Ultrasound systems

摘要

A sensing system for sensing the condition of an object comprises a transducer arranged to generate pressure waves directed at the object and detection means, such as a pressure wave detector, arranged to detect cavitation or other processes in the object. The system further comprises processing means arranged to receive detection signals from the detection means, to process the detection signals to measure a signal parameter of the detection signals that varies with a parameter of the object, and may generate a sensor output that varies in response to changes in the signal parameter.

主权项

1. A sensing system to sense a parameter of an object, the sensing system comprising a transducer arranged to generate pressure waves directed at the object, at least one pressure wave detector arranged to detect cavitation in the object and output detection signals, and a controller arranged to receive the detection signals from the at least one detector, to process the detection signals to measure a signal parameter of the detection signals that varies with the parameter of the object,
wherein the controller has stored therein a record of either a relationship between the parameter of the object and the signal parameter, or at least one reference variation in the signal parameter that corresponds to a respective variation in the parameter of the object, and the controller is arranged to use the record to generate a sensor output that varies in response to changes in the signal parameter, wherein either:
(a) the parameter of the object is temperature, and the signal parameter is arranged to vary with a level of cavitation activity in the object;(b) the parameter of the object is a viscoelastic parameter, and the controller is arranged to determine a cavitation threshold pressure from the signal parameter;(c) the parameter of the object is a viscoelastic parameter, and the signal parameter is a parameter of the frequency content of the detection signals; or(d) the parameter of the object is a presence of lesions, and the signal parameter is a parameter of the spectral content of the detection signals.