Ultrasonic irradiation device

Abstract

To provide a new ultrasonic irradiation device capable of achieving simple operability and being used for treatment of a heart disease.SOLUTION: The ultrasonic irradiation device 100 of the present invention is a flexible sheet-like member attached to the body surface of the chest of a person, and includes at least a probe 10 capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves, and a control unit 11 or a control device 1 that controls the probe 10 to transmit ultrasonic waves from the probe 10 at a predetermined intensity and interval. The widthwise size of the probe 10 in the direction orthogonal to the thickness direction is a size across two ribs and is equal to or larger than the 50mm.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic irradiation device for irradiating a human body with ultrasonic waves, for example. BACKGROUND ART

[0002] An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is known that transmits ultrasonic waves into the body of a subject for diagnosis using an ultrasonic probe, and generates a diagnostic ultrasonic image based on signals obtained from ultrasonic echoes received by reflection of the ultrasonic waves.

[0003] For example, echocardiography (cardiac echo), which generates diagnostic ultrasonic images by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to the heart (chest), is a widely used test method for diagnosing heart diseases because it is non-invasive to the subject.

[0004] However, the general application of ultrasonic irradiation technology for the heart (chest) is limited to the use of generating diagnostic ultrasonic images, that is, the use for diagnosis. In addition, since ultrasonic waves are reflected by bones, extremely high-level skills are required for handling conventional ultrasonic probes. Under such circumstances, it has not been possible to widely use ultrasonic irradiation devices for therapeutic purposes in the technical field of irradiating the human body with ultrasonic waves. PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] PATENT DOCUMENT 1 Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2024-076243 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention aims to provide a novel ultrasonic irradiation device that can realize simple operability and can be used for the treatment of heart diseases. MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM

[0007] This invention is an ultrasonic irradiation device comprising a flexible sheet-like member that can be attached to the surface of a person's chest, a probe capable of transmitting at least ultrasonic waves, and a control unit that controls the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves from the probe at a predetermined intensity and interval, wherein the width dimension of the probe in one direction is 50 mm or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] This invention provides a novel ultrasound irradiation device that offers simple operation and can be used for the treatment of heart disease. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the ultrasonic irradiation device of this invention. [Figure 2] A plan view showing the outline shape of the probe. [Figure 3] A side view showing the configuration of the probe. [Figure 4] An explanatory diagram showing an example of probe placement on the human body. [Figure 5] An explanatory diagram showing an example of probe placement on the ribs. [Figure 6] A flowchart illustrating the processing steps of a treatment method in one embodiment using an ultrasonic irradiation device. [Figure 7] A flowchart illustrating the treatment method for deformed cases using an ultrasonic irradiation device. [Figure 8] A plan view showing the contour shape of the modified probe. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Hereinafter, one embodiment of this invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an ultrasonic irradiation device 100. As shown in Figure 1, the ultrasonic irradiation device 100 includes a control device 1, a probe (ultrasonic probe) 10, and a switch (operation switch) 19.

[0012] The ultrasonic irradiation device 100 of this embodiment is provided to, for example, burst microbubbles (microbubbles or nanobubbles) by irradiating the chest of a person who has been administered a contrast agent (microbubble contrast agent) containing microbubbles intravenously with ultrasound. The microbubble contrast agent is administered, for example, intravenously to the person receiving the ultrasound (the person being irradiated). The ultrasonic irradiation device 100 is used for treating people by utilizing the effects of ultrasound on microbubbles, such as the mechanical effect when the microbubbles vibrate in response to ultrasound, or the mechanical effect when the microbubbles burst. The type of microbubble contrast agent is not particularly limited. For example, contrast agents such as perflutren lipid microsphere contrast agents can be used.

[0013] The probe 10 is a component that can be brought into contact with the body surface of the chest (front of the chest) of the person to be irradiated, and is capable of transmitting (sending out) at least ultrasound waves. In this specification, the head side of the person to be irradiated is defined as the upper direction, the feet side of the person to be irradiated is defined as the lower direction, the right side of the person to be irradiated when facing forward is defined as the right direction, and the left side of the person to be irradiated when facing forward is defined as the left direction.

[0014] The probe 10 is equipped with multiple transducers (ultrasonic transducers). Each transducer receives a drive signal (voltage pulse) transmitted from the control device 1 and transmits ultrasound. This enables the probe 10 to transmit and receive ultrasound, i.e., to transmit and receive ultrasound. For example, by transmitting ultrasound towards the body of the person being irradiated, it is possible to irradiate tiny bubbles in blood vessels with ultrasound. Furthermore, each transducer of the probe 10 according to the present invention also has the function of receiving ultrasound. Specifically, each transducer of the probe 10 receives ultrasound (reflected waves) including backscattered waves that have been backscattered within the body of the person being irradiated (the person being irradiated), converts it into a predetermined signal (received signal), and transmits it to the control device 1.

[0015] The control device 1 is a device for controlling the operation of the probe 10. The control device 1 comprises a control unit 11, a transmission processing unit 12, a reception processing unit 13, a brightness change detection unit 14, a brightness change output unit 15, a power supply control unit 16, an operation input unit 17, and an auxiliary storage unit 18. Each of the transmission processing unit 12, reception processing unit 13, brightness change detection unit 14, brightness change output unit 15, power supply control unit 16, operation input unit 17, and auxiliary storage unit 18 is electrically connected to the control unit 11 (allowing for the mutual transmission and reception of signals that can be processed by a computer).

[0016] The control unit 11 includes an arithmetic unit 11a and a main memory unit 11b, and performs various calculations and control operations in the control device 1 (ultrasonic irradiation device 100). The arithmetic unit 11a is an arithmetic processing unit having a CPU or MPU. The main memory unit 11b has RAM (DRAM) and ROM. The RAM is used as the work area and buffer area of ​​the arithmetic unit 11a. The RAM is appropriately loaded with program data stored in the auxiliary storage unit 18 and data necessary for program execution. The ROM stores the startup program for the control device 1, the operation program for operating the probe 10, and default values ​​for various information.

[0017] The transmission processing unit 12 generates a drive signal (voltage pulse) and outputs it to each transducer of the probe 10. For example, the transmission processing unit 12 includes a fundamental wave generation circuit, a drive circuit, and the like. The fundamental wave generation circuit generates a fundamental wave for forming transmission ultrasonic waves for each transducer under the control of the control unit 11 or a dedicated control circuit. The drive circuit applies a drive signal to each transducer of the probe 10 based on the fundamental wave.

[0018] The reception processing unit 13 receives reception signals generated by receiving reflected waves at each transducer of the probe 10. For example, the reception processing unit 13 includes an amplifier, an A / D conversion circuit, a filter processing circuit, and the like, and performs various processes such as amplification processing, A / D conversion processing, and filter processing on the received echo signals.

[0019] The luminance change detection unit 14 detects a temporal change in intensity of the backscattered wave (intensity change: luminance change) from the reception signal corresponding to the reflected wave received by the reception processing unit 13. That is, the luminance change detection unit 14 integrates the intensity of the backscattered wave using an ultrasonic backscatter signal (integrated backscatter: IBS) corresponding to the backscattered wave to detect the intensity change of the entire backscattered wave.

[0020] The luminance change output unit 15 outputs the intensity change (luminance change) of the backscattered wave generated by the luminance change detection unit 14. In other words, the luminance change output unit 15 presents (visualizes) the intensity change (luminance change) of the backscattered wave to the user of the control device 1 (ultrasonic irradiation device 100). For example, the luminance change output unit 15 is connected to a display (display device), and causes the display to display the luminance change generated by the luminance change detection unit 14. The display may be a component included in the control device 1, or may be an external display provided separately from the control device 1.

[0021] The power supply control unit 16 receives power supply from a battery or an external power source included in the ultrasonic irradiation device 100, and supplies necessary power to each part from the control device 1 to the ultrasonic irradiation device 100.

[0022] The operation input unit 17 includes an input component that receives operation input from the user of the control device 1, and an input detection circuit interposed between the input component and the calculation unit 11a. In this embodiment, the input component has, for example, a switch (start switch) 19 for receiving operation input to start ultrasonic irradiation. The switch 19 may be a hardware operation key (hardware key) or a software key provided on a touch panel (touch input means). The control device 1 may also have input components other than the switch 19 (for example, an end switch for receiving operation input to end ultrasonic irradiation). The input detection circuit outputs an operation signal or operation data to the calculation unit 11a in accordance with the operation (operation input) of each input component such as the switch 19.

[0023] The auxiliary storage unit 18 is composed of other non-volatile memory such as an HDD, SSD, flash memory, or EEPROM. The auxiliary storage unit 18 stores control programs 20 for executing various operations of the control device 1 and control data 21 necessary for the operation of the control device 1.

[0024] The control program 20 and control data 21 are read from the auxiliary storage unit 18 as needed and stored (deployed) in the main memory unit 11b (RAM). The operation of the control device 1 is realized by the arithmetic unit 11a executing the control program 20 that has been deployed in the main memory unit 11b (RAM).

[0025] The control program 20 contains programs for executing various operations of the control device 1. For example, the control program 20 includes a program for transmitting ultrasound using the probe 10 (transmission program), a program for receiving ultrasound using the probe 10 (reception program), a program for detecting brightness changes according to the received signal (brightness change detection program), a program for outputting (visualizing) brightness changes (brightness change output program), and a program for supplying the necessary power to each part of the control device 1 (power supply control program). Note that the transmission program, reception program, brightness change detection program, and brightness change output program may be omitted if the transmission processing unit 12, reception processing unit 13, brightness change detection unit 14, brightness change output unit 15, and power supply control unit 16 are each designed as dedicated circuits, and are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 18 as needed.

[0026] The control data 21 includes data for generating voltage pulses which are drive signals (drive signal generation data), received signal data (received signal data), brightness change detection data (brightness change detection data), brightness change output data (brightness change output data), and other data necessary for the operation of the control device 1.

[0027] Note that the configuration of the control device 1 and ultrasonic irradiation device 100 shown in Figure 1 is merely an example and is not limited to this configuration. It can be modified as needed, depending on the specifications of the control device 1 and other requirements.

[0028] Figure 2 is a plan view showing the contour shape of the probe 10. Figure 3 is a side view showing the configuration of the probe 10. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the placement position of the probe 10 on the human body. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the placement position of the probe on the ribs. The configuration of the probe 10 of the present invention will be described below with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0029] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the probe 10 is formed in a sheet-like (thin plate) shape. The thickness of the probe 10 is approximately 2 mm to 3 mm. The probe 10 is also flexible and can be freely bent in the thickness direction. Multiple transducers are arranged on one of the main surfaces of the probe 10. The multiple transducers may be arranged in a planar manner by lining them up in one direction, or they may be arranged in a planar manner by lining them up in a matrix.

[0030] One of the main surfaces of the probe 10 (the surface on which multiple transducers are arranged) becomes the contact surface that comes into contact with the body surface of the person being irradiated. The contact surface of the probe 10 may be provided with a matching layer to improve the passage of ultrasound into the body of the person being irradiated. As the material constituting the matching layer, a resin material or the like that is flexible and has an acoustic impedance value relatively close to that of the human body can be used. In addition, the surface of the main surface of the probe 10 that faces the contact surface (the non-contact surface) may be provided with a protective layer made of rubber or resin material. In this invention, multiple transducers are arranged across the entire surface of the contact surface of the probe 10. That is, ultrasound transmission and reception are possible in the entire area of ​​the contact surface of the probe 10. In this invention, if there is a sheet-like portion that is continuous with or connected to the probe 10, it is not treated as the probe 10 itself, but as a portion attached to the probe 10.

[0031] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, an adhesive layer 30 is provided on the contact surface of the probe 10 (on the side of the irradiated person's body surface that is closer to the matching layer if a matching layer is provided) to adhere the probe 10 to the body surface. The material constituting the adhesive layer 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has sufficient adhesive strength to prevent the probe 10 from peeling off under its own weight even if the irradiated person moves, but preferably, an acrylic resin or urethane gel with excellent ultrasonic transparency can be used.

[0032] Returning to Figure 2, the contour shape of the probe 10 when viewed from the thickness direction is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment it is rectangular. The size of the probe 10 is set to be large enough to reliably irradiate the blood vessels of the chest (especially the heart) with ultrasound. Here, although there are individual differences in the position and size of the human heart, it is often located near the third and fourth intercostal spaces on the left side of the chest. Therefore, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, if ultrasound is to be irradiated to the heart and the blood vessels of the heart, it is preferable to attach the probe 10 near the third and fourth intercostal spaces. In this case, in order to efficiently irradiate the heart and the blood vessels of the heart with ultrasound, the size of the probe 10 is set to span at least two intercostal spaces (especially the third and fourth intercostal spaces).

[0033] The average intercostal distance (the vertical distance between intercostal spaces, especially between the third and fourth intercostal spaces) in a person is approximately 20 mm, and the rib thickness (the vertical distance between ribs) is approximately 15 mm. In other words, the width dimension of the probe 10 in one direction (the dimension in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction of the probe 10) must be at least 35 mm to cover (span) one intercostal space and one rib vertically.

[0034] The width dimension of the probe 10 in one direction can be either the width dimension W or the length dimension L, as in this embodiment when the probe 10 is rectangular. If the probe 10 is rectangular, as in this embodiment, the width dimension of the probe 10 in one direction can also be the diagonal dimension. Furthermore, the width dimension of the probe 10 in one direction refers to the minimum dimension of the probe's width that is secured, i.e., the minimum required dimension. Hereinafter, the width dimension of the probe 10 in one direction will be referred to as the "required dimension." For example, the required dimension of the probe 10 may be the maximum width dimension of the probe 10. On the other hand, the maximum width dimension of the probe 10 may be larger than the required dimension of the probe 10. That is, the maximum width dimension of the probe 10 should be equal to or larger than the required dimension. The direction in which the required dimension is defined can be the direction of the alignment of a person's ribs or the direction of a person's trunk.

[0035] The required dimensions of the probe 10 can be 50 mm or more, preferably 55 mm or more, more preferably 60 mm or more, even more preferably 90 mm or more, even more preferably 100 mm or more, even more preferably 125 mm or more, and even more preferably 130 mm or more. More specifically, in order for the probe 10 to span two intercostal spaces, the lower limit of the required dimensions of the probe 10 can be 50 mm. Alternatively, the lower limit of the required dimensions of the probe 10 can be 55 mm. In this way, when the probe 10 is attached in a position that fits from the upper end of the third intercostal space to the lower end of the fourth intercostal space, it can completely cover the two intercostal spaces in the vertical direction.

[0036] Furthermore, the minimum required dimension of the probe 10 can be set to 60 mm. This way, even if the mounting position of the probe 10 is shifted by a few millimeters, ultrasound can still be irradiated to the heart and its blood vessels. In addition, the minimum required dimension of the probe 10 can be set to 90 mm to span three intercostal spaces, and to 125 mm to span four intercostal spaces. This way, ultrasound can be stably irradiated even to patients with large body sizes, and ultrasound can still be irradiated to the heart and its blood vessels even if the mounting position of the probe 10 is slightly shifted.

[0037] Furthermore, the required dimensions of the probe 10 can be 130 mm or less, or 100 mm or less. More specifically, the upper limit of the required dimensions of the probe 10 is not particularly limited in terms of its function as an ultrasonic irradiation device, but considering ease of attachment to the person being irradiated, it can be set to 130 mm. In addition, considering portability so that it can be used in emergency situations, the upper limit of the required dimensions of the probe 10 can be set to 100 mm.

[0038] Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the process of a treatment method (ultrasonic irradiation treatment or ultrasonic treatment treatment) in one embodiment using the ultrasonic irradiation device 100. The flow of the treatment method using the ultrasonic irradiation device 100 will be explained below with reference to Figure 6.

[0039] First, in the ultrasonic irradiation treatment (ultrasonic therapy treatment) of the present invention, a microbubble contrast agent containing microbubbles is first administered into the blood vessels (e.g., veins) of the person being irradiated (step S1). For example, in step S1, the microbubble contrast agent is diluted with physiological saline or the like and introduced into the blood vessels of the person being irradiated as an injection solution or infusion solution.

[0040] Next, it is determined whether the switch 19 for starting ultrasonic irradiation has been operated (step S2). If the switch 19 has not been operated (step S2: NO), the process returns to step 2. On the other hand, if the switch 19 has been operated (step S2: YES), the control device 1 (control unit 11) controls the probe 10 to start ultrasonic irradiation (step S3).

[0041] In step S3, the control unit 11 (control device 1) controls the probe 10 to alternate between a transmission state in which a predetermined number of waves are continuously transmitted from the probe 10 and a rest state in which no ultrasound is transmitted from the probe 10. The interval between the transmission states (length of the rest state) is the reperfusion time of microbubbles in the blood, from the viewpoint of the treatment efficiency of heart disease. For example, the interval between the transmission states can be 30 ms or more, 100 ms or less, and preferably 50 ms.

[0042] Furthermore, the number of waves transmitted in a single transmission state (the number of waves transmitted within the duration of a single transmission state) can be two or more. For example, from the viewpoint of treatment efficiency for heart disease, the number of waves transmitted in a single transmission state can be eight or more, and can be 20 or less, with 12 waves being preferred. Since the transmission time of one wave is 0.4 μs, if eight waves are transmitted in a single transmission state, the duration of the transmission state will be 3.2 μs; if twelve waves are transmitted in a single transmission state, the duration of the transmission state will be 4.8 μs; and if twenty waves are transmitted in a single transmission state, the duration of the transmission state will be 8.0 μs.

[0043] Furthermore, the lower limit of the ultrasonic frequency transmitted in step S3 can be set to 2 MHz or higher so that the effect can be obtained even in people with large body sizes, and the upper limit of the frequency can be set to 3.5 MHz or lower from a safety standpoint. In addition, the ultrasonic frequency is preferably set to 2.5 MHz from the viewpoint of penetration depth and efficient action on microbubbles.

[0044] Furthermore, the lower limit of the ultrasonic intensity (indicated by the MI (Mechanical Index) value) transmitted in step S3 can be set to 1.1 or higher in order to efficiently crush the microbubbles (for efficient action on the microbubbles), and the upper limit of the ultrasonic intensity can be set to 1.5 from a safety standpoint. In addition, it is preferable to set the ultrasonic intensity to 1.3 from the perspective of both efficient action on the microbubbles and safety.

[0045] Next, when ultrasound irradiation is started in step S3, it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of ultrasound irradiation (step S4). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S4: NO), the process returns to the same step 4. That is, ultrasound irradiation continues. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S2: YES), ultrasound irradiation is automatically terminated (step S5), and the ultrasound irradiation process (ultrasound treatment process) is terminated.

[0046] Here, the predetermined time in step S4 can also be defined as the irradiation time for ultrasound irradiation, and is set to a length that is necessary and sufficient to treat heart disease by applying ultrasound to microbubbles. For example, the lower limit of the predetermined time can be 15 minutes, and the upper limit can be 60 minutes. Alternatively, the predetermined time can be 30 minutes.

[0047] According to the present invention, the probe 10 is formed in a flexible sheet shape, and the required dimensions of the probe 10 are 50 mm or more. Therefore, when the probe 10 is attached to the surface of a person's chest, it spans two intercostal spaces, allowing ultrasound to be reliably irradiated to the blood vessels of the chest (especially the heart) through the two intercostal spaces. Consequently, microbubbles (microbubbles or nanobubbles) in the contrast agent administered into the patient's blood vessels can be reliably crushed, and the therapeutic effect can be appropriately obtained. Furthermore, because the probe 10 is sufficiently large relative to the ribs, it can cover the intercostal spaces even if its position is slightly misaligned, enabling simple operation. For example, with the ultrasound irradiation device 100 of the present invention, paramedics and emergency medical technicians, in addition to cardiologists, can use it after a short period of training. Therefore, the ultrasound irradiation device 100 of the present invention offers simple operation and can be suitably used for the treatment of heart disease.

[0048] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the contact surface of the probe 10 is provided with an adhesive layer 30 for adhering the probe 10 to the body surface. Therefore, the probe 10 can be easily attached to the body surface of a person's chest. Also, even if the person moves during ultrasound irradiation, the probe 10 maintains its position and the therapeutic effect can be obtained. With this configuration, for example, even in shaking situations such as inside an ambulance or a helicopter, the probe 10 can be adhered to the body surface and the therapeutic effect can be obtained.

[0049] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the control unit 11 (control device 1) automatically terminates ultrasonic irradiation after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of ultrasonic irradiation. Therefore, since ultrasonic irradiation automatically terminates after the predetermined time has elapsed simply by operating the switch 19 at the start, it offers excellent workability and operability. In particular, it prevents the ultrasonic irradiation device 100 from continuing to operate due to forgetting to terminate the ultrasonic irradiation.

[0050] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the control unit 11 (control device 1) controls the probe 10 to repeatedly alternate between a transmission state in which a predetermined number of waves are continuously transmitted from the probe 10 and a rest state in which ultrasound is not transmitted from the probe 10, thereby improving the treatment efficiency of heart disease.

[0051] In this invention, the ultrasonic irradiation device corresponds to the ultrasonic irradiation device 100, and similarly, the probe corresponds to the probe 10, the control unit corresponds to the control unit 11 or control device 1, and the adhesive layer corresponds to the adhesive layer 30. However, this invention is not limited to this embodiment and can take various other forms. Furthermore, the specific configurations and other details mentioned in the above embodiments are merely examples and can be modified as appropriate according to the actual product.

[0052] For example, the content of the ultrasonic irradiation process (ultrasonic treatment process) is not limited to the content of the embodiment described above and can be changed. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the process of a modified embodiment of the treatment method using an ultrasonic irradiation device. Note that the processes other than steps S11 and S12 (steps S1 to S5) are the same as steps S1 to S5 of the embodiment described above, so a detailed explanation is omitted. As shown in Figure 7, when ultrasonic irradiation is started in step S3, the receiving processing unit 13 detects a change in brightness of the backscattered wave from the received signal corresponding to the reflected wave received (step S11), outputs the brightness change and presents it to the user of the ultrasonic irradiation device 100 (step S12), and decides whether to interrupt (step S13). Here, if the brightness (intensity of the backscattered wave) falls below a predetermined value, it is determined that many microbubbles have collapsed and the process is interrupted. If the process is interrupted, that is, if it is determined that many microbubbles have collapsed, the process proceeds to step S5. On the other hand, if the process is not interrupted, that is, if it is determined that many microbubbles have not collapsed, the process proceeds to step S4. In this way, the user of the ultrasound irradiation device 100 can recognize by the change in brightness whether microbubbles have entered the irradiation area (increase in brightness), whether the microbubbles have collapsed (decrease in brightness), or whether the microbubbles have recirculated, and can continue or interrupt the ultrasound irradiation. Further developing this embodiment, immediately after starting ultrasound irradiation in step S3, a low-power mode (MI value of 1.0 or less) can be used to observe whether microbubbles have entered the irradiation area, and if microbubbles have entered the irradiation area, a high-power mode (MI value of approximately 1.1 to 1.5) can be used to apply ultrasound to the microbubbles and observe whether the microbubbles have collapsed. In this way, cardiac disease can be treated more appropriately.

[0053] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment explained the case where the contour shape of the probe 10, when viewed from the thickness direction, is rectangular, it is not limited to this, as long as it is a shape that is easy to place on a person's chest. For example, the contour shape of the probe 10 may be circular or elliptical, or it may be an arc shape as shown in Figure 8, or it may be any other arbitrary shape. In particular, by making the contour shape of the probe 10 an arc shape, it can be easily placed on the chest of an adult woman, and can be suitably used in the treatment of heart disease.

[0054] Furthermore, the present invention can be provided not only as an ultrasonic irradiation device, but also as an ultrasonic irradiation method including ultrasonic irradiation treatment (ultrasonic treatment treatment) using an ultrasonic irradiation device, and as an ultrasonic treatment method. In addition, the ultrasonic irradiation device 100 can be used in conjunction with instruments and devices for administering a contrast agent containing microbubbles into a person's blood vessels to constitute an ultrasonic treatment system. [Industrial applicability]

[0055] This invention can be used in industries such as the manufacture and use of ultrasonic irradiation devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 100...Ultrasonic irradiation device 1...Control device 10…Probe 11…Control Unit 12...Transmission Processing Unit 13…Receiving Processing Unit 14... Brightness change detection unit 15...Brightness change output section 16…Power supply control unit 17... Operation Input Section 18…Auxiliary storage section 19…Switch

Claims

1. An ultrasonic irradiation device used for treating people by utilizing the effect of ultrasound on microbubbles, which is the mechanical action when microbubbles vibrate when they are subjected to ultrasound, or the mechanical action when microbubbles collapse, A flexible, sheet-like member that can be attached to the surface of a person's chest, comprising a probe capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves, The system includes a control unit that controls the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves from the probe at a predetermined intensity and interval, The width and length dimensions of the probe are each 90 mm or more. The control unit includes a receiving processing unit that receives a received signal generated by the probe from a reflected wave including a backscattered wave that has been backscattered within the body of the person being irradiated with ultrasound, and a brightness change detection unit that detects a brightness change, which is a time change in the intensity of the backscattered wave, from the received signal corresponding to the reflected wave. The control unit is configured to interrupt ultrasonic transmission when it determines that many microbubbles have collapsed when the brightness falls below a predetermined value. Ultrasonic irradiation device.

2. A flexible sheet-like member that can be attached to the surface of a person's chest, comprising a probe capable of transmitting and receiving ultrasound, The system includes a control unit that controls the probe to transmit ultrasonic waves from the probe at a predetermined intensity and interval, The width and length dimensions of the probe are each 90 mm or more. The control unit includes a receiving processing unit that receives a received signal generated by the probe from a reflected wave including a backscattered wave that has been backscattered within the body of the person being irradiated with ultrasound, and a brightness change detection unit that detects a brightness change, which is a time change in the intensity of the backscattered wave, from the received signal corresponding to the reflected wave. The control unit is configured to operate in a low-power mode immediately after the start of ultrasonic transmission, where the MI value of the ultrasonic waves is below a predetermined value. If an increase in brightness is observed in the low-power mode, it switches to a high-power mode with a higher MI value than the low-power mode. Ultrasonic irradiation device.

3. The control unit stops transmitting ultrasound from the probe after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of ultrasound transmission from the probe. The ultrasonic irradiation device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control unit controls the probe to alternate between a transmission state in which a predetermined number of waves are continuously transmitted from the probe and a rest state in which no ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the probe. The ultrasonic irradiation device according to claim 3.

5. The number of waves transmitted in a single transmission state is between 8 and 20. The ultrasonic irradiation device according to claim 4.

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