Patent ID: 8395299
Filing Date: 2013-03-12
Classification: A61B,A61C,B06B

Abstract:
1. A piezoelectric transducer system comprising: i) a first and a second piezoelectric stack; wherein each stack independently comprises two or more polarized piezoelectric elements that are electrically driven in a fundamental longitudinal vibration mode of the transducer along a longitudinal axis of the transducer; ii) an inhomogeneous resonator sandwiched between the first and the second piezoelectric stack, the inhomogeneous resonator configured to convert longitudinal motion from the first and second piezoelectric stack to a combined longitudinal-torsional motion of the transducer, wherein the inhomogeneous resonator comprises a twisted bar configured to convert the longitudinal motion from the first and second piezoelectric stack to the combined longitudinal-torsional motion of the transducer; iii) a horn coupled to the first piezoelectric stack, wherein the horn has a cross section distal to the piezoelectric stack that is smaller than a cross section proximal to the piezoelectric stack, wherein the cross section distal to the piezoelectric stack vibrates in combined longitudinal-torsional motion; and iv) an end effector coupled to the horn, wherein the end effector couples the combined longitudinal-torsional motion to a solid or fluid medium.