Non-invasive device and method for locating a structure such as a nerve

摘要

Non-invasive device for locating a structure (N2), such as a nerve, in a region of a body having an external surface (Se), the device comprising: a focused ultrasonic transducer (1), advantageously of the HIFU type, designed to produce an ultrasound beam (Fu) through the external surface (Se) in the region, the beam (Fu) having a focal point that can be positioned on the structure (N2); monitoring means (3) for detecting a response of the structure when this is subjected to a stimulation; and stimulation means (1; 4) for stimulating the structure (N2), which delivers a response detected by the monitoring means (3), the stimulation means comprising the ultrasonic transducer (1) capable of delivering an ultrasound beam (Fu) to said structure (N2), so as to disturb it, characterized in that the device includes: an imager (2, 21, 22) mechanically coupled to the ultrasonic transducer (1) so that the imager follows the focal point of the transducer so as to display, on an image, the position of the focal point of the ultrasound beam (Fu) in said region of the body; and marking means, for marking the position of the structure (N2) in the image produced by the imager.

主权项

1. A device for noninvasively locating a structure, such as a nerve, in a zone of a body having an external surface, the device comprising:
a focused ultrasonic transducer of a HIFU type, adapted to produce an ultrasound beam through the external surface into the zone, the beam having a focal point which can be positioned on the structure; at least one electrode which can deliver an electrical pulse to said structure for stimulating the structure; and a detector for detecting a response of the structure when subjected to a stimulation by said at least one electrode; wherein the device further comprises: an imaging apparatus coupled mechanically to the ultrasonic transducer so that the imaging apparatus follows the focal point of the transducer in order to visualize on an image the position of the focal point of the ultrasound beam in the zone of the body, said imaging apparatus being unable to see the structure, the imaging apparatus is further adapted to mark a position of the structure by marking the focal point on the image produced if the detector detects that a response of the structure to said stimulation is perturbed by the ultrasound beam, thereby determining the position of the structure, and an emitter for emitting synchronization pulses, the emitter being coupled both to the transducer and to the electrode adapted for synchronizing the ultrasound beam and the stimulation so that they travel through the structure at the same time or with a predetermined time offset, and displacement control for changing the position of the transducer if no perturbance of the response of the structure to said stimulation is detected.