Ultrasonic Probe Hook Stability via Asymmetric Counterweight
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic probes with hooks on their distal surfaces experience instability due to moments generated during longitudinal vibration, leading to undesired transverse and torsional vibrations, which degrade the transmission and strength of ultrasonic vibrations.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic probe design includes a hook curved in a first perpendicular direction with a constant distance first base surface and a protrusion extending in both the proximal and distal directions from a second base surface, providing increased rigidity and stability by counteracting moments that would cause the hook to swing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a hook is provided on the distal surface of the ultrasonic probe to enable tissue resection, then the treatment functionality is improved, but the probe generates undesired transverse and torsional vibrations that degrade vibration stability and transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by providing a protrusion only on one side of the ultrasonic probe (the side opposite to the hook). This asymmetric structure creates a counterbalancing effect that offsets the moment generated by the hook during longitudinal vibration, thereby preventing transverse and torsional vibrations while maintaining treatment functionality.
2Ease of operation
If a hook protruding in one perpendicular direction is provided on the distal surface, then the probe can catch and resect treated targets, but a moment is generated that causes the hook to swing and produces transverse and torsional vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements the counterweight principle by adding a protrusion on the side opposite to the hook. This protrusion acts as a counterbalancing element that generates an opposing moment to neutralize the moment produced by the hook during longitudinal vibration, thereby eliminating the harmful transverse and torsional vibrations while preserving the tissue resection capability.
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 design ensures stable ultrasonic vibrations by preventing the generation of transverse and torsional vibrations, maintaining the integrity of the longitudinal vibration mode and enhancing the probe's strength against ultrasonic vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
a probe main portion (31) extending along a longitudinal axis (C) and configured to transmit an ultrasonic vibration from a proximal direction (C2) toward a distal direction (C1)
Implementation Method 2
a moment attributable to the shape of the hook is generated, with a base position of a protruding part of the hook being as a center, when the ultrasonic probe performs a longitudinal vibration whose vibration direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis due to the ultrasonic vibration
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
An ultrasonic probe includes a hook curved relative to a probe main body in a first perpendicular direction and forming a part of a distal surface, and a first base surface extending toward a proximal direction from a hook proximal end and serving as a base plane of the hook. The ultrasonic probe includes a protrusion protruding toward a second perpendicular direction with a second base surface, which is directed in a second perpendicular direction opposite to the first perpendicular direction, being as a base plane and extending toward both the proximal direction and a distal direction from a reference position located on a section, which passes through the hook proximal end and which is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis.