Ultrasonic Surgical Generator Coil Emulation for Instrument Matching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surgical generators are limited by the need for bulky and expensive matching coils specific to each ultrasound instrument, restricting adaptability to newer instruments and requiring constant capacitance measurement.
Innovation Solution
A matching coil emulation device using a correction device and artificial phase generator to mimic the effect of a matching coil, adjusting the driving oscillation and phase shift to match the ultrasound instrument's electrical characteristics without a physical coil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a physical matching coil is used to match power output to the ultrasound instrument, then the transfer function and phase measurement are improved, but the device becomes bulky, expensive, and specific to each instrument model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the physical matching coil (mechanical/electrical component) with an electronic emulation system consisting of a correction device and artificial phase generator. The correction device processes the driving oscillation signal electronically, and the artificial phase generator creates the necessary phase shift through signal processing rather than physical inductance, thereby eliminating the need for bulky physical coils while maintaining the required electrical characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an electronic copy or emulation of the matching coil's function through the correction device and artificial phase generator. Instead of using the actual physical component, the system replicates its electrical effect by processing signals to achieve the same transfer function and phase characteristics, allowing universal compatibility across different instrument models.
2Reliability
If a physical matching coil is used for each ultrasound instrument, then the impedance matching is improved, but the cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal matching circuit that can work with multiple different ultrasound instrument models through a single correction device and artificial phase generator configuration. The system achieves multi-functionality by electronically adapting to different instruments rather than requiring dedicated physical matching coils for each model, thereby reducing overall system complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces multiple physical matching coils with a single electronic correction device that processes signals. This substitution reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for multiple physical components while maintaining proper impedance matching through electronic signal correction.
3Measurement precision
If the surgical generator is tuned to specific instruments available at manufacturing, then the phase measurement is optimized, but adaptability to newer instruments is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic system where the correction device and artificial phase generator can be reconfigured or adjusted to work with different ultrasound instrument models. The system adapts its electrical characteristics through signal processing rather than being fixed to specific physical components, enabling it to maintain precise phase measurements with both original and newer instrument models.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the approach from fixed physical parameters (specific matching coils tuned to particular instruments) to adjustable electrical parameters through the correction device. By modifying signal characteristics electronically rather than relying on fixed physical components, the system can adapt to parameter variations in newer instrument models while maintaining measurement precision.
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 flexible operation with various ultrasound instruments, reducing bulk and cost while maintaining effective voltage and current phase alignment, allowing compatibility with newer instruments.
Implementation Method 1
Surgical ultrasound instruments comprise an ultrasonic transducer converting electrical energy provided by the surgical generator into ultrasonic energy
Implementation Method 2
a correction device acting on the driving oscillation, the correction device comprising a mixing unit and a feedback circuit
Implementation Method 3
a feedback circuit whose input is connected to the output socket, wherein the feedback circuit calculates a correction signal supplied as an input to the mixing unit
Implementation Method 4
an artificial phase generator configured to provide an artificial phase signal input to the oscillator, the artificial phase generator comprising an estimator for a virtual current in consideration of the emulated matching-coil and being configured to determine a phase shift between said virtual current and the measured output voltage
Data Source
AI summary
A surgical generator configured to output a high-frequency alternating voltage to a surgical ultrasound instrument. An oscillator generates a driving oscillation for an inverter generating high-frequency voltage being for the surgical instrument. A matching-coil emulation device includes a correction device acting on the driving oscillation. The correction device includes a mixing unit and a feedback circuit, modifying the driving oscillation supplied to the inverter. An estimator calculates a virtual current which would flow in the emulated matching-coil if it were present, based on this and a measured output voltage an artificial phase shift is determined for steering of the oscillator. Thereby, the transfer function is reshaped mimicking that of a physical matching coil. Accordingly, a bulky matching coil that must be precisely tuned to the ultrasound instrument and restricts use of newer and different ultrasound instruments is no longer needed.