Ultrasonic surgical aspirator for exploring and ablating tissue

Abstract

A system and method for probing a patient's problem using an ultrasonic surgical aspirator, the ultrasonic surgical aspirator including a tip for treating patient tissue and a console coupled to a handpiece. The console provides an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece, causing the tip to vibrate against the patient tissue. The AC drive signal includes a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency. The console measures the voltage and current of the AC drive signal, calculates the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and current, and then provides at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] Distinguishing between different types of patient tissues during medical procedures can be difficult, especially when the medical staff's field of vision is obstructed. Summary of the Invention

[0002] This overview presents some concepts in a simplified form, which will be further described in detail below. This overview is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter and does not necessarily identify every key or essential feature of the claimed subject matter.

[0003] In a first aspect, an ultrasound tool system is provided for operating an ultrasound handheld device to probe patient tissue. The ultrasound handheld device includes a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip. The system includes a console configured to be coupled to the ultrasound handheld device and to generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasound handheld device. The console is further configured to: provide the AC drive signal to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasound handheld device and a second component having a probe frequency less than the resonant frequency; measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; calculate a resistance associated with the ultrasound handheld device based on the measured voltage and measured current; and provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile sensation based on the calculated resistance.

[0004] In a second aspect, an ultrasound tool system is provided for operating an ultrasound handheld device to probe patient tissue. The ultrasound handheld device includes a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip. The system includes a console configured to be coupled to the ultrasound handheld device and to generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasound handheld device. The console is also configured to: provide the AC drive signal to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal being configured to induce vibrations at the distal region of the tip insufficient to ablate patient tissue; measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; and provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the measured voltage and current.

[0005] In a third aspect, an ultrasound tool system is provided for operating an ultrasound handheld device to probe patient tissue. The ultrasound handheld device includes a tip having a distal region for treating the patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip. The system includes a console configured to be coupled to the ultrasound handheld device and generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasound handheld device, and a switch coupled to the console having a first setting and a second setting. In response to the switch being set to the first setting, the console is configured to operate the ultrasound handheld device in a probing mode, and in response to the switch being set to the second setting, the console is configured to operate the ultrasound handheld device in an ablation mode.

[0006] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided for probing patient tissue using an ultrasound tool system including an ultrasound handpiece having a tip for treating the patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip. The method includes: providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handpiece, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasound handpiece and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency; measuring a voltage and a current of the AC drive signal; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasound handpiece based on the measured voltage and measured current; and providing at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication based on the calculated resistance.

[0007] In a fifth aspect, a method is provided for probing patient tissue using an ultrasound tool system including an ultrasound handheld device having a tip for treating the patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip. The method includes: providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal inducing vibrations at a distal region of the tip insufficient to ablate the patient tissue; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the measured voltage and current.

[0008] In a sixth aspect, a method is provided for operating an ultrasound tool system to probe patient tissue, the ultrasound tool system including an ultrasound handheld device having a tip for treating patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip, and a switch having a first setting and a second setting. The method includes: providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasound handheld device; monitoring the state of the switch to determine whether the switch is set to the first setting or the second setting; determining that the switch is set to the first setting; operating the ultrasound handheld device in a probing mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the first setting; determining that the switch is set to the second setting; and operating the ultrasound handheld device in an ablation mode in response to determining that the switch is set to the second setting.

[0009] Any of the above aspects can be combined, either in whole or in part.

[0010] Any of the above aspects may be used in conjunction with any one or more of the following embodiments, whether alone or in combination.

[0011] Some embodiments include an ultrasonic handheld device coupled to a console. Some embodiments include an ultrasonic handheld device defining a first passage for providing aspiration at a distal region of the tip and a second passage for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip. Some embodiments include supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handheld device and providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasonic handheld device.

[0012] Some embodiments include a console comprising a first sensor for measuring the voltage of an AC drive signal, a second sensor for measuring the current of the AC drive signal, and a processor coupled to the first and second sensors and configured to perform configured functions of the console. For example, some embodiments include a processor configured to provide an AC drive signal to at least one driver of an ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasound handheld device and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency; measuring the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors when a distal region of the tip contacts patient tissue; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasound handheld device based on the measured voltage and measured current; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the calculated resistance.

[0013] Some implementations include, for example, providing at least one auditory, visual, or tactile indication based on calculated resistance by identifying characteristics of patient tissue based on calculated resistance and providing at least one auditory, visual, or tactile indication of the identified characteristics, via a processor and / or console. Some implementations include identifying the health status of the patient tissue, such as whether the patient tissue is neoplastic.

[0014] Some embodiments include an AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device defined by a base signal having a resonant frequency and amplitude modulated according to a probe frequency. Some embodiments include a resonant frequency of approximately 25 kHz and a probe frequency of approximately 4 Hz. Some embodiments include an AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device configured to induce vibrations at the tip insufficient to ablate patient tissue. Some embodiments include an AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device configured to induce vibrations at the tip insufficient to ablate patient tissue by inducing vibrations with a peak-to-peak displacement of less than or equal to 100 micrometers in a distal region of the tip.

[0015] Some implementations include defining an AC drive signal as a first AC drive signal, and further include, for example, determining, via a processor and / or a console, whether the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in probing mode or ablation mode; providing the first AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device in response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in probing mode; and providing a second AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device in response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode, the second AC drive signal being configured to induce vibrations at the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue. Some implementations include the second AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device being configured to induce vibrations at a distal region of the tip with a peak-to-peak displacement greater than 100 micrometers and less than or equal to 300 micrometers, thereby inducing displacement of the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue.

[0016] Some implementations include a switch communicatively coupled to a processor and / or a console, the switch having a first setting and a second setting, and further including, for example, via the processor and / or console, determining, in response to the switch being set to the first setting, that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in a probing mode; and determining, in response to the switch being set to the second setting, that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in an ablation mode.

[0017] Some implementations include, for example, via a processor and / or a console, in response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode, providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip through a first passage defined by the ultrasound handpiece; and supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip through a second channel defined by the ultrasound handpiece.

[0018] Some implementations include, for example, using a processor and / or a console, calculating the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device based on measured voltage and measured current by: calculating the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device based on the measured voltage and measured current; and calculating the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device based on the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device. Some implementations also include, for example, using a processor and / or a console, calculating the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device based on the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device by: calculating a first amplitude of the measured voltage at a probe frequency, a second amplitude of the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device at a probe frequency, and a phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device at a probe frequency; and calculating the real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handheld device based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

[0019] Some implementations include, for example, providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on a calculated resistance by, for example, via a processor and / or a console, calculating the difference between a calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of an ultrasonic handheld device; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the calculated difference. Some implementations include, for example, identifying characteristics of patient tissue based on a calculated difference by, for example, via a processor and / or a console, and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics, thereby providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the calculated difference.

[0020] Some implementations include, for example, in a console, a memory coupled to a processor storing tissue characteristic data, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics, and one or more values ​​specific to each of the potential tissue characteristics. Some implementations also include, for example, identifying, via the processor and / or console, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data as a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic and a calculated resistance; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue.

[0021] Some implementations include, for example, using a processor and / or a console, identifying one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data by: calculating the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device; and identifying the one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data by the difference between the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic and the calculated difference.

[0022] Some implementations include determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device, for example, via a processor and / or a console, by: in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console; providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handheld device when it is in an unloaded state; measuring, for example, a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device using first and second sensors when the ultrasonic handheld device is in an unloaded state; and calculating the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal. Some implementations include determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device, for example, via a processor and / or a console, by reading data indicating the no-load resistance from a memory integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console.

[0023] Some implementations include, for example, providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on measured voltage and current by means of a processor and / or controller: identifying characteristics of patient tissue based on measured voltage and current; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

[0024] Some implementations include, for example, identifying patient tissue characteristics based on measured voltage and current using a processor and / or console by: measuring the voltage and calculating the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece; and identifying patient tissue characteristics based on the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece.

[0025] Some implementations include an AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device comprising a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device and a second component having a probe frequency less than the resonant frequency, and further comprising, for example by a processor and / or a console, identifying characteristics of patient tissue based on a calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device by: calculating a first amplitude of a measured voltage at the probe frequency, calculating a second amplitude of the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device at the probe frequency, and the phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device at the probe frequency; and identifying characteristics of patient tissue based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

[0026] Some implementations include, for example, providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on measured voltage and current via a processor and / or console: identifying characteristics of patient tissue based on measured voltage, measured current, and the no-load resistance of an ultrasonic handpiece; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

[0027] Some implementations include, for example, a memory storing tissue characteristic data in a console, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics, and one or more values ​​specific to each potential tissue characteristic, and further include, for example, providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on measured voltage and current, by means of a processor and / or console: identifying a potential tissue characteristic indicated by the tissue characteristic data as a characteristic of the patient tissue based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic and the measured voltage and current; and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristic of the patient tissue. Some implementations include, for example, identifying a potential tissue characteristic indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, the measured voltage and current, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasound handpiece, by means of a processor and / or console.

[0028] Some implementations include, for example, via a processor and / or a console, determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device by performing the following actions in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console: providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handheld device when it is in an unloaded state; measuring, for example, a second voltage and a second current of the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device using first and second sensors when the ultrasonic handheld device is in an unloaded state; and calculating the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal. Some implementations include, for example, determining the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device by reading data indicating the no-load resistance from a memory integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console. Attached Figure Description

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an ultrasound tool system used to explore and ablate patient tissues.

[0030] Figure 2A and 2B This is a circuit diagram representing an ultrasound handheld device used to explore and ablate patient tissue.

[0031] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a component used to drive an ultrasound handheld device to probe and ablate patient tissue.

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of a component of an ultrasound handheld device used to explore and ablate patient tissue.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of a method for operating an ultrasound tool system to explore and ablate patient tissue.

[0034] Figure 6 This is a waveform diagram of the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device for probing patient tissues.

[0035] Figure 7 It is a waveform diagram used to determine the characteristics of patient tissue being explored by an ultrasound tool system. Detailed Implementation

[0036] Figure 1 An ultrasound tool system 10 for probing and ablating patient tissue is illustrated. The ultrasound tool system 10 may include a console 12 and an ultrasound handheld device 14. The ultrasound handheld device 14 may include a tip 16. During operation of the ultrasound tool system 10, the console 12 may provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device 14 to vibrate the tip 16. Medical personnel can then position the vibrating tip 16 on the patient tissue to probe or ablate the contacted tissue.

[0037] Medical personnel using the ultrasound tool system 10 may wish to remove some types of patient tissue while leaving other types intact. For example, they may wish to remove unhealthy tissue (e.g., tumor tissue) while preserving adjacent healthy tissue, or remove some types of patient tissue (e.g., dura mater, muscle tissue) without damaging adjacent different types of patient tissue (e.g., pia mater, blood vessel walls). Distinguishing between different types of patient tissue can be difficult, especially when the medical personnel's tissue field of vision is obstructed, or when it is difficult to distinguish one tissue type from another through visual examination. Therefore, the ultrasound tool system 10 can be configured to probe the tissue being contacted to detect and indicate the type of tissue being contacted without causing tissue damage.

[0038] Specifically, console 12 can be configured to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece 14, causing the tip 16 to vibrate in a manner insufficient to ablate the tissue being contacted. Console 12 can also be configured to slowly change the displacement amplitude of the tip 16 caused by the vibration and monitor the tissue's response when pushed and pulled by the vibrating tip 16. In particular, the vibration can be a longitudinal vibration that pushes and pulls the tissue as the displacement amplitude changes. As the displacement amplitude of the tip 16 increases, harder tissue may be more difficult to push and pull than softer tissue. In other words, as the displacement amplitude of the tip 16 increases, harder tissue may exert greater resistance to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 than softer tissue. Therefore, console 12 can be configured to track the stiffness of the contacted tissue by determining the mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 as a function of the changing displacement amplitude of the tip 16, and to identify tissue characteristics based on this. Tissue characteristics can indicate the type of tissue the ultrasonic handpiece 14 is contacting, such as whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy, or the type of tissue being contacted (e.g., blood vessel wall, dura mater). The console 12 can then be configured to indicate the organizational characteristics to the user, for example, through auditory, visual, and / or tactile indications.

[0039] The aforementioned operation of the ultrasound tool system 10 can occur when the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to operate in probing mode. When the ultrasound tool system 10 is operating in probing mode, in response to receiving an indication of tissue characteristics, a medical professional can determine whether the tip 16 is in contact with the tissue to be removed. If so, the medical professional can activate an ablation mode, in which the console 12 provides the ultrasound handheld device 14 with an AC drive signal configured to induce vibrations in the tip 16 sufficient to ablate the contacted tissue.

[0040] In addition to the tip 16, the ultrasound handheld device 14 may also include a body 18 and a sleeve 20. The body 18 may define a handle for a medical personnel to grip and manipulate the ultrasound handheld device 14. The tip 16 may be detachably coupled to the body 18 so that the body 18 can be used with different interchangeable tips 16. The body 18 may form the proximal end of the ultrasound handheld device 14, while the tip 16 coupled to the body 18 may form the distal end of the ultrasound handheld device 14. "Proximal" can be understood as facing towards the medical personnel holding the ultrasound handheld device 14 and away from the tissue to which the tip 16 is being applied, and "distal" can be understood as away from the medical personnel and towards the tissue to which the tip 16 of the ultrasound handheld device 14 is being applied.

[0041] The ultrasonic handheld device 14 can be detachably connected to the console 12 via a cable 22. One end of the cable 22 can be permanently connected to the proximal end of the body 18 of the ultrasonic handheld device 14, and the other end of the cable 22 can include an adapter 24 corresponding to a socket 26 of the console 12. The socket 26 can be shaped to receive the adapter 24 and can include electrical contacts corresponding to the electrical contacts of the adapter 24, such that an electrical connection is formed between the ultrasonic handheld device 14 and the console 12 when the adapter 24 is fully seated in the socket 26.

[0042] When the ultrasonic handheld device 14 is actuated, the console 12 can generate an AC drive signal and provide it to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 via cable 22. Applying the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 causes the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 to vibrate. More specifically, the body 18 may define a cavity including one or more actuators 28 (three shown), such as piezoelectric actuators. Each actuator 28 may be formed of a material that undergoes instantaneous expansion or contraction when an AC current is applied. The expansion and contraction of each actuator 28 may be along the longitudinal axis of the actuator 28, i.e., an axis extending between the proximal and distal faces of the actuator 28. The actuators 28 may be disc-shaped and may be stacked end-to-end within the body 18. Insulating discs may be disposed between adjacent actuators 28 and abut against the adjacent actuators.

[0043] The ultrasound handheld device 14 can be designed to apply an AC drive signal received from the console 12 to each driver 28, causing the driver 28 to expand and contract in response to the AC drive signal. The driver 28 can be coupled to the tip 16 such that the expansion and contraction of the driver 28 induces vibratory motion within the tip 16. Specifically, the expansion and contraction of the driver 28 can induce back-and-forth vibrations along the longitudinal axis of the tip 16 corresponding to the AC drive signal from the console 12. These vibrations can cause vibration of the distal region 17 of the tip 16. The distal region 17 can be the portion of the ultrasound handheld device 14 applied to patient tissue to probe and / or ablate the patient tissue. The distal region 17 may include the tip head 19 (e.g., Figure 4 The tip 19 can be formed with teeth or grooves, the size of which is designed to remove tissue by cutting action.

[0044] The sleeve 20 may be arranged around the tip 16 and may be formed of plastic. The proximal end of the sleeve 20 may have a connection feature for releasably engaging the sleeve 20 to the distal end of the body 18. When disposed on the tip 16 and engaged with the body 18, the sleeve 20 may be radially spaced from the tip 16 and longitudinally spaced away from the distal region of the tip 16. Therefore, the components of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 may be sized such that the tip 16 does not contact the sleeve 20 during normal operation.

[0045] The ultrasonic handheld device 14 may define a passage that extends at least partially through the ultrasonic handheld device 14 to supply flushing fluid to a distal region 17 of the tip 16. For example, the sleeve 20 may include a connector 30 for receiving a flushing line. During operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14, flushing fluid may flow via the connector 30 through a gap between the tip 16 and the sleeve 20 and exit from the distal end of the opening of the sleeve 20. Thus, the sleeve 20 may facilitate the supply of flushing fluid to the tissue contacted and treated by the ultrasonic handheld device 14. In an alternative example, the ultrasonic handheld device 14 may include a flushing line extending from the proximal end of the body 18 to receive flushing fluid from a flushing source, and may define a passage extending through the body 18 and the sleeve 20 between the flushing line and the distal region 17 of the tip 16. In this way, during operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14, flushing fluid may flow through the length of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 (e.g., through the flushing line, body 18, and sleeve 20) and exit from the distal end of the opening of the sleeve 20.

[0046] The ultrasonic handpiece 14 may also define a passageway that extends at least partially through the ultrasonic handpiece 14 to provide aspiration at a distal region 17 of the tip 16. For example, the ultrasonic handpiece 14 may define a lumen 32 extending from the proximal end of the body 18 through the tip 16 and extending to the distal end of the opening of the tip 16. During the procedure, aspiration can be provided to the lumen 32 in a proximal direction. Aspiration can remove irrigation fluid applied to the surgical site and surgical debris entrained in the fluid. Aspiration can also draw tissue toward the distal region 17 of the tip 16, which can enhance the effectiveness of the tip 16 in contacting and treating tissue.

[0047] The console 12 may include a display 34 for presenting information to a medical professional. Non-limiting examples of the presented information may include identification of the ultrasound handpiece 14 and / or tip 16 currently connected to the console 12, the operational status of the ultrasound tool system 10, and the characteristics of the tissue being contacted by the tip 16 of the ultrasound handpiece 14, as described herein. The display 34 may also be a touchscreen display that allows the medical professional to provide user input to the console 12 (e.g., via on-screen controls). The medical professional can interact with the on-screen controls to set operating parameters of the ultrasound tool system 10, such as the maximum tip 16 displacement level, aspiration level, and flushing level of the ultrasound handpiece 14.

[0048] The ultrasound tool system 10 may also include one or more actuators coupled to the console 12. When activated by a medical professional, each actuator may cause the console 12 to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device 14, causing the tip 16 of the ultrasound handheld device 14 to vibrate. For example, the one or more actuators may include a foot pedal 36. The foot pedal 36 may be wirelessly connected to the console 12, for example via an adapter 38 connected to the console 12. Once pressed, the foot pedal 36 may transmit an actuation signal indicating that the pressing has occurred to the console 12. In some cases, the transmitted actuation signal may vary depending on the degree to which the foot pedal 36 is pressed. In response to receiving the actuation signal, the console 12 may provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device 14, causing the tip 16 to vibrate according to the current setting of the console 12.

[0049] The ultrasound tool system 10 may also include a remote control 40 coupled to the console 12. Similar to the touchscreen display 34, the remote control 40 may include user-selectable buttons for providing user input to the console 12. For example, the remote control 40 may include buttons for setting operating parameters of the ultrasound handpiece 14, such as the maximum tip displacement level 16, aspiration level, and flushing level of the ultrasound handpiece 14. The remote control 40 may also include a power button for turning the console 12 on and off. Additionally or alternatively, the console 12 may include an integrated power button 42 for turning the console 12 on and off.

[0050] The ultrasound tool system 10 may also include a mode setting switch coupled to the console 12, the switch having a probe mode setting and an ablation mode setting. Medical personnel can interact with the mode setting switch to selectively set the ultrasound tool system 10 to operate in probe mode or ablation mode. Therefore, the console 12 can be configured to monitor the state of the mode setting switch to determine whether the mode setting switch is set to probe mode or ablation mode. In response to the mode setting switch being set to probe mode, the console 12 can be configured to determine that the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to operate in probe mode, and to operate the ultrasound handheld device 14 in probe mode as described in more detail below. Conversely, in response to the mode setting switch being set to probe mode, the console 12 can be configured to determine that the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to operate in ablation mode, and to operate the ultrasound handheld device 14 in ablation mode as described in more detail below.

[0051] In some embodiments, the mode setting switch may be a switch 43 integrated with the ultrasound handheld device 14 and coupled to the console 12 via cable 22. Alternatively or additionally, the ultrasound tool system 10 may include a mode setting switch integrated with a foot pedal 36 and / or a remote control 40. Alternatively or additionally, the console 12 may be configured to display a virtual mode setting switch on a display 34, which medical personnel can interact with via a touchscreen interface on the display 34 to set the mode setting switch to an ablation mode or a probing mode.

[0052] Figure 2A and 2B The circuit diagram illustrates the operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 in response to receiving an AC drive signal from the console 12. The current i supplied to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 by the AC drive signal... S It can be decomposed into two components: the current i0 applied to the driver 28 of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 and the equivalent current i applied to the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. M (also referred to here as "mechanical current i") M The mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 may include those that vibrate to apply force to tissue, such as the actuator 28 and the tip 16.

[0053] The impedance Z0 provided by the driver 28 relative to the current i0 is likely primarily capacitive. Therefore, the driver 28 can be represented by a capacitor with capacitance C0. The impedance Z0 provided by the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device 14... M This can include inductive, resistive, and capacitive components. Therefore, mechanical components can be made with components having inductance L. M Inductors with resistor R MResistors and resistors with capacitance C M The capacitor is represented by the inductor L. M Resistance R M Capacitor C M The resistance R can vary with the operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. M It can vary in relation to the tissue to which the tip 16 is applied.

[0054] The vibration of the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 can be related to the mechanical current i M Proportional. For example, the vibration frequency at the distal region 17 of the tip 16 can be equal to the mechanical current i. M The frequency, and when the ultrasonic handheld device 14 operates in a resonant manner, the peak-to-peak displacement of the distal region 17, measured in micrometers, can be a mechanical current i, measured in milliamperes. M Approximately twice the amplitude. For example, a mechanical current i with an amplitude of 150 milliamps... M This can induce the distal region 17 of the tip 16 to vibrate back and forth along a travel path of approximately 300 micrometers. Therefore, the console 12 can induce vibrations with a given frequency and displacement in the distal region 17 by inducing a mechanical current i having said given frequency and an amplitude corresponding to said given displacement. M The AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14.

[0055] According to Ohm's law, the mechanical current i M The following equation can be used to determine:

[0056] i M =i S -j2πfC0θ s (1).

[0057] Where i S θ is the current supplied to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 as the AC drive signal, f is the frequency of the AC drive signal, C0 is the capacitance of the driver 28, which can be considered a constant for the purposes of equation (1) and can be read from the memory integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14, while θ S This is the voltage of the AC drive signal. An explanation of equation (1) can be found in the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 10,016,209, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Assuming the frequency f of the AC drive signal has been pre-set to achieve the desired vibration characteristics (e.g., resonance) of the ultrasonic handheld device 14, then the console 12 can adjust the voltage θ of the AC drive signal by setting... S This causes equation (1) to generate a mechanical current i corresponding to the desired vibration. M The desired vibrations were induced at 17 locations in the distal region.

[0058] A feature integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14 is the mechanical resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. The mechanical resonant frequency is the frequency at which the distal region of the tip 16 experiences vibrational motion within a peak range. In other words, at this resonant frequency, the amplitude of motion experienced by the tip 16 is greater than the motion that would occur if the actuator 28 vibrated at a frequency less than or greater than this resonant frequency. For longitudinally vibrating tip 16, the peak range can be the maximum round-trip distance.

[0059] The applicant's U.S. Patent No. 10,016,209 (the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference) discloses a device for tracking the resonant frequency of an ultrasonic handheld device 14, which may change during operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. Specifically, when the current i0 applied to the driver 28 is different from the mechanical current i... M When the real part of the ratio is essentially zero, the ultrasonic handheld device 14 can operate resonantly. In other words, the frequency f of the AC drive signal can correspond to the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 when the following equation holds:

[0060]

[0061] Where i S C0 is the current supplied to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 as the AC drive signal, and C0 is the capacitance of the driver 28, which can be considered a constant for the purposes of equation (2) and can be read from the memory integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14, while θ S It is the voltage of the AC drive signal. In order to induce the desired vibration at the distal region 17 of the tip 16 during the operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14, the console 12 can be configured to determine f such that equation (2) holds and set the voltage θ of the AC drive signal. S This causes equation (1) to generate a mechanical current i corresponding to the desired vibration. M They alternate repeatedly.

[0062] Figure 3The diagram illustrates components that may be present in console 12. Console 12 may include processor 52, power supply 54, signal generator 56, transformer 58, and console memory 60. Processor 52 may include one or more devices selected from: microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field-programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuit, analog circuit, digital circuit, and / or any other device that manipulates signals (analog or digital) according to operating instructions stored in console memory 60. Console memory 60 may include a single memory device or multiple memory devices, including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache, and / or any other device capable of storing information. Console memory 60 may also include one or more persistent data storage devices, such as hard disk drives, optical disk drives, magnetic tape drives, non-volatile solid-state devices, and / or any other device capable of persistently storing information.

[0063] Processor 52 can be configured to implement the functions, features, procedures, and methods of console 12 described herein. Specifically, processor 52 can operate under the control of software embodied by computer-executable instructions residing in console memory 60. These computer-executable instructions can be compiled or interpreted by a variety of programming languages ​​and / or technologies, including, but not limited to, Java, C, C++, C#, Objective C, Fortran, Pascal, JavaScript, Python, Perl, and PL / SQL, alone or in combination, and can be configured to cause processor 52 to implement the functions, features, procedures, and methods of processor 52 described herein when executed by processor 52.

[0064] During operation of the ultrasonic tool system 10, power supply 54 can output a constant voltage signal, typically between 1 and 250 VDC, to signal generator 56. In some embodiments, the maximum potential of the voltage output by power supply 54 can be 150 VDC or less. Processor 52 can be configured to output a control signal (also referred to herein as a “waveform setting signal”) corresponding to the desired AC drive signal provided to signal generator 56. Signal generator 56, which may include an internal processor and / or amplifier, can be configured to generate an AC signal from the constant voltage signal and the waveform setting signal, for example, using direct digital synthesis (DDS). More specifically, signal generator 56 can be configured to output an AC signal having a frequency and amplitude corresponding to the waveform setting signal from processor 52.

[0065] In some embodiments, signal generator 56 may be an amplifier, such as a Class A amplifier or an amplifier disclosed in the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 10,449,570, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In this case, processor 52 may be configured to generate a waveform setting signal having an amplitude and frequency proportional to the desired AC drive signal, for example using a DDS. The amplifier may then be configured to output a signal having an amplitude and frequency based on the amplitude and frequency of the waveform setting signal.

[0066] The output of signal generator 56 is proportional to the desired AC drive signal indicated by the waveform setting signal and can be applied to the primary winding 62 of transformer 58. The AC signal from signal generator 56 can induce the desired AC drive signal on the secondary winding 64 of transformer 58. Secondary winding 64 can be coupled to ultrasonic handheld device 14 via electrical contact 66, which can be integrated with socket 26 of console 12. Electrical contact 67 (… Figure 4 The processor 52 can be integrated with the adapter 24 coupled to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Therefore, the AC drive signal generated on the secondary winding 64 can be provided to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 and induce vibration of the tip 16. The processor 52 can thus be configured to provide and selectively set the amplitude and frequency of the waveform of the AC drive signal applied to the driver 28 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14, and is configured to correspondingly control the vibration of the distal region 17 of the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 via a waveform setting signal provided to the signal generator 56.

[0067] The processor 52 can also be configured to receive feedback data corresponding to the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14, for example, via one or more sensors of the console 12. For example, the console 12 may include a voltage θ for measuring the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14. S The sensor may include a feedback coil 68 integrated with a transformer 58. The feedback coil 68 may be connected to a voltage measurement circuit 70 of the console 12, which in turn may be connected to a processor 52. The signal on the feedback coil 68 may have a voltage v similar to the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14. S The known relationship. Based on the signal on the feedback coil 68, the voltage measurement circuit 70 can generate a voltage v representing the AC drive signal applied to the ultrasonic handheld device 14. S The potential and phase signals are measured and transmitted to processor 52. Processor 52 can therefore be configured to measure the voltage v of the AC drive signal via voltage measurement circuit 70 and feedback coil 68. S And make decisions based on that.

[0068] As another example, the console 12 may include a current i for measuring the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14. S The sensor may include a coil 72 positioned adjacent to one of the conductors extending from the secondary winding 64 of transformer 58 to ultrasonic handheld device 14. The coil 72 may be connected to a current measurement circuit 74 of console 12, which in turn may be connected to processor 52. The signal from the coil 72 may have a current i that is similar to the current i provided to the AC drive signal of ultrasonic handheld device 14. S The known relationship. Based on the signal on coil 72, current measurement circuit 74 can generate a current i representing the AC drive signal applied to ultrasonic handheld device 14. S The signal, including its amplitude and phase, is transmitted to the processor 52. The processor 52 can therefore be configured to measure the current i of the AC drive signal via the current measurement circuit 74 and the coil 72. S And make decisions based on that.

[0069] In addition to software embodied by computer-executable instructions, console memory 60 may include data supporting the functions, features, processes, and methods of console 12 as described herein, or more specifically, processor 52. For example, console memory 60 may store waveform control data that associates various waveform setting signals with various AC drive signals provided to the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Processor 52 can therefore be configured to access this data to elicit the desired AC drive signal. As another example, console memory 60 may store tissue characteristic data 61 that associates potential operating characteristics of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 (e.g., potential modulated mechanical resistance, described in more detail below) with various tissue characteristics. Processor 52 can therefore be configured to access this data to determine the characteristics of the tissue being contacted by the ultrasonic handpiece 14 based on the determined operating characteristics of the ultrasonic handpiece 14.

[0070] The console 12 may also include a memory reader 76 for communicating with one or more electronic memory storage devices integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14. (Reference) Figure 4 The ultrasonic handheld device 14 may include one or more electronic memory storage devices for storing data identifying the ultrasonic handheld device 14 and / or the tip 16, as well as data defining operating parameters specific to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 and / or the tip 16. Non-limiting examples of operating parameters may include the maximum drive current of the AC drive signal, the mechanical current i M Maximum current, maximum drive voltage of AC drive signal, maximum frequency of AC drive signal, minimum drive frequency of AC drive signal, capacitor C0 of driver 28, PID coefficient and usage history.

[0071] For example, the body 18 of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 may include a handheld device (HP) memory 78 disposed therein. As a non-limiting example, the HP memory 78 may be an EPROM, EEPROM, or an RFID tag. In response to connecting the ultrasonic handheld device 14 to the console 12, the processor 52 may be configured to read data stored in the HP memory 78 using a memory reader 76 and adjust the operation of the console 12 based on that data. More specifically, the console 12 may include a communication interface, such as a coil 80, connected to the memory reader 76. The coil 80 may be integrated with a socket 26 of the console 12. The HP memory 78 may similarly be connected to a coil 82, which may be integrated with an adapter 24 of the cable 22. When the ultrasonic handheld device 14 is connected to the console 12 via the cable 22, the coils 80 and 82 can be aligned and can inductively exchange signals. The processor 52 can then be configured to read data from and write data to the HP memory 78 via the coils 80 and 82.

[0072] More specifically, the memory reader 76 can be configured to convert a signal on coil 80 into a data signal readable by processor 52. The memory reader 76 can also be configured to receive data to be written to HP memory 78 from processor 52 and generate a signal on coil 80 that causes the data to be written to HP memory 78. The structure of the memory reader 76 can complement the structure of HP memory 78. Therefore, continuing with the above non-limiting example, the memory reader 76 can be a component capable of reading data from and writing data to EPROM, EEPROM, or RFID tags.

[0073] As a complement to or alternative to the HP memory 78, the ultrasonic handheld device 14 may include a tip memory 84. As described above, the tip 16 may be detachable from the body 18, so the body 18 can be used with different interchangeable tips 16, and the different tips 16 may have different structural features and operational limitations. Therefore, the HP memory 78 may store data identifying the body 18 and operating parameters specific to the body 18, including the capacitance C0 of the driver 28, and the tip memory 84 may store data identifying the tip 16 currently coupled to the body 18 and operating parameters specific to that tip 16. Because the tip 16 and the sleeve 20 may be shipped together as a single package, the tip memory 84 may be disposed within the sleeve 20. The tip memory 84 may be a memory of the same type as the HP memory 78 (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, or RFID tag).

[0074] In response to the connection of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 to the console 12, the processor 52 can be configured to read data stored in the HP memory 78 and the tip memory 84 using the memory reader 76, and adjust the operation of the console 12 to provide for a specific combination of body 18 and tip 16 coupled to the console 12. The tip memory 84 may include values ​​of the same operating parameters as the operating parameters of the HP memory 78. Where the values ​​for a given operating parameter differ between the HP memory 78 and the tip memory 84, the processor 52 can be configured to manage the operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 using a more restrictive value. Alternatively, where both the HP memory 78 and the tip memory 84 include values ​​for a given operating parameter, the processor 52 can be configured to derive a value (e.g., the maximum drive current of the AC drive signal current) based on a combination of values ​​stored in the respective memories (e.g., summing these values) to manage the operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14.

[0075] Similar to the HP memory 78, the processor 52 can read data from and write data to the tip memory 84 via the memory reader 76 and the coil 80. Specifically, the body 18 may include two conductors 86 extending from a proximal end to a distal end of the body 18. The proximal end of conductor 86 may be coupled to a coil 82, which may be integrated with an adapter 24 of cable 22. The distal end of conductor 86 may be coupled to another coil 88 disposed at the distal end of the body 18. A corresponding coil 90 may be disposed at the proximal end of sleeve 20. When sleeve 20 is arranged around tip 16 and fitted to body 18, coils 88 and 90 can be aligned and can inductively exchange signals. When body 18 is connected to console 12 via cable 22, coils 80 and 82 can also be aligned and can inductively exchange signals. The processor 52 can then read data from and write data to the tip memory 84 via the inductive communication provided by coils 80 and 82 and coils 88 and 90, through conductor 86.

[0076] When the ultrasound tool system 10 is operated in probing mode, one or more electronic memory storage devices of the ultrasound handheld device 14 can also store data for determining the characteristics of the tissue being contacted by the ultrasound handheld device 14. As previously described, the processor 52 can be configured to determine the characteristics of the contacted tissue, for example, when the ultrasound handheld device 14 is in contact with tissue, based on the determined operating characteristics associated with the ultrasound handheld device 14 (e.g., the modulated mechanical resistance described in more detail below). However, a given body 18 can be used with different interchangeable tips 16, and different combinations of body 18 and tips 16 can exhibit different baseline operating characteristics. In other words, different ultrasound handheld devices 14 can exhibit different operating characteristics when operating in an unloaded state, i.e., vibrating in air without contacting any tissue. As an example, the operating characteristics of one ultrasound handheld device 14 when operating in an unloaded state can be approximately three hundred ohms, while the unloaded modulated mechanical resistance of other ultrasound handheld devices 14 can be in the range of six hundred to eight hundred ohms, including the extreme values. Therefore, the significance of the determined operating characteristics of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 (e.g., the modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14) relative to the characteristics of the tissue being contacted may vary depending on the specific ultrasonic handpiece 14 being used to contact the tissue.

[0077] Therefore, the one or more electronic memory storage devices of the ultrasound handheld device 14 can store standardized data specific to the ultrasound handheld device 14 for standardizing the determined operating characteristics of the ultrasound handheld device 14 when it contacts patient tissue, such as indicating the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasound handheld device 14. For example, HP memory 78 can store the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to body 18, and / or tip memory 84 can store the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to tip 16. As described in more detail below, this data can be determined through testing of the various components of the ultrasound handheld device 14 during production. When the ultrasound tool system 10 is operated to probe patient tissue, processor 52 can be configured to read this data from HP memory 78 and / or tip memory 84, and operating characteristics for the contacted patient tissue are determined based on this standardization.

[0078] The processor 52 can also be coupled and configured to drive the display 34 of the console 12. Specifically, the processor 52 can be configured to generate information and user interface (UI) configurations to be presented on the display 34. Such information described on the display 34 may include information identifying the body 18 and the tip 16, information describing the operating state of the ultrasound tool system 10, and information identifying the characteristics of the patient tissue being contacted by the tip 16 when the console 12 is operated in probing mode. When the display 34 is a touchscreen display, the processor 52 can also be configured to cause the display 34 to display images of buttons and other user-selectable components, such as the virtual mode setting switch described above. By interacting with the buttons and other user-selectable components, medical personnel can set desired operating parameters for the ultrasound tool system 10.

[0079] The processor 52 can also be coupled to the foot pedal 36, the remote control 40, and mode setting switches of the ultrasound tool system 10, such as the switch 43 integrated with the ultrasound handheld device 14, to receive and process user input from such devices accordingly. For example, when the ultrasound handheld device 14 is coupled to the console 12, the processor 52 can be communicatively coupled to the switch 43 integrated with the ultrasound handheld device 14 via one or more electrical contacts 92 integrated with the socket 26 of the console 12 and one or more electrical contacts 94 integrated with the adapter 24 coupled to the ultrasound handheld device 14. The processor 52 can then be configured to monitor the state of the switch 43 to determine whether the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to operate in probing or ablation mode.

[0080] The processor 52 can also be coupled and configured to drive the speaker 96 of the console 12. For example, in response to determining the characteristics of the patient tissue that the tip 16 is contacting, the processor 52 can be configured to play different sounds through the speaker 96 to indicate the tissue characteristics to medical personnel.

[0081] Figure 5 The illustration depicts a method 100 for probing patient tissue using an ultrasound handheld device 14 to determine tissue characteristics (e.g., characteristics indicating whether the tissue is healthy or unhealthy). Method 100 can be executed by a console 12, for example, under the guidance of a processor 52. More specifically, the processor 52 can be configured, for example, via software stored in a console memory 60, to cause the console 12 to execute method 100.

[0082] In box 102, it can be determined whether the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to probing mode or ablation mode. In ablation mode, the console 12, or more specifically the processor 52, can be configured to generate an AC drive signal and provide it to the ultrasound handheld device 14, causing the tip 16 to vibrate sufficiently to ablate the tissue being contacted. In probing mode, the console 12, or more specifically the processor 52, can be configured to generate an AC drive signal and provide it to the ultrasound handheld device 14, causing the tip 16 to vibrate insufficiently to ablate the tissue being contacted. In the latter mode, the vibration of the tip 16 can push and pull the contacted tissue without causing damage.

[0083] Processor 52 can be configured to determine, based on user input, box 102, and select one of the operating modes. More specifically, processor 52 can be configured to determine whether the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to probing or ablation mode by monitoring the state of a mode setting switch, which can be integrated with at least one of a touchscreen display 34, foot pedal 36, remote control 40, or ultrasound handheld device 14 (e.g., switch 43). Specifically, the user can interact with one of these devices to indicate one of the operating modes to processor 52.

[0084] For example, the touchscreen display 34 may display on-screen interactive elements (e.g., buttons) for selecting between operating modes, and the remote control 40 may similarly include interactive control elements for performing this selection. By configuring the processor 52 to determine whether pressing the foot pedal 36 corresponds to a probing mode or an ablation mode, the foot pedal 36 allows the user to select one of these operating modes. For example, in response to a signal received by the processor 52 from the foot pedal 36 indicating that the pressing is less than a set threshold, the processor 52 may be configured to determine that the user desires to operate the ultrasound tool system 10 in probing mode. In response to a signal received by the processor 52 from the foot pedal 36 indicating that the pressing is greater than or equal to a set threshold, the processor 52 may be configured to determine that the user desires to operate the ultrasound tool system 10 in ablation mode. Alternatively, the foot pedal 36 may have separate pressable elements for operating the ultrasound tool system 10, one for operating the ultrasound tool system 10 in ablation mode and another for operating the ultrasound tool system 10 in probing mode. The switch 43 integrated with the ultrasound handheld device 14 may be configured such that pressing the switch 43 selects the probing mode and releasing the switch 43 selects the ablation mode.

[0085] In block 104, in response to determining that the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to operate in ablation mode (the "ablation" branch of block 102), the ultrasound handheld device 14 can be operated in ablation mode. Specifically, the processor 52 can be configured to cause the console 12 to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device 14, inducing vibration of the tip 16 to ablate patient tissue. The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device 14 in ablation mode can induce vibrations with a relatively high peak-to-peak displacement (e.g., between 100 and 300 micrometers, including the end value) at the distal region of the tip 16. In other words, the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device 14 in ablation mode can cause the distal region of the tip 16 to shift back and forth along a travel path between 100 and 300 micrometers, including the end value. Equivalently, the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device 14 in ablation mode can induce a relatively high mechanical current i M For example, mechanical currents with amplitudes between fifty and one hundred and fifty milliamperes, including terminal values. M In ablation mode, the generation of AC drive signals by console 12 can be performed as described in the applicant's U.S. Patent No. 10,016,209, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0086] In some embodiments, operating the ultrasonic handheld device 14 in ablation mode within block 104 may further include providing aspiration at the distal region 17 of the tip 16 through a corresponding passage defined by the ultrasonic handheld device 14, and supplying fluid to the distal region 17 of the tip 16 through a corresponding passage defined by the ultrasonic handheld device 14. In other words, in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to operate in ablation mode, the console 12 may be configured to initiate the supply of aspiration and flushing fluid to the ultrasonic handheld device 14. Conversely, when the ultrasonic tool system 10 is set to operate in probing mode, the console 12 may be configured to keep the aspiration and flushing features inactive.

[0087] In block 106, in response to determining that the ultrasound tool system 10 is set to operate in probe mode (the "probe" branch of block 102), an AC drive signal can be provided to the ultrasound handheld device 14 to induce vibration of the tip 16 to probe patient tissue, for example, when the distal region of the tip 16 contacts the patient tissue. Figure 6An example of an AC drive signal 126 that can be provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 in probe mode is illustrated. As shown in the example, the AC drive signal 126 may include a component of the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 and a component of the probe frequency. The probe frequency may be significantly smaller than the resonant frequency. For example, the resonant frequency may be approximately 25 kHz (e.g., ±1 kHz), and the probe frequency may be approximately 4 Hz (e.g., ±1 Hz). More specifically, the AC drive signal 126 may include a fundamental signal of the resonant frequency, such as a sine wave, with the amplitude varying according to the probe frequency. Therefore, the AC drive signal 126 provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 in probe mode may be an amplitude-modulated signal.

[0088] The AC drive signal can be configured to induce vibrations in the tip 16 that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue, but rather push and pull the tissue without causing damage. Specifically, the AC drive signal can induce vibrations in the distal region of the tip 16 with amplitude and velocity less than those induced when the console 12 is operated in ablation mode, such that the induced vibrations push and pull, but do not ablate, the tissue. For example, the AC drive signal provided in probing mode can induce vibrations in the distal region 17 of the tip 16 with a relatively low peak-to-peak displacement (e.g., less than or equal to 100 micrometers). In other words, when operating in probing mode, the tip 16 can vibrate back and forth along a travel path varying by up to 100 micrometers. Equivalently, the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device 14 in ablation mode can induce a relatively low mechanical current i M For example, a mechanical current i with a varying amplitude of less than or equal to fifty milliamperes. M As an example, the AC drive signal can be configured to induce a mechanical current i. M Depending on the detection frequency, its amplitude varies between 50 mA and 25 mA, or between 10 mA and 5 mA.

[0089] The processor 52 can be configured to cause the console 12 to generate an AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 in probe mode. Specifically, the processor 52 can be configured to track the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device 14, for example, by sweeping the AC drive signal between a minimum and a maximum frequency read from the electronic memory storage device of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 and determining which frequency induces the maximum mechanical current i. M Alternatively, by determining the frequency f that satisfies equation (2).

[0090] Subsequently, processor 52 can be configured to generate a waveform setting signal and transmit it to signal generator 56, causing signal generator 56 to generate an AC signal proportional to the desired AC drive signal on the primary winding 62 of transformer 58, for example using a DDS. Specifically, processor 52 can transmit a waveform setting signal that causes signal generator 56 to generate a sinusoidal waveform with a resonant frequency and an amplitude that will induce an amplitude equal to the mechanical current i. M The mechanical current i with the expected maximum amplitude (e.g., 50 mA, 10 mA) M Generate a sinusoidal modulated waveform with a probe frequency that varies between 1 and a value between 0 and 1 (e.g., half); and multiply the modulated waveform by the base signal to produce a proportional AC signal on the primary winding 62.

[0091] In alternative examples, such as when signal generator 56 is an amplifier, processor 52 can be configured to generate a waveform setting signal proportional to the desired AC drive signal, for example, using a DDS. Specifically, processor 52 can be configured to generate a sinusoidal fundamental signal with a tracked resonant frequency and an amplitude that will induce an amplitude equal to the mechanical current i. M The mechanical current i with the expected maximum amplitude M The processor 52 generates a sinusoidal modulated waveform with a probe frequency and multiplies these signals to generate an amplitude-modulated signal proportional to the desired AC drive signal. The processor 52 can then be configured to transmit the signal as a waveform setting signal to a signal generator 56, which can amplify the signal to generate the desired AC drive signal on the secondary winding 64 of the transformer 58.

[0092] In block 108, the voltage θ of the provided AC drive signal can be measured when the distal region 17 of the tip 16 contacts the patient tissue. S and current i S Specifically, the processor 52 can be configured to measure the voltage θ on the ultrasonic handheld device 14 using a voltage sensor (e.g., feedback coil 68 and voltage measurement circuit 70). S It can also be configured to measure the current i applied to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 using a current sensor (e.g., coil 72 and current measurement circuit 74). S Then, in block 110, the voltage θ of the measured AC drive signal can be used as a basis. S and current i S Calculate the mechanical current i M Specifically, processor 52 can be configured to calculate mechanical current i by applying the measured voltage and current to equation (1) above. M . Figure 7The diagram shows the corresponding voltages θ. S and the calculated mechanical current i M The voltage waveform 128 and the mechanical current waveform 130.

[0093] During operation of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 in probe mode, the processor 52 can be configured to continuously check the mechanical current i M Located at the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld component 14 and having a resonant frequency with the mechanical current i M The target is an equal amplitude (e.g., the amplitude varies between five and ten mA, or between twenty-five and fifty mA). For example, processor 52 can be configured to execute the following loop: determining whether the result of equation (1) is substantially equal to the mechanical current i M The objective and whether equation (2) holds essentially. If the result of equation (1) is not essentially equal to the mechanical current i M If the objective is to adjust the voltage v of the AC drive signal, then the processor 52 can be configured to adjust the voltage v of the AC drive signal. S Make the result of equation (1) and the mechanical current i M The difference between the targets is reduced, for example by adjusting the waveform to set the amplitude of the signal. In addition, if equation (2) is not substantially true, the processor 52 can be configured to adjust the frequency of the AC drive signal to make the relationship of equation (2) substantially true, for example by adjusting the waveform to set the frequency of the signal.

[0094] Referring again to method 100, in response to measuring the voltage v of the provided AC drive signal... S and current i S And calculate the mechanical current i M The processor 52 can be configured to determine the operational characteristics associated with the ultrasound handheld device 14 to determine the properties of the patient tissue that the ultrasound handheld device 14 is contacting. Specifically, the processor 52 can be configured to calculate the mechanical impedance Z of the ultrasound handheld device 14 at the probing frequency. M The resistive component, also referred to in this paper as the modulated mechanical resistance Rz mod Specifically, when the tip 16 of the ultrasound handheld device 14 contacts patient tissue with different stiffness levels during operation in probing mode, the mechanical impedance Z at the probing frequency... M The reactive component can remain essentially constant, while the modulated mechanical resistance Rz mod It can be expressed as a function of the stiffness of the organization. Therefore, processor 52 can be configured to determine the modulation mechanical resistance Rz. mod To identify the tissue-specific characteristics that the tip 16 of the ultrasound handheld device 14 is contacting.

[0095] More specifically, in box 112, the voltage v at the probe frequency can be determined. S With mechanical current i M The amplitude and voltage v of each of them S With mechanical current i M The phase difference between them. Processor 52 can be configured to detect the voltage v S With mechanical current i M The envelope of each signal is used to determine the amplitude and phase difference, which can correspond to the probe frequency. For example, processor 52 can be configured to determine the upper envelope of these signals by implementing a direct Fourier transform (DFT) algorithm that performs a sum-of-squares low-pass filter on these signals or applies a Hilbert transform filter to these signals. Figure 7 The figure illustrates a voltage envelope waveform 132 corresponding to the upper envelope of voltage waveform 128, and a mechanical current envelope waveform 134 corresponding to the upper envelope of mechanical current waveform 130. As shown in the example, each of the voltage envelope waveform 132 and the mechanical current envelope waveform 134 can be a sine wave with a probe frequency.

[0096] The processor 52 can then be configured to determine the amplitude and phase difference at the probe frequency by determining the amplitude of each envelope and the phase difference between these envelopes. The processor 52 can be configured to determine the amplitude of each envelope by performing a peak-finding algorithm to determine the maximum and minimum values ​​of the envelope, subtracting the minimum value from the maximum value, and dividing the result of the subtraction by two. The processor 52 can be configured to determine the phase difference between envelopes by subtracting the time index corresponding to the maximum value in one envelope from the next larger time index corresponding to the maximum value in another envelope, and dividing the result of the subtraction by the period of these envelopes (e.g., the reciprocal of the probe frequency).

[0097] In block 114, the voltage v at the probe frequency can be used as a basis. S With mechanical current i M The amplitude and phase difference of each of the components are used to calculate the modulated mechanical resistance Rz associated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14. mod Specifically, the modulated mechanical resistance Rz of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 mod This can be equal to the mechanical impedance Z of the ultrasonic handheld component 14 at the detection frequency. M The real part of the voltage envelope. Therefore, processor 52 can be configured to calculate the modulated mechanical resistance Rz by dividing the amplitude of the mechanical current envelope by the amplitude of the voltage envelope and multiplying the result by the cosine of the determined phase difference. mod .

[0098] In block 116, the modulation of the mechanical resistance Rz can be used as a basis. modTo identify the characteristics of the tissue being contacted. The identified characteristics can indicate the type of tissue being contacted. For example, the identified characteristics can indicate whether the tissue being contacted is healthy soft tissue or unhealthy rigid tissue, or can indicate the type of tissue being contacted (e.g., dura mater, pia mater, blood vessel wall).

[0099] Processor 52 can be configured to modulate the mechanical resistor Rz mod Tissue characteristic data 61, stored in console memory 60, is used to identify the characteristics of the contacted tissue. Tissue characteristic data 61 may indicate different potential tissue characteristics (e.g., healthy, unhealthy, dura mater, pia mater), and one or more values ​​specific to each potential tissue characteristic (e.g., potential modulated mechanical resistance). For example, tissue characteristic data 61 may define various potential modulated mechanical resistances Rz. mod A lookup table associated with different organizational health ratings. Potential modulated mechanical resistance Rz mod The larger the value, the more likely it is to be related to the potential modulation mechanical resistance Rz. mod The worse the associated tissue health rating, the better. As another example, tissue characteristic data 61 can define a threshold such that a potential modulated mechanical resistance below this threshold is associated with healthy tissue or a specific type of tissue, and a potential modulated mechanical resistance Rz above this threshold is associated with... mod It is associated with an unhealthy organization or another type of organization.

[0100] In some cases, healthcare professionals may be able to define tissue characteristic data 61 for determining tissue characteristics in the probing mode. For example, healthcare professionals can interact with console 12 via touchscreen display 34 to specify the type of tissue to be removed or detected and / or the type of tissue to be kept intact. Console memory 60 may include tissue characteristic data 61 for each possible tissue type selectable by the user, and processor 52 may be configured to retrieve and use the tissue characteristic data 61 corresponding to the healthcare professional's selection to determine whether the tissue being contacted by ultrasound handpiece 14 has characteristics corresponding to the selected tissue type to be removed or the selected tissue type to be kept intact. Healthcare professionals may also be able to directly define the thresholds and / or lookup tables.

[0101] In some cases, based on the calculated modulation mechanical resistance Rz mod Determining tissue characteristics may include normalizing modulated mechanical resistance Rz based on a specific ultrasound handheld device 14 coupled to the console 12 and in contact with the tissue. modThis involves applying standardized modulated mechanical resistance to the tissue characteristic data 61 as described above. As previously stated, a given body 18 can be configured for use with a variety of interchangeable tips 16, and different combinations of body 18 and tips 16 can exhibit different mechanical resistances at the probing frequency when operating under no-load conditions (i.e., vibrating without contact with any tissue), referred herein also as no-load modulated mechanical resistance. Accordingly, different combinations of body 18 and tips 16 can exhibit different modulated mechanical resistances Rz when contacting the same tissue. mod Therefore, given the modulation mechanical resistance Rz mod The meaning relative to the characteristics of the tissue being contacted may differ, depending on the specific ultrasonic handpiece 14 being used to contact the tissue, or more specifically the specific body 18 and / or tip 16.

[0102] Therefore, processor 52 can be configured to modulate the mechanical resistance Rz based on the following calculation. mod Identify the characteristics of the tissue being contacted: Identify the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 used to contact the tissue, and the calculated modulated mechanical resistance Rz mod Subtracting this no-load modulated mechanical resistance and applying this standardized modulated mechanical resistance to tissue characteristic data 61 determines the corresponding tissue characteristics as described above. Processor 52 can be configured to determine the no-load mechanical resistance of the ultrasound handpiece 14 by running a test of the ultrasound handpiece 14 when it is initially connected to console 12 and operating in an unloaded state (e.g., vibrating without contact with any patient tissue). Specifically, in response to the ultrasound handpiece 14 being connected to console 12 and console 12 being energized, before the ultrasound handpiece 14 contacts any tissue, processor 52 can be configured to execute blocks 106 to 114 of method 100 to calculate the modulated mechanical resistance assuming a no-load condition.

[0103] Alternatively, the no-load modulated mechanical resistance specific to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 can be determined based on data previously stored in and read from one or more electronic memory storage devices (e.g., HP memory 78 and / or tip memory 84) integrated with the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Differences in the no-load modulated mechanical resistance between different ultrasonic handpieces 14 may primarily be due to the use of different tips 16 in the ultrasonic handpiece 14. Therefore, data used to identify the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece 14 can be stored in the tip memory 84 distributed along with the tip 16 of the ultrasonic handpiece 14. For example, during the manufacturing process of the tip 16, the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the tip 16 can be determined by coupling the tip 16 to the body 18 to form the ultrasonic handpiece 14, coupling this ultrasonic handpiece 14 to the console 12, and executing blocks 106 to 114 of the console 12 without the tip 16 contacting any tissue to determine the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the tip 16. This no-load modulated resistance can then be stored in the tip memory 84 distributed along with the tip 16. Subsequently, in response to the ultrasonic handpiece 14 with tip 16 being connected to console 12 and console 12 being powered on to prepare for operation, processor 52 can be configured to read the no-load mechanical resistance from tip memory 84 and use that value as the normalized no-load modulated mechanical resistance of ultrasonic handpiece 14.

[0104] Alternatively, both the HP memory 78 and the tip memory 84 of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 can store data for determining the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. Specifically, the HP memory 78 of the body 18 can store data indicating the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the body 18, and the tip memory 84, released together with the tip 16, can store data indicating the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the tip 16. The no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the body 18 can be determined during manufacturing by coupling the body 18 to the console 12 without the tip 16 and performing blocks 106 to 114 on the console 12 without bringing any tissue into contact with the body 18. The no-load modulated mechanical resistance of tip 16 can be determined during manufacturing by coupling tip 16 to body 18 to form ultrasonic handpiece 14, coupling ultrasonic handpiece 14 to console 12, causing console 12 to execute blocks 106 to 114 to determine the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of ultrasonic handpiece 14 without contacting any tissue, and subtracting the previously determined no-load modulated mechanical resistance of body 18 from this no-load modulated mechanical resistance to determine the load modulated mechanical resistance without tip 16. Subsequently, in response to ultrasonic handpiece 14 with body 18 and tip 16 being connected to console 12 and console 12 being energized for operation, processor 52 can be configured to determine the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of ultrasonic handpiece 14 by reading the no-load mechanical resistance specific to body 18 from HP memory 78, reading the no-load mechanical resistance specific to tip 16 from tip memory 84, and determining the no-load mechanical resistance specific to ultrasonic handpiece 14 based on the read data (e.g., summing the read no-load modulated mechanical resistances).

[0105] When the ultrasonic handheld device 14 is connected to the console 12 for operation, the test of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 is automatically run, or data indicating the no-load resistance specific to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 is stored in the HP memory 78 and / or tip memory 84 integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14, so that the console 12 can: automatically run the test of the ultrasonic handheld device 14 by measuring the calculated modulation mechanical resistance Rz of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. modStandardization is applied to the specific ultrasound handpiece 14 in use, allowing for the accurate exploration of patient tissue using different ultrasound handpieces 14, or more specifically, different combinations of the body 18 and tip 16. During the time the processor 52 determines the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the connected ultrasound handpiece 14, for example by running a test on the ultrasound handpiece 14 or reading previously stored data from the ultrasound handpiece 14, the processor 52 can be configured to cause the display 34 to display a notification indicating that the ultrasound tool system 10 is initializing and that the tip 16 is not placed on any tissue, and can be configured to disable user input that causes the ultrasound handpiece 14 to operate. In response to determining the no-load modulated mechanical resistance of the ultrasound handpiece 14, the processor 52 can be configured to cause the display 34 to indicate that the ultrasound tool system 10 is ready for use, and to enable user input that causes the ultrasound handpiece 14 to operate.

[0106] Refer again Figure 5 In block 118, tissue characteristics can be indicated to a medical professional. Specifically, processor 52 can be configured to provide visual indicators corresponding to the identified tissue characteristics, such as via display 34 or a visual indicator integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device 14; auditory indicators corresponding to the identified tissue characteristics via speaker 96; and / or tactile indicators corresponding to the identified tissue characteristics via vibrations of the ultrasonic handheld device 14. To provide tactile indication, processor 52 can be configured to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 that induces a distinct vibration pattern that is insufficient to ablate the tissue but can be felt by a medical professional holding the ultrasonic handheld device 14. For example, processor 52 can be configured to provide an AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handheld device 14 comprising on pulses separated by off periods, which can induce ultrasonic vibrations of the tip 16 at intervals insufficient to ablate the tissue.

[0107] If the identified characteristic indication corresponds to a tissue type in a dual-value tissue condition (e.g., the characteristic indicates whether the tissue being contacted is to be ablated, whether the tissue being contacted is healthy, or whether the tissue being contacted is a medically defined tissue type), then processor 52 can be configured to provide an indication of the identified characteristic if the characteristic corresponds to one of the states of the dual-value condition, and not provide an indication if the characteristic corresponds to the other state of the dual-value condition. For example, if the identified characteristic indicates that the tissue being contacted is healthy, processor 52 can be configured not to provide an indication of that characteristic, and if the identified characteristic indicates that the tissue being contacted is unhealthy, processor 52 can be configured to provide a visual, auditory, and / or tactile indication of that characteristic as described above. Alternatively, processor 52 can be configured to provide an indication of the characteristic regardless of the state represented by the characteristic.

[0108] If the identified characteristic indication corresponds to an tissue type with different severity of tissue conditions (e.g., different levels of unhealthy tissue), the processor 52 may be configured to provide an indication of the identified characteristic that varies according to the severity of the characteristic indication. For example, if an identified characteristic indicates that the tissue being touched has a poor health rating, the processor 52 may be configured to provide an auditory, visual, and / or tactile indication, and if another identified characteristic indicates that the tissue being touched has an even worse health rating, the processor 52 may be configured to provide different auditory, visual, and / or tactile indications indicating a worse health rating relative to the previous health rating. As some non-limiting examples, the processor 52 may be configured to indicate a worse health rating by: displaying an indication with a larger amplitude than the previous health rating on the display 34, activating the speaker 96 with a louder volume or a higher frequency beep than the previous health rating, and / or vibrating the ultrasonic handheld device 14 to cause an activated on pulse to appear at a higher frequency than the previous health rating.

[0109] This article describes an ultrasound tool system and method for probing and / or ablating patient tissue. Distinguishing different types of patient tissue during medical procedures can be difficult, especially when the healthcare professional's view of the tissue is obstructed, or when it is difficult to differentiate one tissue type from another visually. Therefore, the examples described herein provide a method for identifying the characteristics of patient tissue using an ultrasound handheld device without damaging the tissue. The identified tissue characteristics can be indicated to the healthcare professional, who can then decide whether to ablate the tissue using the ultrasound tool system or leave it intact.

[0110] The computer-executable program code described herein can be distributed individually or collectively as a program product in a variety of different forms. Specifically, the program code can be distributed using a computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program instructions thereon to cause a processor to execute aspects of embodiments of the invention.

[0111] Computer-readable storage media are inherently non-transitory and can include tangible media, implemented in any way or by any technique, that are volatile or non-volatile, removable or non-removable, for storing information (e.g., computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer-readable storage media can also include RAM, ROM, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory or other solid-state storage technologies, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical storage devices, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tapes, disk storage devices or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired information and is readable by a computer. Computer-readable storage media should not be construed as transient signals (e.g., radio waves or other propagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagating through a transmission medium such as a waveguide, or electrical signals transmitted through wires). Computer-readable program instructions can be downloaded from a computer-readable storage medium to a computer, another type of programmable data processing apparatus, or another device, or via a network to an external computer or external storage device.

[0112] Computer-readable program instructions stored in a computer-readable medium can be used to direct a computer, other type of programmable data processing apparatus, or other device to operate in a particular manner, causing the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium to produce articles of manufacture, including instructions that implement the functions, actions, and / or operations specified in flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams. Computer program instructions can be provided to one or more processors of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that instructions executed via one or more processors cause a series of calculations to be performed to implement the functions, actions, and / or operations specified in flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams.

[0113] In some alternative examples, the functions, actions, and / or operations specified in flowcharts, sequence diagrams, and / or block diagrams may be reordered, processed sequentially, and / or processed simultaneously according to embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, any flowchart, sequence diagram, and / or block diagram may include more or fewer blocks than those shown in embodiments of the invention.

[0114] While the invention has been described by way of various examples, and these examples have been described in considerable detail, the applicant does not intend to limit or in any way restrict the scope of the appended claims to these details. Other advantages and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention is not limited in its broader aspects to the specific details, representative devices and methods, and the illustrative examples shown and described. Thus, deviations from these details may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant's overall inventive concept.

[0115] Some implementation methods can be described with reference to the following exemplary terms:

[0116] Clause 1. An ultrasound tool system for probing patient tissue, the system comprising: an ultrasound handheld device including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip, the ultrasound handheld device defining a first passage for providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip and a second passage for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip; and a console coupled to the ultrasound handheld device and configured to generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasound handheld device, the console including: a first sensor for measuring... The device comprises: a voltage of an AC drive signal; a second sensor for measuring the current of the AC drive signal; and a processor coupled to the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to: provide the AC drive signal to at least one driver of the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasound handheld device and a second component having a probe frequency less than the resonant frequency; measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors; calculate a resistance associated with the ultrasound handheld device based on the measured voltage and measured current; and provide at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the calculated resistance.

[0117] Clause 2. The ultrasound tool system as described in Clause 1 further includes an indicator coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to operate the indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on a calculated resistance.

[0118] Clause 3. An ultrasound tool system as described in Clause 2, wherein the indicator is integrated with an ultrasound handheld device, a console, or a separate display such as a tablet or navigation screen.

[0119] Clause 4. A method of probing patient tissue using an ultrasound handheld device having a tip for treating the patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip, the method comprising: supplying fluid to a distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasound handheld device; providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasound handheld device; providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasound handheld device and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency; measuring a voltage and a current of the AC drive signal; calculating a resistance associated with the ultrasound handheld device based on the measured voltage and the measured current; and providing at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the calculated resistance.

[0120] Clause 5. The method as described in Clause 4 further includes an operating indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on a calculated resistance.

[0121] Clause 6. An ultrasound tool system for probing patient tissue, the system comprising: an ultrasound handheld device including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip, the ultrasound handheld device defining a first passage for providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip and a second passage for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip; and a console coupled to the ultrasound handheld device and configured to generate an AC drive signal applied to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasound handheld device, the console including: a first sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive signal; a second sensor for measuring a current of the AC drive signal; and a processor coupled to the first and second sensors, the processor being configured to: provide the AC drive signal to the at least one actuator of the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal causing vibration at the distal region of the tip insufficient to ablate patient tissue; measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal using the first and second sensors; and provide at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the measured voltage and current.

[0122] Clause 7. The ultrasound tool system as described in Clause 6 further includes an indicator coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to operate the indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on measured voltage and current.

[0123] Clause 8. An ultrasound tool system as described in Clause 7, wherein the indicator is integrated with an ultrasound handheld device, a console, or a separate display such as a tablet or navigation screen.

[0124] Clause 9. A method for probing patient tissue using an ultrasound handheld device having a tip for treating the patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip, the method comprising: supplying fluid to a distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasound handheld device; providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip through at least a portion of the ultrasound handheld device; providing an AC drive signal to the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal causing vibration at the distal region of the tip insufficient to ablate the patient tissue; measuring voltage and current of the AC drive signal; and providing at least one of an auditory, visual, or tactile indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on the measured voltage and current.

[0125] Clause 10. The method as described in Clause 9 further includes an operation indicator to provide an indication that the patient tissue is tumor tissue based on measured current and voltage.

Claims

1. An ultrasound tool system for examining patient tissues, the system comprising: An ultrasound handheld device includes a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one actuator, the tip being coupled to the actuator and an AC drive signal being applied to the actuator to vibrate the tip, the ultrasound handheld device defining a first passage for providing aspiration at the distal region of the tip and a second passage for supplying fluid to the distal region of the tip. and A control console, coupled to an ultrasonic handheld device and configured to generate the AC drive signal applied to the at least one actuator of the ultrasonic handheld device to vibrate the tip of the ultrasonic handheld device, the control console comprising: The first sensor is used to measure the voltage of the AC drive signal; The second sensor is used to measure the current of the AC drive signal; and A processor, which is coupled to the first and second sensors and is configured to: The AC drive signal is provided to the at least one driver of the ultrasound handheld device, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasound handheld device and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency, wherein the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device is configured to induce vibrations of the tip that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue. The voltage and current of the AC drive signal are measured using the first and second sensors; Based on the measured voltage and current, the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated; and Based on the calculated resistance, at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications is provided.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following, and is configured to provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on a calculated resistance: Based on calculated resistance, the characteristics of patient tissue are identified; and Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device is limited by a fundamental signal with a resonant frequency that is amplitude-modulated according to the probe frequency.

4. The system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The resonant frequency is approximately 25 kHz, and the detection frequency is approximately 4 Hz.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein, The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device is configured to induce vibrations with a peak-to-peak displacement of less than or equal to 100 micrometers at the distal region of the tip, and is configured to induce vibrations at the tip that are insufficient to ablate the patient's tissue.

6. The system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The AC drive signal is defined as the first AC drive signal, and the processor is configured to: Determine whether the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in exploration mode or ablation mode; In response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in probe mode, a first AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasound handheld device; as well as In response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode, a second AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasound handheld device, the second AC drive signal being configured to induce vibrations at the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The second AC drive signal provided to the ultrasound handheld device is configured to induce vibrations at the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue by inducing a peak-to-peak displacement greater than 100 micrometers and less than or equal to 300 micrometers at the distal region of the tip.

8. The system of claim 6, further comprising a switch communicatively coupled to the processor, the switch having a first setting and a second setting, wherein the processor is configured to: In response to the switch being set to the first setting, it is determined that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in probe mode; and In response to the switch being set to the second setting, it is determined that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein, The processor is configured to, in response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode: Aspiration is provided at the distal region of the tip through a first pathway defined by the ultrasonic handpiece; as well as Fluid is supplied to the distal region of the tip via a second pathway defined by the ultrasonic handpiece.

10. The system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following, specifically to calculate the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device based on the measured voltage and measured current: Based on the measured voltage and current, the equivalent current of the mechanical components passing through the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated; as well as The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following, and is configured to calculate the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece: Calculate the first amplitude of the voltage measured at the detection frequency, the second amplitude of the equivalent current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece calculated at the detection frequency, and the phase difference between the voltage measured at the detection frequency and the equivalent current through the mechanical component of the ultrasonic handpiece calculated. and Based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference, the real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated.

12. The system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following, and is configured to provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on a calculated resistance: Calculate the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device; and Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the calculated difference.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following, and is configured to provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on a calculated difference: Based on the calculated differences, the characteristics of patient tissues are identified; and Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

14. The system according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The console also includes a memory coupled to the processor storing tissue characteristic data, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics and one or more values ​​specific to each potential tissue characteristic, and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance, including: Based on one or more values ​​specific to this potential tissue characteristic and the calculated resistance, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data is identified as a characteristic of the patient tissue; and At least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications that provide identified characteristics of the patient's tissue.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein, The processor, configured to perform the following, is configured to identify one of the potential organizational characteristics indicated by the organizational characteristic data based on one or more values ​​specific to that potential organizational characteristic and a calculated resistance: Calculate the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device; and Based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential organizational characteristic and the calculated difference, identify one of the potential organizational characteristics indicated by the organizational characteristic data.

16. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The processor, configured to perform the following in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console, is configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device: When the ultrasonic handheld device is in an unloaded state, an AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasonic handheld device; With the ultrasonic handheld device in an unloaded state, the second voltage and the second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handheld device are measured using the first and second sensors. as well as The no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the measured second voltage and the measured second current of the AC drive signal.

17. The system according to claim 12, wherein, The processor is configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device by being configured to read data indicating the no-load resistance from a memory integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console.

18. A computer product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to: An AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasonic handpiece of the ultrasonic tool system, the AC drive signal including a first component having a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handpiece and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency, wherein the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handpiece is configured to induce vibrations at the tip of the ultrasonic tool system that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue. Measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal at the tip; Based on the measured voltage and current, the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated; as well as Provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the calculated resistance.

19. The computer product according to claim 18, wherein, Providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance includes: The characteristics of patient tissues are identified based on calculated resistance; and Provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

20. The computer product according to claim 18, wherein, Providing the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handheld device includes: Generate a fundamental signal with a resonant frequency; and The amplitude of the basic signal is modulated according to the detection frequency.

21. The computer product according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The resonant frequency is approximately 25 kHz, and the detection frequency is approximately 4 Hz.

22. The computer product according to claim 18, wherein, Providing an AC drive signal that induces vibrations at the tip insufficient to ablate patient tissue to the ultrasound handpiece includes: providing the ultrasound handpiece with an AC drive signal that induces a peak-to-peak displacement of less than or equal to 100 micrometers at the distal region of the tip.

23. The computer product according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The computer-executable instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to: It was confirmed that the ultrasound tool system was set to operate in probe mode; In response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in probe mode, an AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasound handheld device; It was confirmed that the ultrasound tool system was set to operate in ablation mode; and In response to determining that the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode, an additional AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasound handpiece to induce vibrations at the tip sufficient to ablate the patient's tissue.

24. The computer product according to claim 23, wherein, The additional AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device to induce vibrations at the tip sufficient to ablate patient tissue includes: providing the ultrasonic handheld device with an AC drive signal that induces vibrations at a distal region of the tip with a peak-to-peak displacement greater than 100 micrometers and less than or equal to 300 micrometers.

25. The computer product according to claim 23, wherein, The ultrasound tool system also includes a switch having a first setting and a second setting, and the computer-executable instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to: Monitor the status of the switch to determine whether the switch is set to the first or second setting; Confirm that the switch is set to the first setting; In response to the confirmation switch being set to the first setting, the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in probe mode; Confirm that the switch is set to the second setting; In response to the confirmation switch being set to the second setting, the ultrasound tool system is set to operate in ablation mode.

26. The computer product according to claim 23, wherein, The computer-executable instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to: in response to determining that the ultrasonic tool system is set to operate in ablation mode, supply fluid to the distal region of the tip via at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece and provide suction at the distal region of the tip via at least a portion of the ultrasonic handpiece.

27. The computer product according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the measured voltage and current, including: The equivalent current of the mechanical components passing through the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the measured voltage and current. The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece.

28. The computer product according to claim 27, wherein, The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece, including: Calculate the first amplitude of the measured voltage at the detection frequency, the second amplitude of the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece at the detection frequency, and the phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece at the detection frequency; and The real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

29. The computer product according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein, Providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance includes: Calculate the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device; Provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile cues based on the calculated difference.

30. The computer product according to claim 29, wherein, Providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile cues based on the calculated difference includes: The characteristics of patient tissues are identified based on the calculated differences; Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

31. The computer product according to any one of claims 18-20, wherein, The ultrasound tool system further includes a memory storing tissue characteristic data, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics, and one or more values ​​specific to each potential tissue characteristic, and providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance, including: Based on one or more values ​​specific to this potential tissue characteristic and the calculated resistance, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data is identified as a characteristic of the patient tissue; and At least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications that provide identified characteristics of the patient's tissue.

32. The computer product according to claim 31, wherein, Identifying a potential organizational characteristic based on one or more values ​​specific to that potential organizational characteristic and the calculated resistance, as indicated by the organizational characteristic data, includes: Calculate the difference between the calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device; and Based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential organizational characteristic and the calculated difference, identify one of the potential organizational characteristics indicated by the organizational characteristic data.

33. The computer product according to claim 29, wherein, When executed, the computer-executable instructions also cause the processor to: determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device by: Position the ultrasonic handheld device in an unloaded state; When the ultrasonic handheld device is positioned in an unloaded state: Provide AC drive signals to the ultrasonic handheld device; The second voltage and second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handheld device are measured; and The no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the measured second voltage and measured second current from the AC drive signal.

34. The computer product according to claim 29, wherein, The computer-executable instructions, when executed, also cause the processor to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicating no-load resistance from a memory integrated with the ultrasonic handpiece.

35. A system for operating an ultrasound handheld device to probe patient tissue, the ultrasound handheld device including a tip having a distal region for treating patient tissue and at least one driver configured to vibrate the tip upon application of an AC drive signal, the system comprising: A first sensor is used to measure the voltage of an AC drive signal provided to at least one driver of the ultrasonic handheld device; The second sensor is used to measure the current of the AC drive signal; A processor, which is coupled to the first and second sensors and is configured to: The AC drive signal is provided to at least one driver of the ultrasonic handheld device. The AC drive signal induces vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate the patient's tissue; The voltage and current of the AC drive signal are measured using the first and second sensors; Based on the measured voltage and current, the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated; and The calculated resistance provides at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications.

36. The system according to claim 35, wherein, The processor, configured to perform the following, is configured to provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance: Computational resistance identification of patient tissue characteristics; Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

37. The system according to claim 36, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following: calculate the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece based on the measured voltage and current. The equivalent current of the mechanical components passing through the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the measured voltage and current. and The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece.

38. The system according to claim 37, wherein, The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device includes a first component having the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device and a second component having a probe frequency less than the resonant frequency, and the processor, configured to perform the following, is configured to calculate the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device based on the calculated equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device: The first amplitude of the measured voltage at the detection frequency is calculated, the second amplitude of the equivalent current of the mechanical component passing through the ultrasonic handpiece at the detection frequency is calculated, and the phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent current of the mechanical component passing through the ultrasonic handpiece at the detection frequency is calculated. The real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

39. The system according to any one of claims 35-38, wherein, The processor is configured to perform the following, and is configured to provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance: Identifying patient tissue characteristics based on computational resistance and no-load resistance of the ultrasound handpiece. as well as Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the identified characteristics.

40. The system according to any one of claims 35-38, comprising a memory coupled to a processor storing tissue characteristic data, the tissue characteristic data indicating potential tissue characteristics and one or more values ​​specific to each of the potential tissue characteristics, and the processor, by being configured to perform the following, is configured to provide at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance: Based on the one or more values ​​specific to this potential tissue characteristic and the calculated resistance, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data is identified as a characteristic of the patient tissue; and At least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications that provide identified characteristics of the patient's tissue.

41. The system according to claim 40, wherein, The processor is configured to identify one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, a calculated resistance, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece.

42. The system of claim 39, comprising a console, the console including the processor and the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein, The ultrasonic handheld device can be releasably connected to a console to receive an AC drive signal, and the processor, configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console, is configured to perform the following: When the ultrasonic handheld device is in an unloaded state, the AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasonic handheld device; With the ultrasonic handheld device in an unloaded state, the second voltage and second current of the AC drive signal supplied to the ultrasonic handheld device are measured using the first and second sensors; and The no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the measured second voltage and measured second current from the AC drive signal.

43. The system of claim 39, comprising a console, the console including the processor and the first sensor and the second sensor, wherein, The ultrasonic handheld device can be releasably connected to a console to receive an AC drive signal, and the processor is configured to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device by reading data indicating no-load resistance from a memory integrated with the ultrasonic handheld device in response to the ultrasonic handheld device being connected to the console.

44. The system according to any one of claims 35-38, wherein, The AC drive signal is defined as a first AC drive signal, and the system includes: A switch communicatively coupled to the processor, the switch having a first setting and a second setting. In response to the switch being set to a first setting, the processor is configured to operate the ultrasound handheld device in a probe mode in which a first AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasound handheld device, and in response to the switch being set to a second setting, the processor is configured to operate the ultrasound handheld device in an ablation mode in which a second AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasound handheld device, the second AC drive signal being configured to induce vibrations sufficient to ablate patient tissue.

45. A computer product comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to: An AC drive signal is provided to the ultrasonic handpiece of the ultrasonic tool system, the AC drive signal causing vibrations at the distal region of the tip of the ultrasonic handpiece that are insufficient to ablate the patient's tissue. Measure the voltage and current of the AC drive signal; Based on the measured voltage and current, the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated; as well as The calculated resistance provides at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications.

46. ​​The computer product according to claim 45, wherein, Providing at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance includes: Computational resistance identification of patient tissue characteristics; Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications of the identified characteristics.

47. The computer product according to claim 46, wherein, The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the measured voltage and current, including: The equivalent current of the mechanical components passing through the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the measured voltage and current. The resistance associated with the ultrasonic handpiece is calculated based on the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handpiece.

48. The computer product according to claim 47, wherein, The AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device includes a first component having the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic handheld device and a second component having a probing frequency less than the resonant frequency, and the resistance associated with the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the equivalent current through the mechanical components of the ultrasonic handheld device, including: The first amplitude of the measured voltage at the detection frequency is calculated, the second amplitude of the equivalent current of the mechanical component passing through the ultrasonic handpiece at the detection frequency is calculated, and the phase difference between the measured voltage and the calculated equivalent current of the mechanical component passing through the ultrasonic handpiece at the detection frequency is calculated. The real part of the impedance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the calculated first amplitude, the calculated second amplitude, and the calculated phase difference.

49. The computer product according to any one of claims 45-48, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to: Identifying patient tissue characteristics based on calculated resistance and the no-load resistance of the ultrasound handpiece; and Provide at least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on the identified characteristics.

50. The computer product according to any one of claims 45-48, wherein, The ultrasound tool system further includes a memory storing tissue characteristic data, which indicates potential tissue characteristics and one or more values ​​specific to each potential tissue characteristic, and provides at least one of auditory, visual, or tactile indications based on calculated resistance, including: Based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic and the calculated resistance, one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data is identified as a characteristic of the patient tissue. At least one of the auditory, visual, or tactile indications that provide identified characteristics of the patient's tissue.

51. The computer product according to claim 50, wherein, When executed, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to identify one of the potential tissue characteristics indicated by the tissue characteristic data based on the one or more values ​​specific to the potential tissue characteristic, the calculated resistance, and the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece.

52. The computer product according to claim 49, wherein, When executed, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device by: Position the ultrasonic handheld device in an unloaded state; and When the ultrasonic handheld device is positioned in an unloaded state: Provide AC drive signals to the ultrasonic handheld device; The second voltage and the second current of the AC drive signal provided to the ultrasonic handheld device are measured; The no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handheld device is calculated based on the measured second voltage and measured second current from the AC drive signal.

53. The computer product according to claim 49, wherein, When executed, the computer-executable instructions cause the processor to determine the no-load resistance of the ultrasonic handpiece by reading data indicating no-load resistance from a memory integrated with the ultrasonic handpiece.

54. The computer product according to any one of claims 45-48, wherein, The ultrasound tool system includes a switch having a first setting and a second setting, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to include: Monitor the state of the switch to determine whether the switch is set to the first setting or the second setting; It is determined that the switch is set to the first setting; In response to determining that the switch is set to the first setting, the ultrasound handheld device is operated in a probing mode, in which the AC drive signal is configured to induce vibrations at the distal region of the tip that are insufficient to ablate patient tissue. Determine that the switch is set to the second setting; and In response to determining that the switch is set to the second setting, the ultrasound handheld device is operated in an ablation mode, in which a second AC drive signal is configured to induce vibrations sufficient to ablate patient tissue at the distal region of the tip.

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