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 method for detecting loose blades in a hand piece connected to an ultrasonic surgical system by performing frequency sweeps of a drive signal through a range which includes the resonance of a hand piece/blade system and the resonance of the hand piece without a blade attached. The frequencies of resonance in each sweep are compared. If a substantial difference between the frequency sweeps occurs, then a "Tighten Blade" message is displayed on a liquid crystal display on an ultrasonic generator console. The method permits rapid and easy diagnosis of loose blade connections. The method also assists a surgeon or nurse in knowing when to tighten the blade, as opposed to performing more lengthy and detailed diagnostic or cleaning procedures. In addition, the time and costs associated with the diagnostic procedures to isolate faults are eliminated because, upon determining that the blade is not loose, the surgeon and/or nurse can request a new blade based on the assumption that the blade is broken.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus are described for testing the integrity of an ultrasonic transducer probe (10) or the ultrasound system connected to the probe. The elements of the transducer are pulsed at a time when the probe is not in contact with a patient and the surface of the probe lens is exposed to the open air. The channel electronics receives the echo signal returned from the lens-air interface and reverberations between this interface and the transducer. These signals are analyzed by a diagnostic processor (20) coupled to the channel electronics for characteristics such as amplitude, time of echo reception, group delay, and other characteristics to determine the possible existence of problems such as faulty transducer elements or connections and problems in the system receive electronics. The diagnostic processor can adaptively adjust an operating characteristic of the system electronics such as gain or time delay to compensate for a detected out of tolerance condition.
Abstract:
An electronic control system for determining the resonant frequency of and driving ultrasonic transducers in a phacoemulsification probe used for ophthalmic surgery. The control system includes a voltage control led oscillator, power amplifier, power monitor, and automatic gain control circuit operating under the direction of command signals received from a microprocessor-based control console. The control system operates in a constant apparent power, direct drive mode with closed loop feedback maintaining the electrical power provided to the primary of a RLC transformer at the constant level requested by the command signals from the console. The frequency of the drive signal is held at the dominant resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer which is being driven by the control system. This resonant frequency is determined via a calibration procedure performed when the probe is first attached to the control system. During this procedure a constant voltage drive signal is swept through a range of frequencies and the electrical power consumed by the transducer is measured and stored at selected intervals such as 100 Hertz increments. The resonant frequency is also determined in part by looking for the frequency at which maximum power is consumed by the probe. The stored data is also subjected to other tests to cheok that the peak is indeed a resonant frequency and that the probe has selected output power characteristics about this resonant frequency thus helping to ensure that the probe is capable of operating satisfactorily when driven by the control system.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a multiple frequency ultrasonic oscillating device with an automatic resonant frequency matching function. The ultrasonic oscillating device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an ultrasonic transducer which includes a frequency oscillator and a central processing module which controls the ultrasonic transducer. The central processing module includes a frequency oscillation control unit, an output signal measuring unit which measures an output signal of the ultrasonic transducer, a resonant frequency drawing unit which draws a resonant frequency for matching the ultrasonic transducer, and a matching circuit unit which controls the frequency oscillator.