Vibration Actuator Mode Switching for ICSI Pipette Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current stage devices in assisted reproductive technology, such as those used for Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI), face challenges in performing precise piercing vibration and translational driving using a single actuator, and struggle with high accuracy at very low speeds, particularly in breaking the ovum cell membrane and navigating the injection pipette effectively.
Innovation Solution
A stage device equipped with a vibration actuator that includes an elastic body and an electromechanical energy conversion element, capable of switching between movement and vibration modes by applying two-phase AC voltages, allowing for precise control of the injection pipette's movement and vibration to facilitate accurate membrane breaking and sperm injection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single actuator is used for both piercing vibration and translational driving, then device complexity is reduced, but the precision and accuracy of very low-speed movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the single actuator to dynamically switch between two distinct operational modes: vibration mode for membrane breaking and translational movement mode for pipette positioning. This dynamic mode switching allows the system to maintain low complexity while achieving high precision in both functions by optimizing performance characteristics for each specific task.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the operating parameters of the single actuator to achieve different functions. By changing vibration frequency, amplitude, and duty cycle parameters, the actuator can transition between producing high-frequency vibrations for membrane piercing and low-speed translational movement for precise positioning, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplicity and precision.
2Extent of automation
If manual operation is used for membrane breaking and sperm injection, then operator skill and visualization are required, but automation and success rate improve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that provide real-time information about the ICSI procedure status, enabling automated decision-making. The system uses visual feedback from microscopes and sensors to detect membrane breaking completion and sperm injection status, then automatically adjusts actuator operations accordingly. This feedback loop ensures high automation while maintaining reliability by making the system responsive to actual procedural conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the system to perform critical functions autonomously without continuous human intervention. The automated control system independently manages vibration actuation, movement control, and procedure monitoring, allowing the device to serve itself in executing the ICSI protocol while maintaining high success rates through consistent, repeatable operations.
3Productivity
If high-speed movement is prioritized, then productivity increases, but precision at very low speeds deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by using pulsed vibration cycles with varying duty cycles. During membrane breaking, high-frequency vibrations are applied in concentrated pulses to achieve rapid penetration. During positioning phases, lower-frequency or continuous movements are used with extended time periods to ensure precision. This periodic variation in action timing allows the system to optimize for speed when needed and precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes dynamics by continuously adapting movement speed and vibration intensity based on the procedural phase. The system dynamically transitions from high-speed translational movement for approaching the ovum to very low-speed precise positioning for membrane contact, and then to high-frequency vibration for piercing. This dynamic speed adaptation resolves the contradiction between overall productivity and localized precision requirements.
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
Enables precise piercing vibration and translational driving with high accuracy at very low speeds, improving the success rate of ICSI procedures by automating the membrane breaking and sperm injection processes, reducing the reliance on skilled operator visualization and manual speed control.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration actuator including a vibration element (660) having an elastic body (606) and an electromechanical energy conversion element (607)
Data Source
AI summary
A stage device capable of performing piercing vibration and translational driving by using one actuator, and performing very low-speed driving in the translational driving with high accuracy. The stage device includes an X stage having a vibration actuator that includes an vibration element and a contact body, one of which is a movable body connected to an object to be driven, and drives the object to be driven in an X-axis direction, and a control section that controls driving of the vibration actuator. The control section causes two-phase AC voltages to be applied to an electromechanical energy conversion element to thereby excite predetermined vibrations in the vibration element, to drive the vibration actuator by switching between a movement mode for moving the object to be driven in the X-axis direction and a vibration mode for vibrating the object to be driven in the X-axis direction.