Axially Movable Acceleration Tube for High-Frequency Lithotripsy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional lithotripters are limited by slow impact frequencies due to the use of passive air springs and external switching valves, which restrict the maximum percussion cadence to below 15 Hz, and require complex operating devices with time-controlled changeover valves, leading to inefficient energy transfer and increased instrument weight.
Innovation Solution
The lithotripsy device features an axially movable acceleration tube with integrated valve switching, allowing for self-controlled pressure medium flow and direction change, enabling impact frequencies above 15 Hz without external components, thus optimizing energy transfer and reducing instrument size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If passive air springs and external switching valves are used, then the device structure is simple, but the impact frequency is limited to below 15 Hz
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration tube is integrated with the valve switching mechanism, merging two previously separate functions (acceleration and direction control) into a single component. This eliminates external switching valves and pressure reservoirs, reducing device complexity while enabling higher impact frequencies above 15 Hz through self-controlled pressure medium flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The acceleration tube is designed to be axially movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment of its position to control the flow direction of the pressure medium. This dynamic capability enables rapid switching between acceleration directions, achieving impact frequencies above 15 Hz without complex external valve systems.
2Reliability
If external valves and pressure reservoirs are used, then the pressure control is reliable, but the instrument weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
External pressure reservoirs and switching valves are extracted from the system and replaced by an integrated valve switching mechanism within the acceleration tube. This eliminates the need for separate pressure control components, reducing instrument weight while maintaining reliable pressure control through the self-controlled flow mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve switching function is merged into the acceleration tube structure itself, eliminating external valves and pressure reservoirs. This integration reduces the overall instrument weight while maintaining effective pressure control for projectile acceleration at impact frequencies above 15 Hz.
3Measurement precision
If external switching valves and time-controlled operation are used, then the direction change is precise, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration tube performs self-service by automatically controlling the flow direction of the pressure medium through its axial movement. The projectile's impact and the tube's own motion trigger the valve switching, eliminating the need for external time-controlled valve systems while maintaining precise direction change capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The valve switching function is merged into the acceleration tube, eliminating external switching valves and complex time-controlled operating devices. The integrated design achieves precise direction control through the axial movement of the acceleration tube itself, reducing device complexity.
4Stability of the object's composition
If the acceleration tube is fixed, then the structure is stable, but the energy transfer efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The acceleration tube transitions from a fixed to a dynamically movable structure along the axial direction. This dynamic capability allows optimal positioning for energy transfer during projectile acceleration and impact, improving energy transfer efficiency while maintaining structural stability through controlled movement between defined positions.
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
This design achieves higher impact cadences, ensuring efficient stone removal performance with reduced weight and complexity, eliminating the need for external valves and pressure reservoirs, and allowing for adjustable mechanical impacts.
Implementation Method 1
for the inflow and/or outflow of a pressure medium into and/or out of its cavity in order to move the projectile back and forth
Implementation Method 2
supplying and/or discharging the pressure medium by means of the drive device and flowing the pressure medium through the at least one distal opening into the cavity of the acceleration tube, and moving the projectile back to the resilient proximal stop element by means of the pressure medium
Implementation Method 3
a probe can be assigned to the lithotripsy device, wherein the probe can be connected directly or indirectly to the carrier unit at its proximal end, and can be excited to vibration by a mechanical impact of the projectile on the distal stop element
Data Source
AI summary
A lithotripsy device breaks up calculi and includes: a carrier unit; a guide tube; an acceleration tube having an axial direction, a cavity, a proximal end, a distal end; a movable projectile; a proximal stop element and a distal stop element for the movable projectile. The acceleration tube includes a proximal distal opening for the inflow and/or outflow of a pressure medium into and/or out of the cavity to move the projectile back and forth between the proximal and distal stop elements, the acceleration tube being positioned so as to be movable in the axial direction internally at a proximal end portion by the proximal stop element and at a distal end portion by the distal stop element so that the acceleration tube can be displaced in a distal direction and in a proximal direction relative to the guide tube. A method accelerates a projectile of a lithotripsy device.