US6278218B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for tuning ultrasonic transducers
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 2000-05-31
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Granted: 2001-08-21
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Expires: 2020-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of manufacturing high power sandwich type ultrasonic transducers and, more particularly, a new method of tuning high power sandwich type ultrasonic transducers without the need for a trimming process. A method in accordance with the present invention includes the steps of assembling a sandwich type ultrasonic transducer, measuring the resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer, and selecting from a plurality of tuning elements, whereby a dimension or material property of a selected tuning element alters the measured resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer to a desired resonant frequency after the tuning element is attached to the ultrasonic transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Ashvani K. Madan
- 👤 Jean M. Beaupre
- 👤 Eitan T. Wiener
- 👤 Foster B. Stulen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 05:20
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0611; A61B2017/00477; A61B2017/320089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
178 words
An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising: a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a central opening; a transducer stack, said transducer stack comprising: a first and second resonator section, a piezoelectric section between said first and second resonator sections; a velocity transformer, said velocity transformer comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end coupled to said second resonator section, said distal end comprising: a bore, said bore extending from said distal end of said velocity transformer into said velocity transformer, said bore comprising a threaded portion; a mount, said mount retaining said transducer within said central opening of said housing; a stud, said stud inserted into said threaded portion of said bore, wherein said studs comprises: a proximal threaded portion; a central non-threaded portion adjacent to said proximal threaded portion; a distal threaded portion adjacent to said non-threaded portion, wherein said central portion has a length defined between said proximal threaded portion and said distal threaded portion, whereby said length is selected to tune said transducer assembly from a first frequency to a second desired frequency.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
178 words
An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising: a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a central opening; a transducer stack, said transducer stack comprising: a first and second resonator section, a piezoelectric section between said first and second resonator sections; a velocity transformer, said velocity transformer comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end coupled to said second resonator section, said distal end comprising: a bore, said bore extending from said distal end of said velocity transformer into said velocity transformer, said bore comprising a threaded portion; a mount, said mount retaining said transducer within said central opening of said housing; a stud, said stud inserted into said threaded portion of said bore, wherein said studs comprises: a proximal threaded portion; a central non-threaded portion adjacent to said proximal threaded portion; a distal threaded portion adjacent to said non-threaded portion, wherein said central portion has a length defined between said proximal threaded portion and said distal threaded portion, whereby said length is selected to tune said transducer assembly from a first frequency to a second desired frequency.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
138 words
An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising: a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a central opening; a transducer stack, said transducer stack comprising: a first and second resonator section, a piezoelectric section between said first and second resonator sections, said second resonator section comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end coupled to said piezoelectric section, said distal end comprising: a bore, said bore extending from said distal end of said second resonator section into said second resonator section, said bore comprising a threaded section; a mount, said mount retaining said transducer within said central opening of said housing; a stud, said stud inserted into said threaded portion of said bore, wherein said stud has a length, whereby said length is selected to tune said transducer assembly from a first frequency to a second desired frequency.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising: a transducer housing, said transducer housing comprising a central opening; a transducer stack, said transducer stack comprising: a first and second resonator section, a piezoelectric section between said first and second resonator sections, said second resonator section comprising a proximal end and a distal end, said proximal end coupled to said piezoelectric section, said distal end comprising: a bore, said bore extending from said distal end of said second resonator section into said second resonator section, said bore comprising a threaded section; a mount, said mount retaining said transducer within said central opening of said housing; a stud, said stud inserted into said threaded portion of said bore, wherein said stud has a length, whereby said length is selected to tune said transducer assembly from a first frequency to a second desired frequency.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-20 | 2005-02-19 | 2005-08-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-20 | 2009-02-19 | 2009-08-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-20 | 2013-02-19 | 2013-08-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |