Piezo Composite Transducers (PCT) Ltd approached the Institute of Medical Science and Technologies (IMSaT) at the University of Dundee to help them investigate the use of ultrasound in developing new tools for medical cutting. The work was supported by a SUPA START Award.
Ultrasonic Surgery Tools Investigation
Piezo Composite Transducers Ltd and IMSaT, University of Dundee
Piezo Composite Transducers (PCT) Ltd approached the Institute of Medical Science and Technologies (IMSaT) at the University of Dundee to help them investigate the use of ultrasound in developing new tools for medical cutting. The work was supported by a SUPA START Award.
Aberdeen based PCT Ltd provide high performance piezoelectric materials and acoustic transducer solutions for underwater applications. Looking for new products and services they could offer, they approached IMSaT to investigate how they could create better acoustic transducers for use in medical cutting.
Ultrasonic cutting has the benefits of increased speed, greater precision, improved quality and safety. However, it suffers from high temperatures at the cut site, which damages the tissues. Could a tool be designed that would reduce the thermal effects while keeping the benefits of using ultrasonic transducers?
In order to design the right tool and transducer, a method of accurately measuring the temperature needed to be created. A system utilising an infra-red camera was built for the project. The project then investigated a number of different tools; scalpels, needles and drills. Theoretical models for transducer and tool design were created, before moving on to fabricating prototype tools using different materials, and then measuring the temperature and other parameters in experimental scenarios.
As a result, customised transducer and tool designs have been specified. Further work will be required to determine the right settings to operate these at for different tissues.