CN-116761553-B - Ultrasonic probe holding device for infants

Abstract

According to one aspect, the present specification relates to an ultrasound probe holding device (101) configured to be attached to a head of an infant for fontanel imaging, the ultrasound probe holding device comprising a head pad (110) configured to be in contact with the head of the infant and comprising a central opening (115), wherein the head pad is configured to receive an ultrasound probe, a pad squeezer (120) comprising a central opening (125) and configured to cooperate with the head pad to allow axial guiding of the head pad along a guiding axis (D) substantially perpendicular to a surface tangential to the head of the infant, a device holder (150) configured to be attached to the head of the infant and to exert a downward force on the pad squeezer along said guiding axis, and a repulsive means configured to exert a repulsive force between the pad squeezer and the head pad when the device holder exerts a downward force on the pad squeezer.

Inventors

• C. De Mena
• B-F. Osmanski
• M - Dant
• J. Barange
• O. Baud

Assignees

• 艾康尼尔斯公司
• 法国国家健康与医学研究院
• 国家科学研究中心
• 巴黎城市物理化工高等学院

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20211213

Priority Date

20201214

Claims (18)

1. 1. An ultrasound probe holding device configured to be attached to a baby's head for transfontanel imaging, the ultrasound probe holding device comprising: A head pad configured to contact the head of the infant and comprising a first central opening, wherein the head pad is configured to receive an ultrasound probe; a pad squeezer comprising a second central opening and configured to cooperate with the head pad to allow axial guiding of the head pad along a guiding axis substantially perpendicular to a surface of the head tangential to the infant; A device holder configured to attach to the head of the infant and exert a downward force on the pad extruder along the guide axis, and A repelling device configured to apply a repelling force between the pad squeezer and the head pad when the device holder applies a downward force on the pad squeezer.
2. 2. The ultrasound probe holding apparatus of claim 1, wherein the repelling device comprises repelling magnets disposed on the head pad and the pad squeezer, respectively.
3. 3. The ultrasound probe holding device of claim 1, wherein a surface of the headrest configured to contact the head of the infant is curved to accommodate a shape of the head.
4. 4. The ultrasound probe holding apparatus of claim 3, wherein the curved surface has different curvatures in two perpendicular planes.
5. 5. The ultrasound probe holding device of claim 1, wherein the device holder comprises a flexible material headband attached to the pad extruder.
6. 6. The ultrasound probe holding device of claim 1, wherein the device holder is configured to attach an electrode for an electroencephalogram.
7. 7. The ultrasonic probe holding apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a probe holder configured to receive an ultrasound probe, wherein the probe holder is secured to the head pad.
8. 8. The ultrasound probe holding device of claim 7, wherein the probe holder is removably secured to the head pad.
9. 9. The ultrasound probe holding apparatus of claim 8, wherein the probe holder is securable to the head pad in at least two positions.
10. 10. An ultrasound device for transfontanel imaging of an infant, the ultrasound device comprising: the ultrasound probe holding apparatus of any preceding claim; an ultrasound probe configured to be mounted in the head pad, wherein the ultrasound probe is configured to transmit ultrasound waves to the infant's brain and receive backscattered ultrasound waves.
11. 11. The ultrasound device of claim 10, wherein the ultrasound probe is rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially perpendicular to the guide axis.
12. 12. The ultrasound device of claim 10, wherein the ultrasound probe is rotatable about an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the guide axis.
13. 13. The ultrasound device of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: the ultrasonic probe holding apparatus includes a probe holder, and The ultrasound probe is configured to be removably secured to the probe holder.
14. 14. An ultrasound imaging system for transfontanel imaging of an infant, the ultrasound imaging system comprising: The ultrasound device of any one of claims 10 to 13; An electronic module configured to receive an electrical signal transmitted by the ultrasound probe and generate a converted signal, wherein the electrical signal is generated by detecting the backscattered ultrasound; a computer configured to receive the converted signal from the electronic module and to calculate imaging data from the converted signal.
15. 15. A method of ultrasonically brain imaging an infant using the ultrasonic imaging system of claim 14, the method comprising: Positioning the headrest on the head of the infant; Filling a cavity formed by the first central opening of the headrest with an ultrasonic gel; fastening the ultrasound probe to the head pad such that the ultrasound probe is in ultrasound contact with the infant's fontanel; Positioning the pad extruder to enable axial guiding of the head pad along the guiding axis, wherein the guiding axis is substantially perpendicular to a surface tangential to the infant's head; applying a downward force on the pad extruder along the guide axis using the equipment holder; the ultrasound probe is used to emit ultrasound and to detect backscattered ultrasound for transfontanel imaging.
16. 16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: The ultrasound probe is rotated about an axis substantially perpendicular to the guide axis to image different inclined planes of the brain.
17. 17. The method of claim 15, further comprising: The ultrasound probe is rotated about an axis substantially parallel to the guide axis from at least one first position to a second position for imaging coronal and sagittal sections of the brain.
18. 18. The method of any of claims 15 to 17, further comprising: Electroencephalogram measurements are made using electroencephalogram electrodes disposed on the device holder.

Description

Ultrasonic probe holding device for infants Technical Field The present disclosure relates to ultrasound probe holding devices for infants, and more particularly, to devices configured to be attached to the infant's head for transfontanel imaging (transfontanellar imaging). The present disclosure also relates to an ultrasound device comprising such an ultrasound probe holding device and an ultrasound imaging system and method for brain imaging of infants using such an ultrasound device. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to ultrasound imaging systems and methods using such ultrasound devices for brain function ultrasound imaging (fUS) of infants. Background Clinical management of infants and understanding of neurological disorders is limited due to the lack of effective and efficient imaging modalities to assess early brain function. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) is one of the best techniques available for adult brain imaging, but is very complex to implement for newborns because it is particularly challenging to use for brain imaging fragile infants at the bedside. Clinically, near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) or electroencephalography (EEG) are mainly used, the spatial resolution of both techniques is low, and activity measurements are limited to brain surfaces. Thus, there is a need for an efficient and easy to use way of clinical neonatal brain function imaging, and there is a need to develop a portable innovative method allowing real-time monitoring of the brain function of an infant. Recently (see M.Tanter et al.,"ultrafast imaging in biomedical ultrasound",IEEE,Trans.Ultrason.Ferroelecr.Freq.Control 61,102–119(2014)), for introduction of ultra-fast ultrasound imaging to achieve more than 10000 ultrasound frames per second (compared to the typical 50 frames per second used in conventional ultrasound scanners) in ultra-fast doppler (UfD) imaging mode (see for example E.Mace et al.,"Functional ultrasound imaging of the brain:Theory and basic principles",IEEE,Trans.Ultrason.Ferroelecr.Freq.Control 60,492-506(2013)), the sensitivity of blood flow measurement in the brain of a person has achieved up to a 50-fold improvement, unlike conventional doppler techniques, which are limited to large vessel imaging, ufD imaging is capable of mapping subtle hemodynamic changes in small cerebral vessels (less than 200 μm in diameter). Functional ultrasound imaging (fUSI) uses these blood flow graphs to image brain activity in accordance with neurovascular couplings that relate local neural activity to relative changes in Cerebral Blood Volume (CBV). By providing real-time images of deep brain activity with high spatial-temporal resolution fUSI enables imaging of brain activity during epileptic events, for example recorded by electroencephalography (EEG). fUSI also enable the mapping of functional brain "connections," i.e., brain activity measurements while the brain is in a resting state. When fUSI studies fluctuations in Cerebral Blood Volume (CBV), its feasibility depends on the ability to observe the same imaging region during the whole acquisition time (i.e. over a duration on the order of one minute or even ten minutes). This is particularly important for the mapping of brain function connections, since the patient needs to be examined in a resting state, without external stimulus. In fact, these results are based on correlations between CBV signals from different regions of the brain. Therefore, it is necessary that the imaging region remain static. For the first preclinical experiment performed in small animals, this can be achieved by fixing the probe in a 3D printing mold (mounted on an motorized system) so that it is positioned on the plane of interest and remains in place throughout the acquisition process. Rats or mice are fixed by a stereotactic frame. In recent experiments, metal, plexiglas or dental adhesive supports have been developed that are surgically implanted directly onto the animal skull, and then the probe is attached to the frame with magnets or screws. For intra-operative proof of concept in the human body, the patient's head is locked in a stereotactic frame and the probe is held by an articulating robotic arm. In all of these configurations, the skull is open or thinned by surgery. Thus, common to all of these methods is that they are invasive and involve surgery. These methods are obviously not suitable for infants. In addition, while some functional imaging techniques (e.g., fMRI) have little choice other than securing the infant with a strap, it is desirable to restrain the infant as little as possible. Therefore, the use of techniques aimed at preventing head movement should be avoided as much as possible. This is especially true for premature infants who need to be placed in an incubator to complete development. Devices to monitor heart rate, respiration and blood oxygen saturation are also added, and possibly syringe pumps to administer food and appropri