Abstract:
A method for diagnosing the health of a transducer may include transmitting a signal to a transducer to cause the transducer to transmit a stress wave into an object being monitored, wherein the signal has a predetermined frequency range or bandwidth. The method may also include receiving response data for the transducer and transforming the response data to data representative of an impedance curve of impedance versus frequency for the predetermined frequency range. The method may further include extracting selected parameters from the impedance curve to diagnose the health of the transducer.
Abstract:
The invention provides a controller (1) for a high-frequency agitation source, the controller comprising signal generation means (3) for generating a drive signal (53) having a variable duty cycle. The drive signal (53) is used to drive the high-frequency agitation source (2). The controller further comprises temperature detecting means (7) for detecting a temperature of the high-frequency agitation source (2). Further, the controller (1) is adapted and arranged to vary the duty cycle of the drive signal (53) in response to the temperature of the high-frequency agitation source (2). By varying the duty cycle of the drive signal (53), the average power supplied to the piezoelectric crystal (2) can be varied whilst still maintaining a fixed amplitude of oscillation. This allows the temperature of a high-frequency agitator, for example a piezoelectric crystal, to be controlled.
Abstract:
A system and method for tuning and controlling ultrasonic handpieces by incorporating a broad-spectrum signal as at least a component of the signal used to drive the handpiece. The response of the handpiece to this broad-spectrum signal is measured and the frequency or amplitude or both of the drive signal are adjusted in order to maintain the desired level of handpiece performance. The operation of the systems and the performance of the methods described enable the handpiece to be operated in a most effective manner over a more widely varying range of mechanical load and thermal conditions than was possible through the use of prior control systems and methods.
Abstract:
A circuit for causing an element to produce a substantially linear response to an input signal comprising an element for providing a response, a transistor oscillator circuit for providing an electrical output signal of variable amplitude to excite the element in response to the input signal, the transistor oscillator circuit normally causing the electrical output signal to vary non-linearly with respect to the input signal, and microprocessor means for correcting the non-linear relationship between the input signal and the electrical output signal to thereby cause the electrical output signal to vary substantially linearly with respect to the input signal when the input signal is applied to the microprocessor means.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic system has an ultrasonic stack excited by a power supply. The ultrasonic stack has a plurality of components, including an ultrasonic converter, a booster and an ultrasonic horn. A method of controlling the ultrasonic system with the power supply includes upon replacing any of the components of the ultrasonic stack with a replacement component, inputting an amplitude parameter of the replacement component into the power supply, determining with the power supply an amplitude of an AC excitation signal at which to excite the ultrasonic converter based on amplitude parameters of the components including the amplitude parameter of each replacement component. The power supply then sets the amplitude of the AC excitation signal at this determined amplitude.
Abstract:
A method and system for adjusting a HIFU device compensates for shifts in transducer impedance so that the acoustic output from a HIFU transducer remains at a desired level. In accordance with a first aspect, the disclosure includes dynamically adjusting the tuning of a tuning network that causes the transducer/system to maintain an optimal power transfer to the acoustic output. In accordance with a second aspect, the disclosure monitors the acoustic output of the HIFU device and adjusts the electrical signal provided to the HIFU transducer to maintain a desired acoustic output.