Patent EP0627206A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0627206A2
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EP
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Method and apparatus for ultrasound medical treatment
Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1994-03-14
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-03-14
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasound medical treatment system capable of determining the hot spot at high spatial resolution, and preventing the displacement of the hot spot from the focal point (7). In the system, the imaging device for obtaining image data of a treatment portion containing a treatment target (8) and an energy irradiation device (2) for applying an energy irradiation onto the treatment target (8) are controlled in such a manner that the imaging device is controlled to obtain hot spot detection image data after the energy irradiation device is controlled to apply an energy irradiation at a prescribed level, so that a hot spot indicating a change due to a temperature change caused by the energy irradiation at the prescribed level can be detected from the hot spot detection image data, The energy irradiation device is then controlled to apply a treatment energy irradiation at a treatment level higher than the prescribed level according to the detected hot spot.
Inventors
- 👤 Takuji Suzuki
- 👤 Satoshi Aida
- 👤 Katsuhiko Fujimoto
- 👤 Mariko Shibata
- 👤 Yoshiharu Ishibashi
- 👤 Mamoru Izumi
- 👤 Shiroh Saitoh
- 👤 Kazuya Okamoto
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 01:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R33/00; G01R33/20; G01R33/28; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/05; A61B5/055; A61N; A61N7/00; A61N7/02; G01R33/44; G01R33/48; G01R33/4804; A61B17/00; A61B2017/00681; A61B2017/00694; A61B2017/00707; A61B2017/00716; A61B90/00; A61B90/36; A61B90/37; A61B2090/374; A61B90/50; A61B2090/5025; A61B2090/504; A61B6/00; A61B6/50; A61B6/506; A61B8/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A medical treatment apparatus, comprising: imaging device for obtaining image data of a treatment portion containing a treatment target; energy irradiation means for applying an energy irradiation onto the treatment target; and control means for controlling the imaging device and the energy irradiation means, such that the imaging device is controlled to obtain hot spot detection image data after the energy irradiation means is controlled to apply an energy irradiation at a prescribed level, and the control means detects a hot spot indicating a change due to a temperature change caused by the energy irradiation at the prescribed level from the hot spot detection image data, and controls the energy irradiation means to apply a treatment energy irradiation at a treatment level higher than the prescribed level according to the detected hot spot.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means obtains the hot spot by comparing the hot spot detection image data with reference image data obtained by the imaging device before the energy irradiation at the prescribed level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control means obtains the hot spot by extracting a portion in the hot spot detection image data exceeding a prescribed threshold for the change due to the temperature change.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prescribed level at which the energy irradiation means is controlled to apply the energy irradiation is a level for not damaging the treatment target.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
83 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the prescribed level at which the energy irradiation means is controlled to apply the energy irradiation is a level for which a survival rate defined by the following equation (1) is greater than a prescribed value: where T 0̸ is a temperature before the energy irradiation, ΔT(t) is a time profile of a temperature change, Ea is an empirical activation energy, A is a proportional constant, R is a gas constant, and S is the survival rate.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
116 words
A method of medical treatment, comprising the steps of: applying an energy irradiation at a prescribed level onto a treatment target by an energy irradiation means; obtaining hot spot detection image data of a treatment portion containing the treatment target by an imaging device after the energy irradiation at the prescribed level by the energy irradiation means; detecting a hot spot indicating a change due to a temperature change caused by the energy irradiation at the prescribed level from the hot spot detection image data; and carrying out a treatment by applying a treatment energy irradiation at a treatment level higher than the prescribed level by the energy irradiation means according to the detected hot spot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the detecting step detects the hot spot by comparing the hot spot detection image data with reference image data obtained by the imaging device before the energy irradiation at the prescribed level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the detecting step detects the hot spot by extracting a portion in the hot spot detection image data exceeding a prescribed threshold for the change due to the temperature change.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 6, wherein the prescribed level at which the energy irradiation is applied at the applying step is a level for not damaging the treatment target.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The method of claim 9, wherein the prescribed level at which the energy irradiation is applied at the applying step is a level for which a survival rate defined by the following equation (1) is greater than a prescribed value: where T 0̸ is a temperature before the energy irradiation, ΔT(t) is a time profile of a temperature change, Ea is an empirical activation energy, A is a proportional constant, R is a gas constant, and S is the survival rate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound applicator means for applying ultrasound irradiation to a treatment target; ultrasound imaging device for imaging the treatment target by transmitting ultrasound pulses and receiving the ultrasound pulses reflected by the treatment target, having noise reduction means for reducing noises due to the ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound applicator means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the noise reduction means reduces the noises by increasing a transmission power of the ultrasound pulses during the ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound applicator means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the noise reduction means comprises filter means for removing low frequency components from the ultrasound pulses received by the ultrasound imaging device.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the filter means is a digital filter for removing the low frequency components digitally.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the noise reduction means reduces the noises by subtracting pre-recorded noise components from the ultrasound pulses received by the ultrasound imaging device.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
90 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound applicator for applying ultrasound irradiation to a treatment target, having first piezoelectric means for generating the ultrasound irradiation at first fundamental frequency; and ultrasound imaging device for imaging the treatment target by transmitting ultrasound pulses and receiving the ultrasound pulses reflected by the treatment target having second piezoelectric means for generating the ultrasound pulses at second fundamental frequency; wherein at least one of the first and second piezoelectric means also generates secondary harmonic at frequency different from the first and second fundamental frequencies.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein each of said at least one of the first and second piezoelectric means is formed in a laminated structure.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 17, wherein each of said at least one of the first and second piezoelectric means is formed in a double lamination structure.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the double lamination structure is formed by attaching one piezoelectric body sandwiched by electrodes to another piezoelectric body having an acoustic impedance matching with an acoustic impedance of said one piezoelectric body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the double lamination structure is formed by laminating two piezoelectric bodies with different thicknesses such that a relationship between an electric field direction and a polarization direction in one piezoelectric body is opposite to that in another piezoelectric body.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
84 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: imaging means for obtaining sequential image data of a treatment portion containing a treatment target; simulation means for producing dummy model of the treatment portion according to the image data obtained by the imaging means; condition setting means for setting ultrasound irradiation conditions according to the dummy model produced by the simulation means; and ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation onto the treatment target according to the ultrasound irradiation conditions set by the condition setting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the condition setting means sets the ultrasound irradiation conditions specifying at least one of an ultrasound irradiation position, an ultrasound irradiation time, and an ultrasound irradiation power.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the simulation means simulates an ultrasound irradiation route according to the dummy model, and the condition setting means sets the ultrasound irradiation conditions according to the ultrasound irradiation route simulated by the simulation means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the condition setting means sets the ultrasound irradiation conditions according to data concerning blood vessels in the treatment portion obtained from the image data.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus of claim 24, further comprising temperature measurement means for measuring temperatures of the blood vessels during the ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound irradiation means, wherein the ultrasound irradiation means changes an ultrasound irradiation power according to the temperature measured by the temperature measurement means.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
78 words
A method of ultrasound medical treatment, comprising the steps of: obtaining sequential image data of a treatment portion containing a treatment target; simulating the treatment target portion by producing dummy model of the treatment portion according to the image data obtained at the obtaining step; setting ultrasound irradiation conditions according to the dummy model at the simulating step; and applying an ultrasound irradiation onto the treatment target according to the ultrasound irradiation conditions set at the setting step.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the setting step sets the ultrasound irradiation conditions specifying at least one of an ultrasound irradiation position, an ultrasound irradiation time, and an ultrasound irradiation power.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the simulating step simulates an ultrasound irradiation route according to the dummy model, and the setting step sets the ultrasound irradiation conditions according to the ultrasound irradiation route simulated at the simulating step.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 26, wherein the setting step sets the ultrasound irradiation conditions according to data concerning blood vessels in the treatment portion obtained from the image data.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 29, further comprising the step of measuring temperatures of the blood vessels during the ultrasound irradiation at the applying step, wherein the applying step changes an ultrasound irradiation power according to the temperature measured at the measuring step.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: imaging means for obtaining image data of a treatment portion containing a treatment target; ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation onto the treatment target; and control means for dividing the treatment target into a plurality of sections according to the image data, determining an order of treatment for divided sections according to a relative position of each section with respect to the ultrasound irradiation means, and controlling the ultrasound irradiation means to carry out the treatment according to the determined order of treatment.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the order of treatment specifies a section located further away from the ultrasound irradiation means to be treated earlier.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the order of treatment specifies a section covering a part of a surface of the treatment target which is not directly exposed to the ultrasound irradiation means to be treated first.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
92 words
A method of ultrasound medical treatment, comprising the steps of: obtaining image data of a treatment portion containing a treatment target; dividing the treatment target into a plurality of sections according to the image data obtained at the obtaining step; determining an order of treatment for sections divided at the dividing step, according to a relative position of each section with respect to ultrasound irradiation means; and carrying out the treatment by applying an ultrasound irradiation onto the treatment target from the ultrasound irradiation means, according to the determined order of treatment.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 34, wherein the determining step determines the order of treatment specifying a section located further away from the ultrasound irradiation means to be treated earlier.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 34, wherein the determining step determines the order of treatment specifying a section covering a part of a surface of the treatment target which is not directly exposed to the ultrasound irradiation means to be treated first.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
129 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation focused to a focal point set on a treatment target; and imaging means for obtaining image data of a treatment portion containing the treatment target and a tag after the ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound irradiation means, where the tag is produced by a pulse sequence for tagging a predetermined treatment position located on the focal point at a time of the ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound irradiation means; and control means for controlling the ultrasound irradiation means to shift the focal point according to a displacement of the tag with respect to the focal point in the image data obtained by the imaging means, before a next ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound irradiation means.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
125 words
A method of ultrasound medical treatment, comprising the steps of: applying an ultrasound irradiation focused to a focal point set on a treatment target; obtaining image data of a treatment portion containing the treatment target and a tag, after the ultrasound irradiation by ultrasound irradiation means at the applying step, where the tag is produced by a pulse sequence for tagging a predetermined treatment position located on the focal point at a time of the ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound irradiation means; and controlling the ultrasound irradiation means to shift the focal point according to a displacement of the tag with respect to the focal point in the image data obtained at the obtaining step, before a next ultrasound irradiation by the ultrasound irradiation means.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
162 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation focused to a focal point set on a treatment target; and temperature distribution measurement means for measuring temperature distribution of a treatment portion containing the treatment target to obtain temperature increase point data; and control means for controlling the temperature distribution measurement means and the ultrasound irradiation means, such that the temperature distribution measurement means is controlled to obtain the temperature increase point data after the ultrasound irradiation means is controlled to apply an ultrasound irradiation at a prescribed level, and the control means detects a temperature increase point from the temperature increase point data and controls the ultrasound irradiation means to apply a treatment energy irradiation at a treatment level higher than the prescribed level after shifting the focal point according to a displacement of the temperature increase point with respect to the focal point in the temperature distribution data obtained by the temperature distribution measurement means.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
130 words
A method of ultrasound medical treatment, comprising the steps of: applying an ultrasound irradiation at a prescribed level to a treatment target by an ultrasound irradiation means; measuring temperature distribution of a treatment portion containing the treatment target, to obtain temperature increase point data after the ultrasound irradiation means applies the ultrasound irradiation at the prescribed level; detecting a temperature increase point from the temperature increase point data obtained at the measuring step; and controlling the ultrasound irradiation means to apply a treatment ultrasound irradiation at a treatment level higher than the prescribed level after shifting the focal point according to a displacement of the temperature increase point detected at the detecting step with respect to the focal point in the temperature increase point data obtained at the measuring step.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
85 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation focused to a treatment target, to raise a temperature of the treatment target; temperature measurement means for measuring the temperature of the treatment target after the ultrasound irradiation is applied by the ultrasound irradiation means; and imaging device for obtaining image of a treatment portion containing the treatment target only when the temperature of the treatment target measured by the temperature measurement means indicates a normal temperature of the treatment target.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
73 words
A method of ultrasound medical treatment, comprising: applying an ultrasound irradiation to a treatment target, to raise a temperature of the treatment target; measuring the temperature of the treatment target after the ultrasound irradiation is applied by the ultrasound irradiation means; and obtaining image of a treatment portion containing the treatment target only when the temperature of the treatment target measured by the measuring step indicates a normal temperature of the treatment target.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation to a treatment target, to increase a temperature of the treatment target and cause a degeneration at the treatment target; imaging device for obtaining image of a treatment portion containing the treatment target; and processing means for separating a change of the image due to the degeneration from a change of the image due to a temperature increase by subtracting a predicted change due to the temperature increase alone from the image obtained by the imaging device.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
85 words
A method of ultrasound medical treatment, comprising the steps of: applying an ultrasound irradiation to a treatment target, to increase a temperature of the treatment target and cause a degeneration at the treatment target; obtaining image of a treatment portion containing the treatment target; and separating a change of the image due to the degeneration from a change of the image due to a temperature increase by subtracting a predicted change due to the temperature increase alone from the image obtained at the obtaining step.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
55 words
An ultrasound medical treatment apparatus, comprising: ultrasound irradiation means for applying an ultrasound irradiation to a treatment target in a patient; sensor means for detecting a reflective motion of the patient; and controlling means for controlling operation of the ultrasound irradiation means in accordance with a detection of the reflective motion by the sensor means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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