Magnetic Actuator Handpiece With Teflon Seat to Prevent Overheating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing actuator handpieces for neuromuscular stimulation devices overheat when operating at optimal frequency and intensity, posing safety risks and complicating the structure, cost, and practicality.
Innovation Solution
The actuator handpiece uses a magnet on a sliding rod with a Teflon support structure and a coil to generate a magnetic field for alternating pressure, reducing friction and overheating, and includes a Teflon sliding seat and sintered bush to minimize temperature increases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the metal body operates at optimal frequency (30-300 Hz) and intensity (1.5 kg force), then neuromuscular stimulation effectiveness is improved, but the actuator handpiece overheats to dangerous temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A coil generates a magnetic field that acts on a magnet attached to the sliding rod, eliminating the need for mechanical drives and reducing friction-induced heating while maintaining effective actuation at optimal frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sliding seat from metal to Teflon (PTFE), which has significantly lower friction coefficients. This material substitution reduces frictional heating during the sliding motion of the rod, allowing operation at optimal frequencies without dangerous temperature increases.
2Strength
If the rod slides inside a metal seat, then structural strength is improved, but friction causes overheating and limits operating frequency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where a Teflon coating or Teflon-based sliding seat combines the low friction properties of PTFE with the structural support of the handpiece body. This composite approach maintains structural integrity while minimizing frictional heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sliding seat from metal to Teflon (PTFE), which has significantly lower friction coefficients. This material substitution reduces frictional heating during the sliding motion of the rod, allowing operation at optimal frequencies without dangerous temperature increases.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If heat-dispersion means are added to manage temperature, then patient safety is improved, but device complexity, cost, and dimensions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding system with a magnetic field-based actuation system. A coil generates a magnetic field that acts on a magnet attached to the sliding rod, eliminating the need for mechanical drives and reducing friction-induced heating while maintaining effective actuation at optimal frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter of the sliding seat from metal to Teflon (PTFE), which has significantly lower friction coefficients. This material substitution reduces frictional heating during the sliding motion of the rod, allowing operation at optimal frequencies without dangerous temperature increases.
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 allows the handpiece to operate within optimal frequency and intensity parameters without overheating, ensuring safe and effective neuromuscular stimulation, supporting precise frequency calibration and broad treatment applications.
Implementation Method 1
a coil and an electronic board connected electrically to the coil and designed to generate a magnetic field for the alternating displacement of the magnet
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic field generated by a coil of the magnet is able to operate the magnet, and therefore the head, at an optimal frequency and intensity
Implementation Method 3
provide, in the body of the handpiece, a Teflon sliding seat for the magnet
Data Source
AI summary
An actuator handpiece for a neuromuscular stimulation device is described, said handpiece comprising: a head intended to come into contact with a body surface of a patient to be treated with a predetermined application frequency, said head being mounted on one end of a sliding rod having an opposite end provided with a magnet; a coil and an electronic board connected electrically to the coil and designed to generate a magnetic field for the alternating displacement of the magnet and therefore the head between a distal position, in which the head is intended to exert pressure on the body surface, and a proximal pressure-reducing or release position. A Teflon support structure of the coil is housed above a perforated steel plate situated in a plane defined inside a body of the actuator handpiece, the perforated plate being situated around a cylindrical wall of the support structure which, internally, defines a sliding seat for the magnet.