Acoustic coupler for hifu treatment

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to clearly indicate whether a liquid containment used in HIFU treatment is in proper contact with the patient. The HIFU irradiation system includes a coupling bag 14, which serves as a liquid containment, located between each ultrasound resonator transmitting therapeutic ultrasound waves and the patient, and a position adjustment unit that determines the position of the coupling bag 14. On the outer surface of the coupling bag 14 facing the patient, first index lines 50-1 to third index lines 50-3 indicating the contact state with the patient are depicted.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This invention relates to an acoustic coupling device for HIFU treatment, and more particularly to a liquid containment body that comes into contact with a patient during HIFU treatment. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Treatment devices using high-density focused ultrasound therapy are now widely used. This treatment device, called a HIFU irradiation device or HIFU irradiation system, irradiates the treatment site with ultrasound waves to cause tissue necrosis.

[0003] Generally, a HIFU irradiation device has multiple ultrasound resonators arranged on a bowl-shaped surface. These multiple ultrasound resonators are arranged such that the ultrasound waves emitted from each resonator are focused on a single point to form a focal point. During treatment, the focal point is aligned with the treatment area to irradiate with ultrasound. The irradiation position is confirmed using an ultrasound diagnostic device that displays the focal point on the ultrasound image.

[0004] Patent Document 1 below describes an ultrasound therapy device that uses an ultrasound diagnostic device displaying B-mode images (tomographic images) to observe the position of the focal point. In this device, a weak-order ultrasound wave that has no effect on the tissue is emitted from a therapeutic ultrasound resonator, and a tomographic image is displayed by transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves caused by an ultrasound imaging probe. The acoustic properties of the tissue being examined change with the temperature of the tissue, so the position of the focal point is indicated by the intensity of the brightness in the tomographic image.

[0005] Patent documents 2 and 3 disclose a HIFU irradiation device. In the HIFU irradiation device disclosed in Patent Document 2, a coupling bag filled with liquid is provided between the ultrasonic vibrator that emits therapeutic ultrasound waves and the patient, and between the ultrasound imaging probe and the patient. The coupling bag is filled with liquid. The coupling bag integrates the acoustic impedance between the ultrasonic vibrator and the patient, and between the ultrasound imaging probe and the patient.

[0006] The HIFU irradiation device described in Patent Document 3 includes: an ultrasound therapy transducer and a bonding assembly configured to acoustically bond an ultrasound imaging transducer to a patient. The bonding assembly is formed in the shape of a container having an opening for receiving the ultrasound therapy transducer and the ultrasound imaging transducer, with the bottom surface of the container contacting the patient. The bonding assembly is filled with a fluid that serves as an acoustic bonding medium for acoustically bonding the ultrasound therapy transducer and the ultrasound imaging transducer to the patient. By immersing the ultrasound therapy transducer and the ultrasound imaging transducer in the fluid filled in the bonding assembly, the ultrasound therapy transducer and the ultrasound imaging transducer are acoustically bonded to the patient.

[0007] 『Patent Documents』 《Patent Document 1》: Japanese Patent Publication No. H8-71069 《Patent Document 2》: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-104782 《Patent Document 3》: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-530477

[0008] Non-Patent Literature: "Photonic Rubber," a nanotechnology material whose color changes upon deformation. URL: https: / / trinus.jp / projects / 12?locale=ja [Summary of the Invention]

[0009] In the prior art, it is difficult for the user to confirm whether the liquid containment such as the coupling bag and the bonding component between the ultrasonic vibrator that emits therapeutic ultrasound and the patient is in proper contact with the patient.

[0010] The purpose of this invention is to clearly indicate whether a liquid containment used in HIFU treatment is appropriate for contact with the patient.

[0011] The HIFU therapeutic acoustic combiner of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a liquid containment located between an ultrasonic vibrator that transmits therapeutic ultrasound and a patient, and a position adjustment unit that determines the position of the liquid containment, wherein a contact index indicating the contact state with the patient is provided on the outer surface of the liquid containment facing the patient.

[0012] In one embodiment, the aforementioned outer surface has a curved surface that bulges toward the aforementioned patient side, and the aforementioned contact index represents an index line extending in a direction along the aforementioned patient's body surface.

[0013] In one embodiment, the aforementioned outer surface is formed to be slightly circular when viewed from the patient's side, and the aforementioned indicator line is part or all of one of the circular or slightly circular lines drawn along the surface of the patient's body.

[0014] In one embodiment, the region forming the aforementioned outer surface is formed of a stretchable material, the aforementioned outer surface has a curved surface that bulges toward the aforementioned patient side, the aforementioned stretchable material is a material whose color changes due to stretching, and the aforementioned contact index is an index achieved by the color change of the aforementioned outer surface.

[0015] In one embodiment, the liquid containment includes a frame for fixing the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator, the liquid containment includes a coupling bag that covers the aforementioned frame and the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator from the patient side, the coupling bag loads liquid between the aforementioned frame and the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator, and the aforementioned position adjustment unit determines the position of the aforementioned frame.

[0016] In one embodiment, the aforementioned position adjustment unit adjusts the coupling distance between the aforementioned frame and the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator and the aforementioned coupling bag, and provides a plurality of aforementioned contact indicators with defined positions according to the difference in the aforementioned coupling distance.

[0017] In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging probe is mounted on the aforementioned frame, and the aforementioned coupling bag covers the aforementioned ultrasound imaging probe from the aforementioned patient side.

[0018] In one embodiment, a frame is provided to fix the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator, and the aforementioned position adjustment unit determines the position of the aforementioned liquid container regardless of the position of the aforementioned frame.

[0019] According to the present invention, it can be clearly indicated whether the liquid containment used in HIFU treatment is in appropriate contact with the patient.

Implementation Method

[0029] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the figures. Identical components shown in multiple figures are designated by the same symbols, and their descriptions are omitted. Furthermore, terms such as up, down, left, and right in this specification indicate directions in the figures. These directional terms are used for ease of explanation and do not limit the configuration of the components.

[0030] Figure 1 illustrates the structure of a HIFU irradiation system 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The HIFU irradiation system 100 includes: an ultrasound imaging probe 10 (hereinafter referred to as ultrasound probe 10), a HIFU vibrating subunit 12, a coupling bag 14, a robotic arm 18, a controller 22, and a display device 24. In Figure 1, the plane parallel to the surface where the patient 30 lies is defined as the zx plane, and the coordinate axis perpendicular to the zx plane is defined as the y-axis.

[0031] The HIFU vibrator subunit 12 includes a vibrator frame 16 and a plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 2. The vibrator frame 16 has a concave surface 4 with an opening facing downwards. The plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 2 are arranged along the concave surface 4 in the vibrator frame 16 and fixed to the vibrator frame 16. The HIFU vibrator subunit 12 may not have a solid concave surface 4. In this case, the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators 2 can be fixed to the vibrator frame 16 in a manner that arranges them along an imaginary concave surface 4.

[0032] The concave surface 4 of the vibrating subframe 16 may also have the same shape as the side surface of the cone. Here, the cone refers to a three-dimensional shape formed by a set of straight lines extending from a point in space to the bottom surface. Furthermore, the concave surface 4 of the vibrating subframe 16 may also have a shape that bulges upward into a dome shape. Each ultrasonic vibrator 2 is fixed to the vibrating subframe 16 in such a way that when each ultrasonic vibrator 2 emits ultrasonic waves, the intensity of the ultrasonic waves is enhanced at the treatment reference point P below the vibrating subframe 16. That is, each ultrasonic vibrator 2 is fixed to the vibrating subframe 16 in such a way that the focal point F is formed at the treatment reference point P.

[0033] The ultrasound probe 10 is mounted on the vibrating sub-frame 16 in a position that transmits and receives ultrasound waves below the vibrating sub-frame 16 and above the focal point F. In this embodiment, the ultrasound probe 10 extends vertically through the apex of the vibrating sub-frame 16, with the probe tip 32 for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves facing downwards. The ultrasound probe 10 is directional, transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves on an observation surface facing the direction corresponding to the structure of the ultrasound probe 10. The ultrasound probe 10 can also move freely in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the ultrasound probe 10 can also rotate freely about its long side axis.

[0034] A coupling bag 14 is provided below the HIFU vibrator unit 12 to integrate the acoustic impedance between each ultrasound vibrator 2 and the patient 30, and between the ultrasound probe 10 and the patient 30. The coupling bag 14, as a liquid container, can be a bag filled with a liquid such as water. The coupling bag 14 can be formed of an elastic material such as silicone resin. The coupling bag 14 contains liquid between each ultrasound vibrator 2 and the ultrasound probe 10 and the patient 30.

[0035] The ultrasound probe 10, the HIFU vibrating subunit 12, and the coupling bag 14 are mounted at the end of the robotic arm 18, which serves as a transport mechanism. The robotic arm 18 is composed of multiple arms 18a connected by joints 18b, which are mounted on the frame of the controller 22 via the joints 18b. By oscillating each arm 18a around the joints 18b as rotation axes, the robotic arm 18 transports the movable body 20, including the ultrasound probe 10, the HIFU vibrating subunit 12, and the coupling bag 14, along three directions: the x-axis, the y-axis, and the z-axis.

[0036] The controller 22 includes a HIFU control unit 26 and a mechanical control unit 28. The HIFU control unit 26 includes a computer, circuitry for controlling the ultrasound probe 10, and circuitry for controlling the HIFU vibrating subunit 12. The computer in the HIFU control unit 26 can be a business computer, a personal computer, a tablet computer, etc. The computer executes programs to process and display various images. An operating device (not shown) for the user to operate the HIFU irradiation system 100 is connected to the HIFU control unit 26. The operating device may include a mouse, a touch panel integrated with the display device 24, a switch, a keyboard, etc.

[0037] The HIFU control unit 26 performs processing to operate the ultrasound probe 10 and the HIFU vibrator subunit 12. For example, the HIFU control unit 26 causes the ultrasound probe 10 to transmit and receive ultrasound waves, and generates B-mode image data based on the received signals of the ultrasound waves transmitted and received by the ultrasound probe 10, and displays the B-mode image on the display device 24. Furthermore, the HIFU control unit 26 causes each ultrasound vibrator 2 of the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 to transmit therapeutic ultrasound waves.

[0038] The mechanical control unit 28 can control the robotic arm 18 in response to the control of the HIFU control unit 26, so that the robotic arm 18 transports the movable body 20. Furthermore, the mechanical control unit 28 may also be equipped with an operating device. In this case, the mechanical control unit 28 can also control the robotic arm 18 in response to the operation of the operating device caused by the user.

[0039] Before the therapeutic ultrasound waves are irradiated from the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 to the patient 30, the following position determination process can be performed. The HIFU control unit 26 causes each ultrasound vibrator 2 to emit ultrasound waves with an intensity lower than that used during treatment. The position and shape of the ultrasound probe 10 are set so that the observation surface of the ultrasound probe 10 is aligned with the observation target surface of the patient 30. Here, the observation target surface refers to the surface on the patient 30 where ultrasound images such as B-mode images are observed. The HIFU control unit 26 causes the ultrasound probe 10 to scan the ultrasound beam on the observation target surface of the patient 30 to obtain B-mode image data. The HIFU control unit 26 causes the display device 24 to display the B-mode image. The user, as the operator, refers to the B-mode image displayed on the display device 24 to confirm the difference between the focal point F of the ultrasound waves emitted from the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 and the position of the affected area located at the treatment reference point P.

[0040] When the difference between the position of the focal point F and the position of the affected area is outside the acceptable range, the user operates the robotic arm 18 to change the position or shape of the ultrasound probe 10 and the HIFU vibrator unit 12. After confirming that the position of the focal point F is consistent with the position of the affected area, the user performs the treatment operation on the HIFU control unit 26. In response to the operation performed by the user, the HIFU control unit 26 causes each ultrasound vibrator 2 to send therapeutic ultrasound waves with the required intensity for treatment. Thereby, the living tissue is cauterized at the focal point F, and treatment is performed.

[0041] Figure 2A illustrates an example of the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14. Figure 2B shows a view of the coupling bag 14 from below. The coupling bag 14 in this embodiment has a curved surface that bulges towards the patient 30. The shape of the coupling bag 14 when viewed from below is circular or slightly circular. That is, the shape of the coupling bag 14 projected onto the zx plane is circular or slightly circular. Here, "slightly circular" means a shape that is a circular deformation without impairing the function of the coupling bag 14.

[0042] On the outer surface of the coupling bag 14 facing the patient 30, first index line 50-1 to third index line 50-3 are sequentially drawn from top to bottom as contact indicators representing the contact state with the patient 30. First index line 50-1 to third index line 50-3 are drawn in-plane along the surface of the patient 30 by lines extending along the body surface of the patient 30. In the coupling bag 14 shown in Figures 2A and 2B, first index line 50-1 to third index line 50-3 can be drawn such that their respective centers of gravity coincide with the center of gravity of the shape when the coupling bag 14 is projected onto the zx plane. When the projected shape of the coupling bag 14 onto the zx plane is circular, first index line 50-1 to third index line 50-3 can be drawn as concentric circles with the center of the projected shape as a common center.

[0043] In the HIFU irradiation system 100 of this embodiment, an adjustment mechanism 52 for adjusting the distance between the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14 is provided between them. The distance between the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14 (hereinafter referred to as the coupling distance) is, for example, defined as the difference in y-axis coordinate values ​​between a predetermined reference point of the vibrating subframe 16 and the lowest point of the coupling bag 14.

[0044] The adjustment mechanism 52 is controlled by the mechanical control unit 28, enabling the coupling bag 14 to move vertically relative to the HIFU vibrating subunit 12. This allows the coupling distance to be adjusted according to the position of the focal point F. The coupling distance can be pre-adjusted before treatment based on the depth of the focal point F from the patient's body surface 30.

[0045] Figures 3A to 3C illustrate the HIFU vibrating subunit 12, adjustment mechanism 52, coupling bag 14, and the propagation area 54 and focal point F of the therapeutic ultrasound for three different coupling distances. Figure 3B shows the case where the focal point F is located at a shallower position than in Figure 3A, and Figure 3C shows the case where the focal point F is located at a shallower position than in Figure 3B. The position of the coupling bag 14 is adjusted so that the coupling distance increases as the focal point F becomes shallower.

[0046] The first indicator line 50-1 to the third indicator line 50-3 depict the outer edge of the propagation region 54 or slightly outside the outer edge. That is, the first indicator line 50-1 is depicted at the outer edge of the propagation region 54 or slightly outside the outer edge when the coupling distance is at its minimum, as shown in Figure 3A. The second indicator line 50-2 is depicted at the outer edge of the propagation region 54 or slightly outside the outer edge when the coupling distance is between its maximum and minimum values, as shown in Figure 3B. The third indicator line 50-3 is depicted at the outer edge of the propagation region 54 or slightly outside the outer edge when the coupling distance is at its maximum, as shown in Figure 3C.

[0047] The above describes an example of determining the positions of the first index line 50-1 to the third index line 50-3 based on the difference in the propagation region 54. Since the propagation region 54 varies depending on the coupling distance, the vertical positions of the first index line 50-1 to the third index line 50-3 can be determined according to the difference in the coupling distance.

[0048] The following describes the method of using the first indicator line 50-1 in the state shown in Figure 3A, where the coupling distance is minimal. Figure 4A illustrates the state of the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 when the fit between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 is insufficient. In this state, the user can see the first indicator line 50-1 drawn on the coupling bag 14. In this state, a gap is generated between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 in the propagation area 54. In this case, multiple reflections of the therapeutic ultrasound may occur in the gap between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30, resulting in a loss of energy imparted to the focal point F.

[0049] Figure 4B illustrates the state of the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 when the fit between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 is appropriate. It shows the state where the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14 are moved downwards under the control of the mechanical control unit 28, and the first indicator line 50-1 of the coupling bag 14 is hidden on the surface of the patient 30. In this state, the user cannot see the first indicator line 50-1. In this state, there is no gap between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 in the area where therapeutic ultrasound waves are transmitted, and the fit between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 is appropriate. Therefore, the state shown in Figure 4A, where the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14 are moved downwards and the first indicator line 50-1 of the coupling bag 14 is hidden on the surface of the patient 30, is an appropriate state.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3B, when the coupling distance is between the maximum and minimum values, the appropriate state is when the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14 are moved downwards and hidden on the surface of the patient 30 by the second index line 50-2 of the coupling bag 14. As shown in Figure 3C, when the coupling distance is between the maximum and minimum values, the appropriate state is when the HIFU vibrating subunit 12 and the coupling bag 14 are moved downwards and hidden on the surface of the patient 30 by the third index line 50-3 of the coupling bag 14.

[0051] Thus, the HIFU irradiation system 100 of this embodiment includes an acoustic coupling device for HIFU treatment, which includes: a coupling bag 14 serving as a liquid containment located between each ultrasound vibrator 2 transmitting therapeutic ultrasound waves and the patient 30, and a robotic arm 18 serving as a position adjustment unit for determining the position of the coupling bag 14. Contact indicators indicating the contact state with the patient 30 are provided on the outer surface of the coupling bag 14 facing the patient 30. In this embodiment, the contact indicators are drawn on the first indicator line 50-1 to the third indicator line 50-3 of the coupling bag 14.

[0052] Based on the acoustic coupling device for HIFU treatment, the user can determine whether the contact state between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 is appropriate according to the contact indicators and the patient's condition. That is, the user can determine whether the contact state between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 is appropriate based on whether the indicator lines selected from the first indicator line 50-1 to the third indicator line 50-3, corresponding to the coupling distance, are hidden on the surface of the patient 30.

[0053] In the above, although an example of drawing three indicator lines in the coupling bag 14 has been disclosed, the number of indicator lines drawn in the coupling bag 14 is arbitrary. That is, depending on the value obtained by the coupling distance, any number of indicator lines can be drawn in the coupling bag 14.

[0054] Furthermore, as described above, the first indicator line 50-1 to the third indicator line 50-3, which are solid lines that are circular or slightly circular, are depicted on the coupling bag 14 as contact indicators representing the contact state between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30. Each indicator line may also be a partial depiction of the area viewed by the user. That is, the first indicator line 50-1 to the third indicator line 50-3 may also be part or all of a circular or slightly circular line drawn along the surface of the patient 30.

[0055] Each indicator line can also be represented by the boundary line of two areas with different colors. For example, on the outer surface of the coupling bag 14 facing the patient 30, the area above and the area below the first indicator line 50-1 are colored differently, and the first indicator line 50-1 can also be depicted by the boundary line of the upper and lower areas.

[0056] Furthermore, the contact indicators may also be circular, elliptical, polygonal, or other marks arranged along imaginary indicator lines, or patterns arranged along imaginary indicator lines.

[0057] At least a portion of the area on the outer side facing the patient in the coupling bag 14 may also be formed of a stretchable material, which may be a material whose color changes with stretching. Such a stretchable color-changing material includes materials called photonic rubber (Non-Patent Document 1), stretchable colored sheets, etc. The stretchable color-changing material functions as a contact indicator indicating the contact state between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30. For example, a stretchable color-changing material extending in a strip along an imaginary indicator line may also be provided on the outer side facing the patient 30 in the coupling bag 14. The user can judge whether the contact state between the coupling bag 14 and the patient 30 is appropriate by observing the color of the stretchable color-changing material.

[0058] Figure 5 illustrates the structure of a HIFU irradiation system 102 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the HIFU irradiation system 102, the coupling bag 14 and the liquid inside it, which are disposed below the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 in the HIFU irradiation system 100, are removed. Instead of the coupling bag 14, a coupling container 64, which serves as a liquid containment, and a position adjustment device 60, which serves as a position adjustment part for determining the position of the coupling container 64, are provided in the HIFU irradiation system 102. Thus, a typical system of the HIFU irradiation system 102 in which the coupling container 64 is separated from the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 is described in Patent Document 3.

[0059] The coupling container 64 has a container shape with an open top, and liquid is injected into the coupling container 64. The bottom surface of the outer side of the coupling container 64, that is, the outer side of the patient 30, may have a curved surface that bulges towards the patient 30. The bottom surface of the outer side of the coupling container 64 may be formed of an elastic material.

[0060] The coupling container 64 is mounted on the container position adjustment arm 62 of the position adjustment device 60. The position adjustment device 60 is controlled by the mechanical control unit 28, and the position of the coupling container 64 is adjusted by the container position adjustment arm 62. During treatment, liquid is injected into the coupling container 64 so that the bottom surface of the coupling container 64 contacts the patient 30. In this state, the robotic arm 18 moves the movable body 20 downward to immerse the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 and the ultrasound probe 10 in the liquid inside the coupling container 64. Thereby, the coupling container 64 is positioned between the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 equipped with each ultrasound vibrator 2 and the patient 30, and the HIFU vibrator subunit 12 and the ultrasound probe 10 are acoustically bonded to the patient 30 through the liquid inside the coupling container 64.

[0061] Thus, in the HIFU irradiation system 102 related to this embodiment, the position adjustment device 60, which is a position adjustment unit, adjusts the position of the coupling container 64, which is a liquid containment body, regardless of the position of the vibrating sub-frame 16 of the HIFU vibrating sub-unit 12.

[0062] Furthermore, a position adjustment unit that adjusts the position of the coupling container 64 without relying on power can be used instead of the position adjustment device 60. For example, the container position adjustment arm 62 can be one that allows manual adjustment of the position of the coupling container 64. Also, a bracket having a columnar component erected on the ground and a bowl-shaped component extending laterally from the columnar component can be used as the position adjustment unit. In this case, the coupling container 64 is fixed to the end of the bowl-shaped component, and the length, height, etc., of the bowl-shaped component are adjusted manually.

[0063] Similar to the coupling bag 14 in the HIFU irradiation system 100, a contact indicator indicating the contact state with the patient 30 is provided on the outer side of the coupling container 64 facing the patient 30. The contact indicator may be the same as the indicator provided on the coupling bag 14. In this way, the user can determine whether the contact state between the coupling container 64 and the patient 30 is appropriate based on the contact indicator and the state with the patient 30 when the coupling container 64 is in contact with the patient 30. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0020] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the HIFU irradiation system related to the first embodiment.

[0021] Figure 2A is a diagram showing the HIFU vibrating subunit and coupling bag.

[0022] 〈Fig. 2B〉 is a view of the coupling bag from below.

[0023] Figure 3A is a diagram showing the HIFU vibrating subunit, adjustment mechanism and coupling bag, as well as the propagation area and focal point of the ultrasound for therapeutic use.

[0024] Figure 3B is a diagram showing the HIFU vibrating subunit, adjustment mechanism and coupling bag, as well as the propagation area and focal point of the ultrasound for therapeutic use.

[0025] Figure 3C is a diagram showing the HIFU vibrating subunit, adjustment mechanism and coupling bag, as well as the propagation area and focal point of the ultrasound for therapeutic use.

[0026] Figure 4A is a diagram showing the state of the coupling bag and the patient when the fit between the coupling bag and the patient is insufficient.

[0027] Figure 4B is a diagram showing the state of the coupling bag and the patient when the fit between the coupling bag and the patient is appropriate.

[0028] Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the structure of the HIFU irradiation system related to the second embodiment.

Claims

1. An acoustic coupling device for HIFU treatment, comprising: a liquid containment located between an ultrasonic vibrator for transmitting therapeutic ultrasound and a patient, and a position adjustment unit for determining the position of the liquid containment, wherein a contact indicator indicating the contact state with the patient is provided on an outer surface of the liquid containment facing the patient, wherein the outer surface has a curved surface bulging towards the patient, and the contact indicator represents an indicator line extending in a direction along the surface of the patient's body.

2. The HIFU therapeutic acoustic connector as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aforementioned outer surface is formed to be slightly circular when viewed from the patient's side, and the aforementioned indicator line is part or all of a circular or slightly circular line drawn along the surface of the patient's body.

3. An acoustic coupling device for HIFU treatment, comprising: a liquid containment located between an ultrasonic vibrator that transmits therapeutic ultrasound and a patient, and a position adjustment unit that determines the position of the liquid containment, wherein a contact indicator indicating the contact state with the patient is provided on an outer surface of the liquid containment facing the patient, wherein the area forming the outer surface is formed of a stretchable material, the outer surface has a curved surface that bulges towards the patient, the stretchable material is a material whose color changes due to stretching, and the contact indicator is an indicator achieved by the color change of the outer surface.

4. The HIFU therapeutic acoustic coupling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a frame for fixing the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator, wherein the aforementioned liquid containment body comprises a coupling bag covering the aforementioned frame and the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator from the patient side, the aforementioned coupling bag loading liquid between the aforementioned frame and the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator, and the aforementioned position adjustment unit determining the position of the aforementioned frame.

5. The HIFU treatment acoustic coupling device as described in claim 4, wherein the aforementioned position adjustment unit adjusts the coupling distance between the aforementioned frame and the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator and the aforementioned coupling bag, and a plurality of aforementioned contact indicators with defined positions are provided in response to the difference in the aforementioned coupling distance.

6. The HIFU therapeutic acoustic coupling device as described in claim 4, comprising an ultrasound imaging probe mounted in the aforementioned frame, wherein the aforementioned coupling bag covers the aforementioned ultrasound imaging probe from the aforementioned patient side.

7. The HIFU therapeutic acoustic coupling device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a frame for fixing the aforementioned ultrasonic vibrator, wherein the aforementioned position adjustment unit determines the position of the aforementioned liquid containment body regardless of the position of the aforementioned frame.

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