Method and system for detecting a fault in an electrical connection between an ultrasound device and a remote control unit

Inventors

Canney, Michael

Assignees

Carthera SAS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pathology treatment apparatus comprising: an ultrasound generator device (1),a remote control unit (2) for delivering electricity to the device (1) during at least an activation cycle and determining and controlling the operating parameters thereof, each activation cycle (50) being preceded by a standby cycle,means (31, 32) of electrical connection between the device (1) and the control unit (2), notable in that the control unit (2) is programmed to detect a fault with the electrical connection between the device (1) and the said control unit (2) during at least a standby cycle.

Core Innovation

The invention relates to an implanted ultrasound pathology apparatus including an ultrasound generator device and a control unit, where the ultrasound generator device is electrically joined to the control unit via an electrical junction. The control unit provides electricity to the ultrasound generator device during at least one activation cycle, and each activation cycle is preceded by at least one standby cycle. During the standby cycle, the control unit performs a control phase that detects a fault with the electrical junction between the ultrasound generator device and the control unit, where the fault consists of absence of electrical link between the ultrasound generator device and the control unit.

In the standby cycle, the control unit emits at least one control signal as a low-power electrical pulse signal at a frequency F1 selected within a range of working frequencies of a transducer of the ultrasound generator device, and acquires at least one feedback signal at a second instant of the standby cycle. The control unit processes the feedback signal to obtain information on the quality of the electrical junction, and then during the subsequent activation cycle emits a signal based on the obtained information. The signal comprises an alarm signal if the control unit is not properly joined to the ultrasound generator device.

The invention further characterizes the detection by using processing of the feedback signal and, in refinements, multiple-frequency control signals including a frequency outside the transducer working-frequency range. Additional logic can include comparing electrical power associated with the feedback signal with threshold values, extracting peaks to deduce a vibratory or non-vibratory state of the transducer, and conditioning the activation behavior based on defect detection. The apparatus can also extend monitoring to detect acoustic coupling defects between the ultrasound generator device and tissue.

Claims Coverage

The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00010, each covering standby-cycle control that emits low-power control signals, acquires feedback signals, processes feedback to assess electrical junction quality, and then emits an alarm signal during a subsequent activation cycle when the electrical junction is not properly joined (absence of electrical link). Across the independent-claim scope, the core inventive features include standby-cycle fault detection of an electrical junction and alarm/activation signaling dependent on junction quality information.

Both independent claims define an implanted ultrasound diagnosis assistance and/or treatment system in which standby-cycle emission of low-power control signals and processing of acquired feedback signals determine electrical junction quality, and an alarm signal is emitted during a subsequent activation cycle when the control unit is not properly joined (absence of electrical link). Dependent refinements cover additional discrimination using multi-frequency control signals and processing approaches such as threshold comparisons and peak extraction to infer transducer state.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications