Ultrasonic Probe Head Cutout for Transverse Vibration Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic surgical tools with eccentrically disposed heads experience undesirable transverse vibrations due to unbalanced mass, which can hinder effective cutting and tissue manipulation in surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a probe shaft with a bent shaft and an eccentrically disposed head featuring a cutout to reduce mass and eccentricity, along with a strategically located bend junction distal to the interior antinode, to minimize transverse vibrations. The cutout can take forms like a recess, groove, or through hole, and is positioned to maximize vibration reduction without compromising the operative tip's size or effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If an eccentric head design is used to facilitate deeper cutting and undercutting of bony anatomy, then cutting effectiveness is improved, but transverse vibration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts material from the probe head by forming cutouts or recesses in the head structure. This removal of mass directly reduces the eccentric mass that causes transverse vibration, while preserving the essential cutting functionality of the probe tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform mass distribution through strategically placed cutouts or recesses in the probe head. The mass removal is localized to specific regions rather than uniformly reducing the entire head, allowing optimization of vibration characteristics while maintaining cutting effectiveness at the probe tip.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If mass of the probe head is reduced to decrease eccentric mass, then transverse vibration is reduced, but structural strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating non-uniform mass distribution through strategically placed cutouts or recesses in the probe head. The mass removal is localized to specific regions rather than uniformly reducing the entire head, allowing optimization of vibration characteristics while maintaining cutting effectiveness at the probe tip.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite construction by combining the probe shaft, head, and cutout structures to create an integrated assembly with optimized mechanical properties. The head may be formed as a separate component or integrated with the shaft, allowing independent optimization of mass distribution and structural strength.
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 configuration significantly reduces unwanted transverse vibrations, enhancing the tool's stability and precision during surgical procedures, allowing for deeper cutting and effective tissue manipulation while maintaining the benefits of eccentric head designs.
Implementation Method 1
The head has an operative tip spaced laterally from the axis and is formed with at least one cutout for reducing mass of the head and concomitantly the eccentric mass of the probe
Implementation Method 2
the tool or instrument has at least one interior antinode along the shaft and, pursuant to another feature of the invention, the bend junction is located substantially distally of the antinode. This unusual locating of the bend junction provides additional compensation for the eccentricity of the probe head.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
An ultrasonic tool or instrument has a probe shaft with a linear proximal end portion and a linear distal end portion disposed at an angle relative to one another and joined at a bend in the shaft. A coupling is provided at a proximal end of the shaft for connecting the probe to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy. A head provided at a distal end of the shaft extends eccentrically in a transverse direction to one side of the shaft. The head has an operative tip spaced laterally from the axis and is formed with at least one cutout for reducing mass of the head and concomitantly eccentric mass of the probe. The tool or instrument has at least one interior antinode along the shaft and the bend is located substantially distally of the antinode.