Ultrasound Endoscope Suction Port Elastography Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound endoscopes face challenges in effectively applying elastography to improve lesion detection in deep organs due to limitations in varying the pressing force on tissues, which affects the accuracy of elastographic imaging.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound endoscope system with a flexible insertion portion, a suction port, and a fluid conduit that allows for periodic control of negative pressure at arbitrary duty ratios, enabling the ultrasound probe to change pressing states and acquire ultrasound signals in multiple conditions, generating elastographic images based on tissue displacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a mechanical pressing mechanism is used to apply force to tissue, then pressing force can be controlled, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical pressing mechanism with a suction-based system. Instead of using mechanical actuators to push the tissue, the invention uses a suction port to apply negative pressure, which pulls the tissue toward the ultrasound probe. This substitution of mechanical action with pneumatic action simplifies the device structure while maintaining the ability to control pressing force through negative pressure regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic principles by using a suction port connected to a negative pressure generation device. The negative pressure is transmitted through a fluid conduit to create suction force that presses the tissue against the ultrasound probe. This pneumatic approach allows for flexible and adjustable pressing force without complex mechanical transmission mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If the ultrasound probe is pressed against tissue with constant force, then stable imaging is achieved, but elastography accuracy deteriorates due to inability to measure tissue deformation under varying pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from static pressing to dynamic pressing by enabling periodic variation of the negative pressure applied to the tissue. The suction force can be adjusted between different magnitudes and applied in a periodic manner, allowing the tissue to undergo deformation cycles. This dynamic control enables the measurement of tissue elasticity through deformation response while maintaining operational simplicity through pneumatic regulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the pressure parameter from constant to variable by controlling the negative pressure magnitude through the suction port. By adjusting the negative pressure level and applying it periodically, the system can induce different degrees of tissue deformation, enabling elastography measurements. This parameter variation is achieved through simple pneumatic control rather than complex mechanical adjustment.
3Measurement precision
If periodic negative pressure control is implemented, then tissue deformation for elastography can be achieved, but the complexity of pressure regulation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction port serves multiple functions: it generates the pressing force by applying negative pressure, it enables periodic pressure variation for elastography, and it maintains tissue contact stability. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate pressing mechanisms and pressure regulation systems, reducing overall device complexity while achieving the required displacement measurement capability for elastography.
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 enhances the detection of tissue elasticity by varying the suction pressure, improving the accuracy of elastographic images without requiring a mechanical pressing mechanism, thereby increasing the cohesiveness between the probe and tissue.
Implementation Method 1
a negative pressure generation portion (56) configured to generate a negative pressure for suction that is transmitted to the suction port
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound observation portion that is arranged in the distal end portion
Implementation Method 3
a change (displacement) in a deformed state of living tissue is measured by changing a pressing state of an ultrasound probe
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound endoscope includes: an ultrasound probe arranged in a distal end rigid portion; a suction and forceps port provided in a vicinity of the ultrasound probe; a treatment instrument insertion channel and a negative pressure channel communicating with the suction and forceps port; and a control valve configured to variably regulate a negative pressure for suction that is transmitted to the suction and forceps port through the treatment instrument insertion channel and the negative pressure channel to two or more states.