WO1996003223A1 - Ultrasonic therapeutical treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Ultrasonic therapeutical treatment apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1996003223A1
WO1996003223A1 PCT/FR1994/000917 FR9400917W WO9603223A1 WO 1996003223 A1 WO1996003223 A1 WO 1996003223A1 FR 9400917 W FR9400917 W FR 9400917W WO 9603223 A1 WO9603223 A1 WO 9603223A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transducer
frequency
head
generator
connection
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FR1994/000917
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Guy Dupriez
Original Assignee
Guy Dupriez
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Guy Dupriez filed Critical Guy Dupriez
Priority to PCT/FR1994/000917 priority Critical patent/WO1996003223A1/en
Publication of WO1996003223A1 publication Critical patent/WO1996003223A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/0207—Driving circuits
    • B06B1/0223—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time
    • B06B1/0269—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies
    • B06B1/0276—Driving circuits for generating signals continuous in time for generating multiple frequencies with simultaneous generation, e.g. with modulation, harmonics
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B17/00—Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets
    • A61B2017/00017—Electrical control of surgical instruments
    • A61B2017/00137—Details of operation mode
    • A61B2017/00141—Details of operation mode continuous, e.g. wave
    • A61B2017/00146—Details of operation mode continuous, e.g. wave with multiple frequencies
    • A61B2017/0015—Details of operation mode continuous, e.g. wave with multiple frequencies applied simultaneously
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
    • A61N7/00—Ultrasound therapy
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • B06B2201/50—Application to a particular transducer type
    • B06B2201/55—Piezoelectric transducer
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B2201/00—Indexing scheme associated with B06B1/0207 for details covered by B06B1/0207 but not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • B06B2201/70—Specific application
    • B06B2201/76—Medical, dental

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for therapeutic therapy by ultrasound.
  • Therapy of the human body by acoustic waves is well known in the field of rheumatology, sports medicine, rehabilitation, etc.
  • These devices include an ultrasonic frequency signal generator supplying a piezoelectric transducer transforming electrical energy into mechanical vibrations; the transducer is mounted inside a head which is coupled to the region to be treated, either by contact (using a gel or an oil allowing the transmission of ultrasound), or in water by emission of vibrations a short distance from the area to be treated.
  • ultrasonic frequency will be understood to mean a frequency greater than a few hundred kilohertz, typically between 800 kHz and 3 MHz, a frequency of 1 MHz being a commonly used value. used in practice in the prior art.
  • Ultrasonic frequency acoustic waves vibrations of air, water or any other material medium
  • have the following well-known properties compared to lower frequency waves such as sound frequency waves - which are of elsewhere all the more marked as the frequency is high: rectilinear propagation, high density of radiated energy and significant absorption by the propagation medium.
  • sound frequency will be understood to mean a frequency of the spectrum covering both the range of audible sounds (of the order of 40 Hz to 12 kHz) and the frequencies below this range (infrasound) and above , the frequency possibly going up to a few hundred kilohertz in the latter case.
  • low frequency vibration therapy devices are also known, as is described for example in DE-A-37 15 269, where an oscillating electrical signal generator at a frequency of 60 to 400 Hz supplies an electromechanical transducer such as an electromagnet coming to drive a counterweight applied against the region to be treated.
  • One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to propose an apparatus making it possible to produce, with a single treatment head, both vibrations at ultrasonic frequency and vibrations at sound frequency, in order to combine the effects thereof. therapeutic.
  • an ultrasonic frequency signal and a sound frequency signal are produced separately, and these signals are added to apply them jointly to the same transducer.
  • the sound frequency is a simple modulation frequency, which defines the envelope of the ultrasonic signal but does not deliver any mechanical energy to the sound frequency.
  • a signal whose ultrasonic component already comprises a modulation this modu ⁇ lation coming in addition to the addition of the signal at sound frequency, an addition which is essential for the 'obtaining advantageous effects of the invention, which would not be obtained by simple modulation.
  • a mechanical structure of the treatment head is proposed which, in addition to the proper resonance at ultrasonic frequency of the piezoelectric transducer, to obtain resonance at sound frequency and therefore the effective production of mechanical vibrations capable of being transmitted to the body region to be treated.
  • the therapeutic treatment apparatus of the invention which is of a type similar to that described in DE-C-928 379 and US-A-4,530,360 mentioned above, that is to say a therapeutic ultrasound treatment apparatus comprising: a first generation signal erector, delivering an alternating or rectified voltage at ultrasonic frequency; a second signal generator, delivering an alternating or rectified voltage at sound frequency; and a treatment head, intended to be applied against a body region to be treated, comprising a piezoelectric transducer supplied by the signals produced by the first and second generators.
  • this apparatus is characterized in that: it comprises means for adding the signals of the first and second generators to apply the signals thus combined to the transducer; the natural frequency of resonance of the transducer corresponds to the ultrasonic frequency produced by the first generator; and the transducer is mounted in the head so as to cause, when the latter is mounted in the head, a resonance of the transducer at a frequency corresponding to the sound frequency produced by the second generator, this resonance not being substantially affected by the contact of the head with the body region to be treated.
  • the transducer is mounted in the head on the internal face of a bottom wall thereof, the external face of this wall being intended to come into contact with the body region to be treated, the internal face of this wall being uniform and the transducer resting on the latter over most or all of its extent and with the interposition of a homogeneous mass of intermediate material.
  • the extent of the mass of intermediate material is greater than that of the transducer;
  • the connection of the transducer to its connection wires is a galvanic connection, in particular a welded connection, produced between each of the faces of the transducer and a respective connection wire;
  • the face of the transducer opposite the bottom wall carries a mass of weld filler metal extending, in the radial direction, over most or all of the extent of the transducer;
  • the face of the transducer facing the internal face of the bottom wall carries a weld embedded in the homogeneous mass of aforementioned intermediate material.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the invention, with its electronic circuits and its processing head.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a variant implementation of the circuits of FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a vertical section of the processing head of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • FIG. 4 shows the shape of the signal produced by the electronic circuit of the apparatus and applied to the processing head of FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 Schematically shown in Figure 1 the apparatus 1 according to the invention, which comprises an electronic unit 2 connected to an electro-acoustic transducer 3 via a connecting conductor 4.
  • This transducer is applied to a region body to be treated 5, either directly with a gel or contact oil, or at a short distance (a few centimeters) in an environment that is good conductor of acoustic waves such as water.
  • the electronic unit 2 contains a first signal generator 6 delivering a voltage V j with an ultrasonic frequency, preferably a frequency of the order of 2 MHz (this particular frequency being preferably chosen from the usual frequency of 1 MHz used in prior art ultrasonic treatment devices).
  • the signal V l is for example a square signal.
  • the frequency of the generator 6 is preferably adjustable.
  • a second generator 7 produces a signal V 2 at sound frequency, for example of the order of 50 to 100 Hz.
  • This sound frequency can be fixed, adjustable or variable over time. In a particular example, these may, as illustrated in FIG. 4, be rectangular pulses 1 ms in width with a recurrence frequency of 200 Hz. It is also possible to choose for this sound frequency one of the specific frequencies (two or three, located in the range 5 kHz - 10 kHz and determinable by experimentation), which produce in loud free space a loud audible sound which is stopped by contact with the skin; this phenomenon makes it very easy to check the correct coupling of the head with the body region to be treated.
  • the various frequency values given above have no limiting character and depend essentially on the characteristics of the transducer of the apparatus, as well as on the desired therapeutic effects.
  • the generator 6 can thus produce any frequency in the ultrasonic field, likewise for the generator 7 which can produce any frequency in the sound range, the values given here being only indicative.
  • the two signals V j and V 2 are combined in an adder stage 8, the output of which is applied to the input of an amplifier stage 9 controlling the transducer 3 either directly or via a pulse transformer.
  • the signal received by this transducer has the form illustrated for example in FIG. 4, namely a non-modulated and alternating signal (that is to say comprising positive and negative alternations). But it could also be a signal whose ultrasonic component includes a modulation (this modulation coming in addition to the addition of the signal at sound frequency, an addition which is essential for obtaining the advantageous effects of the invention, which would not be obtained by a simple modulation) and / or of a rectified signal, comprising only positive or negative alternations, that is to say for example comprising a continuous offset with respect to the figure signal 4.
  • the voltage component at ultrasonic frequency V ⁇ is of the order of 20 V at no load and 200 V at tuning, that is to say when the head is connected 3 at the output of the amplifier 9.
  • the piezoelectric transducer of this head resonating at the same frequency as the applied signal and the transducers of this type having a high overvoltage factor, the output voltage of the amplifier increases in significant proportions when the transducer is coupled to the electronic circuit.
  • the rectangular vacuum shape of the signal V. will transform into a shape close to a sinusoid due to the filtering effect introduced by the piezoelectric component in resonance.
  • This head 3 comprises a piezoelectric transducer 10 in the form of a ceramic or quartz blade making it possible to transform the mechanical signals produced by the electronic unit and transmitted by the conductor 4 into mechanical vibrations.
  • This transducer 10 is enclosed in a housing 11, for example of cylindrical shape made of thin sheet 0.5 mm thick with a diameter of 25 mm and a cylinder height of 40 to 50 mm.
  • a housing 11 for example of cylindrical shape made of thin sheet 0.5 mm thick with a diameter of 25 mm and a cylinder height of 40 to 50 mm.
  • the piezoelectric plate it is possible to use a ceramic 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick resonating at a typical frequency of the order of 2 MHz.
  • the cylinder 11 of the treatment head is a blind cylinder closed by a flat bottom 12 in the lower part and open in the upper part.
  • the external face 13 of the bottom wall 12 is intended to be applied against the body region to be treated, while the internal face 14 of this same wall carries the piezoelectric transducer 10.
  • this internal face 14 is uniform and the piezoelectric strip 10 is bonded to the latter over the entire extent of its face 15 vis-à-vis by means of a resin mass 16, for example an epoxy resin. Note that this structure differs significantly from that of the transducers for ultrasound treatment equipment in which the piezoelectric plate rests on radial ribs projecting from the bottom wall, therefore on a very small part of its surface - which prevents vibration in the sound field.
  • the mass of resin 16 extends over a diameter notably greater than that of the transducer 10, for example of the order of 15 to 20 mm, and over a significant thickness, for example of the order of 0 , 5 to 1 mm (it will be noted that, in the prior art, this thickness was always necessarily very small, of the order of 0.1 mm at most, to allow a capacitive coupling between the internal face of the transducer and the case metallic).
  • This high mass of resin has the effect of improving, in very large proportions, the resonance of the blade-housing assembly in the sound domain, with in addition a weak damping of this resonance when the head is brought into contact with the body region. 5 to be processed.
  • the piezoelectric blade is connected to the conductor of the connection cable 4 by a galvanic connection, advantageously a welded connection: the lower face 15 of the piezoelectric blade is welded to the wire 17 by a solder (of the silver-tin solder type or the like) 18, while the upper face 19 is soldered to the conductor 20 by a solder 21.
  • connection to the underside was generally a capacitive connection with the body of the housing (implying, as has been said above, a very thin thick- glue between the piezoelectric plate and the housing), while the connection to the upper face was generally a connection by spring, with all the corresponding drawbacks.
  • the welded connection provides maximum reliability and also makes it possible to galvanically isolate the metal housing from the head with the supply wires of the transducer (the lower weld 18 being entirely embedded in the mass of resin 16).
  • the additional mass constituted by the hard sou ⁇ 21, which is deliberately given a large volume, makes it possible to further improve the resonance of the blade-housing system in the sound domain.
  • the mass of metal of the weld 21 can thus advantageously have a thickness of up to 4 to 5 mm.
  • a closing resin 23 which can be for example an epoxy resin.
  • This sound vibration is in fact clearly audible at more than 10 cm from the ear, due to the strong resonance of the head in the sound field, so that the practitioner can easily realize the proper functioning of the 'apparatus, unlike for example modulated ultrasound treatment apparatus, which produced only a very low perceptible vibration.

Abstract

The ultrasonic therapeutical treatment apparatus (1) comprises a first signal generator (6) delivering an alternating or rectified voltage (V1) at a ultrasound frequency; a second signal generator (7) delivering an alternating or rectified voltage (V2) at a sound frequency; and a treatment head (3) intended to be applied against a body region to be treated (5), comprising a piezoelectric transducer supplied by signals produced by the first and second generators. According to the invention, the apparatus is comprised of means (8) for summing the signals from the first and second generators in order to apply the thus combined signals to the transducer, the resonance frequency inherent to the transducer corresponding to the ultrasound frequency produced by the first generator, and the transducer being mounted in the head so as to produce, when the transducer is mounted in the head, a transducer resonance at a frequency corresponding to the sound frequency produced by the second generator, said resonance not being substantially affected by contacting the head with the body region to be treated.

Description

Appareillage de traitement thérapeutique par ultrasons Apparatus for therapeutic ultrasound treatment
La présente invention concerne un appareillage de traitement thé¬ rapeutique par ultrasons. La thérapie du corps humain par des ondes acoustiques est bien connue dans le domaine de la rhumatologie, de la médecine sportive, en rééducation, etc.The present invention relates to an apparatus for therapeutic therapy by ultrasound. Therapy of the human body by acoustic waves is well known in the field of rheumatology, sports medicine, rehabilitation, etc.
Les DE-C-928 379 et US-A-4 530 360 décrivent, entre autres documents, des exemples connus d'appareillages permettant d'effectuer de tels traitements thérapeutiques.DE-C-928 379 and US-A-4 530 360 describe, among other documents, known examples of devices making it possible to carry out such therapeutic treatments.
Ces appareils comprennent un générateur de signal à fréquence ultrasonore alimentant un transducteur piézoélectrique transformant l'énergie électrique en vibrations mécaniques ; le transducteur est monté à l'intérieur d'une tête qui est couplée à la région à traiter, soit par contact (en utilisant un gel ou une huile permettant la transmis¬ sion des ultrasons), soit dans l'eau par émission des vibrations à faible distance de la région à traiter.These devices include an ultrasonic frequency signal generator supplying a piezoelectric transducer transforming electrical energy into mechanical vibrations; the transducer is mounted inside a head which is coupled to the region to be treated, either by contact (using a gel or an oil allowing the transmission of ultrasound), or in water by emission of vibrations a short distance from the area to be treated.
Ces appareils fonctionnent soit en émission continue des ultrasons, soit en émission puisée pour éviter réchauffement des tissus traités tout en disposant d'une puissance instantanée maximale. Dans ce der¬ nier cas, comme cela est par exemple décrit dans les antériorités pré¬ citées, un générateur de signal (par exemple d'impulsions) à fréquence sonore vient moduler le signal produit par le générateur à fréquence ultrasonore.These devices operate either in continuous emission of ultrasound, or in pulsed emission to avoid heating of the treated tissue. while having maximum instantaneous power. In this latter case, as described for example in the aforementioned prior art, a signal generator (for example of pulses) with sound frequency modulates the signal produced by the generator with ultrasonic frequency.
A cet égard, ici et dans toute la suite de la description, on entendra par "fréquence ultrasonore" une fréquence supérieure à quelques cen¬ taines de kilohertz, typiquement comprise entre 800 kHz et 3 MHz, une fréquence de 1 MHz étant une valeur couramment utilisée en pratique dans l'art antérieur. Les ondes acoustiques (vibrations de l'air, de l'eau ou de tout autre milieu matériel) à fréquence ultrasonore présentent par rapport aux ondes de fréquence plus basse telles que les ondes à fréquence sonore les propriétés suivantes bien connues — qui sont d'ailleurs d'autant plus marquées que la fréquence est élevée : propa- gation rectiligne, densité d'énergie rayonnée élevée et absorption importante par le milieu de propagation.In this regard, here and throughout the rest of the description, the term “ultrasonic frequency” will be understood to mean a frequency greater than a few hundred kilohertz, typically between 800 kHz and 3 MHz, a frequency of 1 MHz being a commonly used value. used in practice in the prior art. Ultrasonic frequency acoustic waves (vibrations of air, water or any other material medium) have the following well-known properties compared to lower frequency waves such as sound frequency waves - which are of elsewhere all the more marked as the frequency is high: rectilinear propagation, high density of radiated energy and significant absorption by the propagation medium.
De la même façon, on entendra par "fréquence sonore" une fré¬ quence du spectre couvrant aussi bien le domaine des sons audibles (de l'ordre de 40 Hz à 12 kHz) que les fréquences inférieures à ce domaine (infrasons) et supérieures, la fréquence pouvant aller dans ce dernier cas jusqu'à quelques centaines de kilohertz.Similarly, the term "sound frequency" will be understood to mean a frequency of the spectrum covering both the range of audible sounds (of the order of 40 Hz to 12 kHz) and the frequencies below this range (infrasound) and above , the frequency possibly going up to a few hundred kilohertz in the latter case.
Outre les appareils de thérapie par ultrasons, on connaît égale¬ ment des appareils de thérapie par vibrations à basse fréquence, com¬ me cela est par exemple décrit dans le DE-A-37 15 269, où un géné- rateur de signal électrique oscillant à une fréquence de 60 à 400 Hz alimente un transducteur électromécanique tel qu'un électro-aimant venant entraîner une masselotte appliquée contre la région à traiter.In addition to ultrasound therapy devices, low frequency vibration therapy devices are also known, as is described for example in DE-A-37 15 269, where an oscillating electrical signal generator at a frequency of 60 to 400 Hz supplies an electromechanical transducer such as an electromagnet coming to drive a counterweight applied against the region to be treated.
La pratique médicale montre que les deux modes de traitement thérapeutique, par vibrations ultrasonores et par vibrations à basse fréquence, présentent chacun des effets thérapeutiques avantageux, mais différents.Medical practice shows that the two modes of therapeutic treatment, by ultrasonic vibrations and low frequency vibrations, each have advantageous but different therapeutic effects.
L'auteur de la présente invention a cependant constaté que ces effets thérapeutiques différents pouvaient être complémentaires entre eux, et qu'il pouvait être souhaitable d'appliquer simultanément les deux traitements afin d'en combiner les avantages respectifs. L'un des buts de la présente invention est donc de proposer un appareillage permettant de produire avec une seule et même tête de traitement à la fois des vibrations à fréquence ultrasonore et des vibra¬ tions à fréquence sonore, afin d'en combiner les effets thérapeutiques. Selon un premier aspect de l'invention, on produit séparément un signal à fréquence ultrasonore et un signal à fréquence sonore, et l'on ajoute ces signaux pour les appliquer conjointement à un même trans¬ ducteur.The author of the present invention has however found that these different therapeutic effects could be complementary to one another, and that it could be desirable to apply the two treatments simultaneously in order to combine the respective advantages. One of the aims of the present invention is therefore to propose an apparatus making it possible to produce, with a single treatment head, both vibrations at ultrasonic frequency and vibrations at sound frequency, in order to combine the effects thereof. therapeutic. According to a first aspect of the invention, an ultrasonic frequency signal and a sound frequency signal are produced separately, and these signals are added to apply them jointly to the same transducer.
On notera que, pour pouvoir combiner les effets des deux types de vibrations, il y a lieu d'additionner les amplitudes des signaux, en con¬ servant donc en principe une puissance moyenne appliquée sensible¬ ment constante, à l'opposé des appareils de traitement à ultrasons à signal modulé où la puissance moyenne de la vibration appliquée varie au rythme de la modulation et ne procure donc pas les avantages d'un traitement par une vibration à fréquence sonore. En effet, dans ces ap¬ pareils connus, la fréquence sonore est une simple fréquence de modu¬ lation, qui définit l'enveloppe du signal ultrasonore mais ne délivre au¬ cune énergie mécanique à la fréquence sonore. Il est toutefois possible de prévoir, sans sortir du cadre de la présente invention, un signal dont la composante ultrasonore comporte déjà une modulation, cette modu¬ lation venant en supplément de l'addition du signal à fréquence sonore, addition qui est indispensable à l'obtention des effets avantageux de l'invention, qui ne seraient pas obtenus par une simple modulation. Selon un autre aspect de l'invention, pour permettre la production simultanée de deux vibrations à la fois sonore et ultrasonore par une seule et même tête et un transducteur unique, il est proposé une struc¬ ture mécanique de tête de traitement permettant, outre la résonance propre à fréquence ultrasonore du transducteur piézoélectrique, d'obte¬ nir une résonance à fréquence sonore et donc la production effective de vibrations mécaniques susceptibles d'être transmises à la région corpo¬ relle à traiter.It will be noted that, in order to be able to combine the effects of the two types of vibration, it is necessary to add the amplitudes of the signals, thus in principle serving a substantially constant average power applied, unlike modulated signal ultrasonic treatment where the average power of the applied vibration varies with the rate of modulation and therefore does not provide the advantages of treatment with a vibration at sound frequency. Indeed, in these known devices, the sound frequency is a simple modulation frequency, which defines the envelope of the ultrasonic signal but does not deliver any mechanical energy to the sound frequency. It is however possible to provide, without departing from the scope of the present invention, a signal whose ultrasonic component already comprises a modulation, this modu¬ lation coming in addition to the addition of the signal at sound frequency, an addition which is essential for the 'obtaining advantageous effects of the invention, which would not be obtained by simple modulation. According to another aspect of the invention, to allow the simultaneous production of two vibrations, both sound and ultrasound, by a single head and a single transducer, a mechanical structure of the treatment head is proposed which, in addition to the proper resonance at ultrasonic frequency of the piezoelectric transducer, to obtain resonance at sound frequency and therefore the effective production of mechanical vibrations capable of being transmitted to the body region to be treated.
Plus précisément, l'appareillage de traitement thérapeutique de l'invention, qui est d'un type semblable à celui décrit dans les DE-C- 928 379 et US-A-4 530 360 précités, c'est-à-dire un appareillage de traitement thérapeutique par ultrasons comportant : un premier géné- rateur de signal, délivrant une tension alternative ou redressée à fré¬ quence ultrasonore ; un second générateur de signal, délivrant une tension alternative ou redressée à fréquence sonore ; et une tête de traitement, destinée à être appliquée contre une région corporelle à traiter, comportant un transducteur piézoélectrique alimenté par les signaux produits par les premier et second générateurs.More specifically, the therapeutic treatment apparatus of the invention, which is of a type similar to that described in DE-C-928 379 and US-A-4,530,360 mentioned above, that is to say a therapeutic ultrasound treatment apparatus comprising: a first generation signal erector, delivering an alternating or rectified voltage at ultrasonic frequency; a second signal generator, delivering an alternating or rectified voltage at sound frequency; and a treatment head, intended to be applied against a body region to be treated, comprising a piezoelectric transducer supplied by the signals produced by the first and second generators.
Selon l'invention, cet appareillage est caractérisé en ce que : il comporte des moyens d'addition des signaux des premier et second gé¬ nérateurs pour appliquer les signaux ainsi combinés au transducteur ; la fréquence propre de résonance du transducteur correspond à la fré¬ quence ultrasonore produite par le premier générateur ; et le transduc¬ teur est monté dans la tête de manière à provoquer, lorsque celui-ci est monté dans la tête, une résonance du transducteur à une fréquence correspondant à la fréquence sonore produite par le second générateur, cette résonance n'étant pas substantiellement affectée par la mise en contact de la tête avec la région corporelle à traiter.According to the invention, this apparatus is characterized in that: it comprises means for adding the signals of the first and second generators to apply the signals thus combined to the transducer; the natural frequency of resonance of the transducer corresponds to the ultrasonic frequency produced by the first generator; and the transducer is mounted in the head so as to cause, when the latter is mounted in the head, a resonance of the transducer at a frequency corresponding to the sound frequency produced by the second generator, this resonance not being substantially affected by the contact of the head with the body region to be treated.
Dans une forme de réalisation particulièrement avantageuse, le transducteur est monté dans la tête sur la face interne d'une paroi de fond de celle-ci, la face externe de cette paroi étant destinée à venir en contact avec la région corporelle à traiter, la face interne de cette paroi étant uniforme et le transducteur reposant sur cette dernière sur la majeure partie ou la totalité de son étendue et avec interposition d'une masse homogène de matériau intercalaire.In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the transducer is mounted in the head on the internal face of a bottom wall thereof, the external face of this wall being intended to come into contact with the body region to be treated, the the internal face of this wall being uniform and the transducer resting on the latter over most or all of its extent and with the interposition of a homogeneous mass of intermediate material.
Selon un certain nombre de caractéristiques préférentielles : en direction radiale, l'étendue de la masse de matériau intercalaire est supérieure à celle du transducteur ; la liaison du transducteur à ses fils de connexion est une liaison galvanique, notamment une liaison sou¬ dée, réalisée entre chacune des faces du transducteur et un fil de con¬ nexion respectif ; la face du transducteur opposée à la paroi de fond porte une masse de métal d'apport de soudure s'étendant, en direction radiale, sur la majeure partie ou la totalité de l'étendue du transduc¬ teur ; la face du transducteur en vis-à-vis de la face interne de la paroi de fond porte une soudure noyée dans la masse homogène de matériau intercalaire précitée. 0 D'autres caractéristiques et avantages apparaîtront à la lecture de la description détaillée ci-dessous d'un exemple de réalisation de l'in¬ vention, faite en référence aux dessins annexés.According to a certain number of preferred characteristics: in the radial direction, the extent of the mass of intermediate material is greater than that of the transducer; the connection of the transducer to its connection wires is a galvanic connection, in particular a welded connection, produced between each of the faces of the transducer and a respective connection wire; the face of the transducer opposite the bottom wall carries a mass of weld filler metal extending, in the radial direction, over most or all of the extent of the transducer; the face of the transducer facing the internal face of the bottom wall carries a weld embedded in the homogeneous mass of aforementioned intermediate material. 0 Other characteristics and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below of an exemplary embodiment of the invention, made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
La figure 1 est un schéma par blocs de l'appareillage de l'invention, avec ses circuits électroniques et sa tête de traitement.Figure 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the invention, with its electronic circuits and its processing head.
La figure 2 illustre une variante de mise en œuvre des circuits de la figure 1.FIG. 2 illustrates a variant implementation of the circuits of FIG. 1.
La figure 3 est une coupe verticale de la tête de traitement de l'ap¬ pareillage selon l'invention. La figure 4 montre l'allure du signal produit par le circuit électro¬ nique de l'appareillage et appliqué à la tête de traitement de la fi¬ gure 3.Figure 3 is a vertical section of the processing head of the apparatus according to the invention. FIG. 4 shows the shape of the signal produced by the electronic circuit of the apparatus and applied to the processing head of FIG. 3.
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On a représenté schématiquement sur la figure 1 l'appareillage 1 selon l'invention, qui comporte un boîtier électronique 2 relié à un transducteur électro-acoustique 3 par l'intermédiaire d'un conducteur de liaison 4. Ce transducteur est appliqué à une région corporelle à traiter 5, soit directement avec un gel ou huile de contact, soit à courte distance (quelques centimètres) dans un milieu bon conducteur des ondes acoustiques tel que l'eau.Schematically shown in Figure 1 the apparatus 1 according to the invention, which comprises an electronic unit 2 connected to an electro-acoustic transducer 3 via a connecting conductor 4. This transducer is applied to a region body to be treated 5, either directly with a gel or contact oil, or at a short distance (a few centimeters) in an environment that is good conductor of acoustic waves such as water.
Le boîtier électronique 2 contient un premier générateur de signal 6 délivrant une tension Vj à fréquence ultrasonore, de préférence une fréquence de l'ordre de 2 MHz (cette fréquence particulière étant choi- sie de préférence à la fréquence usuelle de 1 MHz utilisée dans les appareils de traitement par ultrasons de l'art antérieur). Le signal Vl est par exemple un signal carré. Pour permettre un accord fin du signal produit sur la fréquence de résonance de l'élément piézoélectrique du transducteur 3, la fréquence du générateur 6 est de préférence ajus- table.The electronic unit 2 contains a first signal generator 6 delivering a voltage V j with an ultrasonic frequency, preferably a frequency of the order of 2 MHz (this particular frequency being preferably chosen from the usual frequency of 1 MHz used in prior art ultrasonic treatment devices). The signal V l is for example a square signal. To allow fine tuning of the signal produced on the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric element of the transducer 3, the frequency of the generator 6 is preferably adjustable.
Un second générateur 7 produit un signal V2 à fréquence sonore, par exemple de l'ordre de 50 à 100 Hz. Cette fréquence sonore peut être fixe, réglable ou variable dans le temps. Dans un exemple particulier, il peut s'agir, comme illustré figure 4, d'impulsions rectangulaires de 1 ms de largeur avec une fréquence de récurrence de 200 Hz. Il est également possible de choisir pour cette fréquence sonore l'une des fréquences particulières (au nombre de deux ou trois, situées dans la plage 5 kHz - 10 kHz et déterminables par l'expérimentation), qui produisent en espace libre un fort son audible qui est arrêté par le contact sur la peau ; ce phénomène permet de vérifier très aisément le couplage correct de la tête avec la région corporelle à traiter.A second generator 7 produces a signal V 2 at sound frequency, for example of the order of 50 to 100 Hz. This sound frequency can be fixed, adjustable or variable over time. In a particular example, these may, as illustrated in FIG. 4, be rectangular pulses 1 ms in width with a recurrence frequency of 200 Hz. It is also possible to choose for this sound frequency one of the specific frequencies (two or three, located in the range 5 kHz - 10 kHz and determinable by experimentation), which produce in loud free space a loud audible sound which is stopped by contact with the skin; this phenomenon makes it very easy to check the correct coupling of the head with the body region to be treated.
Bien entendu, les diverses valeurs de fréquences données ci-dessus n'ont aucun caractère limitatif et dépendent essentiellement des carac¬ téristiques du transducteur de l'appareillage, ainsi que des effets thérapeutiques souhaités. Le générateur 6 peut ainsi produire une fré¬ quence quelconque dans le domaine ultrasonore, de même pour le générateur 7 qui peut produire une fréquence quelconque dans le do¬ maine sonore, les valeurs données ici n'étant qu'indicatives.Of course, the various frequency values given above have no limiting character and depend essentially on the characteristics of the transducer of the apparatus, as well as on the desired therapeutic effects. The generator 6 can thus produce any frequency in the ultrasonic field, likewise for the generator 7 which can produce any frequency in the sound range, the values given here being only indicative.
Les deux signaux Vj et V2 sont combinés dans un étage addition- neur 8 dont la sortie est appliquée en entrée d'un étage amplificateur 9 pilotant le transducteur 3 soit directement soit par l'intermédiaire d'un transformateur d'impulsions.The two signals V j and V 2 are combined in an adder stage 8, the output of which is applied to the input of an amplifier stage 9 controlling the transducer 3 either directly or via a pulse transformer.
Le signal reçu par ce transducteur a la forme illustrée par exemple figure 4, à savoir un signal non modulé et alternatif (c'est-à-dire com- portant des alternances positives et négatives). Mais il pourrait s'agir aussi bien d'un signal dont la composante ultrasonore comporte une modulation (cette modulation venant en supplément de l'addition du si¬ gnal à fréquence sonore, addition qui est indispensable à l'obtention des effets avantageux de l'invention, qui ne seraient pas obtenus par une simple modulation) et/ou d'un signal redressé, ne comportant que des alternances positives ou bien négatives, c'est-à-dire par exemple comportant un décalage continu par rapport au signal figure 4.The signal received by this transducer has the form illustrated for example in FIG. 4, namely a non-modulated and alternating signal (that is to say comprising positive and negative alternations). But it could also be a signal whose ultrasonic component includes a modulation (this modulation coming in addition to the addition of the signal at sound frequency, an addition which is essential for obtaining the advantageous effects of the invention, which would not be obtained by a simple modulation) and / or of a rectified signal, comprising only positive or negative alternations, that is to say for example comprising a continuous offset with respect to the figure signal 4.
Dans l'exemple illustré figure 4, la composante de tension à fréquence ultrasonore Vχ est de l'ordre de 20 V à vide et de 200 V à l'accord, c'est-à-dire quand l'on branche la tête 3 en sortie de l'amplifi¬ cateur 9. Le transducteur piézoélectrique de cette tête résonant à la même fréquence que le signal appliqué et les transducteurs de ce type présentant un facteur de surtension élevé, la tension de sortie de l'am¬ plificateur augmente dans des proportions importantes lorsque le transducteur est couplé au circuit électronique. Pour la même raison, la forme rectangulaire à vide du signal V. va se transformer en une forme proche d'une sinusoïde du fait de l'effet de filtrage introduit par le composant piézoélectrique en résonance. Toujours dans cet exemple, la composante de tension à fréquence sonore V2 observée aux bornes du transducteur présente une amplitude de l'ordre de 9 V, avec des impul¬ sions de période de récurrence T^ = 5 ms et de durée T2 = 1 ms.In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the voltage component at ultrasonic frequency V χ is of the order of 20 V at no load and 200 V at tuning, that is to say when the head is connected 3 at the output of the amplifier 9. The piezoelectric transducer of this head resonating at the same frequency as the applied signal and the transducers of this type having a high overvoltage factor, the output voltage of the amplifier increases in significant proportions when the transducer is coupled to the electronic circuit. For the same reason, the rectangular vacuum shape of the signal V. will transform into a shape close to a sinusoid due to the filtering effect introduced by the piezoelectric component in resonance. Still in this example, the voltage component at sound frequency V 2 observed at the terminals of the transducer has an amplitude of the order of 9 V, with pulses of recurrence period T ^ = 5 ms and duration T 2 = 1 ms.
Les divers circuits composant le boîtier électronique 2 sont en eux- mêmes des circuits connus et ne seront pas décrits plus en détail. On peut simplement noter que l'on peut prévoir en variante, au lieu de l'étage additionnel distinct 9, un générateur 6 de fréquence ultrasonore comportant directement une entrée d'addition de signal à laquelle est appliqué le signal V2 produit par le générateur 7 à fréquence sonore. Ceci permet de simplifier le schéma d'ensemble du circuit électronique de l'appareillage, toute choses égales par ailleurs. On va maintenant décrire, en référence à la figure 3, la structure de la tête de traitement 3 permettant de produire conjointement les vibrations sonores et ultrasonores.The various circuits making up the electronic unit 2 are in themselves known circuits and will not be described in more detail. It can simply be noted that one can provide, as a variant, instead of the separate additional stage 9, an ultrasonic frequency generator 6 directly comprising a signal addition input to which the signal V 2 produced by the generator is applied 7 at sound frequency. This simplifies the overall diagram of the electronic circuit of the apparatus, all other things being equal. We will now describe, with reference to FIG. 3, the structure of the treatment head 3 making it possible to jointly produce the sound and ultrasonic vibrations.
Cette tête 3 comporte un transducteur piézoélectrique 10 en forme de lame de céramique ou de quartz permettant de transformer en vibrations mécaniques les signaux électriques produits par le boîtier électronique et transmis par le conducteur 4.This head 3 comprises a piezoelectric transducer 10 in the form of a ceramic or quartz blade making it possible to transform the mechanical signals produced by the electronic unit and transmitted by the conductor 4 into mechanical vibrations.
Ce transducteur 10 est enfermé dans un boîtier 11, par exemple de forme cylindrique en tôle mince d'épaisseur 0,5 mm avec un diamètre de 25 mm et une hauteur de cylindre de 40 à 50 mm. Ces dimensions (qui ne sont que des ordres de grandeur, purement indicatifs) permet¬ tent de disposer d'une tête extrêmement légère, de quelques dizaines de grammes, pouvant être tenue à bout de doigts par le praticien, à l'opposé des têtes de traitement des appareillages de l'art antérieur qui, outre le fait qu'elles ne produisaient que des vibrations ultrasonores, pesaient souvent plusieurs centaines de grammes et nécessitaient la plupart du temps l'emploi d'une poignée.This transducer 10 is enclosed in a housing 11, for example of cylindrical shape made of thin sheet 0.5 mm thick with a diameter of 25 mm and a cylinder height of 40 to 50 mm. These dimensions (which are only orders of magnitude, purely indicative) allow¬ have an extremely light head, a few tens of grams, which can be held at fingertips by the practitioner, opposite the heads treatment of the apparatuses of the prior art which, apart from the fact that they produced only ultrasonic vibrations, often weighed several hundred grams and most of the time required the use of a handle.
En ce qui concerne la lame piézoélectrique, on peut utiliser une céramique de 10 mm de diamètre et de 2 mm d'épaisseur résonnant à une fréquence typique de l'ordre de 2 MHz. Le cylindre 11 de la tête de traitement est un cylindre borgne fermé par un fond plat 12 en partie inférieure et ouvert en partie supé¬ rieure. La face externe 13 de la paroi de fond 12 est destinée à être appliquée contre la région corporelle à traiter, tandis que la face interne 14 de cette même paroi porte le transducteur piézoélectrique 10. De façon caractéristique de l'invention, cette face intérieure 14 est uniforme et la lame piézoélectrique 10 est collée à cette dernière sur toute l'étendue de sa face 15 en vis-à-vis au moyen d'une masse de résine 16, par exemple une résine époxyde. On notera que cette struc¬ ture diffère sensiblement de celle des transducteurs pour appareillages de traitement à ultrasons dans lesquels la lame piézoélectrique repose sur des nervures radiales faisant saillie de la paroi de fond, donc sur une très faible partie de sa surface — ce qui l'empêche de vibrer dans le domaine sonore.As regards the piezoelectric plate, it is possible to use a ceramic 10 mm in diameter and 2 mm thick resonating at a typical frequency of the order of 2 MHz. The cylinder 11 of the treatment head is a blind cylinder closed by a flat bottom 12 in the lower part and open in the upper part. The external face 13 of the bottom wall 12 is intended to be applied against the body region to be treated, while the internal face 14 of this same wall carries the piezoelectric transducer 10. Typically of the invention, this internal face 14 is uniform and the piezoelectric strip 10 is bonded to the latter over the entire extent of its face 15 vis-à-vis by means of a resin mass 16, for example an epoxy resin. Note that this structure differs significantly from that of the transducers for ultrasound treatment equipment in which the piezoelectric plate rests on radial ribs projecting from the bottom wall, therefore on a very small part of its surface - which prevents vibration in the sound field.
Très avantageusement, la masse de résine 16 s'étend sur un dia- mètre notablement supérieur à celui du transducteur 10, par exemple de l'ordre de 15 à 20 mm, et sur une épaisseur importante, par exemple de l'ordre de 0,5 à 1 mm (on notera que, dans l'art antérieur, cette épaisseur était toujours nécessairement très faible, de l'ordre de 0,1 mm au maximum, pour permettre un couplage capacitif entre la face intérieure du transducteur et le boîtier métallique).Very advantageously, the mass of resin 16 extends over a diameter notably greater than that of the transducer 10, for example of the order of 15 to 20 mm, and over a significant thickness, for example of the order of 0 , 5 to 1 mm (it will be noted that, in the prior art, this thickness was always necessarily very small, of the order of 0.1 mm at most, to allow a capacitive coupling between the internal face of the transducer and the case metallic).
Cette masse élevée de résine a pour effet d'améliorer dans des proportions très importantes la résonance de l'ensemble lame-boîtier dans le domaine sonore, avec en outre un faible amortissement de cette résonance lorsque la tête est mise en contact avec la région corporelle 5 à traiter.This high mass of resin has the effect of improving, in very large proportions, the resonance of the blade-housing assembly in the sound domain, with in addition a weak damping of this resonance when the head is brought into contact with the body region. 5 to be processed.
De façon également caractéristique de l'invention, la lame piézo¬ électrique est reliée au conducteur du câble de connexion 4 par une liaison galvanique, avantageusement une liaison soudée : la face infé¬ rieure 15 de la lame piézoélectrique est soudée au fil 17 par une sou- dure (du type brasure à l'argent-étain ou analogue) 18, tandis que la face supérieure 19 est soudée au conducteur 20 par une soudure 21.Also characteristic of the invention, the piezoelectric blade is connected to the conductor of the connection cable 4 by a galvanic connection, advantageously a welded connection: the lower face 15 of the piezoelectric blade is welded to the wire 17 by a solder (of the silver-tin solder type or the like) 18, while the upper face 19 is soldered to the conductor 20 by a solder 21.
Cette structure s'oppose, ici encore, aux modes de connexion classi¬ ques des têtes de l'art antérieur, dans lesquelles la liaison à la face inférieure était généralement une liaison capacitive avec le corps du boîtier (impliquant, comme on l'a dit plus haut, une très faible épais- seur de colle entre lame piézoélectrique et boîtier), tandis que la liaison à la face supérieure était généralement une liaison par ressort, avec tous les inconvénients corrélatifs.This structure is again opposed to the conventional connection modes of the heads of the prior art, in which the connection to the underside was generally a capacitive connection with the body of the housing (implying, as has been said above, a very thin thick- glue between the piezoelectric plate and the housing), while the connection to the upper face was generally a connection by spring, with all the corresponding drawbacks.
Dans le cas de l'invention, la liaison soudée procure une fiabilité maximale et permet en outre d'isoler galvaniquement le boîtier métal¬ lique de la tête d'avec les fils d'alimentation du transducteur (la soudu¬ re inférieure 18 étant entièrement noyée dans la masse de résine 16).In the case of the invention, the welded connection provides maximum reliability and also makes it possible to galvanically isolate the metal housing from the head with the supply wires of the transducer (the lower weld 18 being entirely embedded in the mass of resin 16).
En outre et surtout, la masse additionnelle constituée par la sou¬ dure 21, à qui l'on donne délibérément un volume important, permet d'améliorer encore la résonance du système lame-boîtier dans le domai¬ ne sonore. La masse de métal de la soudure 21 peut ainsi avantageuse¬ ment présenter une épaisseur pouvant aller jusqu'à 4 à 5 mm.In addition and above all, the additional mass constituted by the hard sou¬ 21, which is deliberately given a large volume, makes it possible to further improve the resonance of the blade-housing system in the sound domain. The mass of metal of the weld 21 can thus advantageously have a thickness of up to 4 to 5 mm.
L'ensemble des éléments situés dans le fond du boîtier 11 est noyé dans une mousse de polyéthylène 22, neutre sur le plan acoustique et isolante sur le plan électrique, et l'ouverture du cylindre est obturée par une résine de fermeture 23 qui peut être par exemple une résine époxyde.All the elements located in the bottom of the housing 11 are embedded in a polyethylene foam 22, acoustically neutral and electrically insulating, and the opening of the cylinder is closed by a closing resin 23 which can be for example an epoxy resin.
Le couplage du corps du boîtier et de la lame 10 — qui, seule, ne pourrait pas vibrer dans le domaine sonore — avec interposition d'une masse importante (par rapport à la masse du transducteur seul) de résine 16 et, de façon surabondante, la présence de la masse de métal de la soudure 21 permettent de produire une vibration dans le domaine sonore de la paroi de fond 12 et donc d'appliquer, en plus de l'énergie ultrasonore, une énergie mécanique de niveau thérapeutiquement efficace à fréquence sonore à la région à traiter.The coupling of the housing body and the blade 10 - which, alone, could not vibrate in the sound domain - with the interposition of a large mass (relative to the mass of the transducer alone) of resin 16 and, superabundantly , the presence of the mass of metal of the weld 21 makes it possible to produce a vibration in the sound domain of the bottom wall 12 and therefore to apply, in addition to the ultrasonic energy, mechanical energy of therapeutically effective level at frequency sound to the area to be treated.
Cette vibration sonore est d'ailleurs en pratique nettement audible à plus de 10 cm de l'oreille, du fait de la forte résonance de la tête dans le domaine sonore, de sorte que le praticien peut aisément se rendre compte du bon fonctionnement de l'appareillage, à la différence par exemple des appareillages de traitement par ultrasons modulés, qui ne produisaient qu'une vibration perceptible très faible.This sound vibration is in fact clearly audible at more than 10 cm from the ear, due to the strong resonance of the head in the sound field, so that the practitioner can easily realize the proper functioning of the 'apparatus, unlike for example modulated ultrasound treatment apparatus, which produced only a very low perceptible vibration.
FEUILLE DE REMPLACEMENT (REGLE 2β) SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 2β)

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1. Un appareillage (1) de traitement thérapeutique par ultrasons, du type comportant : - un premier générateur de signal (6), délivrant une tension alterna¬ tive ou redressée (Vj) à fréquence ultrasonore,1. An apparatus (1) for therapeutic treatment by ultrasound, of the type comprising: - a first signal generator (6), delivering an alternating or rectified voltage (V j ) at ultrasonic frequency,
- un second générateur de signal (7), délivrant une tension alterna¬ tive ou redressée (V2) à fréquence sonore, eta second signal generator (7), delivering an alternating or rectified voltage (V 2 ) at sound frequency, and
- une tête de traitement (3), destinée à être appliquée contre une région corporelle à traiter (5), comportant un transducteur piézo¬ électrique (10) alimenté par les signaux produits par les premier et second générateurs, appareillage caractérisé en ce que :a treatment head (3), intended to be applied against a body region to be treated (5), comprising a piezoelectric transducer (10) supplied by the signals produced by the first and second generators, apparatus characterized in that:
- il comporte des moyens (8) d'addition des signaux des premier et second générateurs pour appliquer les signaux ainsi combinés au transducteur,- it comprises means (8) for adding the signals of the first and second generators to apply the signals thus combined to the transducer,
- la fréquence propre de résonance du transducteur correspond à la fréquence ultrasonore produite par le premier générateur, etthe natural resonant frequency of the transducer corresponds to the ultrasonic frequency produced by the first generator, and
- le transducteur est monté dans la tête de manière à provoquer, lorsque celui-ci est monté dans la tête, une résonance du transduc¬ teur à une fréquence correspondant à la fréquence sonore produite par le second générateur, cette résonance n'étant pas substantielle¬ ment affectée par la mise en contact de la tête avec la région corpo¬ relle à traiter.- The transducer is mounted in the head so as to cause, when the latter is mounted in the head, a resonance of the transducer at a frequency corresponding to the sound frequency produced by the second generator, this resonance not being substantial ¬ affected by bringing the head into contact with the body region to be treated.
2. L'appareillage de la revendication 1 dans lequel le transducteur (10) est monté dans la tête sur la face interne (14) d'une paroi de fond (12) de celle-ci, la face externe (13) de cette paroi étant destinée à venir en contact avec la région corporelle à traiter, la face interne de cette paroi étant uniforme et le transducteur reposant sur cette dernière sur la majeure partie ou la totalité de son étendue et avec interposition d'une masse homogène de matériau intercalaire (16).2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the transducer (10) is mounted in the head on the inner face (14) of a bottom wall (12) thereof, the outer face (13) of this wall being intended to come into contact with the body region to be treated, the internal face of this wall being uniform and the transducer resting on the latter over most or all of its extent and with the interposition of a homogeneous mass of interlayer material (16).
3. L'appareillage de la revendication 2 dans lequel, en direction radiale, l'étendue de la masse de matériau intercalaire est supérieure à celle du transducteur.3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein, in the radial direction, the extent of the mass of interlayer material is greater than that of the transducer.
4. L'appareillage de la revendication 1 dans lequel la liaison du transducteur à ses fils de connexion est une liaison galvanique.4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection of the transducer to its connection son is a galvanic connection.
5. L'appareillage de la revendication 4 dans lequel la liaison gal¬ vanique est une liaison soudée, réalisée entre chacune des faces (15, 19) du transducteur et un fil de connexion (17, 20) respectif.5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein the galvanic connection is a welded connection, formed between each of the faces (15, 19) of the transducer and a connection wire (17, 20) respective.
6. L'appareillage de la revendication 5 dans lequel la face (19) du transducteur opposée à la paroi de fond porte une masse de métal d'ap¬ port de soudure (21) s'étendant, en direction radiale, sur la majeure partie ou la totalité de l'étendue du transducteur.6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the face (19) of the transducer opposite to the bottom wall carries a mass of welding ap¬ metal (21) extending, in radial direction, on the major part or all of the extent of the transducer.
7. L'appareillage des revendications 2 et 5 prises en combinaison dans lequel la face (15) du transducteur en vis-à-vis de la face interne de la paroi de fond porte une soudure (18) noyée dans la masse homogène de matériau intercalaire (16). 7. The apparatus of claims 2 and 5 taken in combination in which the face (15) of the transducer facing the internal face of the bottom wall carries a weld (18) embedded in the homogeneous mass of material interlayer (16).
PCT/FR1994/000917 1994-07-21 1994-07-21 Ultrasonic therapeutical treatment apparatus WO1996003223A1 (en)

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WO1998007470A1 (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-02-26 Michael John Radley Young Improved apparatus for ultrasonic therapeutic treatment
US6428491B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2002-08-06 Dan Weiss Delivery of ultrasound to percutaneous and intrabody devices
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EP1849443A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-10-31 Alcon, Inc. Method for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class D amplifier
EP1849444A1 (en) 2006-04-21 2007-10-31 Alcon, Inc. System for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class D amplifier
US20110213248A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2011-09-01 Olympus Corporation Ultrasonic treatment apparatus
US20140107536A1 (en) * 2011-06-15 2014-04-17 Olympus Corporation Ultrasonic irradiation apparatus and method for irradiating ultrasonic wave
WO2017089609A3 (en) * 2015-11-26 2017-09-28 Elmos Semiconductor Aktiengesellschaft Oscillating element for a multiple resonant frequency ultrasonic transducer

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DE928379C (en) * 1951-04-22 1955-05-31 Kurt Gratzl Device for treating media by means of ultrasound
GB1024358A (en) * 1964-04-24 1966-03-30 Multisonic Corp Improvements in ultrasonic generators
FR2445152A1 (en) * 1978-12-27 1980-07-25 Skovajsa Joseph Ultrasonic generator for medical use e.g. echography - includes signal generator and variable modulator feeding signal to small transducer for localised treatment
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Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1998007470A1 (en) * 1996-08-23 1998-02-26 Michael John Radley Young Improved apparatus for ultrasonic therapeutic treatment
AU724855B2 (en) * 1996-08-23 2000-10-05 Michael John Radley Young Improved apparatus for ultrasonic therapeutic treatment
US6428491B1 (en) 1999-08-27 2002-08-06 Dan Weiss Delivery of ultrasound to percutaneous and intrabody devices
US7104268B2 (en) * 2003-01-10 2006-09-12 Akrion Technologies, Inc. Megasonic cleaning system with buffered cavitation method
EP1849443A1 (en) * 2006-04-21 2007-10-31 Alcon, Inc. Method for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class D amplifier
EP1849444A1 (en) 2006-04-21 2007-10-31 Alcon, Inc. System for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class D amplifier
AU2007201775B2 (en) * 2006-04-21 2009-02-12 Alcon, Inc. Method for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class D amplifier
AU2007201774B2 (en) * 2006-04-21 2009-02-12 Alcon, Inc. System for driving an ultrasonic handpiece with a class D amplifier
US20110213248A1 (en) * 2010-02-26 2011-09-01 Olympus Corporation Ultrasonic treatment apparatus
US20140107536A1 (en) * 2011-06-15 2014-04-17 Olympus Corporation Ultrasonic irradiation apparatus and method for irradiating ultrasonic wave
WO2017089609A3 (en) * 2015-11-26 2017-09-28 Elmos Semiconductor Aktiengesellschaft Oscillating element for a multiple resonant frequency ultrasonic transducer

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