Ultrasonic Handpiece Tip Displacement Control by Tissue Stiffness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic handpieces struggle to selectively cut or ablate certain types of tissue while preserving other types, such as softer tissues like gray matter while avoiding harder tissues like blood vessels, due to lack of control over tip displacement based on tissue stiffness.
Innovation Solution
A control console that adjusts the AC drive signal to the ultrasonic handpiece based on tissue stiffness measurements, using sensors to determine mechanical resistance and displacement levels, allowing precise control of tip displacement to avoid cutting or ablating undesired tissues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the ultrasonic handpiece operates at high power to cut tissue effectively, then cutting efficiency is improved, but the risk of unintentionally cutting or ablating desired tissues increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the AC drive signal parameters (voltage, current, frequency) in real-time based on tissue stiffness feedback. The control console continuously monitors mechanical resistance and modifies the ultrasonic power delivery to match the specific tissue type being contacted, enabling high power for tough tissues and low power for delicate tissues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the operating parameters of the ultrasonic handpiece based on detected tissue properties. By measuring mechanical resistance and determining tissue stiffness, the control console adjusts voltage, current, and frequency parameters to optimize cutting efficiency for the specific tissue type while preventing damage to desired tissues.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the ultrasonic handpiece uses fixed displacement amplitude, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to selectively interact with different tissue types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements a feedback control loop where sensors measure the mechanical resistance of contacted tissue, the control console processes this information to determine tissue stiffness, and the system adjusts the AC drive signal accordingly. This closed-loop feedback enables automatic adaptation to different tissue types without requiring complex manual control.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic handpiece system performs self-adjustment based on the tissue properties it encounters. The sensors and control console automatically detect tissue stiffness and modify the drive signal without external intervention, allowing the device to serve itself in adapting to different surgical conditions.
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
Enhances safety and precision by preventing unintentional cutting or ablation of desired tissues, providing improved tactile feedback and ensuring selective tissue interaction.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer of the ultrasonic handpiece, which is coupled to and configured to vibrate a tip of the ultrasonic handpiece responsive to receiving the AC drive signal
Implementation Method 2
a sensor for measuring a voltage of the AC drive and a sensor for measuring a current of the AC drive signal. The processor is coupled to the sensors and configured to determine a tissue stiffness value for the tissue being contacted by the tip based on the measured current and voltage of the AC drive signal
Implementation Method 3
ultrasonic handpieces for performing surgical procedures are typically capable of cutting a variety of different types of tissue
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for controlling vibrations of an ultrasonic handpiece generate an AC drive signal applied to a transducer of the ultrasonic handpiece to vibrate a tip of the ultrasonic handpiece. A property relating to a stiffness of tissue being contacted by the vibrating tip is determined based on a measured voltage and a measured current of the AC drive signal. A target displacement for the tip is determined based on the tissue property, and the AC drive signal is adjusted to achieve the determined target displacement.