Ultrasonic Transmitter Sheath Segmentation for Joint Cavity Access
Solution Overview
Problem
The extension of a sheath in ultrasonic treatment instruments can interfere with treatment performance by limiting accessibility to the treatment target and potentially causing contact with external instruments during procedures like joint cavity treatments.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic treatment instrument design featuring a cylindrical sheath with a cover member made of fluorine-based resin that covers part of the ultrasonic transmitter, exposing the distal-end treatment portion while preventing contact with the sheath and external instruments, ensuring effective vibration transmission and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sheath is extended up to the vicinity of the distal-end treatment portion to prevent contact with external instruments, then protection against contact with external instruments is improved, but accessibility to the treatment target deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is divided into multiple sections: a long sheath portion that extends far to prevent contact with external instruments, and a short sheath portion near the distal end that retracts to allow the treatment portion to protrude and access the treatment target. This segmentation allows different parts of the sheath to serve different functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath incorporates a movable retractable section that can dynamically adjust its length. The sheath can be in an extended state during navigation to protect against external instruments, and in a retracted state during treatment to ensure accessibility. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction between protection and accessibility.
2Reliability
If the sheath is extended to prevent contact with external instruments, then contact prevention is improved, but treatment performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sheath is segmented into protective long portions and functional short portions. The long portions remain extended to prevent contact with external instruments, while the short portions near the treatment portion are retracted to maintain treatment performance. This segmentation allows simultaneous achievement of contact prevention and treatment effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The sheath dynamically adjusts its configuration during the procedure. During navigation and positioning, the sheath is extended for protection. During active treatment, the sheath retracts to allow the treatment portion to function optimally. This dynamic behavior ensures both contact prevention and maintained treatment performance.
3Temperature
If the cover member is made of fluorine-based resin to prevent friction heat, then heat generation is reduced, but structural strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The cover member is made of fluorine-based resin, a flexible material with low friction properties. This thin film-like cover reduces friction heat generation during movement while maintaining adequate structural strength through its design as a protective covering rather than a load-bearing component.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic transmitter unit combines fluorine-based resin for the cover member with other materials for structural components. This composite approach allows the fluorine-based resin to provide low-friction, low-heat properties where needed, while other materials provide structural strength in load-bearing areas, resolving the contradiction between heat reduction and strength maintenance.
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 enhances treatment performance by maintaining accessibility to the treatment target and preventing interference with external instruments, ensuring precise and efficient cutting operations, such as forming bone holes, without compromising resonance frequency or generating friction heat.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic vibration generated in the ultrasonic transducer is transmitted through the ultrasonic probe to its distal-end treatment portion
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasonic probe has its proximal end connected to an ultrasonic transducer
Implementation Method 3
The cover member...is made of fluorine-based resin
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic transmitter unit includes: a sheath that forms a cylindrical shape and is having a proximal end and a distal end; an ultrasonic transmitter configured to be inserted into the sheath; and a cover member that covers a part of the ultrasonic transmitter and has an inner surface and an outer surface. The ultrasonic transmitter includes: a first area surrounded by the sheath; a second area protruding from the distal end of the sheath; and a distal-end treatment portion provided in a distal end of the second area. The cover member covers the second area of the ultrasonic transmitter, and exposes the distal-end treatment portion of the ultrasonic transmitter to an outside, and is made of fluorine-based resin.