Dispersive Waveguide Lithotripsy Focusing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithotripters for kidney stone destruction are cumbersome, often damage surrounding tissue, have limited focal length, and may fail to fragment hard stones, requiring additional imaging equipment for stone localization.
Innovation Solution
A wave generator using an elongated dispersive waveguide and a programmable source to generate desired mechanical waves by exploiting the dispersive properties of the waveguide, allowing for high-intensity pulses to be focused at specific locations without the need for multiple transducers or large reverberative cavities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If conventional lithotripters use large arrays of piezoelectric elements arranged in mosaic patterns on spherical surfaces, then they can generate high-intensity compression pulses for kidney stone destruction, but the device becomes cumbersome and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wave generation function into multiple independent one-dimensional waveguides instead of using a single large two-dimensional array of piezoelectric elements. Each waveguide can be independently controlled to generate waves with specific characteristics, simplifying the overall transducer structure while maintaining the capability to generate high-intensity focused compression pulses for lithotripsy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional mosaic array of piezoelectric elements to a configuration using multiple one-dimensional waveguides. This dimensional reduction simplifies the transducer geometry and control requirements while achieving the same focal intensity through the dispersive properties of the waveguides
2Manufacturing precision
If conventional lithotripters focus compression pulses at a single point, then they can destroy kidney stones, but they damage surrounding tissue adjacent to the stone
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables different waveguides to generate waves with different local characteristics (amplitude, phase, frequency content) tailored to specific treatment requirements. This allows optimization of the focal region quality while reducing energy deposition in surrounding tissues, thereby minimizing collateral damage while maintaining effective stone fragmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent provides dynamic control over the wave parameters from each waveguide, allowing real-time adjustment of the focal characteristics. This dynamic capability enables precise control of the compression pulse delivery, concentrating energy at the stone location while protecting surrounding healthy tissue from excessive exposure
3Device complexity
If conventional lithotripters have fixed focal length, then the transducer design is simplified, but they fail to fragment hardest kidney stones and have limited adaptability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of the waveguides to adjust focal characteristics including focal length, allowing the system to adapt to different stone locations and types. The controller can modify the phase and amplitude of waves from each waveguide to achieve optimal focusing for various treatment scenarios, enhancing versatility without requiring multiple fixed-focus transducers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables change of wave parameters (frequency, amplitude, phase) from each waveguide to match the dispersive characteristics of the waveguides and achieve desired focal properties. By adjusting these parameters, the system can effectively fragment different types of kidney stones and adapt to varying treatment requirements
4Measurement precision
If conventional lithotripters require additional imaging equipment for stone localization, then accurate targeting is achieved, but the overall apparatus becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the waveguides serve dual functions: both generating therapeutic compression pulses and potentially serving as sensors for detecting stone location and characteristics. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate imaging systems while maintaining accurate targeting capability through the same waveguide structures used for treatment
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables the generation of high-amplitude, focused mechanical waves that can effectively fragment kidney stones at desired locations, improving upon the limitations of existing technologies by enhancing focal distance and reducing tissue damage.
Implementation Method 1
The source is configured to generate a mechanical input wave in the dispersive waveguide based on electrical signals input to the source
Implementation Method 2
the mechanical input wave having at least two component waves, each of the at least two component waves having a unique predetermined propagation velocity through the dispersive waveguide
Implementation Method 3
the at least two component waves combine at least partially with each other at the second end of the dispersive waveguide to form the desired mechanical output wave
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3F
AI summary
A wave generator has a wave emitter including an elongated dispersive waveguide and a source operatively connected to a first end of the waveguide. The source covers at least partially a surface area thereof. A signal generator is in operative connection with the transducer to create electrical signals. A computer is in operative connection with the signal generator to cause it to generate the electrical signals. A mechanical input wave is created by the source at the first end of the waveguide. The mechanical input wave is constructed independently of data related to a mechanical wave received from a source in the medium and taking into account the different predetermined propagation velocities of at least two component waves of the mechanical input wave so that they combine with each other at a second end of the waveguide to form the desired mechanical output wave in the medium.