Ultrasonic Handpiece Driver With Linear Amplifier Headroom Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic surgical tools require multiple control consoles to accommodate different handpieces with varying drive signal requirements, leading to increased operational costs and administrative burdens, and existing consoles often fail to generate optimal drive signals across a wide range of frequencies and voltages.
Innovation Solution
A console that can generate drive signals over a wide range of frequencies and voltages, minimizing energy loss and enabling rapid signal ramp-up, with features like MOSFET transistors and a processor to maintain headroom voltage, ensuring efficient operation of handpieces with different characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a conventional control console is used with fixed frequency and voltage output, then the console structure is simple, but it cannot accommodate different handpieces with varying drive signal requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic frequency and voltage control in the console through a processor that continuously adjusts drive signal parameters based on handpiece impedance feedback. The frequency can be varied between 20-100 kHz and voltage between 0-500 Vpp, allowing the same console to adapt to different handpiece requirements without hardware changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The console changes operational parameters (frequency and voltage) dynamically to match different handpiece characteristics. The system measures handpiece impedance and adjusts the drive signal parameters accordingly, enabling one console to control multiple handpiece types with different resonant frequencies and power requirements.
2Productivity
If the console generates optimal drive signals rapidly, then tissue removal efficiency improves, but energy loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs feedback control by monitoring handpiece impedance and adjusting the drive signal in real-time. The processor continuously adapts the frequency and voltage based on impedance measurements, ensuring optimal power transfer and minimizing energy loss while maintaining high tissue removal efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The drive signal is applied in periodic cycles with rapid ramp-up and ramp-down phases. The console generates bursts of ultrasonic energy at optimal parameters followed by brief intervals, allowing efficient tissue removal while reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
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 console provides efficient and responsive drive signals to various handpieces, reducing the need for multiple consoles and improving tissue removal efficiency by minimizing energy loss and time lag.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic surgical tool includes a handpiece that contains at least one piezoelectric driver
Implementation Method 2
Other ultrasonic tips remove tissue by inducing cavitation in the tissue and surrounding fluid. Cavitation occurs as a result of the tip head moving back and forth. Specifically, as a result of these vibrations, small cavities form in the fluid located immediately adjacent the tissue.
Implementation Method 3
The control console supplies an AC drive signal to the driver. The control console is able to source drive signals over both a wide range of frequencies and a wide range of potentials.
Data Source
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AI summary
A control console (50) for supplying an AC drive signal to the power generating unit (344) of a powered surgical tool (330) is disclosed, wherein the console (50) includes a transformer (250) with: a primary winding (252) with opposed ends and a center tap to which a DC voltage is applied; and a secondary winding (258) across which the AC drive signal is induced for application to the tool power generating unit (344). The console (5) also includes transistors (162, 184) tied to the ends of the transformer primary winding (252) and ground that are selectively turned on/off to cause an AC voltage to develop across the primary winding (252), wherein the transistors (162, 184) are operated as active resistors. Also included is a variable DC power supply assembly regulating the level of the DC voltage applied to the center tap of the transformer primary winding (252). Further provided is a headroom monitor (190) connected to the ends of the transistors (162, 184) connected to the ends of the transformer primary winding (252), wherein said headroom monitor (190) is configured to, based on the voltages present at the ends of the transistors (162, 184), generate a headroom signal representative of the headroom voltages at the transistors (162, 184). The variable DC power supply assembly includes a processor (80) to which the headroom signal from said headroom monitor (190) is applied and said variable power supply assembly is configured to, based on the headroom signal, set the level of the DC voltage applied to the center tap of the transformer primary winding (252) so that saturation voltages are applied to the transistors (162, 184).