IT202000004237A1 - AN ULTRASOUND PROBE WEARABLE BY AN OPERATOR - Google Patents

Description

AN ULTRASOUND PROBE WEARABLE BY AN OPERATOR

DESCRIPTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ultrasound equipment. Pi? in particular, the present invention relates to improvements to ultrasound probes.

ANTERIOR ART

[0002] Among the various diagnostic imaging techniques, ultrasound has assumed a pre-eminent importance, thanks to the multiple applications, the large amount of information obtainable from ultrasound investigations, and the non-invasiveness? of the survey.

[0003] The ultrasound equipment includes a? Unit? power station that generates electrical impulses sent to an ultrasound probe, which has a curtain of piezoelectric elements. These, stimulated by the electrical impulses received, emit ultrasonic waves that propagate in the tissues to be investigated and that are reflected in a different way by the various structures that the ultrasonic waves encounter in the tissues. The same piezoelectric elements receive the reflected ultrasonic waves and transform them into electrical signals, which the unit? central elaborates to reconstruct an image of the investigated tissues.

[0004] Many different ultrasound probes have been devised, with different structures and various bands and frequencies, depending on the intended use. By way of example and not exhaustively, according to the district to be studied, linear, convex, and phased array probes were created. From these basic types, other particular probes have been developed, such as micro-convex, three-dimensional, endocavitary probes (for example endo-vaginal or endo-rectal), endoscopic, transesophageal, etc.

[0005] In each of these probes the piezoelectric elements are arranged according to a curtain having a shape corresponding to the type of probe. In the present context for? Cortina? we mean any spatial arrangement of the piezoelectric elements, sometimes also called piezoelectric crystals.

[0006] The probe has a handle in which the piezoelectric elements are arranged, which are connected to a low-noise amplifier housed in the probe. This ? in turn connected, in a wired or wireless way, to a? unit? central unit of the ultrasound system.

[0007] Currently known ultrasound probes tend to be very bulky and rigid, and force the sonographer to operate in unfavorable conditions and not always suitable for the perfect detection of the biological structures that the sonographer wishes to visualize.

[0008] There is therefore the need to realize ultrasound probes, that is to say? ultrasound transducers, which overcome in whole or in part the limits and drawbacks of current art probes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] To obtain a better handling of the ultrasound probe and to achieve a multiplicity? of further advantages and functions not allowed by the probes of the current art, an ultrasound probe is provided comprising at least one curtain of piezoelectric elements applied to a coupling member, which forms an interface suitable for coupling the probe in a removable way to a portion anatomy of an operator. In practice, the coupling organ? configured in such a way that the probe remains applied to an anatomical part of the operator, that is? of the sonographer or doctor, without need? of a prehensile action on the part of the latter. In this sense, the coupling organ? configured to allow the probe to be worn by the operator. The probe is not? pi? a probe that can be challenged by the operator, like those of the current art, but? becomes a wearable probe, that is? which does not require a muscular action by the operator to be held.

In other words, the ultrasound probe comprising at least one array of piezoelectric elements? shaped to be worn by an operator, so? that the curtain of piezoelectric elements remains constrained to an anatomical portion of the operator without the operator exercising a gripping action on the probe.

[0011] The anatomical part to which the probe is applied? typically the end? of a finger of the operator, that is? the distal phalanx. For this purpose the coupling organ? shaped for example in the form of a thimble, to be inserted on the distal phalanx of a finger of the operator.

[0012] Typically, in advantageous embodiments, the coupling member has a cavity. for the insertion of the distal phalanx of the operator and a curtain of piezoelectric elements arranged to emit and receive ultrasonic waves externally with respect to the cavity. The cavity can be suitably coated in yielding material, that is? deformable in a plastic or elastic way and able to adapt to the shape of the operator's distal phalanx. In this way the probe can? be fitted in a stable manner on the distal phalanx of the finger of the sonographer, adapting to the anatomical conformation of this. The same probe can? cos? also be used by different operators. The interface formed by the yielding material allows to block, however easily reversible, the probe on the distal phalanx of the operator. that the probe does not move relative to the finger during its use. The probe can? then be easily removed from the finger at the end of its use.

In embodiments described here, the piezoelectric element array? connected to a block of conversion and amplification through connection conductors, so that the block of conversion and amplification can? be arranged in a distant position, or in any case separate, with respect to the position of the piezoelectric element curtain. This allows to miniaturize the active part of the probe, that is? the one that contains the transducers (piezoelectric elements or crystals) that generate the ultrasonic waves and collect the ultrasonic waves reflected by the structures under investigation.

[0014] In this way you can? miniaturize the piezoelectric elements and insert them into a component that can be easily worn by the operator on the distal phalanx of a finger of the hand.

[0015] The conversion and amplification block can? be associated with an applicator configured to secure the conversion and amplification block to the operator's arm, forearm or wrist, for example. The applicator can be configured in the form of a bracelet or in any other suitable way. The possibility is not excluded? that the conversion and amplification block is supported by an external structure, instead of? on the body of the operator, although? this solution is currently less preferred why?

[0016] Bench? in preferred embodiments, the probe is integrated into a thimble-shaped or sheath-shaped organ to be worn on a finger, with the possibility? to then cover the operator's hand with a glove, possibly sterile, the possibility is not excluded. to realize a probe directly integrated in a glove, in which the connection conductors to the conversion and amplification block and possibly the block itself can also be integrated.

[0017] The probe described here is worn by the sonographer, so that this substantially retains the entire mobility. of the hand, which does not require a gripping function on the probe. The position of the probe on the extremity? of the finger allows the operator to reach anatomical areas with the curtain of piezoelectric elements otherwise not reachable with traditional probes. This allows you to reach otherwise unreachable districts.

[0018] Furthermore, the application of the probe on the extremity? of the operator's finger allows to perform the ultrasound examination and palpation at the same time, when this? required for example for diagnostic purposes.

[0019] By way of a completely non-exhaustive example, the applications permitted by the probe of the present invention and not permitted by traditional probes, some of which in conjunction with surgical interventions, are listed below: ultrasound study of the oral cavity (tongue, floor, cheek , palate, minor salivary glands); agile and complete study of the deep intra-abdominal recesses in the intra-surgical site and fine study of the organs (pancreas, liver, spleen, kidneys, retroperitoneum, lymph nodes, peritoneum, adrenal glands, prostate, seminal vesicles, uterus, appendages, Douglas excavation); neck surgery; thoracic surgery (fine study of pleurae, diaphragms, lung and bronchi).

[0020] How will it come? described below with reference to some embodiments, more? probes can be worn simultaneously on different fingers of the hand of the sonographer, to allow the acquisition of more? information, for example also to acquire three-dimensional images.

[0021] The probe described here can? be further perfected using a wireless connection between the probe and the actual ultrasound system, eliminating physical constraints between the operator and the ultrasound device. In this way the ergonomics of the probe and the practicality are further improved. of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] Will the invention come? better understood by following the description and the attached drawings, which illustrate an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment of the invention. Pi? in particular, in the drawing they show:

Fig.1 is a schematic view of an ultrasound apparatus with an ultrasound probe according to the present invention;

Fig.2 is a detail view of a hand of an operator wearing an ultrasound probe according to the present invention;

Fig.3 is an enlarged and schematic section of the probe of Fig.2;

Fig.4 is an assembly of three probes according to the present invention, worn on the hand of an operator;

Fig.5 is a sectional detail of a sheath structure with a probe according to the invention;

Fig.6 is a schematic view of a hand wearing a probe of Fig.5 with a disposable glove superimposed; And

Fig.7 is a diagram of an ultrasound probe integrated in a system comprising a pair of goggles with monitor functions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In Fig.1? schematically shown an ultrasound apparatus 1, which? interfaced with an ultrasound probe of the invention in one embodiment. The ultrasound device itself? known, will not come? described in detail. In general terms it includes a? Unit? central 3 with a monitor 5. All? unit? control unit 3 are associated with control and control organs of the ultrasound device 1.

[0024] The ultrasound apparatus 1 comprises a coupling interface 7 for a low-loss cable 9, through which electrical impulses generated by the ultrasound apparatus 1 are conveyed to the ultrasound probe. Pi? precisely, the low-loss cable 9? connected to a conversion and amplification block 11, in turn connected, by means of a wiring formed by connection conductors 13, to the ultrasound probe 15. In practice, the wiring can? include a conductor or fiber for each piezoelectric element, so that each piezoelectric element can? be fed an excitation pulse and each piezoelectric element can? an electrical signal generated by the reflected ultrasonic waves be collected.

[0025] The connection between the probe 15 and the actual ultrasound apparatus 1 serves both to transmit the impulses generated by the unit? control 3 to the probe 15, both to transmit the electrical signals generated by the probe towards the unit? control 3.

[0026] In more embodiments? advanced, not shown, the connection between the conversion and amplification block 11 and the ultrasound device 1 can? be without cable (wireless) and can? be made for example via a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection.

[0027] In traditional probes, components 11, 13 and 15 are all integrated in a single handpiece which also forms the probe handle. In the embodiment illustrated here, vice versa, the actual probe, indicated with 15,? very small in size compared to the probes of the current art, and is applied to the distal phalanx of a finger of the operator. In the example illustrated, the probe 15? applied on the distal phalanx of the operator's index finger.

[0028] For this purpose, in some embodiments, as shown in particular in the enlarged section of Fig. 3, the probe 15 comprises a curtain of piezoelectric elements, schematically indicated with 17, integral with a coupling member 19. coupling? configured to form an interface that allows the operator to wear the probe 15. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the coupling member 19 has the shape of a thimble, inside which the distal phalanx of a finger D is inserted of the operator, in this specific case the index finger. The coupling member 19 therefore has a cavity internal in which the extremity is inserted? of the finger, which cavity? internal can? be advantageously coated in an elastically or plastically deformable material, to adapt the probe 15 to the anatomical shape of the extremity? of the operator's finger. For example, the coupling organ can? have a rigid or semi-rigid external wall, to which the piezoelectric elements are fixed. 17. The external rigid wall can? form a cavity? internal covered in a yielding material, for example in a natural or synthetic rubber, an expanded resin or the like. Alternatively, the internal coupling organ can? be made of deformable material, preferably in an elastic way, which forms a thimble or cap applicable to the distal phalanx of the operator's finger.

[0029] With this configuration, the probe is essentially worn by the operator, like a thimble.

[0030] While the coupling member 19 can? be the curtain 17 of piezoelectric elements at least partially deformable to adapt to the shape of the operator's finger? rigid, so that the relative position of the individual piezoelectric elements remains unchanged when the probe 15 is worn by the operator. In the illustrated embodiment, the array 17 of piezoelectric elements? positioned approximately at the vertex of the coupling member 19, that is? at the tip of the finger. This position can? be advantageous and preferred, but not? the only one possible. For example, the curtain 17 of piezoelectric elements can? be applied to the coupling member so as to be arranged in correspondence with the fingertip of the operator, when the latter wears the probe 15. In general, the curtain 17 of piezoelectric elements? mounted on the coupling member in order to emit ultrasonic waves towards the outside and receive ultrasonic waves reflected by the biological structures external to the probe 15.

[0031] In the attached drawing (Fig. 3) the curtain of piezoelectric elements emits from the front, that is? the wave front propagates from the tip of the operator's finger. In other embodiments, the array of piezoelectric elements can? be configured to emit laterally. For example, the curtain of piezoelectric elements 17, while remaining in the position illustrated in Fig. 3, can? emit a wave front that propagates in front of the fingertip on which? wearing the probe. So ? It is possible, for example, to rotate the ultrasonic beam simply by rotating the finger and perform scanning operations similar to those carried out by some known probes which are able to rotate the emission and reception front of the ultrasonic ones around an axis.

[0032] The conversion and amplification block 11 can? be associated with an applicator 21 which allows the conversion and amplification block 11 to be fixed to the wrist, forearm or other point of the operator's body. In the illustrated embodiment the applicator 21? in the form of a bracelet, for example elastic, which can be attached to the operator's wrist. In this way, the fibers or conductors 13 and the conversion and amplification block do not hinder the work of the operator.

[0033] For convenience? and for reasons of hygiene, above the probe 15, the conductors 13 and possibly also to cover the applicator 21 can? be worn a glove 25. The latter can be worn. be in latex or any other suitable material. In some applications it can? be useful or necessary that the glove 25 is disposable and that it is sterile, for example when the ultrasound probe? used during surgery, instead? in an outpatient visit, where infertility? of the glove not? necessary.

[0034] For a better acoustic coupling and a more? efficient transmission of ultrasonic waves, between the curtain 17 of piezoelectric elements and the inside of the glove 25, as well as? on the outer surface of the glove 25, in correspondence with the curtain 17 of piezoelectric elements, can be applied a gel, similarly to what is done with traditional probes, with which the gel? applied between the probe and the patient's body.

[0035] In alternative embodiments, the glove 25 can? be integrated with the ultrasound probe 15, the conductors 13 and possibly the conversion and amplification block 11. Moreover, this solution? currently less preferred for a number of reasons. In the first place it does not allow a sterile and single use realization. Secondly, it requires the creation of probes integrated into gloves for right and left-handed operators. Furthermore, it makes it necessary to create integrated probes in gloves of different sizes.

[0036] In the embodiment described up to now with reference to Figs. 1 to 3? provided a single probe 15 applied to the distal phalanx of a single finger (in the example the index finger D of the right hand M) of an operator. However, this is not? the only possible configuration. In Fig. 4? schematically shown how an operator can simultaneously wear a greater number of ultrasound probes 15, worn on the distal phalanges of more? fingers of the same hand. The possibility is not excluded? to wear even one or more? probes on both hands. In the example shown in Fig. 4 there are three probes worn on the distal phalanges of the thumb, index and middle finger.

[0037] This multiplicity? of probes worn on the single hand of the operator allows to acquire three-dimensional images particularly rich in information, by interfacing the three ultrasound probes 15 to the ultrasound device 1 and controlling them in a coordinated manner.

[0038] The various probes worn on one hand can be connected to a single conversion and amplification block 11, or to a plurality of sensors. of conversion and amplification blocks 11, for example in a number equal to the number of probes used.

[0039] Figs. 5 and 6 show a further embodiment of a probe according to the invention. Parts equal or equivalent to those of the embodiment described with reference to Figs. 1 to 4 are indicated with the same reference numbers. In this case, the probe 15 has a curtain 17 of piezoelectric elements applied to the extremity? distal of a flexible sheath 31, which? configured to fit on an operator's D finger. The flexible sheath 31 constitutes a coupling member forming the interface for coupling the probe to the operator's finger.

[0040] In some embodiments, the flexible sheath 31 can? be of such length as to cover two or three phalanges of the D finger and its flexibility? allows the operator to bend and stretch the finger D according to need? operational.

[0041] Conductors 13 which connect the piezoelectric elements of the curtain 17 to the conversion and amplification block 11 can be contained in the flexible sheath 31 (Fig.6).

[0042] In some embodiments, the flexible sheath 31 can? be made in a structure with pi? layers. A first layer pi? internal can? form the interface surface with the operator's finger and a second layer, placed externally to the first, can receiving the conductors 13 which connect the piezoelectric elements to the conversion and amplification block 11.

[0043] The flexible sheath 31 allows the conductors 13 to be distributed around a volume surrounding the cavity. inside the sheath into which the operator inserts his finger. So ? possible to arrange in an optimal way a plurality? of conductors 13, which can then be collected in a single cable which continues along the back of the hand up to the conversion and amplification block 11, applied for example to the wrist.

[0044] The operator can? wear a single probe 15 or more? probes, inserting the respective flexible sheaths 31 on the fingers D of the hand.

[0045] To hold the probe 15, the flexible sheath 31, the conductors 13 and the conversion and amplification block 11 in the correct position, the operator can? wear a glove 25, advantageously disposable. The glove can? be sterile if the specific application requires it, for example if the ultrasound probe is used during surgery. In this regard, it should be noted that the structure of the probe according to the present invention? particularly advantageous for use during surgical interventions.

[0046] The described ultrasound probe can? be integrated into a further perfected system, including a reality eyewear augmented, which shows the ultrasound image that the operator can? see directly without the need? to use the ultrasound monitor. A system of this type? schematically represented in Fig.7, in which equal numbers indicate parts equal or equivalent to those of Fig.1. In Fig. 7? schematically indicated an eyewear 50 in reality? increased, what can? be connected via a radio connection, that is? a wireless connection, with the ultrasound system 1. In Fig.7 also the ultrasound probe? connected to the ultrasound device 1 via a wireless connection, that is? by radio.

[0047] In further embodiments, the system can? also include a second glove (not shown), for example for the left hand, computerized, to work on a virtual keyboard.

Claims (16)

AN ULTRASOUND PROBE WEARABLE BY AN OPERATOR Claims 1. An ultrasound probe comprising at least one curtain of piezoelectric elements applied to a coupling member, which forms an interface adapted to removably couple the probe to an anatomical portion of an operator, thus forming an interface capable of removably coupling the probe to an anatomical portion of an operator, that the probe can? be worn by the operator. 2. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the coupling member? shaped to be applied to an operator's finger. 3. The ultrasound probe of claim 2, wherein the coupling member has a thimble shape, with a cavity. for the insertion of a distal phalanx of the operator and a curtain of piezoelectric elements arranged to emit and receive ultrasonic waves externally with respect to the cavity. 4. The ultrasound probe of claim 3, wherein the cavity? ? covered in yielding material, adapted to adapt to the shape of the operator's distal phalanx. 5. The ultrasound probe of one or more? of claims 2 to 4, wherein the piezoelectric element array? applied in the vicinity? of a vertex of the coupling organ. 6. The ultrasound probe of one or more? of the preceding claims, comprising a plurality of of connecting conductors between the curtain of piezoelectric elements and a conversion and amplification block; in which said conversion and amplification block? equipped with an applicator, suitable for applying the conversion and amplification block to a support organ, preferably an anatomical portion of the operator, different from the anatomical portion to which? fixed the curtain of piezoelectric elements. 7. The ultrasound probe of claim 6, wherein the applicator? configured to fix the conversion and amplification block to the arm, forearm or wrist of the operator. 8. The ultrasound probe of one or more? of the preceding claims, in which the curtain of piezoelectric elements and the coupling member are integrated in a flexible or deformable sheath structure, suitable for at least partially wrapping an operator's finger. 9. The ultrasound probe of claim 8, in which conductors connecting the curtain of piezoelectric elements to a conversion and amplification block, applicable to the limb of the operator proximal to the finger, are integrated in the sheath structure. 10. The ultrasound probe of one or more? of the preceding claims, in which the curtain of piezoelectric elements and the coupling member are integrated in a glove, in the extremity? distal of at least one finger of said glove. 11. The ultrasound probe of one or more? of the preceding claims, comprising a wireless connection with an ultrasound apparatus. 12. A system comprising an ultrasound apparatus and an ultrasound probe as from one or more? of the previous claims. 13. The system of claim 12, further comprising a reality spectacle? augmented, connectable to the ultrasound device, on which glasses? made available an ultrasound image. 14. The system of claim 12 or 13, wherein the ultrasound apparatus? connected to at least one of said ultrasound probe and said glasses for reality? augmented via a radio connection. 15. An ultrasound device comprising a glove with a plurality of of fingers, in which in at least one of said fingers? integrated an ultrasound probe as from one or more? of claims 1 to 11. 16. The device of claim 15 wherein pi? ultrasound probes according to one or more? of claims 1 to 11 are supplemented by more? fingers of the glove.