Methods and devices for controlling the vibration of ultrasonic transmission components

• US 6,274,963 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1999
• Issued: 08/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Estabrook, Brian, Kellogg, Scott, Alam, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): BUDD, MARK OSBORNE
• Application Number:
  US09/386,740
• Time in Patent Office: 714 Days
• Field of Search: 310/316.01, 310/316.02, 318/116
• US Class Current: 310/316.02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00132 Setting operation time of a device A61B2017/00123 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0276 with simultaneous generation, e.g. with modulation, harmonics
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0611 in a pile
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0614 for generating several frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0618 of piezo- and non-piezoelectric elements, e.g. 'Tonpilz'
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0622 on one surface
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 2201/76 Medical, dental
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/02 Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators

Abstract

A transducer assembly in accordance with the present invention includes at least one transducer element having a first end and a second end. A first electrode is coupled to the first end and a segmented electrode is coupled to the second end. The segmented electrode is adapted to allow the transducer element to be simultaneously driven by a plurality of electric signals. A generator in accordance with the present invention includes a frequency control loop to generate an electrical signal having a desired level of vibration. A first amplifier having a selected gain receives the electrical signal from the frequency control loop. The first amplifier generates a first output signal to drive the transducer element. A second amplifier having a selected gain receives the electrical signal from the frequency control loop. The second amplifier generates a second output signal to drive the transducer element.

Claims

1. A generator to drive at least one transducer element comprising:

a phase lock loop;

a zero crossing detector coupled to the phase lock loop;

a filtering device coupled to the phase lock loop and to a plurality of amplifiers;

the plurality of amplifiers generating a plurality of signals to drive the at least one transducer element; and

a control device coupled to each of the plurality of amplifiers to adjust the gain of the amplifiers.

2. The generator of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of sensors coupled to a respective output of the plurality of amplifiers to detect the drive signal.

3. The generator of claim 1 wherein the drive signal comprises one of a voltage signal, current signal, impedance signal, and phase signal.

4. The generator of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of inductors coupled to a respective output of the amplifiers.

5. A method of driving at least one transducer element comprising the steps of:

i) providing a phase lock loop;

ii) providing a zero crossing detector coupled to said phase lock loop;

iii) providing a filtering device coupled to said phase lock loop and to a plurality of amplifiers;

said plurality of amplifiers generating a plurality of signals to drive the at least one transducer element; and

iv) providing a control device coupled to each of said plurality of amplifiers to adjust the gain of said amplifiers.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of providing a plurality of sensors coupled to the respective outputs of said plurality of amplifiers to detect the drive signal.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said drive signal comprises one of a voltage signal, current signal, impedance signal, and phase signal.

8. The method of claim 6 further comprising the step of providing a plurality of inductors, each coupled to a respective output of said amplifiers.