Segmented Sonotrode for Simultaneous Ultrasonic Vibration Modes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices for treating subcutaneous tissue with ultrasonic vibrations face challenges in efficiently delivering both longitudinal and transverse vibrations simultaneously, leading to incomplete fat reduction and potential overheating issues.
Innovation Solution
A device with a sonotrode featuring a conical portion and a ring-shaped working face that simultaneously induces both ultrasonic transverse and longitudinal vibrations, allowing for balanced energy delivery to subcutaneous tissue without central heating, thereby enhancing fat reduction efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations are applied to subcutaneous tissue, then energy is delivered to heat tissue, but central heating occurs causing overheating issues
Solution Approach 1:
The sonotrode working face is segmented into a central portion and a peripheral portion, with each portion generating different vibration modes (transverse in central, longitudinal in peripheral). This segmentation allows energy to be distributed across different tissue regions, preventing concentration of heat in the center while maintaining effective treatment coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sonotrode working face are designed with different functional qualities: the central portion generates transverse vibrations for mechanical disruption without significant heating, while the peripheral portion generates longitudinal vibrations for controlled heating and energy delivery. This local differentiation resolves the overheating problem by eliminating the single-point heat concentration.
2Productivity
If only ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations are induced in subcutaneous tissue, then energy delivery is simplified, but fat reduction efficacy is incomplete
Solution Approach 1:
The device merges two different ultrasonic vibration modes (transverse and longitudinal) into a single sonotrode structure, allowing simultaneous execution of multiple treatment functions. The central portion delivers transverse vibrations for mechanical fat cell disruption while the peripheral portion delivers longitudinal vibrations for thermal energy delivery, combining effects that would otherwise require separate devices or treatment steps.
3Ease of operation
If ultrasonic vibrations are applied through a conventional sonotrode, then treatment is delivered, but treatment comfort is reduced due to uneven energy distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The working face is segmented into central and peripheral portions that deliver different vibration modes to different tissue regions. This segmentation creates a more uniform overall energy distribution pattern, with the central transverse vibrations providing mechanical stimulation without excessive heating and the peripheral longitudinal vibrations providing controlled thermal energy, resulting in more comfortable and evenly distributed 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
The device effectively reduces subcutaneous fat by delivering balanced ultrasonic vibrations, preventing overheating and improving treatment comfort and efficacy compared to previous technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The piezoelectric elements of the ultrasonic transducer expand and relax at the driving frequency in response to the oscillations of the AC potential, thereby generating ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations
Implementation Method 2
the total length 36 of the sonotrode (from proximal face 22 to working face 26) is an integral multiple of λlongitudinal/2, λlongitudinal being the wavelength of the ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations in the sonotrode so that the sonotrode functions as a half-wavelength resonator
Implementation Method 3
Application of ultrasonic vibrations to a surface is typically performed by a device 10 that includes an ultrasonic transducer 12 for generation of ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations... to transdermally induce ultrasonic vibrations to acoustically deliver energy to subcutaneous tissue such as a subcutaneous adipose tissue layer to damage adipocytes
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are devices suitable for treatment of subcutaneous tissue by transdermally-inducing ultrasonic vibrations in subcutaneous tissue and/or transdermally delivering energy with electromagnetic radiation such as light to subcutaneous tissue. In some embodiments, the treatment of subcutaneous tissue is effective in reducing the amount of subcutaneous fat therein. In some embodiments, transdermal radiation-delivery of energy and transdermal induction of ultrasonic vibrations in subcutaneous tissue can be performed simultaneously, alternatingly or in an unrelated fashion. In some embodiments, the device simultaneously transdermally-induces both ultrasonic transverse and ultrasonic longitudinal vibrations in subcutaneous tissue.