Lithotripter Drive Unit for Simultaneous Stone Fragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing lithotripter devices struggle to simultaneously achieve high maximum amplitudes or impulses for breaking large, hard bodily stones and fine fragmentation, as they require different operational modes that can lead to damage and are not optimally suited for both tasks.
Innovation Solution
A device with a drive unit comprising a first drive device for periodic deflection and a second drive device for pulsed deflection, where the effect of the second drive device on the first is reduced, allowing for simultaneous periodic and pulse-shaped deflections, protecting the first drive device from damage and enabling efficient fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single drive device is used for probe deflection, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot simultaneously achieve high maximum amplitudes for large stones and fine fragmentation for small stones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two different drive devices (first drive device for periodic deflection and second drive device for pulsed deflection) into a single integrated drive unit that can operate together to achieve both high maximum amplitudes for large stones and fine fragmentation for small stones, resolving the contradiction between versatility and structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The drive unit is designed with multi-functionality to handle different stone types and sizes by incorporating both periodic and pulsed deflection capabilities, allowing the same device to adapt to various lithotripsy requirements without requiring separate specialized devices
2Force
If a second drive device for pulsed deflection is added to achieve high maximum amplitudes, then large and hard stones can be broken, but the first drive device may be damaged due to intensive driving effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a decoupling mechanism as an intermediary between the second drive device and the first drive device, which reduces the harmful effects (intensive driving effects) from the second drive device on the first drive device, thereby protecting the first drive device from damage while still allowing both drive devices to function effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The decoupling mechanism is designed to preemptively reduce or counteract the harmful intensive driving effects before they can damage the first drive device, allowing the system to operate with high maximum amplitudes without compromising the reliability of the first drive device
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 device achieves significantly increased efficiency in stone fragmentation by allowing both periodic and pulsed deflections to be initiated simultaneously, reducing the risk of damage to the first drive device and enabling flexible operation modes for varying stone types.
Implementation Method 1
a first drive device for periodic deflection of the probe
Implementation Method 2
a second drive device for pulse-shaped deflection of the probe
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (100) for the fragmentation of a calculus, comprising: a probe (20) and a drive unit (40) for deflecting the probe (20) along the longitudinal extension (LE) thereof, the drive unit (40) comprising a first drive element (41) for periodically deflecting the probe (20) and a second drive element (42) for the pulsed deflection of the probe (20), the drive unit (40) being designed such that periodic deflection and pulsed deflection can be superimposed.