Ultrasonic Transducer Saturation Point Control for Surgical Blades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surgical systems using ultrasonic transducers face challenges in maximizing mechanical motion while maintaining efficiency and minimizing size and power consumption, as they often operate below the saturation point of the transducer, leading to suboptimal tissue treatment.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic surgical system is designed to operate the transducer at its saturation point, maximizing mechanical motion and minimizing size and power consumption by leveraging the saturation point for efficient tissue treatment, and includes an ultrasonic generator, transducer, and blade configuration that allows for efficient energy transmission and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the ultrasonic transducer operates below the saturation point, then power consumption is reduced, but mechanical motion output is insufficient for effective tissue treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the ultrasonic transducer at its saturation point rather than below it. This changes the operating parameter (drive signal level) to achieve maximum mechanical motion output (blade velocity ≥8 m/s RMS) while accepting the corresponding power consumption level, thereby resolving the contradiction between insufficient output and energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs partial or excessive action by driving the transducer to saturation, which represents the maximum effective operating point. This ensures that the mechanical motion output is sufficient for effective tissue treatment without applying excessive power beyond the saturation point, thus optimizing the balance between power consumption and productivity
2Productivity
If the ultrasonic transducer operates at the saturation point, then mechanical motion output is maximized, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameter to exactly match the transducer's saturation point, ensuring maximum mechanical motion output (blade velocity ≥8 m/s RMS) is achieved. The ultrasonic generator is configured to provide a drive signal that operates the transducer substantially at saturation, optimizing productivity while avoiding excessive power consumption beyond the saturation point
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor and maintain operation at the saturation point. The ultrasonic generator adjusts the drive signal based on feedback to ensure the transducer operates substantially at saturation, maximizing mechanical output while preventing excessive power consumption that would occur if operation continued beyond saturation
3Volume of moving object
If the ultrasonic transducer size is reduced, then device miniaturization is achieved, but mechanical motion output decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by operating the transducer at saturation point, which allows smaller transducers to achieve the required mechanical motion output (blade velocity ≥8 m/s RMS). By optimizing the operating parameter (drive signal to saturation), the system achieves device miniaturization without sacrificing productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses partial or excessive action by driving the transducer to saturation, which compensates for the reduced size. This ensures that even a smaller transducer can produce sufficient mechanical motion output for effective tissue treatment, resolving the contradiction between miniaturization and productivity
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 approach enables the system to achieve maximum mechanical output, with the blade moving at velocities of at least 8 m/s RMS, effectively treating tissue while minimizing the transducer's size and power consumption, thus enhancing surgical efficiency and precision.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic transducer configured to receive the electrical drive signal and to produce ultrasonic mechanical motion in response thereto
Implementation Method 2
ultrasonic transducer configured to receive the electrical drive signal and to produce ultrasonic mechanical motion
Implementation Method 3
mechanical vibration energy transmitted at ultrasonic frequencies can be utilized to treat, e.g., seal and transect, tissue
Implementation Method 4
Ultrasonic energy transmitted to the blade causes the blade to vibrate at very high frequencies, which allows for heating tissue to treat tissue clamped against or otherwise in contact with the blade
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic surgical system includes an ultrasonic generator configured to provide an electrical drive signal, an ultrasonic transducer configured to receive the electrical drive signal and to produce ultrasonic mechanical motion in response thereto, and a blade coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and configured to receive the ultrasonic mechanical motion from the ultrasonic transducer for treating tissue in contact therewith. The ultrasonic transducer defines a saturation point and the ultrasonic generator is configured to drive the ultrasonic transducer substantially at the saturation point such that the ultrasonic mechanical motion produced by the ultrasonic transducer is substantially equal to a maximum ultrasonic mechanical motion of the ultrasonic transducer.