Multi-Focal Shockwave Handle Layout for Adaptive Tissue Penetration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing piezoelectric-type extracorporeal shockwave therapy devices face limitations in producing various types and levels of ultrasound output due to the simplicity of expanding or reducing the scope of a single focus, making it difficult to adapt to different body parts and pain levels.
Innovation Solution
A multi-focal shockwave output handle unit with a multi-piezoelectric configuration, featuring a high-intensity focused ultrasound generator and piezoelectric ceramic units arranged in a spherical tube shape, allows for adaptive adjustment of ultrasound stimulation areas and voltage levels to suit specific body parts and pain levels, with a first ellipsoidal area for deep penetration and a ring-shaped area for shallow penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single focus configuration is used in piezoelectric-type extracorporeal shockwave therapy devices, then the device structure remains simple, but the ability to produce various types and levels of ultrasound output for different body parts is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The piezoelectric unit is divided into multiple piezoelectric ceramics (first, second, third, and fourth piezoelectric ceramics) arranged in a multi-focal configuration. Each piezoelectric ceramic generates shockwaves at a different focal point, enabling the device to produce various types and levels of ultrasound output by selectively activating different piezoelectric elements based on the treatment area and pain level
Solution Approach 2:
The multi-focal piezoelectric configuration enables a single device to perform multiple treatment functions by adjusting which piezoelectric ceramics are activated. The system can treat different body parts (deep musculoskeletal structures vs. shallow epidermal layers) and accommodate different pain levels through selective activation of focal points, making the device universally applicable to various treatment scenarios
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single focus is expanded or reduced in scope, then the focus area can be adjusted, but various types and levels of ultrasound output cannot be produced for different body parts and pain levels
Solution Approach 1:
Different piezoelectric ceramics are positioned to create shockwaves with different local characteristics - some focused for deep penetration (first and second piezoelectric ceramics) and others for shallow penetration (third and fourth piezoelectric ceramics). This local differentiation in shockwave properties allows the device to produce various types and levels of ultrasound output suited to specific body parts and pain levels
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects which piezoelectric ceramics to activate based on treatment requirements. The controller can adjust the operational state of each piezoelectric ceramic independently, enabling real-time adaptation of ultrasound output characteristics to match different body parts, depths, and pain levels during 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 selective and effective ultrasound stimulation of body parts, allowing deep penetration for musculoskeletal treatment and shallow penetration for epidermal layers with controlled energy density, enhancing treatment flexibility and effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
a piezoelectric ceramic unit that includes a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic members arranged on the front inner curved surface of the cover unit or the rear outer curved surface of the radiation-surface base unit having a spherical tube shape, and generates ultrasonic waves on the basis of an applied electric signal
Implementation Method 2
a high-intensity focused ultrasound generator that is provided on a front end part of a handle that is provided to be gripped by a user, and generates high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on the basis of an applied electric signal to form a first ellipsoidal ultrasound stimulation area
Implementation Method 3
a core mechanism that produces biotherapeutic effects based on these devices is a cavitation phenomenon that when a shockwave is delivered to a medium containing water, bubbles are instantly created and ruptured by gas in the water due to a pressure change of the shockwave
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-focal shockwave output handle unit for an extracorporeal shockwave therapy device using a multi-piezoelectric configuration includes a high-intensity focused ultrasound generator that is provided on a front end part of a handle that is provided to be gripped by a user, and generates high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) on the basis of an applied electric signal; a cover unit that is connected to the front end part of the handle; a radiation-surface base unit that is connected to a front end part of the cover unit; a piezoelectric ceramic unit that includes a plurality of piezoelectric ceramic members arranged on the front inner curved surface of the cover unit or the rear outer curved surface of the radiation-surface base unit; and a gel pad unit that is connected to a front end part of the radiation-surface base unit.