WO2017135658A1 - Plaque detection system and method - Google Patents

Plaque detection system and method Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2017135658A1
WO2017135658A1 PCT/KR2017/001045 KR2017001045W WO2017135658A1 WO 2017135658 A1 WO2017135658 A1 WO 2017135658A1 KR 2017001045 W KR2017001045 W KR 2017001045W WO 2017135658 A1 WO2017135658 A1 WO 2017135658A1
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image
thrombus
photoacoustic
laser
detection system
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PCT/KR2017/001045
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French (fr)
Korean (ko)
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송철규
신동호
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전북대학교산학협력단
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B5/00—Measuring for diagnostic purposes; Identification of persons
    • A61B5/02—Detecting, measuring or recording pulse, heart rate, blood pressure or blood flow; Combined pulse/heart-rate/blood pressure determination; Evaluating a cardiovascular condition not otherwise provided for, e.g. using combinations of techniques provided for in this group with electrocardiography or electroauscultation; Heart catheters for measuring blood pressure
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/08—Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings

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  • the present invention relates to thrombus detection techniques, and more particularly to systems and methods for detecting thrombus generated in blood vessels.
  • Plaque formed in the blood vessels causes blood vessel occlusion, leading to serious conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, especially in the case of carotid artery can cause stroke, cerebral infarction, etc., the early detection of carotid artery thrombus is more urgent.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention, to provide a method for detecting carotid artery thrombosis, to provide a thrombus detection system and method combining the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image.
  • Another object of the present invention is to provide a thrombus detection system and method using a transesophageal probe in which ultrasound and a laser are integrated.
  • the thrombus detection system the laser generating a laser pulse to irradiate the blood vessels; A sensor for detecting photoacoustic light emitted from the blood vessel irradiated with the laser pulse; An optoacoustic generator configured to generate an optoacoustic image by using the detection result of the sensor; An ultrasound image generator configured to generate an ultrasound image of the blood vessel; And an extractor which extracts a blood clot using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • the extractor may extract the thrombus from the difference image between the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • the thrombus detection system may further include a combination unit for combining the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • the thrombus detection system may further include a display for displaying the combination result by the combination unit and the extraction result by the extraction unit.
  • the laser pulse may be a laser pulse of the wavelength of the largest thermal expansion of the main component of the thrombus.
  • the laser pulse may be a laser pulse having a wavelength of 1210 nm.
  • the laser generating a laser pulse to irradiate the blood vessels;
  • An ultrasonic generator for outputting ultrasonic waves to the blood vessels;
  • a sensor for detecting the photoacoustic light emitted from the blood vessel irradiated with the laser pulse, and for sensing the ultrasonic wave reflected from the blood vessel irradiated by the ultrasonic generator;
  • An image generator configured to generate a photoacoustic image and an ultrasonic image by using the detection result of the sensor;
  • an extractor which extracts a blood clot using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • control unit for controlling the laser and the ultrasonic wave generation unit so that the laser pulse generation in the laser and the ultrasonic generation in the ultrasonic generator in turn; can do.
  • the laser pulse may be a laser pulse of the wavelength of the largest thermal expansion of the main component of the thrombus.
  • the embodiments of the present invention by combining the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image, it is possible to detect the carotid thrombi more effectively.
  • more accurate and faster thrombi detection can be achieved using an esophageal probe with integrated ultrasound and laser.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a carotid artery thrombosis detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is a view showing the structure of the carotid artery probe
  • 3 is a view provided to explain the laser absorption degree
  • FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a transesophageal thrombus detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a view showing the structure of the esophageal probe.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart provided to explain a thrombus detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a carotid artery thrombosis detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • the carotid artery thrombosis detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention detects carotid artery thrombi by combining an optoacoustic image and an ultrasound image.
  • Carotid artery thrombosis detection system that performs such a function, as shown in Figure 1, the tunable laser 110, the ultrasonic sensor 120, photoacoustic image generator 130, ultrasonic image generator 140, The image combiner 150, the thrombus extractor 160, the display 170, and the display 180 are included.
  • the tunable laser 110 may generate laser pulses of various wavelengths and irradiate the carotid arteries.
  • the wavelength and generation time / period of the laser pulse generated by the tunable laser 110 are controlled by the controller 180.
  • the carotid artery absorbs the laser pulse irradiated from the wavelength tunable laser 110 and thermally expands, and photoacoustic light is emitted from the carotid artery by this thermal expansion.
  • the ultrasonic sensor 120 is a sensor for detecting photoacoustic light emitted from the carotid artery.
  • FIG. 2 illustrates a carotid artery probe structure including an optical fiber for irradiating a laser pulse generated by the tunable laser 110 to the carotid artery and provided with an ultrasonic sensor 120 for sensing the photoacoustic light emitted from the carotid artery.
  • the photoacoustic detection result by the ultrasonic sensor 120 is applied to the photoacoustic image generator 130.
  • the photoacoustic image generator 130 generates the photoacoustic image from the photoacoustic detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 120.
  • the image generated by the photoacoustic image generating unit 130 is applied to the image combining unit 150.
  • the ultrasound image generator 140 outputs ultrasound to the carotid artery and detects ultrasound reflected from the carotid artery to generate an ultrasound image.
  • the ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound image generator 140 is applied to the image combiner 150.
  • the image combiner 150 combines the photoacoustic image generated by the photoacoustic image generator 130 and the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic image generator 140.
  • the thrombus extraction unit 160 may extract carotid artery thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • the display 170 displays the combined image generated by the image combiner 150 and the carotid thrombus extraction result by the thrombus extractor 160 and provides the result to the medical staff.
  • Ultrasonography shows the structure of the carotid artery, but it does not distinguish carotid thrombi from other tissues.
  • the thrombus is mainly composed of lipids.
  • the photoacoustics emitted from the lipids irradiated with laser pulses of a specific wavelength are much larger than other tissues, and thus have a large contrast.
  • the lipid has a high absorption of the laser of the 1210nm wavelength, it will emit the largest photoacoustic.
  • the carotid thrombus is searched by combining the structural image of the ultrasound image and the functional image of the photoacoustic image generated by the laser pulse of 1210 nm wavelength.
  • the image combiner 150 may synthesize the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image to generate a carotid artery image having high contrast of the thrombus portion, and the thrombus extractor 160 generates a difference image between the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image. Carotid thrombi can be extracted.
  • FIG 4 is a block diagram of a transesophageal thrombus detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Transesophageal thrombus detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is also the same as the thrombus detection system shown in Figure 1 in that the carotid artery thrombus is detected by combining the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • the transesophageal thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 4 differs from the thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 1 in that it detects photoacoustics and ultrasound by inserting the transesophageal probe shown in FIG. 5 into the esophagus.
  • transesophageal thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 4 differs from the thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 1 in that one ultrasonic sensor 230 is used to generate photoacoustic and ultrasound images simultaneously. have.
  • Transesophageal thrombus detection system having such a feature, as shown in Figure 4, the tunable laser 210, the ultrasonic generator 220, ultrasonic sensor 230, photoacoustic / The ultrasound image generator 240, the image combiner 250, the thrombus extractor 260, and the display 270 are included.
  • the tunable laser 210 may generate laser pulses of various wavelengths and irradiate the carotid arteries.
  • the wavelength and generation time / period of the laser pulse generated by the tunable laser 210 are controlled by the controller 280.
  • the ultrasound generator 220 generates ultrasound and outputs the ultrasound to the carotid artery.
  • the ultrasound generation unit 220 is controlled by the controller 280 when the generation / period of the ultrasound.
  • the control unit 280 is a laser pulse generation / irradiation by the wavelength tunable laser 210 and the ultrasonic wave generation / output to the ultrasonic wave generator 220, the variable wavelength laser 210 and the ultrasonic wave generator 220 in order To control.
  • the ultrasonic sensor 230 sequentially detects the photoacoustic emitted from the carotid artery by the laser pulse irradiated by the tunable laser 210 and the ultrasonic wave output by the ultrasonic generator 220 and reflected from the carotid artery. do.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates an esophageal probe structure including an optical fiber for irradiating a laser generated by the tunable laser 110 to the carotid artery and provided with the ultrasonic wave generator 220 and the ultrasonic sensor 230.
  • the optoacoustic / ultrasound image generator 240 generates an optoacoustic image using the photoacoustic signal detected by the ultrasonic sensor 230, and generates an ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic signal detected by the ultrasonic sensor 230.
  • the photoacoustic and ultrasonic images generated by the photoacoustic / ultrasound image generating unit 240 are applied to the image combining unit 250.
  • the image combiner 250 combines the photoacoustic image and the ultrasonic image.
  • the thrombus extractor 260 may extract the carotid artery thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  • the display 270 displays the combined image generated by the image combiner 250 and the carotid thrombus extraction result by the thrombus extractor 260 and provides the result to the medical staff.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart provided to explain a thrombus detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • an optoacoustic image is generated using a laser pulse (S310), and an ultrasound image is generated using ultrasonic waves (S320).
  • carotid artery thrombosis detection system transesophageal thrombosis detection system, and thrombus detection method using them have been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments.
  • Carotid artery thrombus detection presented in the above examples is merely exemplary.
  • the present invention can also be applied to detecting blood clots in blood vessels other than the carotid artery.

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Abstract

Provided are plaque detection system and method. A plaque detection system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises: a laser for generating a laser pulse and radiating same on the blood vessel; a sensor for detecting photoacoustic emission from the blood vessel on which the laser pulse has been radiated; a photoacoustic generation unit for generating a photoacoustic image by means of the detection result of the sensor; an ultrasonic image generation unit for generating an ultrasonic image of the blood vessel; and an extraction unit for extracting the plaque by means of the photoacoustic image and ultrasonic image. The present invention enables quicker and more effective and accurate plaque detection.

Description

혈전 탐지 시스템 및 방법Thrombotic Detection System and Method
본 발명은 혈전 탐지 기술에 관한 것으로, 더욱 상세하게는 혈관에 생성된 혈전을 탐지하기 위한 시스템 및 방법에 관한 것이다.FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to thrombus detection techniques, and more particularly to systems and methods for detecting thrombus generated in blood vessels.
국내의 경우 심·혈관 질환으로 사망하는 환자 수가 전체 질병의 2위이고, 미국의 경우 1위이다. 이에 따라 심·혈관 질환에서 혈전을 조기에 판별하는 연구가 활발하다.In Korea, the number of patients who die from cardiovascular disease is second in overall disease, and in the United States, it is number one. Accordingly, there is an active research for early detection of thrombi in cardiovascular disease.
혈관 내에 형성된 혈전(Plaque)은 혈관 폐쇄를 야기하여 급성 심근경색 등 심각한 상황을 초래하며, 특히 경동맥의 경우 혈전이 발생하면, 뇌졸중, 뇌경색 등을 유발할 수 있어 경동맥 혈전의 조기 판별이 더욱 시급한 실정이다.Plaque formed in the blood vessels (Plaque) causes blood vessel occlusion, leading to serious conditions such as acute myocardial infarction, especially in the case of carotid artery can cause stroke, cerebral infarction, etc., the early detection of carotid artery thrombus is more urgent.
이에, 혈전, 특히 불안정한 혈전의 조기 진단을 위한 방안의 모색이 요청되며, 특히 비침습적으로 혈전을 탐지하기 위한 영상화 기술이 매우 요원한 상황이다.Accordingly, there is a need for a method for early diagnosis of blood clots, particularly unstable blood clots, and in particular, imaging techniques for detecting blood clots in a non-invasive manner are very long.
본 발명은 상기와 같은 문제점을 해결하기 위하여 안출된 것으로서, 본 발명의 목적은, 경동맥 혈전 탐지를 위한 방안으로, 초음파 영상과 광음향 영상을 결합한 혈전 탐지 시스템 및 방법을 제공함에 있다.The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, an object of the present invention, to provide a method for detecting carotid artery thrombosis, to provide a thrombus detection system and method combining the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image.
또한, 본 발명의 다른 목적은, 초음파와 레이저가 일체화된 경식도 프로브를 이용하는 혈전 탐지 시스템 및 방법을 제공함에 있다.Another object of the present invention is to provide a thrombus detection system and method using a transesophageal probe in which ultrasound and a laser are integrated.
상기 목적을 달성하기 위한 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른, 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 레이저 펄스를 생성하여 혈관에 조사하는 레이저; 상기 레이저 펄스가 조사된 혈관에서 출사되는 광음향을 감지하는 센서; 상기 센서의 감지 결과를 이용하여, 광음향 영상을 생성하는 광음향 생성부; 상기 혈관에 대한 초음파 영상을 생성하는 초음파 영상 생성부; 및 상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상을 이용하여 혈전을 추출하는 추출부;를 포함한다.According to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object, the thrombus detection system, the laser generating a laser pulse to irradiate the blood vessels; A sensor for detecting photoacoustic light emitted from the blood vessel irradiated with the laser pulse; An optoacoustic generator configured to generate an optoacoustic image by using the detection result of the sensor; An ultrasound image generator configured to generate an ultrasound image of the blood vessel; And an extractor which extracts a blood clot using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
그리고, 상기 추출부는, 상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상의 차 영상으로부터 상기 혈전을 추출할 수 있다.The extractor may extract the thrombus from the difference image between the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
또한, 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상을 조합하는 조합부;를 더 포함할 수 있다.In addition, the thrombus detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a combination unit for combining the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
그리고, 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 상기 조합부에 의한 조합 결과와 상기 추출부에 의해 추출 결과를 표시하는 디스플레이;를 더 포함할 수 있다.The thrombus detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include a display for displaying the combination result by the combination unit and the extraction result by the extraction unit.
또한, 상기 레이저 펄스는, 상기 혈전의 주성분에 대한 열적 팽창이 가장 큰 파장의 레이저 펄스일 수 있다.In addition, the laser pulse may be a laser pulse of the wavelength of the largest thermal expansion of the main component of the thrombus.
그리고, 상기 레이저 펄스는, 1210nm 파장의 레이저 펄스일 수 있다.The laser pulse may be a laser pulse having a wavelength of 1210 nm.
한편, 본 발명의 다른 실시예에 따른, 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 레이저 펄스를 생성하여 혈관에 조사하는 레이저; 상기 혈관에 초음파를 출력하는 초음파 생성부; 상기 레이저 펄스가 조사된 혈관에서 출사되는 광음향을 감지하고, 상기 초음파 생성부에서 조사되어 상기 혈관에서 반사된 초음파를 감지하는 센서; 상기 센서의 감지 결과를 이용하여, 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 생성하는 영상 생성부; 및 상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상을 이용하여 혈전을 추출하는 추출부;를 포함한다.On the other hand, the thrombus detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the laser generating a laser pulse to irradiate the blood vessels; An ultrasonic generator for outputting ultrasonic waves to the blood vessels; A sensor for detecting the photoacoustic light emitted from the blood vessel irradiated with the laser pulse, and for sensing the ultrasonic wave reflected from the blood vessel irradiated by the ultrasonic generator; An image generator configured to generate a photoacoustic image and an ultrasonic image by using the detection result of the sensor; And an extractor which extracts a blood clot using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
그리고, 본 발명의 다른 실시예에 따른, 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 상기 레이저에서의 레이저 펄스 생성과 상기 초음파 생성부에서 초음파 생성이 번차례로 이루어지도록 상기 레이저와 상기 초음파 생성부를 제어하는 제어부;를 더 포함할 수 있다.In addition, the thrombus detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention, the control unit for controlling the laser and the ultrasonic wave generation unit so that the laser pulse generation in the laser and the ultrasonic generation in the ultrasonic generator in turn; can do.
또한, 상기 레이저 펄스는, 상기 혈전의 주성분에 대한 열적 팽창이 가장 큰 파장의 레이저 펄스일 수 있다.In addition, the laser pulse may be a laser pulse of the wavelength of the largest thermal expansion of the main component of the thrombus.
이상 설명한 바와 같이, 본 발명의 실시예들에 따르면, 초음파 영상과 광음향 영상을 결합하여, 보다 효과적으로 경동맥 혈전 탐지를 할 수 있게 된다. 뿐만 아니라, 초음파와 레이저가 일체화된 경식도 프로브를 이용하는 보다 정확하고 빠르게 혈전 탐지가 가능해진다.As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, by combining the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image, it is possible to detect the carotid thrombi more effectively. In addition, more accurate and faster thrombi detection can be achieved using an esophageal probe with integrated ultrasound and laser.
도 1은 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 경동맥 혈전 탐지 시스템의 블럭도,1 is a block diagram of a carotid artery thrombosis detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention;
도 2는 경동맥 프로브의 구조를 나타낸 도면,2 is a view showing the structure of the carotid artery probe,
도 3은 레이저 흡수도의 설명에 제공되는 도면,3 is a view provided to explain the laser absorption degree;
도 4는 본 발명의 다른 실시예에 따른 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템의 블럭도,Figure 4 is a block diagram of a transesophageal thrombus detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention,
도 5는 경식도 프로브의 구조를 나타낸 도면, 그리고,5 is a view showing the structure of the esophageal probe, and
도 6은 본 발명의 또 다른 실시예에 따른 혈전 탐지 방법의 설명에 제공되는 흐름도이다.6 is a flowchart provided to explain a thrombus detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
이하에서는 도면을 참조하여 본 발명을 보다 상세하게 설명한다.Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described the present invention in more detail.
도 1은 본 발명의 일 실시예에 따른 경동맥 혈전 탐지 시스템의 블럭도이다. 본 발명의 실시예에 따른 경동맥 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 결합하여 경동맥 혈전을 탐지한다.1 is a block diagram of a carotid artery thrombosis detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The carotid artery thrombosis detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention detects carotid artery thrombi by combining an optoacoustic image and an ultrasound image.
이와 같은 기능을 수행하는 경동맥 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 도 1에 도시된 바와 같이, 파장 가변 레이저(110), 초음파 센서(120), 광음향 영상 생성부(130), 초음파 영상 생성부(140), 영상 조합부(150), 혈전 추출부(160), 디스플레이(170) 및 디스플레이(180)를 포함한다.Carotid artery thrombosis detection system that performs such a function, as shown in Figure 1, the tunable laser 110, the ultrasonic sensor 120, photoacoustic image generator 130, ultrasonic image generator 140, The image combiner 150, the thrombus extractor 160, the display 170, and the display 180 are included.
파장 가변 레이저(110)는 다양한 파장의 레이저 펄스를 생성하여 경동맥에 조사할 수 있다. 파장 가변 레이저(110)에 의해 생성되는 레이저 펄스의 파장 및 생성 시점/주기는 제어부(180)에 의해 제어된다.The tunable laser 110 may generate laser pulses of various wavelengths and irradiate the carotid arteries. The wavelength and generation time / period of the laser pulse generated by the tunable laser 110 are controlled by the controller 180.
경동맥은 파장 가변 레이저(110)에서 조사되는 레이저 펄스를 흡수하여 열 팽창하고, 이 열팽창에 의해 경동맥에서는 광음향이 출사된다.The carotid artery absorbs the laser pulse irradiated from the wavelength tunable laser 110 and thermally expands, and photoacoustic light is emitted from the carotid artery by this thermal expansion.
초음파 센서(120)는 경동맥에서 출사되는 광음향을 감지하기 위한 센서이다. 도 2에는 파장 가변 레이저(110)에서 생성되는 레이저 펄스를 경동맥으로 조사하기 위한 광 파이버를 포함하고, 경동맥으로부터 출사되는 광음향을 감지하는 초음파 센서(120)가 마련된 경동맥 프로브 구조를 도시하였다.The ultrasonic sensor 120 is a sensor for detecting photoacoustic light emitted from the carotid artery. FIG. 2 illustrates a carotid artery probe structure including an optical fiber for irradiating a laser pulse generated by the tunable laser 110 to the carotid artery and provided with an ultrasonic sensor 120 for sensing the photoacoustic light emitted from the carotid artery.
초음파 센서(120)에 의한 광음향 감지 결과는 광음향 영상 생성부(130)로 인가된다.The photoacoustic detection result by the ultrasonic sensor 120 is applied to the photoacoustic image generator 130.
광음향 영상 생성부(130)는 초음파 센서(120)의 광음향 감지 결과로부터 광음향 영상을 생성한다. 광음향 영상 생성부(130)에 의해 생성된 영상은 영상 조합부(150)로 인가된다.The photoacoustic image generator 130 generates the photoacoustic image from the photoacoustic detection result of the ultrasonic sensor 120. The image generated by the photoacoustic image generating unit 130 is applied to the image combining unit 150.
초음파 영상 생성부(140)는 경동맥에 초음파를 출력하고 경동맥에서 반사되는 초음파를 감지하여, 초음파 영상을 생성한다. 초음파 영상 생성부(140)에 의해 생성된 초음파 영상은 영상 조합부(150)로 인가된다.The ultrasound image generator 140 outputs ultrasound to the carotid artery and detects ultrasound reflected from the carotid artery to generate an ultrasound image. The ultrasound image generated by the ultrasound image generator 140 is applied to the image combiner 150.
영상 조합부(150)는 광음향 영상 생성부(130)에 의해 생성된 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상 생성부(140)에 의해 생성된 초음파 영상을 결합한다. 또한, 혈전 추출부(160)는 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 이용하여 경동맥 혈전을 추출할 수 있다.The image combiner 150 combines the photoacoustic image generated by the photoacoustic image generator 130 and the ultrasonic image generated by the ultrasonic image generator 140. In addition, the thrombus extraction unit 160 may extract carotid artery thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
디스플레이(170)는 영상 조합부(150)에 의해 생성되는 결합 영상과 혈전 추출부(160)에 의한 경동맥 혈전 추출 결과를 표시하여, 의료진에게 제공한다.The display 170 displays the combined image generated by the image combiner 150 and the carotid thrombus extraction result by the thrombus extractor 160 and provides the result to the medical staff.
이하에서는, 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 이용하여 경동맥 혈전을 탐지하는 원리 및 방법에 대해 상세히 설명한다.Hereinafter, the principle and method for detecting carotid artery thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image will be described in detail.
초음파 영상은 경동맥의 구조를 잘 나타내지만, 경동맥 혈전과 다른 조직들을 잘 구분하여 주지 못한다.Ultrasonography shows the structure of the carotid artery, but it does not distinguish carotid thrombi from other tissues.
혈전은 주로 지질로 이루어져 있는데, 특정 파장의 레이저 펄스가 조사된 지질에서 출사되는 광음향은 다른 조직 보다 훨씬 커서 대조도가 크다. 특히, 도 3에 도시된 바와 같이, 지질은 1210nm 파장의 레이저에 대한 흡수도가 높아, 가장 큰 광음향을 방사하게 된다.The thrombus is mainly composed of lipids. The photoacoustics emitted from the lipids irradiated with laser pulses of a specific wavelength are much larger than other tissues, and thus have a large contrast. In particular, as shown in Fig. 3, the lipid has a high absorption of the laser of the 1210nm wavelength, it will emit the largest photoacoustic.
이에, 본 발명의 실시예에서는 초음파 영상의 구조적 이미지와 1210nm 파장의 레이저 펄스로 생성한 광음향 영상의 기능적 이미지를 결합하여, 경동맥 혈전을 탐색한다.Accordingly, in the embodiment of the present invention, the carotid thrombus is searched by combining the structural image of the ultrasound image and the functional image of the photoacoustic image generated by the laser pulse of 1210 nm wavelength.
영상 조합부(150)는 초음파 영상과 광음향 영상을 합성하여, 혈전 부분의 대조도가 높은 경동맥 영상을 생성할 수 있고, 혈전 추출부(160)는 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상의 차 영상을 생성하여, 경동맥 혈전을 추출할 수 있다.The image combiner 150 may synthesize the ultrasound image and the photoacoustic image to generate a carotid artery image having high contrast of the thrombus portion, and the thrombus extractor 160 generates a difference image between the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image. Carotid thrombi can be extracted.
도 4는 본 발명의 다른 실시예에 따른 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템의 블럭도이다. 본 발명의 실시예에 따른 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템도, 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 결합하여 경동맥 혈전을 탐지한다는 점에서, 도 1에 도시된 혈전 탐지 시스템과 동일하다.Figure 4 is a block diagram of a transesophageal thrombus detection system according to another embodiment of the present invention. Transesophageal thrombus detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention is also the same as the thrombus detection system shown in Figure 1 in that the carotid artery thrombus is detected by combining the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
하지만, 도 4에 도시된 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 도 5에 도시된 경식도 프로브를 식도에 삽입하여 광음향과 초음파를 감지한다는 점에서, 도 1에 도시된 혈전 탐지 시스템과 차이가 있다.However, the transesophageal thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 4 differs from the thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 1 in that it detects photoacoustics and ultrasound by inserting the transesophageal probe shown in FIG. 5 into the esophagus.
또한, 도 4에 도시된 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 하나의 초음파 센서(230)를 이용하며, 광음향과 초음파 영상을 동시에 생성할 수 있다는 점에서도, 도 1에 도시된 혈전 탐지 시스템과 차이가 있다.In addition, the transesophageal thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 4 differs from the thrombus detection system shown in FIG. 1 in that one ultrasonic sensor 230 is used to generate photoacoustic and ultrasound images simultaneously. have.
이와 같은 특징을 갖는 본 발명의 실시예에 따른 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템은, 도 4에 도시된 바와 같이, 파장 가변 레이저(210), 초음파 생성부(220), 초음파 센서(230), 광음향/초음파 영상 생성부(240), 영상 조합부(250), 혈전 추출부(260) 및 디스플레이(270)를 포함한다.Transesophageal thrombus detection system according to an embodiment of the present invention having such a feature, as shown in Figure 4, the tunable laser 210, the ultrasonic generator 220, ultrasonic sensor 230, photoacoustic / The ultrasound image generator 240, the image combiner 250, the thrombus extractor 260, and the display 270 are included.
파장 가변 레이저(210)는 다양한 파장의 레이저 펄스를 생성하여 경동맥에 조사할 수 있다. 파장 가변 레이저(210)에 의해 생성되는 레이저 펄스의 파장 및 생성 시점/주기는 제어부(280)에 의해 제어된다.The tunable laser 210 may generate laser pulses of various wavelengths and irradiate the carotid arteries. The wavelength and generation time / period of the laser pulse generated by the tunable laser 210 are controlled by the controller 280.
초음파 생성부(220)는 초음파를 생성하여 경동맥에 출력한다. 초음파 생성부(220)는 초음파의 생성 시점/주기는 제어부(280)에 의해 제어된다.The ultrasound generator 220 generates ultrasound and outputs the ultrasound to the carotid artery. The ultrasound generation unit 220 is controlled by the controller 280 when the generation / period of the ultrasound.
제어부(280)는, 파장 가변 레이저(210)에 의한 레이저 펄스 생성/조사와 초음파 생성부(220)에 초음파 생성/출력이, 번차례로 이루어지도록 파장 가변 레이저(210)와 초음파 생성부(220)를 제어한다.The control unit 280 is a laser pulse generation / irradiation by the wavelength tunable laser 210 and the ultrasonic wave generation / output to the ultrasonic wave generator 220, the variable wavelength laser 210 and the ultrasonic wave generator 220 in order To control.
이에, 초음파 센서(230)에는 파장 가변 레이저(210)에 의해 조사된 레이저 펄스에 의해 경동맥에서 출사되는 광음향과, 초음파 생성부(220)에 의해 출력되어 경동맥에서 반사된 초음파가, 번차례로 감지된다.Accordingly, the ultrasonic sensor 230 sequentially detects the photoacoustic emitted from the carotid artery by the laser pulse irradiated by the tunable laser 210 and the ultrasonic wave output by the ultrasonic generator 220 and reflected from the carotid artery. do.
도 5에는 파장 가변 레이저(110)에서 생성되는 레이저를 경동맥으로 조사하기 위한 광 파이버를 포함하고, 초음파 생성부(220)와 초음파 센서(230)가 마련되어 있는 경식도 프로브 구조를 도시하였다.FIG. 5 illustrates an esophageal probe structure including an optical fiber for irradiating a laser generated by the tunable laser 110 to the carotid artery and provided with the ultrasonic wave generator 220 and the ultrasonic sensor 230.
광음향/초음파 영상 생성부(240)는, 초음파 센서(230)로부터 감지된 광음향 신호를 이용하여 광음향 영상을 생성하는 한편, 초음파 센서(230)로부터 감지된 초음파 신호를 이용하여 초음파 영상을 생성한다.The optoacoustic / ultrasound image generator 240 generates an optoacoustic image using the photoacoustic signal detected by the ultrasonic sensor 230, and generates an ultrasonic image using the ultrasonic signal detected by the ultrasonic sensor 230. Create
광음향/초음파 영상 생성부(240)에 의해 생성된 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상은 영상 조합부(250)로 인가된다.The photoacoustic and ultrasonic images generated by the photoacoustic / ultrasound image generating unit 240 are applied to the image combining unit 250.
영상 조합부(250)는 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 결합한다. 또한, 혈전 추출부(260)는 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 이용하여 경동맥 혈전을 추출할 수 있다.The image combiner 250 combines the photoacoustic image and the ultrasonic image. In addition, the thrombus extractor 260 may extract the carotid artery thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
디스플레이(270)는 영상 조합부(250)에 의해 생성되는 결합 영상과 혈전 추출부(260)에 의한 경동맥 혈전 추출 결과를 표시하여, 의료진에게 제공한다.The display 270 displays the combined image generated by the image combiner 250 and the carotid thrombus extraction result by the thrombus extractor 260 and provides the result to the medical staff.
도 6은 본 발명의 또 다른 실시예에 따른 혈전 탐지 방법의 설명에 제공되는 흐름도이다.6 is a flowchart provided to explain a thrombus detection method according to another embodiment of the present invention.
도 6에 도시된 바와 같이, 먼저 레이저 펄스를 이용하여 광음향 영상을 생성하고(S310), 초음파를 이용하여 초음파 영상을 생성한다(S320).As shown in FIG. 6, first, an optoacoustic image is generated using a laser pulse (S310), and an ultrasound image is generated using ultrasonic waves (S320).
다음, S310단계와 S320단계에서 생성된 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 조합하고(S330), 경동맥 혈전을 추출한다(S340).Next, the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image generated in steps S310 and S320 are combined (S330), and carotid artery thrombus is extracted (S340).
그리고, 조합된 영상과 경동맥 혈전 추출 결과를 표시하여, 의료진에게 제공한다(S350).Then, the combined image and the carotid thrombus extraction result are displayed and provided to the medical staff (S350).
지금까지, 경동맥 혈전 탐지 시스템과 경식도 혈전 탐지 시스템 및 이들을 이용한 혈전 탐지 방법에 대해 바람직한 실시예들을 들어 상세히 설명하였다.Thus far, carotid artery thrombosis detection system, transesophageal thrombosis detection system, and thrombus detection method using them have been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments.
위 실시예에서 제시한 경동맥 혈전 탐지는 예시적인 것에 불과하다. 경동맥 이외의 다른 혈관에서 혈전을 탐지하는 경우에도 본 발명의 기술적 사상이 적용될 수 있다.Carotid artery thrombus detection presented in the above examples is merely exemplary. The present invention can also be applied to detecting blood clots in blood vessels other than the carotid artery.
또한, 이상에서는 본 발명의 바람직한 실시예에 대하여 도시하고 설명하였지만, 본 발명은 상술한 특정의 실시예에 한정되지 아니하며, 청구범위에서 청구하는 본 발명의 요지를 벗어남이 없이 당해 발명이 속하는 기술분야에서 통상의 지식을 가진자에 의해 다양한 변형실시가 가능한 것은 물론이고, 이러한 변형실시들은 본 발명의 기술적 사상이나 전망으로부터 개별적으로 이해되어져서는 안될 것이다.In addition, although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been shown and described above, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above, but the technical field to which the invention belongs without departing from the spirit of the invention claimed in the claims. Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art, and these modifications should not be individually understood from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims (9)

  1. 레이저 펄스를 생성하여 혈관에 조사하는 레이저;A laser generating laser pulses and irradiating blood vessels;
    상기 레이저 펄스가 조사된 혈관에서 출사되는 광음향을 감지하는 센서;A sensor for detecting photoacoustic light emitted from the blood vessel irradiated with the laser pulse;
    상기 센서의 감지 결과를 이용하여, 광음향 영상을 생성하는 광음향 생성부;An optoacoustic generator configured to generate an optoacoustic image by using the detection result of the sensor;
    상기 혈관에 대한 초음파 영상을 생성하는 초음파 영상 생성부; 및An ultrasound image generator configured to generate an ultrasound image of the blood vessel; And
    상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상을 이용하여 혈전을 추출하는 추출부;를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.A thrombus detection system comprising a; extractor for extracting thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  2. 청구항 1에 있어서,The method according to claim 1,
    상기 추출부는,The extraction unit,
    상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상의 차 영상으로부터 상기 혈전을 추출하는 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.The thrombus detection system of claim 1, wherein the thrombus is extracted from the difference image between the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  3. 청구항 2에 있어서,The method according to claim 2,
    상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상을 조합하는 조합부;를 더 포함하는 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.And a combiner for combining the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  4. 청구항 3에 있어서,The method according to claim 3,
    상기 조합부에 의한 조합 결과와 상기 추출부에 의해 추출 결과를 표시하는 디스플레이;를 더 포함하는 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.And a display for displaying the combined result by the combining unit and the extraction result by the extracting unit.
  5. 청구항 1에 있어서,The method according to claim 1,
    상기 레이저 펄스는,The laser pulse,
    상기 혈전의 주성분에 대한 열적 팽창이 가장 큰 파장의 레이저 펄스인 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.The thrombus detection system, characterized in that the thermal expansion of the main component of the thrombus is the laser pulse of the largest wavelength.
  6. 청구항 5에 있어서,The method according to claim 5,
    상기 레이저 펄스는,The laser pulse,
    1210nm 파장의 레이저 펄스인 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.A thrombus detection system, characterized in that the laser pulse of 1210nm wavelength.
  7. 레이저 펄스를 생성하여 혈관에 조사하는 레이저;A laser generating laser pulses and irradiating blood vessels;
    상기 혈관에 초음파를 출력하는 초음파 생성부;An ultrasonic generator for outputting ultrasonic waves to the blood vessels;
    상기 레이저 펄스가 조사된 혈관에서 출사되는 광음향을 감지하고, 상기 초음파 생성부에서 조사되어 상기 혈관에서 반사된 초음파를 감지하는 센서;A sensor for detecting the photoacoustic light emitted from the blood vessel irradiated with the laser pulse, and for sensing the ultrasonic wave reflected from the blood vessel irradiated by the ultrasonic generator;
    상기 센서의 감지 결과를 이용하여, 광음향 영상과 초음파 영상을 생성하는 영상 생성부; 및An image generator configured to generate a photoacoustic image and an ultrasonic image by using the detection result of the sensor; And
    상기 광음향 영상과 상기 초음파 영상을 이용하여 혈전을 추출하는 추출부;를 포함하는 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.A thrombus detection system comprising a; extractor for extracting thrombi using the photoacoustic image and the ultrasound image.
  8. 청구항 7에 있어서,The method according to claim 7,
    상기 레이저에서의 레이저 펄스 생성과 상기 초음파 생성부에서 초음파 생성이 번차례로 이루어지도록 상기 레이저와 상기 초음파 생성부를 제어하는 제어부;를 더 포함하는 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.And a control unit for controlling the laser and the ultrasonic wave generator to sequentially generate the laser pulse from the laser and the ultrasonic wave generator in the ultrasonic wave generator.
  9. 청구항 7에 있어서,The method according to claim 7,
    상기 레이저 펄스는,The laser pulse,
    상기 혈전의 주성분에 대한 열적 팽창이 가장 큰 파장의 레이저 펄스인 것을 특징으로 하는 혈전 탐지 시스템.The thrombus detection system, characterized in that the thermal expansion of the main component of the thrombus is the laser pulse of the largest wavelength.
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