud map and display it on the screen of the display unit. Areas with high hardness are represented by warm colors (such as red and yellow), while areas with low hardness are represented by cool colors (such as blue and green). Further, through image processing algorithms (such as region growing, edge detection, and threshold segmentation), continuous areas in the image with significantly higher hardness than the surrounding average are automatically identified and initially marked as "suspected myofascial nodule areas." The location coordinates, relative area, and average relative hardness value of this area can be output. 4) Combining palpation and ultrasound images: The ultrasound image is denoised, gain-compensated, or edge-enhanced to obtain the ultrasound signal U(x,y,t); a mapping relationship between the ultrasound signal and the pressure signal is established, and the palpation pressure signal and the ultrasound signal are fused to generate a two-dimensional image. The grayscale image represents structural information, and the pseudo-color image represents the hardness of the myofascial nodule. A display unit, electrically connected to the signal processing unit, is used to display the detection process in real time and output the detection results. The display unit can be a display screen, preferably a liquid crystal touch screen, used to display the elasticity cloud map, suspected nodule markers, operation guidance, and final report in real time. The user interface on the display screen provides functions such as starting or stopping the scan, selecting the body location to be scanned (e.g., upper trapezius, quadratus lumborum, etc.), and viewing historical comparisons. A power supply unit is provided to power the detection device; this power supply unit can use direct current, such as a rechargeable lithium battery, or alternating current.

[0038] The aforementioned control unit, display unit, and power supply unit are all electrically connected to the detection probe, and the control unit and display unit can be located on the same device, for example, controlled by the same computer. The detection probe is set up independently for the convenience of doctors or operators.

[0039] According to another embodiment of this application, in step 1) of the processing flow of the control unit described above, in addition to analyzing a quasi-static model of the pressure-time curve, dynamic excitation-response analysis can also be employed. For example, a miniature vibrator can be integrated inside the detection probe to apply a small sinusoidal vibration excitation to the muscle tissue, while its response is measured by a pressure sensor array. By analyzing the amplitude and phase of the response signal, the dynamic mechanical properties of the tissue (such as the viscoelastic modulus) can be calculated to reflect the pathological state of the myofascial nodules.

[0040] The preferred embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. However, this application is not limited to the specific details of the above embodiments. Within the scope of the technical concept of this application, various simple modifications can be made to the technical solution of this application, and these simple modifications all fall within the protection scope of this application.

[0041] It should also be noted that the various specific technical features described in the above embodiments can be combined in any suitable manner without contradiction. In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, this application will not describe the various possible combinations separately.

[0042] Furthermore, various different embodiments of this application can be combined in any way, as long as they do not violate the spirit of this application, they should also be regarded as the content disclosed by this invention.

Claims

1. A detection device, characterized in that, This detection device is used for the detection of myofascial nodules; The detection device includes: A palpation detection unit is used to detect the stiffness of myofascial tubercles in muscle tissue; A pressure feedback unit, which is electrically connected to the palpation detection unit, is used to ensure that the pressure exerted by the palpation detection unit on the skin tissue is within a pressure threshold. A signal processing unit, which is electrically connected to the palpation detection unit, is used to receive and process the pressure signal from the palpation detection unit; The palpation detection unit and the pressure feedback unit are both located on the detection probe of the detection device.

2. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The touch detection unit is a sensor, which includes a flexible pressure sensor array or an optical tactile sensor; the touch detection unit is disposed at the first end of the detection probe and is in direct contact with the skin.

3. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The pressure feedback unit is one or more of a display screen, indicator light, buzzer, speaker, or audible and visual alarm; the pressure feedback unit is activated when the pressure applied to the skin tissue by the palpation detection unit is greater than the pressure threshold.

4. The detection device according to claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The pressure threshold is 0.5-2.0 N / cm. 2 .

5. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection device further includes an ultrasonic detection unit, which is electrically connected to the signal processing unit and is used to detect the location of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue. The ultrasonic testing unit is located at the center of the testing probe or on the side of the testing probe.

6. The detection device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The palpation detection unit is an ultrasound detection unit. The ultrasound detection unit indirectly detects the mechanical impedance difference of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue by measuring the changes in ultrasound echo time or amplitude, so as to indirectly detect the hardness of myofascial nodules in muscle tissue.

7. The detection device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The ultrasound detection unit and the palpation detection unit of the detection device perform detection simultaneously; or When the palpation detection unit detects myofascial nodules based on the stiffness of the muscle tissue, the ultrasound detection unit is activated for detection.

8. The detection device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The signal processing unit of the detection device receives and processes the signals from the ultrasound detection unit and the palpation detection unit.

9. The detection device according to any one of claims 5-8, characterized in that, The ultrasonic detection unit includes an ultrasonic transducer, which is used to generate ultrasound and receive echo signals. Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer is a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer or a CUMT ultrasonic transducer.

10. The detection device according to claim 1, 5, or 6, characterized in that, The detection device further includes a control unit, which is used to control the detection device to perform detection and generate detection results; The display unit is electrically connected to the signal processing unit and is used to display the detection process and output the detection results in real time. A power supply unit is provided to supply power to the detection device.

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