Ultrasonic Probe Insulation Layer Vibration

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Solution Overview

Problem

In ultrasonic treatment apparatuses, the conductive portion does not vibrate due to lack of ultrasonic vibration transmission, leading to treatment object adhesion and reduced performance.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic probe with an insulation layer and two electrode portions, where the insulation layer covers the probe main body and extends beyond the treatment section, ensuring both electrodes vibrate with the probe and are exposed only in specific areas to prevent adhesion and enhance treatment performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conductive portion is provided as one of the two electrodes in bipolar treatment, then the electrode structure is established for high-frequency treatment, but the treatment object adheres to the conductive portion due to lack of ultrasonic vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structure stabilityVSAvoidtreatment performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive portion is divided into multiple independent conductive sections along the longitudinal direction, with insulation portions between them. This segmentation allows different conductive sections to have different vibration characteristics, preventing uniform adhesion of the treatment object to the entire conductive portion while maintaining the electrode structure for high-frequency treatment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the conductive portion are designed with different properties - some sections are made non-vibrating (fixed to the probe body) while others are made vibrating (exposed in the treatment section). This local differentiation ensures that the treatment object adheres to vibrating sections for effective treatment while non-vibrating sections provide stable electrical contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the conductive portion is made non-vibrating to maintain structural stability, then the electrode function is ensured, but the treatment object adheres to it reducing treatment effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrode structural stabilityVSAvoidtreatment object adhesion
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The conductive portion is segmented into multiple conductive sections separated by insulation portions. This segmentation creates zones with different vibration characteristics along the longitudinal axis, allowing the treatment object to adhere only to vibrating sections while non-vibrating sections maintain structural stability and provide stable electrical contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Insulation portions are introduced as intermediary elements between conductive sections. These insulation portions prevent direct electrical contact between adjacent conductive sections while allowing the treatment object to interact with vibrating conductive sections, thus mediating between the need for structural stability and prevention of harmful adhesion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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

Prevents treatment object adhesion to electrodes and ensures effective treatment performance by ensuring both electrodes vibrate and are properly exposed during ultrasonic and high-frequency treatments.

Implementation Method 1

configured to transmit an ultrasonic vibration from a proximal side toward a distal side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the probe main body portion is configured to vibrates at a predetermined resonance frequency by transmitting the ultrasonic vibration

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Implementation Method 3

By receiving the high-frequency electric power, the treatment section and the conductive portion function as electrodes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHigh-frequency electric power: Dielectric Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3103407B1Ultrasonic probe and ultrasonic treatment apparatus
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 OLYMPUS CORPORATION(JP)
  • EP3103407B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3103407B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3103407B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

In an ultrasonic probe, an insulation layer portion is formed on an outer surface of a probe main body portion. A first electrode portion provided on an outer surface of the insulation layer portion so that at least part of the first electrode portion is exposed to an outside in a treatment section, and at least part of a second electrode portion is exposed to the outside in the treatment section. The second electrode portion is electrically insulated from the first electrode portion by the insulation layer portion. The probe main body portion vibrates integrally with the insulation layer portion, the first electrode portion and the second electrode portion.