Ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic surgical apparatus, and ultrasonic surgical device

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic probe (1), an ultrasonic surgical apparatus (200), and an ultrasonic surgical device (100), which can obtain high-definition ultrasonic images of deep tissues of a human body and are suitable for surgical occasions requiring a relatively fine puncture needle. The ultrasonic probe (1) is configured to be arranged in a hollow channel needle (2), and a distal end of the channel needle (2) is a sharp tip. The ultrasonic probe (1) comprises a probe housing, an ultrasonic assembly (13), and a wire, wherein the probe housing comprises a long groove (12) and an ultrasonic assembly mounting position (11) located at an end of the long groove (12), the ultrasonic assembly (13) is configured to be located in the ultrasonic assembly mounting position (11), the wire is arranged in the long groove (12), a first end of the wire is connected to the ultrasonic assembly (13), and a second end of the wire is configured to connect to an ultrasonic main unit.

Description

Ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic surgical device, and ultrasonic surgical equipment Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of ultrasonic equipment, and in particular to an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic surgical device, and an ultrasonic surgical device. Background Art

[0002] Ultrasound probes are commonly used medical testing devices, housing an ultrasonic transducer (or ultrasonic assembly). Their basic operating principle is that the probe housing is in good contact with the surface of human skin via a coupling agent. Sound waves, in the form of pulsed beams, propagate from the surface of the ultrasonic transducer into soft tissue. Part of the sound waves is absorbed by the tissue, while part is reflected back to the ultrasonic transducer for detection. Ultrasound probes can process many pulsed beams instantaneously, producing real-time images for diagnosis. The shorter the wavelength and the higher the frequency of the sound waves, the higher the image resolution. Therefore, high-frequency ultrasound probes are typically used to obtain clear ultrasound images. However, high-frequency pulses are more attenuated in soft tissue, meaning that high-frequency sound waves may not be sufficiently reflected from deeper structures for detection by the ultrasonic transducer.

[0003] Certain locations within the human body, such as tumors, are generally inaccessible to detection equipment through the body's natural cavities (e.g., the esophagus, rectum, etc.), so ultrasound testing can only be performed on the skin's surface. Existing techniques typically reduce the frequency of sound waves to obtain images of deep tissue, but this also reduces the resolution of deep images. This creates a problem: transcutaneous ultrasound struggles to obtain high-definition images of deep tissue. This makes it difficult to accurately assess the relationship between the puncture point and the tumor and surrounding tissue. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of this, the present application proposes an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic surgical device, and an ultrasonic surgical equipment, which can obtain high-definition ultrasonic images of deep tissues in the human body and are suitable for surgical occasions requiring a thinner puncture needle.

[0005] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present application, an ultrasound probe is provided for being set in a hollow channel needle, the ultrasound probe comprising a probe housing, an ultrasound component, and a guide wire, wherein: the probe housing comprises a long slot and an ultrasound component mounting position located at the end of the long slot; the ultrasound component is configured to be located in the ultrasound component mounting position; the guide wire is disposed in the long slot, a first end of the guide wire is connected to the ultrasound component, and a second end of the guide wire is used to connect to an ultrasound host.

[0006] In the ultrasound probe according to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present application, optionally, the wire is a flexible circuit board.

[0007] According to an aspect of the ultrasound probe of an exemplary embodiment of the present application, optionally but not limitingly, the outer diameter of the probe housing at the ultrasound component mounting position does not exceed 3 mm.

[0008] According to an aspect of the ultrasonic probe of an exemplary embodiment of the present application, optionally, the ultrasonic component mounting position has a guide slope, which starts from the top of the slot at one end where the long slot is connected to the ultrasonic component mounting position and extends toward the middle of the ultrasonic component mounting position along the length direction of the long slot.

[0009] According to the ultrasound probe of one aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present application, optionally but not limiting, the transverse cross-section of the long slot is V-shaped or arc-shaped.

[0010] In the ultrasound probe according to one aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present application, optionally, the long slot is formed of a hard material.

[0011] According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present application, an ultrasonic surgical device is provided, comprising a channel needle and an ultrasonic probe according to the aforementioned exemplary embodiment of the present application, wherein: the distal end of the channel needle is formed as a sharp tip, and an opening is provided on the tube wall of the channel needle near the distal end; the ultrasonic probe is configured to be located inside the channel needle, and the ultrasonic component of the ultrasonic probe is configured to be located corresponding to the position of the opening; there is a space inside the channel needle for accommodating a strip, and the opening is configured to allow the distal end of the strip to extend out of the channel needle from the opening.

[0012] According to the ultrasonic surgical device of another aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present application, optionally but not limiting, the opening angle of the opening in the circumferential direction of the channel needle is 100°-180°.

[0013] According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present application, the ultrasonic surgical device may optionally further include a tee, wherein a first straight tube is formed between the outlet of the tee and the first inlet of the tee, a second straight tube is formed between the middle opening of the first straight tube and the second inlet of the tee, and an angle is formed between the first straight tube and the second straight tube; the proximal end of the channel needle is connected to the outlet of the tee; the second inlet of the tee is used for allowing the strip to enter the channel needle.

[0014] According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment of the present application, an ultrasonic surgical device is provided, comprising a handle and an ultrasonic surgical apparatus according to the aforementioned exemplary embodiment of the present application, and the long slot is formed by a hard material, wherein: a steering motor and a gear set are accommodated inside the shell of the handle; the gear set is connected to the steering motor and to an ultrasonic probe arranged in the channel needle, so that the ultrasonic probe can rotate around its own axis when the motor rotates.

[0015] According to the technical solution of this application, the ultrasound probe is elongated and can be inserted into a hollow access needle. The probe housing has a long slot, and the flexible circuit board placed in the slot helps reduce the space occupied by the ultrasound component's wires within the access needle. As a result, the probe can still have a small radial dimension when an ablation needle or water pipe needs to be inserted into the access needle. This makes it suitable for surgical procedures requiring a small-sized puncture needle and can obtain high-definition ultrasound images of deep tissues in the human body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] For purposes of illustration and not limitation, the present application will now be described in terms of its preferred embodiments, particularly with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of the appearance of an ultrasonic surgical device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0018] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic surgical device in an exploded state according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0019] FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a connection state between an ultrasound assembly and a flexible circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0020] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application;

[0021] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of the main components inside the handle of an embodiment of an intracorporeal ultrasound device in an exemplary embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The following describes embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the external appearance of an ultrasonic surgical device according to an embodiment of the present application, and Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic surgical device according to an embodiment of the present application in a disassembled state. For ease of explanation, the following description, from the perspective of the device user, i.e., the surgeon, will describe the upper left portion of Figures 1 and 2 as the distal end, and the lower right portion as the proximal end.

[0023] The ultrasonic surgical equipment 100 includes an ultrasonic surgical device 200 and a handle 300. The ultrasonic surgical device 200 includes an ultrasonic probe 1, a channel needle 2, and a three-way tube 4. The ultrasonic probe 1 is arranged in the hollow channel needle 2. The distal end of the channel needle 2 is a sharp tip, which plays a puncture role during surgery. In the puncture of some organs, such as liver puncture, if the outer diameter of the puncture needle exceeds 3 mm, it is easy to cause severe bleeding. In existing endoscopic technology, multiple channels are usually set in the endoscope. For liver puncture, if an existing ultrasonic probe is set and an ablation needle is set at the same time, it is difficult to control the outer diameter of the puncture needle within 3 mm.

[0024] In this regard, an exemplary embodiment of the present application provides an ultrasound probe 1, the probe housing of which includes an ultrasound component mounting position 11 and a long slot 12. An ultrasound component 13 is disposed within the ultrasound component mounting position 11. The ultrasound component 13 is a component for generating and receiving ultrasound waves, and includes an ultrasonic transducer, which is a component that emits ultrasound waves, receives returning sound waves, and implements acoustic-to-electrical and electrical-to-acoustic conversion.

[0025] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection between an ultrasonic assembly and a flexible circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3 , ultrasonic assembly 13 is connected to flexible circuit board 14. In ultrasonic surgical device 100, flexible circuit board 14 serves as a conductor for ultrasonic assembly 13, achieving an electrical connection between ultrasonic assembly 13 and an ultrasound host (not shown).

[0026] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an ultrasound probe according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG4 , an ultrasound probe 1 is disposed within a channel needle 2, and the ultrasound probe 1 is configured to have a very slender shape. An ultrasound component 13 is disposed within an ultrasound component mounting position 11, and a flexible circuit board 14 is disposed within an elongated slot 12. When placed within the ultrasound probe housing, the flexible circuit board 14 adheres to the inner surface, i.e., the bottom, of the elongated slot 12, while the outer surface of the elongated slot 12 adheres to the inner wall of the channel needle 2. Because the flexible circuit board 14 is very thin, typically less than 0.5 mm, it only takes up a small amount of space within the channel needle 2.

[0027] The long slot 12 eliminates the need for a separate channel within the access needle 2 to accommodate the flexible circuit board 14. Sufficient space is created between the inner surface of the long slot 12 and the access needle 2. This allows for insertion of the ultrasound probe 1 into the access needle 2, while also allowing for insertion of a slender, surgically shaped strip. For example, when an ablation procedure is required, the flexible ablation needle 3 can be inserted into the access needle. Alternatively, when tissue irrigation is required, a water pipe can be inserted into the access needle. For illustrative purposes only, this embodiment will illustrate the insertion of the ablation needle 3.

[0028] The distal end of the channel needle 2 is a sharp tip, which enables the channel needle 2 to penetrate the skin. As a result, the ultrasound probe 1 penetrates the skin to enter the human body and perform ultrasound detection, rather than entering the human body through the human cavity and performing ultrasound detection. An opening 21 is provided on the tube wall near the distal end of the channel needle 2. The width of the opening 21 is set to occupy a range of 120° in the circumferential direction of the channel needle 2, and the length is set to be longer than the acoustic window of the ultrasound probe 1. In addition, because the ablation needle 3 also needs to be set in the channel needle 2 for the purpose of performing an ablation operation, and the ablation end 31 needs to extend from the opening 21, so the length of the opening 21 must also be sufficient to leave a corresponding extension space for the ablation end 31.

[0029] The proximal end of the channel needle 2 is connected to the outlet 411 of the tee 4. The tee 4 includes a first straight tube 41 and a second straight tube 42. The ablation needle 3 can be set as a flexible ablation needle, and its ablation end 31 enters the channel needle 2 from the second entrance 421 and then extends from the opening 21. In Figure 2, the opening at the top of the long slot 12 is shown as facing the upper right in Figure 2, and the thickness of the ultrasonic component mounting position 11 (the scale of the probe shell in the direction from the lower left to the upper right in Figure 2) is greater than the depth of the long slot 12 (that is, the scale of the groove of the long slot 12 to the top of the slot). At the position of the ultrasonic component mounting position 11 close to the long slot 12, a guide bevel 111 is provided, which facilitates the flexible ablation needle 3 to advance in the channel needle 2, thereby allowing the ablation end 31 to smoothly extend from the opening 21. When the ablation needle 3 is placed in the channel needle 2, the ablation needle tail 33 is positioned outside the second straight tube 42, so that it is at a certain angle to the ablation needle body 32, and the ablation needle body 32 is also at a certain angle to the ablation end 31, so the ablation end 31 can be swung left and right by manipulating the ablation needle tail 33, thereby improving the flexibility of the ablation operation.

[0030] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the main internal components of a handle of an embodiment of an intracorporeal ultrasound device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 5, the handle housing 50 of the handle 300 houses a steering motor 51 and a gear set 55. The gear set 55 includes a steering gear 52 mounted on the ultrasound probe 1 and located near the proximal end of the access needle 2, and a connecting gear 53 mounted on the shaft of the steering motor. The steering gear 52 and the connecting gear 53 mesh, enabling the ultrasound probe 1 to rotate about its axis when the steering motor 51 rotates. The maximum rotation angle can be limited by the width of the opening 21. The steering motor 51 can be a stepper motor to improve steering accuracy. The handle housing 50 can be provided with a forward rotation button 501 and a reverse rotation button 502 for the access needle 2, respectively, for controlling clockwise and counterclockwise rotation of the ultrasound probe 1. From an initial position, the steering motor 51 can rotate 90° in both the forward and reverse directions.

[0031] The ultrasound probe 1 in the embodiment of the present application can be used in combination with the outer needle of the coaxial needle, that is, the outer needle of the coaxial needle is used as the above-mentioned channel needle 2. The outer needle also has an opening at the front end. The channel is first established in conjunction with the inner needle of the coaxial needle, and then the inner needle is pulled out and the ultrasound probe 1 is inserted to obtain in vivo ultrasound images.

[0032] According to the technical solution of the embodiments of this application, the ultrasound probe is elongated and can be inserted into a hollow access needle. The probe housing has a long slot, and the flexible circuit board placed in the slot helps reduce the space occupied by the ultrasound component's wires within the access needle. Therefore, even when an ablation needle or water pipe needs to be inserted into the access needle, the probe still has a small radial dimension, making it suitable for surgical procedures requiring a thinner puncture needle and capable of obtaining high-definition ultrasound images of deep tissues in the human body.

[0033] The above specific embodiments do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations, and substitutions may occur depending on design requirements and other factors. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application shall be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe (1), characterized in that, It is used to be arranged inside the hollow channel needle of an ultrasonic surgical device. The ultrasonic probe (1) includes a probe housing, an ultrasonic component (13), and a wire, wherein: The probe housing includes a long groove (12) and an ultrasonic component mounting position (11) located at the end of the long groove (12); The ultrasonic component (13) is arranged to be located in the ultrasonic component mounting position (11); The wire is arranged in the long groove (12). The first end of the wire is connected to the ultrasonic component (13), and the second end of the wire is used to connect to an ultrasonic host.

2. The ultrasonic probe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wire is a flexible printed circuit board (14).

3. The ultrasonic probe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer diameter of the probe housing at the ultrasonic component mounting position does not exceed 3 mm.

4. The ultrasonic probe (1) according to claim 1, wherein The ultrasonic component mounting position (11) has a guiding inclined surface (111). The guiding inclined surface (111) starts from the top of the groove at the end where the long groove (12) is connected to the ultrasonic component mounting position (11) and extends along the length direction of the long groove (12) towards the middle of the ultrasonic component mounting position (11).

5. The ultrasonic probe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The transverse cross-section of the long groove (12) is V-shaped or arc-shaped.

6. The ultrasonic probe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The long groove (12) is formed by a hard material.

7. An ultrasonic surgical device (200), characterized in that, It includes a channel needle (2) and the ultrasonic probe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The distal end of the channel needle (2) is formed into a sharp tip, and an opening (21) is provided on the tube wall of the channel needle (2) near the distal end; The ultrasonic probe (1) is arranged to be located inside the channel needle (2), and the ultrasonic component (13) of the ultrasonic probe (1) is arranged to be located at a position corresponding to the opening (21); There is a space for accommodating a strip-shaped member inside the channel needle (2), and the opening (21) is arranged to enable the distal end of the strip-shaped member to extend out of the channel needle (2) from the opening (21).

8. The ultrasonic surgical device (200) according to claim 7, characterized in that, The opening angle of the opening (21) in the circumferential direction of the channel needle (2) is 100° - 180°.

9. The ultrasonic surgical device (200) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, It further includes a three-way pipe (4). A first straight pipe (41) is formed between the outlet (411) and the first inlet (431) of the three-way pipe (4). A second straight pipe (42) is formed between the middle opening of the first straight pipe (41) and the second inlet (421) of the three-way pipe. An included angle is formed between the first straight pipe (41) and the second straight pipe (42); The proximal end of the channel needle (2) is connected to the outlet (411) of the three-way pipe (4); The second inlet (421) of the three-way pipe (4) is used for the strip-shaped member to enter the channel needle (2).

10. An ultrasonic surgical device (100), characterized in that, It includes a handle (300) and the ultrasonic surgical device (200) according to claim 7, 8 or 9, and the long groove (12) is formed by a hard material, wherein: A steering motor and a gear set are accommodated inside the housing of the handle (300); The gear set is connected to the steering motor and is also connected to the ultrasonic probe (1) disposed in the channel needle (2), such that when the motor rotates, the ultrasonic probe (1) can rotate about its own axis.

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