Wearable compact ultrasonic treatment system

Abstract

The wearable compact ultrasonic treatment system comprises a flexible probe, an excitation circuit module and a power supply, the flexible probe comprises a flexible substrate and a plurality of ultrasonic probes, each ultrasonic probe is communicated with a circuit of the excitation circuit module through a flexible circuit board, and the power supply is communicated with the excitation circuit module. The excitation circuit module and the power supply are both mounted on the surface of the flexible substrate, and the excitation circuit module comprises a pulse control generator, a switching tube, an energy storage inductor, a capacitor and a resistor which form a Boost circuit; the wearable compact ultrasonic treatment system further comprises a wearable belt. According to the utility model, on one hand, the whole device is miniaturized, the integration degree is high, and the requirements of higher voltage and energy consumption of an excitation source can be met; on the other hand, the wearable performance and the portability are high, good practical and use values are achieved, and systematization and portability of related equipment are promoted.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the field of ultrasound technology, and in particular relates to a wearable compact ultrasound treatment system. Background Art

[0002] With the accelerated aging of the population and changes in lifestyle, the incidence of chronic diseases such as hypertension is increasing, and health has become a hot topic in society. Therefore, the use of wearable devices and other home monitoring has become an effective management model for chronic disease self-management and sub-health status monitoring, clearly proposed by the World Health Organization and governments around the world, and is also a key direction for the development of health industries in various countries.

[0003] Wearable ultrasound devices combine ultrasound technology with wearable technology. On the one hand, they can leverage the advantages of ultrasound to achieve non-destructive, radiation-free, fast, and real-time ultrasound imaging, ultrasound therapy, and ultrasound drug delivery. On the other hand, they leverage the advantages of wearable devices. Instead of waiting in line at the hospital for testing, patients can easily obtain relevant ultrasound images and monitoring information at home. For example, wearable ultrasound can be used to monitor bladder urine volume, perform imaging cardiograms, and detect hemodynamic parameter information, providing a convenient method for monitoring and examining patients' personal health information.

[0004] However, wearable ultrasound systems generally consist of two major parts: a flexible ultrasound probe and an ultrasound system for imaging and treatment. Flexible probes are currently mostly connected using a serpentine flexible circuit board (FPCB), encapsulated in flexible and deformable PDMS, silicone, rubber, etc., and then attached to the human skin. In short, the probe can be flexible and wearable, but the ultrasound excitation or imaging used requires a large complete machine, such as the Vantage development platform, pulse transmitter and receiver, multi-channel ultrasound imaging system, power amplifier, etc., that is, wearable power ultrasound often requires an additional power supply device or an off-body system device for power and excitation. Utility Model Content

[0005] The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art and provide an improved wearable compact ultrasonic treatment system.

[0006] In order to solve the above technical problems, the present invention adopts the following technical solutions:

[0007] A wearable compact ultrasound therapy system includes a flexible probe, an excitation circuit module, and a power supply, wherein the flexible probe includes a flexible substrate and multiple ultrasound probes formed in the flexible substrate, each ultrasound probe is connected to the circuit of the excitation circuit module via a flexible circuit board, and the power supply is connected to the excitation circuit module. In particular,

[0008] The excitation circuit module and power supply are both mounted on the surface of the flexible substrate. The excitation circuit module includes a pulse control generator G1, a switch tube Q, an energy storage inductor L1, a capacitor, and a resistor that form a Boost circuit. When the excitation circuit module forms a voltage and continuous and intermittent pulse excitation, the ultrasonic probe connected to the circuit works to release ultrasonic waves.

[0009] The wearable compact ultrasound treatment system further comprises a wearing belt formed on a side of the flexible base body, wherein the wearing belt can fix the flexible probe in an ultrasound working area.

[0010] Preferably, there are two capacitors, namely capacitor C1 and capacitor C2, and there are two resistors, namely load R1 and load R2. Each of the ultrasonic probes is connected to the excitation circuit module from the transducer Y1. In the initial state, the load R2 pulls down the gate of the switch tube Q, causing the switch tube Q to be disconnected and the power supply to the ground to be cut off; the output end is isolated by C1, and the entire circuit is in a low power consumption state; the pulse control generator G1 generates a high-frequency pulse, which is simply filtered by the capacitor C2, forming a short pulse at the non-grounded port of the load R2, turning on the switch tube Q, and the power supply is charged and stored in the energy storage inductor L1 and the switch tube Q.

[0011] Furthermore, when the short pulse ends, the switch tube Q is turned off, and the energy storage inductor L1 remains unchanged through the current, generating an induced excitation voltage, and generating high voltage and discharging to the load R1 and the transducer Y1 through the capacitor C1.

[0012] In some specific embodiments, the pulse controller G1 generates continuous pulses with different interval periods T, and the circuit cycle realizes the pulse generation process.

[0013] According to a specific implementation and preferred aspect of the present invention, each ultrasonic probe is connected in parallel with the excitation circuit module, and the principle of parallel shunting is utilized to enable the working ultrasonic probes to release ultrasonic waves under equal excitation voltages.

[0014] According to another specific implementation and preferred aspect of the present invention, the transducer of each ultrasonic probe uses hard ceramic as the core piezoelectric layer material; and / or the center frequency of each ultrasonic probe is within 2 MHz.

[0015] Preferably, the transducer constituting the ultrasonic probe has a matching layer formed on the upper surface of the ceramic and a backing layer formed on the lower surface of the ceramic, and adopts an edge wrapping design so that the contact surface with the target is smooth and has no protruding electrode welding points.

[0016] According to another specific embodiment and preferred aspect of the present invention, the plurality of ultrasound probes are spaced apart from each other, and as the flexible substrate deforms, the corresponding ultrasound probes bend accordingly at their connection points with the flexible circuit board; and / or the transducers of the ultrasound probes are close to or form the adhesive surface of the flexible substrate, to meet the requirements of actual adhesive bonding operations.

[0017] In some specific embodiments, the wearing belt is a medical tape or adhesive tape, and is protected by release paper when not in use and can be torn off when in use; and / or, the wearing belt is located around the flexible substrate; and / or, the cross-section of the flexible substrate is circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

[0018] In addition, the power source is a portable lithium battery, button battery or combined alkaline battery.

[0019] Due to the implementation of the above technical solution, the utility model has the following advantages compared with the prior art:

[0020] Existing wearable ultrasound systems can achieve flexible and wearable probes, but the ultrasound excitation or imaging used requires a large complete machine, such as the Vantage development platform, pulse transmitter and receiver, multi-channel ultrasound imaging system, power amplifier, etc. That is, wearable power ultrasound often requires additional power supply devices or off-body system equipment for power supply and excitation, etc. The present invention cleverly solves the various shortcomings of the existing structure through the overall design of a wearable compact ultrasound treatment system. After adopting this wearable ultrasound system, the ultrasound probe excitation is formed based on the Boost circuit, and the excitation circuit module and power supply can be directly installed on the surface of the flexible substrate to form a compact wearable ultrasound treatment system. Therefore, on the one hand, the present invention is overall miniaturized and highly integrated, and can also meet the requirements of higher voltage and energy consumption for the excitation source; on the other hand, it is highly wearable and portable, has good practical and use value, and thus promotes the systematization and portability of related equipment. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the structure of a wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to this embodiment;

[0022] Figure 2 The following is a schematic diagram of the working principle of the Boost circuit (taking an ultrasound probe connection as an example);

[0023] Wherein: 1. flexible probe; 10. flexible substrate; 11. ultrasonic probe; 12. flexible circuit board;

[0024] 2. Excitation circuit module; G1, pulse control generator; Q, switch tube; L1, energy storage inductor; C1, C2, capacitors; R1, R2, load (resistance); Y1, transducer; 3. Power supply;

[0025] 4. Wearing belt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. The following description sets forth many specific details to facilitate a full understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be implemented in many other ways than those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar improvements without violating the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential" and the like to indicate orientations or positional relationships based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation to the present invention.

[0028] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature specified as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of this utility model, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0029] In this utility model, unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "installed," "connected," "connect," "fixed," etc. should be understood in a broad sense. For example, they can refer to fixed connection, detachable connection, or integration; mechanical connection, electrical connection; direct connection, or indirect connection through an intermediate medium; internal communication between two components, or interaction between two components, unless otherwise specified. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of the above terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0030] In the utility model, unless otherwise expressly specified or limited, when a first feature is "above" or "below" a second feature, it can mean that the first and second features are in direct contact, or that the first and second features are in indirect contact through an intermediary. Furthermore, when a first feature is "above," "above," or "above" a second feature, it can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a higher level than the second feature. When a first feature is "below," "below," or "below" a second feature, it can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply means that the first feature is at a lower level than the second feature.

[0031] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0032] like Figure 1 As shown, the wearable compact ultrasound therapy system of this embodiment includes a flexible probe 1, an excitation circuit module 2, a power supply 3, and a wearing belt 4, wherein the flexible probe 1 includes a flexible substrate 10 and a plurality of ultrasound probes 11 formed in the flexible substrate 10, each ultrasound probe 11 is connected to the circuit of the excitation circuit module 2 through a flexible circuit board 12, the power supply 3 is connected to the excitation circuit module 2, and the excitation circuit module 2 and the power supply 3 are both installed on the surface of the flexible substrate 10; the wearing belt 4 is formed on the side of the flexible substrate 10 and can fix the flexible probe 1 in the ultrasound working area.

[0033] In some specific embodiments, the cross-section of the flexible substrate 10 is circular, elliptical or polygonal, among which the polygon is mostly square. At the same time, the flexible substrate 10 mainly wraps the corresponding probe, system, etc. inside it to form an adhered and deformable whole to meet the needs of wearable use. In this example, the flexible substrate 10 is one of PDMS, flexible rubber, and silicone.

[0034] The transducer of each ultrasonic probe 11 uses hard ceramic as the core piezoelectric layer material, with a matching layer formed on top of the ceramic and a backing layer formed on the bottom. A hemming design is then employed to ensure a smooth, non-protruding electrode solder joint in contact with the target. In this example, the center frequency of each ultrasonic probe is within 2 MHz. The multiple ultrasonic probes 11 are spaced apart from each other, and as the flexible substrate 10 deforms, the corresponding ultrasonic probe bends accordingly at the connection point with the flexible circuit board. The transducer of the ultrasonic probe 11 is close to or forms the bonding surface of the flexible substrate 10, thus meeting the practical requirements of bonding operations.

[0035] Combine Figure 2 As shown, the excitation circuit module 2 includes a Boost circuit (conventional design, see the specific connection method for details). Figure 2 )'s pulse control generator G1, switch tube Q, energy storage inductor L1, capacitor and resistor, wherein the excitation circuit module 2 forms a voltage, under continuous and intermittent pulse excitation, the ultrasonic probe 11 connected to the circuit works to release ultrasonic waves.

[0036] In some specific embodiments, there are two capacitors, namely capacitor C1 and capacitor C2, and two resistors, namely loads R1 and load R2. Each of the ultrasonic probes is connected to the excitation circuit module from transducer Y1. In the initial state, load R2 pulls down the gate of switch Q, causing switch Q to disconnect and cut off the power supply to ground. The output terminal is isolated by C1, and the entire circuit is in a low-power state. The pulse controller G1 generates a high-frequency pulse, which is simply filtered by capacitor C2, forming a short pulse at the non-grounded port of load R2, turning on switch Q. The power flows through energy storage inductor L1 and switch Q, charging and storing energy in energy storage inductor L1. When the short pulse ends, switch Q is turned off, and the current flowing through energy storage inductor L1 remains unchanged, generating an induced excitation voltage. This voltage is then discharged to load R1 and transducer Y1 through capacitor C1. In this example, pulse controller G1 generates continuous pulses with different intervals T, and the circuit cycle completes the pulse generation process.

[0037] Furthermore, each ultrasonic probe 11 is connected in parallel with the excitation circuit module 2. By utilizing the principle of parallel current shunting, the working ultrasonic probes release ultrasonic waves under equal excitation voltage.

[0038] In some embodiments, the power source 3 is a portable lithium battery, a button battery, or a combination of alkaline batteries.

[0039] In some embodiments, the wearing strap 4 is a medical tape or adhesive plaster, and is protected by release paper when not in use and can be removed when in use. Specifically, there are four wearing straps 4, which are located around the flexible substrate 10. The main purpose of the wearing straps 4 is to adhere the device to the human body surface to ensure that the device does not move. At the same time, it is often a medical tape. When not in use, the surface is protected by silicone oil paper (release paper or release film). When in use, it is removed.

[0040] In summary, the working principle of this embodiment is as follows:

[0041] Remove the protective layer of the wearing belt 4, attach the ultrasound probe 11 and the flexible substrate 10 to the area to be treated, and use the wearing belt 4 to position them. Then turn on the power switch 3, and the system excitation circuit module 2 starts working. After the predetermined treatment time is reached, turn off the power and tear off the wearing belt 4.

[0042] In summary, after adopting the wearable ultrasound system, the excitation of the ultrasound probe is formed based on the Boost circuit, and the excitation circuit module and the power supply can be directly installed on the surface of the flexible substrate to form a compact wearable ultrasound treatment system. Therefore, on the one hand, the utility model is miniaturized as a whole and has a high degree of integration, and can also meet the requirements of higher voltage and energy consumption for the excitation source; on the other hand, it is highly wearable and portable, has good practicality and use value, and thus promotes the systematization and portability of related equipment; thirdly, each ultrasound probe is connected in parallel with the excitation circuit module, and the principle of parallel shunt is used to make the working ultrasound probe release ultrasound under equal excitation voltage; fourthly, the ultrasonic output sensor in the ultrasound treatment system usually uses hard ceramics as the core piezoelectric layer material, such as PZT4, PZT8, etc. In order to improve the coupling rate and fixation, etc., a corresponding matching layer can also be made on the ceramic, and a backing can be made on the back. etc., and the center frequency of the power ultrasound probe is generally less than 2MHz, and then a edging design is adopted to ensure that the contact surface with the target is flat and has no protruding electrode solder joints; the fifth aspect is that the flexible substrate mainly covers the corresponding probe, system, etc. inside it to form an adhered and deformable whole to meet the needs of wearable use; the sixth aspect is that the wearable belt is mainly located around the core components, and its main purpose is to stick the device to the surface of the human body to ensure that the device does not move, etc. It is mostly medical tape, and the surface is protected by silicone oil paper, etc., which is opened when used; the seventh aspect is that the power supply is mainly for the excitation circuit module, and is mostly a small portable lithium battery, button battery or combined alkaline battery, etc.; the eighth aspect is that the multiple ultrasound probes are separated from each other, and as the flexible substrate is deformed, the corresponding ultrasound probe bends from the connection at the flexible circuit board, and the transducer of the ultrasound probe is close to or constitutes the adhesive surface of the flexible substrate to meet the actual fitting operation needs.

[0043] The above detailed description of the utility model is intended to enable people familiar with the technology in this field to understand the content of the utility model and implement it. It is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the utility model. Any equivalent changes or modifications made according to the spirit of the utility model should be included in the scope of protection of the utility model.

Claims

1. A wearable compact ultrasound therapy system comprising a flexible probe, an excitation circuit module, and a power supply, wherein the flexible probe comprises a flexible substrate and a plurality of ultrasound probes formed within the flexible substrate, each ultrasound probe being connected to the excitation circuit module via a flexible circuit board, and the power supply being connected to the excitation circuit module, characterized in that: The excitation circuit module and the power supply are both mounted on the surface of the flexible substrate, and the excitation circuit module includes a pulse control generator G1, a switch tube Q, an energy storage inductor L1, a capacitor, and a resistor that form a Boost circuit. Under the voltage, continuous and intermittent pulse excitation formed by the excitation circuit module, the ultrasound probe connected to the circuit works to release ultrasonic waves; The wearable compact ultrasound treatment system further includes a wearing belt formed on a side of the flexible base, wherein the wearing belt is capable of fixing the flexible probe in an ultrasound working area.

2. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are two capacitors, namely capacitor C1 and capacitor C2, and there are two resistors, namely load R1 and load R2. Each ultrasonic probe is connected to the excitation circuit module from the transducer Y1. In the initial state, the load R2 pulls down the gate of the switch tube Q, causing the switch tube Q to be disconnected and the power supply to the ground to be cut off; the output end is isolated by C1, and the entire circuit is in a low-power state; the pulse control generator G1 generates a high-frequency pulse, which is simply filtered by the capacitor C2, forming a short pulse at the non-grounded port of the load R2, turning on the switch tube Q, and the power supply is charged and stored in the energy storage inductor L1 and the switch tube Q.

3. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the short pulse ends, the switch tube Q is turned off, and the energy storage inductor L1 remains unchanged through the current, generating an induced excitation voltage, and generating high voltage and discharging to the load R1 and transducer Y1 through the capacitor C1.

4. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The pulse controller G1 generates continuous pulses through different interval periods T, and the circuit cycle realizes the pulse generation process.

5. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: Each of the ultrasonic probes is connected in parallel with the excitation circuit module.

6. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The transducer of each ultrasonic probe uses hard ceramic as the core piezoelectric layer material; and / or the center frequency of each ultrasonic probe is within 2 MHz.

7. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The transducer constituting the ultrasonic probe has a matching layer formed on the upper surface of the ceramic and a backing layer formed on the lower surface of the ceramic, and adopts an edge wrapping design to ensure that the contact surface with the target is smooth and has no protruding electrode welding points.

8. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The plurality of ultrasound probes are spaced apart from each other, and as the flexible substrate deforms, the corresponding ultrasound probes bend accordingly from the connection points with the flexible circuit board; and / or the transducers of the ultrasound probes are close to or constitute the adhesive surface of the flexible substrate.

9. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The wearing belt is a medical tape or adhesive tape, and is protected by release paper when not in use and can be torn off when in use; and / or, the wearing belt is located around the flexible substrate; and / or, the cross-section of the flexible substrate is circular, elliptical or polygonal.

10. The wearable compact ultrasound therapy system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power source is a portable lithium battery, a button battery or a combined alkaline battery.

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