Method for local reduction of the operating noise produced by a medical diagnostic or therapy device, and medical diagnostic or therapy device having a device for implementing such a method

• US 6,954,666 B2
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Issued: 10/11/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Bechtold, Mario, Oppelt, Ralph
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US10/414,500
• Publication Number:
  US 20030212328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 909 Days
• Field of Search: 600/407, 600409-410, 600/437, 600/439, 181/30, 181/175, 381/71.1, 381/71.6, 381/71.9, 381/71.14
• US Class Current: 600/410
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/225 for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/055 involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/04 Protection of tissue around surgical sites against effects of non-mechanical surgery, e.g. laser surgery protection of eyes against laser radiation A61F9/022
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17857 Geometric disposition, e.g. placement of microphones
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17875 using an error signal without a reference signal, e.g. pure feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/17885 additionally using a desired external signal, e.g. pass-through audio such as music or speech

Abstract

In a method for local reduction of the operating noise produced by a medical diagnostic or therapy device, antisound is produced locally by a sound source. The sound source used is a highly directional parametric loudspeaker. As a result, disturbing operating noises can be limited locally and suppressed effectively.

Claims

1. A method for local reduction of operating noise comprising:

producing an audible noise cancellation sound locally by a sound source in an area of operating noise produced by a medical diagnostic or therapy device, the sound source being an ultrasonic transducer highly directional parametric loudspeaker; and

directing the noise cancellation sound toward the head of a patient on which the medical diagnostic or therapy device is being used,

wherein the noise cancellation sound is produced based on nonlinear acoustic characteristics of a transmission medium between the sound source and the patient.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise cancellation sound is radiated within an opening angle of less than 15°

.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the noise cancellation sound is radiated within an opening angle of less than 5°

.

4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein a target region of the noise cancellation sound is monitored for a position change.

5. The method as claimed in claim 4, further comprising varying a radiation direction of the noise cancellation sound as a function of the position change in the target region.

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein a target region of the noise cancellation sound is monitored for a position change.

7. The method as claimed in claim 6, further comprising varying a radiation direction of the noise cancellation sound as a function of the position change in the target region.

8. A medical diagnostic or therapy device comprising:

a device to generate a diagnostic or therapy signal and an undesirable audible signal;

a sound source which is an ultrasonic transducer highly directional parametric loud speaker;

a control unit;

a sound pickup connected via the control unit to the sound source, the sound source indirectly producing an audible noise cancellation sound directed toward the head of a patient to reduce a noise level of the undesirable audible signal at least in an environment of the sound pickup.

9. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 8, wherein ultrasonic transducer is made of polyvinylidene fluoride.

10. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 5°

.

11. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 10, further comprising a registration device to register a position change of a target noise cancellation sound region.

12. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 11, further comprising an adjusting unit to adjust a radiation direction for the noise cancellation sound as a function of the position change of the target noise cancellation sound region.

13. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 9, wherein

the device is a magnetic resonance tomograph having a magnetic field strength, and

the ultrasonic transducer is exposed to the high magnetic field strength.

14. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 15°

.

15. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 5°

.

16. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising a registration device to register a position change of a target noise cancellation sound region.

17. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 16, further comprising an adjusting unit to adjust a radiation direction for the noise cancellation sound as a function of the position change of the target noise cancellation sound region.

18. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the control unit is an open-loop and closed-loop control unit.

19. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 8, further comprising super-imposing another signal on the noise cancellation sound.

20. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the other signal is music.

21. A medical diagnostic or therapy device comprising:

a device to generate a diagnostic or therapy signal and an undesirable audible signal, the device being operated by an operator;

a sound source which is an ultrasonic transducer highly directional parametric loud speaker, the sound source indirectly producing an audible noise cancellation sound directed toward the head of the operator;

a sound pickup positioned in the vicinity of the head of the operator; and

a control unit receiving feedback from the sound pickup to control the sound source to reduce a noise level of the undesirable audible signal at least in a vicinity of the sound pickup and the head of the operator.