Ultrasound Endoscope Dual Optical System Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound endoscopes face challenges in infallibly targeting and irradiating specific regions within a subject due to limitations in the design of radial ultrasound transducers and optical systems, which affect the accuracy and efficiency of ultrasound scanning and imaging.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasound endoscope system incorporates a radial ultrasound transducer that emits ultrasound perpendicular to its longitudinal direction, allowing for circumferential scanning, combined with a dual optical system featuring a forward field and side field optical portion, enabling simultaneous endoscopic and ultrasound imaging with improved targeting and processing capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a radial ultrasound transducer with scan plane orthogonal to longitudinal direction is used, then ultrasound scanning capability is achieved, but accurate targeting of specific regions becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a side field optical portion that observes the scan plane from a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, adding a lateral observation dimension. This allows the system to accurately identify positions within the ultrasound scan plane by combining forward field depth information with side field lateral position information, thereby resolving the targeting accuracy problem while maintaining ultrasound scanning capability.
2Productivity
If forward viewing optical system is used for in-vivo observation, then endoscopic imaging is achieved, but simultaneous observation of ultrasound scan plane becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The optical system is segmented into two distinct functional portions: a forward field optical portion for endoscopic imaging along the longitudinal axis, and a side field optical portion for observing the ultrasound scan plane from the lateral direction. This segmentation allows each portion to specialize in its respective function while working together to provide comprehensive simultaneous observation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
By adding the side field optical portion that observes from a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis, the system gains a lateral observation dimension complementary to the forward field's longitudinal observation. This dimensional addition enables simultaneous and independent observation of both endoscopic views and ultrasound scan plane views.
3Ease of operation
If radial ultrasound transducer with circumferential piezoelectric elements is used, then radial scanning is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The radial ultrasound transducer with circumferentially arranged piezoelectric elements serves multiple functions: it generates ultrasound beams in radial directions for scanning, and its structure inherently supports the scan plane orientation needed for side field optical observation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, thereby managing device complexity while achieving radial scanning capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration allows for precise ultrasound irradiation and imaging of targeted regions, enhances the display of scan positions, and simplifies signal processing, reducing the size of processing circuits and enabling concurrent display of endoscopic and ultrasound images.
Implementation Method 1
a radial ultrasound transducer that emits ultrasound to a target to be observed
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound transducer that emits ultrasound to a target to be observed, receives ultrasound echoes reflected by the target to be observed, converts the ultrasound echoes into an echo signal
Implementation Method 3
a forward field optical portion that is provided at a distal end of the insertion portion in the longitudinal direction, the distal end being where observation light coming from a forward field enters
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound endoscope, includes: an insertion portion configured to be inserted into a subject, acquire an optical subject image, and transmit and receive ultrasound; an ultrasound transducer configured to emit the ultrasound in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the insertion portion, and perform scanning in a circumferential direction of an axis parallel to the longitudinal direction; a forward field optical portion that is provided at a distal end of the insertion portion in the longitudinal direction, the distal end being where observation light coming from a forward field enters; and a side field optical portion that is provided at a distal end side of the insertion portion in the longitudinal direction and is where observation light from a side field including a part of a scan plane of the ultrasound transducer enters, the side field being a field in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.