Ultrasonic Therapy Beam Path Determination and Targeting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic therapy techniques face challenges in delivering accurate and safe treatments due to issues like poor acoustic coupling, 'lift off' of the therapy device, and the presence of anatomical obstructions, which can result in inaccurate dosing and patient discomfort.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic therapy delivery system that uses a combination of imaging and therapy transducers to determine a clear path for the therapy beam, ensuring proper alignment and orientation by analyzing image data and sensor feedback to adjust the device's position and operation parameters, thereby ensuring safe and effective delivery of the therapy dose.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic therapy is applied to target regions, then therapeutic effects are achieved, but accurate dosing is compromised due to poor acoustic coupling, probe lift-off, or anatomical obstructions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary imaging to map the therapy beam path and identify obstructions (bone, gas, tissue interfaces) before delivering therapy. This advance planning allows the system to detect potential coupling issues and adjust the beam path or alert the operator before therapy begins, ensuring accurate dosing is not compromised by anatomical obstacles
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors the therapy beam path using real-time imaging and sensor feedback during therapy delivery. This feedback mechanism detects probe lift-off, changes in acoustic coupling, or unexpected obstructions, allowing the system to adjust therapy parameters or alert the operator to maintain dosing accuracy throughout the treatment
2Measurement precision
If imaging transducers are used to verify target region presence, then targeting accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines imaging transducers and therapy transducers into a single integrated probe assembly. This merging allows the imaging and therapy functions to be coordinated through a unified control system, reducing the complexity that would arise from separate systems while maintaining high targeting accuracy through real-time image guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging transducers serve dual purposes: they provide real-time visualization for target verification and also map the therapy beam path to identify obstructions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized equipment, managing system complexity while enhancing targeting accuracy through a single versatile platform
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 approach allows for accurate and safe delivery of ultrasonic therapy by ensuring a clear path for the therapy beam, reducing the risk of off-target effects and patient discomfort, and enabling both trained professionals and untrained individuals to administer effective treatments.
Implementation Method 1
activating some or all of the one or more transducers to emit the imaging beam; receiving image data generated in response to the imaging beam
Implementation Method 2
activating some or all of the one or more transducers to emit the therapy beam to administer all or part of the therapy dose to the target region
Data Source
AI summary
The present discussion relates to the delivery of ultrasonic therapy energy to a target region in conjunction with a clear path determination that may assess one or more of: (1) presence of non-soft tissue regions within the therapy beam path (e.g., bone or bone-like structures, gas-filled cavities, and so forth), (2) partial “lift-off” of the probe head; or (3) sufficiency of acoustic coupling. Upon determination or confirmation of at least a partial clear path with respect to some or all of these factors, the therapy beam may be delivered to the target region.