Use of an ultrasonic transducer for echographic exploration of human or animal body tissues or organs in particular of the eyeball posterior segment

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a high frequency ultrasound transducer with long focal length for making a device and for implementing a method of echographic exploration of tissue or organs of the human or animal body. More particularly, the invention relates to using an ultrasound transducer having a nominal excitation frequency greater than 20 MHz, preferably lying in the range 50 MHz to 80 MHz, with long focal length, greater than 10 mm, preferably about 25 mm, for making a device for echographic exploration of the eyeball, in particular of the posterior segment of the eyeball, and more particularly of the macular region.

1 . The use of an ultrasound transducer having a nominal excitation frequency greater than 20 MHz, preferably lying in the range of 50 MHz to 80 MHz, with long focal length, greater than 10 mm, preferably about 25 mm, in making a device for echographic exploration of tissues or organs of the human or animal body, specifically of the eyeball, in particular of the posterior segment of the eyeball, more particularly of the macular region, and also of tissues situated behind the eyeball such as the oculomotor muscles, eye socket fat, and the optic nerve.  
   
   
       2 . The use of an ultrasound transducer having a nominal excitation frequency greater than 20 MHz, preferably lying in the range of 50 MHz to 80 MHz, with long focal length, greater than 10 mm, preferably about 25 mm, in implementing a method of deep penetration echographic exploration of tissues or organs of the human or animal body, specifically of the eyeball, in particular of the posterior segment of the eyeball, more particularly of the macular region, and also of tissues situated behind the eyeball such as the oculomotor muscles, eye socket fat, and the optic nerve.  
   
   
       3 . A use according to  claim 2  characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is moved over the pars plana to avoid the ultrasound beam being absorbed by the lens of the eye.  
   
   
       4 . A use according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is protected by a membrane of plastics material.  
   
   
       5 . An echographic exploration device comprising a high frequency (20 MHz to 200 MHz) transceiver system coupled to an ultrasound transducer of long focal length, greater than 10 mm, preferably about 25 mm, and a system for amplifying and storing the radiofrequency signal as back-scattered after exploration, preferably associated with a system for recording the amplified signal and/or a system for processing the signal in the form of an image, and/or a system for processing the signal in order to perform tissue characterization.  
   
   
       6 . A device according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is implemented in the form of a probe controlled so as to move in the vicinity of the anterior wall of the eye.  
   
   
       7 . A device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is displaced along two orthogonal axes.  
   
   
       8 . A device according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the transducer is subjected to arcuate displacement.  
   
   
       9 . A device according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is focused along a third axis orthogonal to the two orthogonal displacement axes.  
   
   
       10 . A device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is focused without moving by using an electronic focusing system.  
   
   
       11 . A device according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the ultrasound transducer is protected by a membrane of plastics material.