Lithotripsy Holding Device With Projectile Impact and Vibration Compensation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithotripsy devices face issues such as heating due to electromagnet cooling requirements, ergonomics, limited impact force, restricted installation space, and undesirable detuning of ultrasonic vibrations, which affect their efficiency and usability.
Innovation Solution
A holding device for a lithotripsy device with a vibration compensation device that decouples the acceleration tube from vibration excitation, allowing independent adjustment of impact and vibration excitation, and includes a λ/4 geometry to minimize ultrasonic detuning, using a mass and spring element to ensure lightweight and ergonomic design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If a ballistic drive with electromagnets is used to generate impact excitation, then impact force is improved, but the device requires active cooling and becomes heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electromagnetic components from the handle and relocates the impact generation mechanism to a separate, detachable acceleration tube assembly. This allows the handle to remain lightweight without active cooling requirements, while the acceleration tube contains the projectile and electromagnetic components needed for impact generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The lithotripsy device is segmented into distinct functional modules: a lightweight handle with vibration excitation, a separate acceleration tube with impact generation, and a sonotrode assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for its specific function without compromising the overall device.
2Weight of moving object
If a spring-mass system is used for impact excitation, then device weight is reduced, but impact force is limited and cannot be adjusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic impact generation system where the acceleration tube can be selectively activated and adjusted. The projectile mass and acceleration parameters can be modified to provide variable impact forces, unlike fixed spring-mass systems. The system can be engaged or disengaged based on treatment requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing key parameters including projectile mass, acceleration duration, and impact frequency to optimize impact force for different stone types and sizes. These parameters can be adjusted without changing the fundamental lightweight design.
3Ease of operation
If an air reservoir or storage chamber is added to enable projectile return, then projectile return function is improved, but installation space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration tube design allows the projectile to be returned to its starting position using the same pneumatic pressure that accelerated it, rather than requiring a separate air reservoir. The pressure medium flows through the acceleration tube in reverse, eliminating the need for additional storage space.
Solution Approach 2:
The acceleration tube serves multiple functions: it accelerates the projectile distally, provides a pathway for pressure medium flow, and enables projectile return proximally. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, maximizing space efficiency.
4Stability of the object's composition
If an ultrasonic vibration compensator is added to reduce vibrations, then vibration control is improved, but device complexity and housing length increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vibration compensation function from the handle and integrates it into the acceleration tube assembly. The compensator is positioned within the acceleration tube where it can effectively counteract vibrations without adding complexity to the handle or increasing overall housing length.
Solution Approach 2:
The vibration compensator is merged with the acceleration tube structure, combining two functions (impact generation and vibration compensation) into a single integrated assembly. This reduces the number of separate components and simplifies the overall device architecture.
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
The solution provides a lightweight, ergonomically friendly, and efficiently usable lithotripsy device with adjustable impact excitation, optimized installation space, and reduced ultrasonic detuning, enhancing stone fragmentation performance.
Implementation Method 1
The holding device has a vibration compensation device with at least one mass and at least one spring element, so that by means of the vibration compensation device the acceleration tube can be decoupled from the vibration excitation by means of the vibration excitation device
Implementation Method 2
a vibration compensation device with at least one mass and at least one spring element
Implementation Method 3
a movable projectile within the cavity for impact excitation of the sonotrode
Implementation Method 4
a vibration excitation device for vibration excitation of the sonotrode is arranged in the housing
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a holding device for a lithotripsy device for fragmenting body stones, wherein the holding device has a housing with a distal end and a proximal end and a sonotrode can be connected to the distal end, wherein an acceleration tube with a longitudinal central axis, a cavity, a proximal end, a distal end and a movable projectile within the cavity for exciting the sonotrode, a proximal-side stop element at the proximal end and a distal-side stop element at the distal end of the acceleration tube are arranged in the housing, and a force generation device for generating a force for moving the projectile back and forth between the proximal-side stop element and the distal-side stop element can be assigned to the holding device, and a vibration excitation device for exciting the sonotrode is arranged in the housing.wherein the holding device comprises a vibration compensation device with at least one mass and at least one spring element, such that the acceleration tube can be decoupled from the vibration excitation by means of the vibration excitation device. Furthermore, the invention relates to a lithotripsy device for fragmenting body stones.