Ultrasonic Therapy Device Using Fuzzy-Logic for Clinical Use

Abstract

In this paper, an ultrasonic therapy device using fuzzy-logic(UTD-FL) has been designed, constructed and tested with phantom materials. Fuzzy-logic rules have been determined using four parameters. In clinical practice, ultrasonic therapy is conducted solely based on subjective evaluation of medical experts, but in UTD-FL, fuzzy-logic rules decide automatically the three critically important characteristic parameters of applicable output power to the patient, namely the power of the signal, the percent of the duty-cycle and the signal frequency. The signal frequency and specifically its amplitude have critical effect on the temperature rise of the tissue test-point or surface. Therefore the intensity of the ultrasonic frequency and the duration of treatment-time are absolutely vital, that is why this instrument has been developed. This instrument is expected to prevent possible side effects, injuries, and potential damages on real tissues due to experts’ uneasiness. The test results of this newly developed medical device have been compared with clinical-practice. The instrument produces optimum output power due to its fuzzy-logic rules based mode design, and IR-temperature sensor based feedback effect; whereas the clinical mode inputs only clinical experience base gained medical data.