Portable apparatus for simulating ultrasonic examinations

Education and demonstration – Anatomy – physiology – therapeutic treatment – or surgery... – Anatomical representation

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434262, G09B 2328

Patent

active

060395737

DESCRIPTION:

BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the subject that is characterized in the claims, i.e., a portable flow model for simulating ultrasound studies, especially for simulating contrast medium-supported studies.
2. Background Art
As early as the late 1900s, teaching models for practical imparting of a wide variety of diagnostic and therapeutic methods in medicine were produced and marketed. Specifically in the area of diagnosis, such demonstration and practice models still provide valuable support in learning various study techniques.
Sonography represents a valuable aid in studies of the vascular system. For the study of liquid-filled spaces, such as cardiac vessels or blood vessels, however, in sonographic studies in the B-image it is necessary that an echogeneic substance, whose scatter coefficient is significantly higher than that of the blood plasma, be added to the system. Since the scatter coefficients of gases in liquids are especially large, suspensions that contain fine gas bubbles are known as very effective ultrasonic contrast media.
The use of such contrast media offers, however, not only advantages in the B-image but also in color Doppler or spectral Doppler when working under adverse acoustic irradiation conditions.
Since ultrasonic contrast media have been available on the market only for a short time--the first approved ultrasonic contrast medium was actually introduced on the market only in 1991 (Echovist(.RTM.); Schering AG)--awareness of the advantages that are gained when using ultrasonic contrast media is still slight. There is a requirement to provide a device that the resultant new expanded diagnostic possibilities,
In the publication by Ilmar A. HEIN et al. (1992) IEEE Transactions on Biochemical Engineering Vol. 39, pp. 1111, a flow model for simulating ultrasound studies is described. In this case, predetermined flow rates of venous and arterial blood vessels are simulated. The latter is achieved by simulating a constant flow or a pulsating flow. The flow model has two pump systems, a peristaltic pump for continuous flow and a reciprocating pump for intermittent flow. The various components of the model are connected together by a tube system that is made of polyester. It is partially immersed in a water bath to control the temperature and to keep it constant. The transducer is also located in a sheathed container in a water bath.
The peristaltic pump provides a constant flow, whereby liquid is pumped into a tall reservoir with an overflow device. Under the action of gravity, the liquid flows from the tall reservoir into a pulsation chamber. From there, the liquid moves into the transducer-equipped study area. If the reciprocating pump is shut down in the pulsating chamber, there is a laminar flow. If the reciprocating pump is active, an arterial flow is simulated. The frequency of the reciprocating stroke is controlled by a motor, which translates rotation into a linear movement using a gear.
The disadvantage is the complicated structure and the use of two pump systems. The reservoirs are also dependent on the flow model being positioned on a horizontal surface. The structure of the reservoirs keeps the flow model from being transported easily.


SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of this invention was therefore, if the above-mentioned point is observed, to provide a device for demonstrating ultrasonic contrast media, which each student's device or of being able to compare various contrast media with one another, vascular constrictions by "plague" deposits),
This object is achieved by this invention.
It has been found that a portable flow model that contains an injection point (1), a pump (2), a valve unit that consists of a choke (3) and a valve (4), a study chamber (6) that is equipped with a study window (8) and a choke (9), whereby the individual components are connected together by a tube system, is extremely well suited for simulating contrast medium-supported ultrasound studies.


BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure

REFERENCES:
patent: 4894013 (1990-01-01), Smith et al.
patent: 5052934 (1991-10-01), Carey et al.
Hein et al., IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 39, Issue 11 (Nov. 1992).
Hall et al., Medical Physics, vol. 22, Issue 7 (July 1995).
Routh et al., Medical Progress Through Technology, vol. 15, Issue 3/04 Jan. 1989).
Hall et al., Proceedings of the Annual International Conference of the Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Orlando, Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 1991, vol. 13, pp. 169-170.
Berrios et al., Ultrasonic Imaging, vol. 16, Issue 2 (April 1994).

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