Ultrasonic Probe Distal Tip Design for Calculi Fragmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic probes used for breaking up calculi in medical procedures face issues with durability when operating at higher driving voltages or power levels, leading to potential breakage during treatment.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a probe tip with a distal horn located beyond the final stress node, featuring a transition zone and varying cross-sectional areas to enhance displacement without increasing stress, allowing for higher displacements and power usage while reducing the risk of probe breakage, along with the use of multiple frequencies to find and resonate with the calculi's frequency for efficient fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher driving voltages or power levels are used to increase displacement and improve calculi fragmentation efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the probe becomes more prone to breakage and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into multiple sections with different functions: a robust proximal section for withstanding stress, a transition zone for gradual stress distribution, and a distal cutting edge for fragmentation. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, enabling higher power operation without compromising overall durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition zone is designed beforehand to cushion and distribute stress gradually from the proximal to distal section. This pre-engineered stress distribution mechanism prevents stress concentration at critical points, allowing the probe to withstand higher driving voltages without breaking during operation.
2Productivity
If the probe tip area is reduced to concentrate force for harder calculi, then fragmentation effectiveness is improved, but the probe becomes more vulnerable to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
Different sections of the probe have different cross-sectional areas and mechanical properties. The proximal section has larger area for strength, while the distal cutting edge has reduced area for concentrated force. This local variation in geometry allows the probe to simultaneously achieve both durability and fragmentation effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The transition zone is preliminarily designed to gradually reduce the cross-sectional area from proximal to distal section. This pre-planned geometric progression prepares the probe structure in advance to handle the stress concentration required for effective fragmentation while preventing sudden stress spikes that would cause breakage.
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 enables more effective and efficient calculi fragmentation with increased displacement at the distal cutting edge, reducing the risk of probe breakage and improving mass removal rates, while maintaining probe integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer can vibrate a shaft (e.g., a waveguide) of the probe based on the drive signals transmitted to the transducer
Implementation Method 2
The use of several varying frequencies can allow for a sweep around several frequencies, such as to find the resonant frequency of the targeted calculi and allow more efficient breakup of that calculi mass
Data Source
AI summary
A method of treating a calculi mass can include using an ultrasonic probe to produce acoustic energy and fragment the mass. The method can include varying the frequency at which fragmentation occurs to treat the mass with a resonant frequency. The ultrasonic probe can have a distal tip for contact with the mass, where the tip has a morphology for concentrating stress on the mass. The ultrasonic probe can have two or more ultrasonic horns to allow for higher voltage and power levels.