Medical ultrasound system and handpiece and methods for making and tuning
View Patent ↗Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit. A method for making a medical ultrasound transducer assembly determines acceptable gains for gain stages of the transducer assembly.
1. A medical ultrasound handpiece comprising:
a) a medical ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis and having a substantially coaxially aligned, circumferential surface groove;
b) at least one mounting member which is at-least-partially-annular and which has an inner portion disposed in the surface groove; and
c) a first housing component surrounding the transducer assembly and having a distal end portion including an annular longitudinally-facing surface with a recessed seat, wherein the at-least-one mounting member has at least a proximal portion disposed in the seat.
2. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 1 , also including a second housing component surrounding the transducer assembly and having a proximal end portion which surrounds and is attached to the distal end portion of the first housing component.
3. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 2 , wherein the proximal end portion of the second housing component includes an internal annular ledge which seats against a distal portion of the at-least-one mounting member.
4. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 3 , wherein the proximal end portion of the second housing component is press-fittingly attached to the distal end portion of the first housing component.
5. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 4 , wherein the transducer assembly has a distal-most node, and wherein the surface groove is disposed proximate the distal-most node.
6. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 5 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member has at least one peripheral flat which engages a corresponding at least one peripheral flat on the recessed seat of the longitudinally-facing surface of the distal end portion of the first housing component.
7. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 6 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member is flexible.
8. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 7 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member is elastomeric.
9. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 2 , wherein the proximal end portion of the second housing component is press-fittingly attached to the distal end portion of the first housing component.
10. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 9 , wherein the transducer assembly has a distal-most node, and wherein the surface groove is disposed proximate the distal-most node.
11. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member has at least one peripheral flat which engages a corresponding at least one peripheral flat on the recessed seat of the longitudinally-facing surface of the distal end portion of the first housing component.
12. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member is flexible.
13. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 1 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member is elastomeric.
14. A medical ultrasound handpiece comprising:
a) a medical ultrasound transducer assembly having a longitudinal axis and having a substantially coaxially aligned, circumferential groove in a peripheral surface of the medical ultrasound transducer assembly;
b) at least one mounting member which is at-least-partially-annular and which has an inner portion disposed in the circumferential groove; and
c) a first housing component surrounding the medical ultrasound transducer assembly and having a distal end portion including an annular, inwardly-projecting, longitudinally-facing surface with a recessed seat, wherein the at-least-one mounting member has at least a proximal portion disposed in the seat.
15. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 14 , also including a second housing component surrounding the transducer assembly and having a proximal end portion which surrounds and is attached to the distal end portion of the first housing component.
16. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 15 , wherein the proximal end portion of the second housing component includes an internal annular ledge which seats against a distal portion of the at-least-one mounting member.
17. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 16 , wherein the proximal end portion of the second housing component is press-fittingly attached to the distal end portion of the first housing component.
18. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 17 , wherein the transducer assembly has a distal-most node, and wherein the circumferential groove is disposed proximate the distal-most node.
19. The medical ultrasound handpiece of claim 18 , wherein the at-least-one mounting member has at least one peripheral flat which engages a corresponding at least one peripheral flat on the recessed seat of the longitudinally-facing surface of the distal end portion of the first housing component.