Ultrasonic Pulse Train Modulation for Uniform Tissue Heating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic treatment devices suffer from non-uniform energy distribution and high central temperatures, leading to discomfort and potential burns due to the concentrated energy output, which affects the overall treatment efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A modulation method for ultrasonic output pulses that divides a single pulse into multiple pulse trains, controlling the frequency, period length, and duty ratio to distribute energy more uniformly, reducing pain and improving treatment effectiveness by maintaining lower central temperatures and larger heat diffusion zones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ultrasonic energy is concentrated on the central area to achieve effective treatment, then treatment efficacy is improved, but energy uniformity deteriorates and central temperature becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a single ultrasonic pulse into multiple sub-pulses (first pulse train, second pulse train, third pulse train) with different duty ratios. This segmentation distributes the energy concentration over time, preventing excessive temperature rise in the central area while maintaining treatment efficacy through cumulative thermal effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic pulse trains with varying duty ratios (first pulse train with higher duty ratio, second and third pulse trains with lower duty ratios). This periodic modulation creates a temporal pattern that controls heat accumulation, allowing effective treatment while preventing excessive central temperature through controlled thermal relaxation periods.
2Reliability
If ultrasonic energy is concentrated on the central area, then focal treatment effect is improved, but energy dispersal range becomes narrow affecting entire treatment area
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the ultrasonic pulse into multiple pulse trains with different duty ratios, the patent extends the effective treatment area. The varying duty ratios create a broader spatial distribution of thermal energy, allowing the heat diffusion zone to cover a larger area while maintaining focal effectiveness through cumulative heating.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the duty ratio parameter across different pulse trains (higher for first pulse train, lower for second and third pulse trains). This parameter variation modulates the energy distribution pattern, expanding the heat diffusion zone area while preserving the focal treatment effect through controlled thermal accumulation.
3Reliability
If high intensity ultrasonic pulses are used to achieve treatment effect, then treatment efficacy is improved, but patient comfort deteriorates due to tingling sensation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic pulse trains with modulated duty ratios to deliver therapeutic ultrasonic energy. The periodic nature with varying intensity patterns (higher duty ratio followed by lower duty ratios) reduces continuous high-intensity exposure, thereby minimizing patient discomfort and tingling sensation while maintaining treatment efficacy through cumulative thermal effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the duty ratio across different pulse trains rather than using a fixed duty cycle. This dynamic modulation adapts the energy delivery pattern to balance treatment effectiveness with patient comfort, reducing harmful sensations during high-intensity phases while maintaining therapeutic effect during lower-intensity phases.
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
The method effectively reduces pain and discomfort by ensuring uniform energy distribution, maintaining temperatures between 50°C and 60°C, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of burns.
Implementation Method 1
a treatment tip provided with a transducer inside
Implementation Method 2
each ultrasonic pulse forms a heat diffusion zone in the target tissue. Most of the ultrasonic energy outputted by the ultrasonic pulse is concentrated on the central area of the heat diffusion zone
Implementation Method 3
maintaining temperatures between 50°C and 60°C, thereby enhancing treatment efficacy and reducing the risk of burns
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a modulation method for ultrasonic output pulses, a controller and a treatment apparatus. The modulation method for ultrasonic output pulses includes: obtaining an output frequency of the first preset pulse, and modulating a to-be-modulated pulse according to the output frequency of the first preset pulse to obtain a first pulse train; obtaining a period length of the second preset pulse, and dividing the first pulse train into N of the second pulse trains according to the period length of the second preset pulse; and controlling a transducer to sequentially output the N of the second pulse trains.