Configurable ultrasonic transducer
OwnerMark Delsmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer is described having a resonant horn and piezoelectric elements arranged to impart vibration to the horn. The piezoelectric elements are wedge-shaped with respect to a central axis of the horn and arranged on the horn to impart to a distal end of the horn in a longitudinal direction vibration with respect to the central axis and/or a transverse direction vibration with respect to the central axis. Configurations are also described having additional wedge-shaped piezoelectric elements that may impart vibration in a second transverse direction with respect to the central axis. A phacoemulsification probe is described including wedge-shaped piezoelectric elements. Methods for energizing the piezoelectric elements are also described.
Claims20
An ultrasonic transducer comprising:
- a horn having a central axis, a first diameter section and a second diameter section;
- a first piezoelectric element having a circular perimeter, a first face, a second face, and a first central through hole, wherein the second face of the first piezoelectric element is arranged at an acute angle to the first face of the first piezoelectric element;
- a second piezoelectric element having a circular perimeter, a first face, a second face, and a second central through hole, wherein the second face of the second piezoelectric element is arranged at an acute angle to the first face of the second piezoelectric element;
- wherein the first piezoelectric element and second piezoelectric element are arranged on the horn such that the second diameter section of the horn passes through the first central through hole and the second central through hole;
- and
- a fastener arranged on the horn to urge the second face of the second piezoelectric element in proximity to the second face of the first piezoelectric element and to urge the first face of the first piezoelectric element in proximity to a surface of the first diameter section of the horn.
A method of energizing an ultrasonic transducer comprising a resonant horn and one or more pairs of wedge-shaped piezoelectric elements arranged on the horn, the method comprising:
- applying a first alternating current signal to a first wedge-shaped piezoelectric element of a first pair of wedge-shaped piezoelectric elements;
- applying the first alternating current signal to a second wedge-shaped piezoelectric element of the first pair of wedge-shaped piezoelectric elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.