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 20030212328A1
• Filed: 04/16/2003
• Published: 11/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens AG
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Oppelt, Kalph, Bechtold, Mario
• Granted Patent: US 6,954,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• 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 antisound locally by a sound source in an area of operating noise produced by a medical diagnostic or therapy device, the sound source being a highly directional parametric loudspeaker.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the parametric loudspeaker is an ultrasonic transducer.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein

ultrasound is produced by the sound source, and

an audible antisound is produced based on nonlinear acoustic characteristics of a transmission medium between the sound source and a patent on which the medical diagnostic or therapy device is being used.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the antisound is radiated within an opening angle of less than 15°

.

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

.

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

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

8. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein

ultrasound is produced by the sound source, and

an audible antisound is produced based on nonlinear acoustic characteristics of a transmission medium between the sound source and a patent on which the medical diagnostic or diagnostic device is being used.

9. The method as claimed in claim 4, wherein the antisound is radiated within an opening angle of less than 15°

.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein a target region of the antisound is monitored for a position change.

11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein a target region of the antisound is monitored for a position change.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising varying a radiation direction of the antisound as a function of the position change in the target region.

13. 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 a highly directional parametric loud speaker;

a control unit;

a sound pickup connected via the control unit to the sound source, the sound source producing an antisound to reduce a noise level of the undesirable audible signal at at least in an environment of the sound pickup.

14. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the parametric loudspeaker is an ultrasonic transducer.

15. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 14, wherein ultrasonic transducer is made of polyvinylidene fluoride.

16. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sound source indirectly produces an audible antisound.

17. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 15°

.

18. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 5°

.

19. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a registration device to register a position change of a target antisound region.

20. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising an adjusting unit to adjust a radiation direction for the antisound as a function of the position change of the target antisound region.

21. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in 15 to 9]claim 13, wherein the sound source indirectly produces an audible antisound.

22. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 15°

.

23. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 22, wherein the sound source has an opening angle of less than 5°

.

24. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 23, further comprising a registration device to register a position change of a target antisound region.

25. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 24, further comprising an adjusting unit to adjust a radiation direction for the antisound as a function of the position change of the target antisound region.

26. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the control unit is an open-loop and closed-loop control unit.

27. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 13, further comprising super-imposing another signal on the antisound.

28. The medical diagnostic or therapy device as claimed in claim 27, wherein the other signal is music.