An ultrasonic orthopedic scalpel based on a sandwich piezoelectric transducer

An ultrasonic orthopedic scalpel (UOS) for low-damage bone cutting is proposed. The UOS is com, in order posed of a sandwich piezoelectric transducer and a surgical tool. The surgical tool of the proposed UOS can produce lateral swing vibration with enough amplitude generated by the longitudinal vibration of the sandwich piezoelectric transducer to cut hard bone. First, a basic model of a UOS that can transform longitudinal vibration of the transducer to lateral swing vibration of the surgical tool is built by using simulation analysis and is verified by experiments. Then, the basic model is iteratively optimized based on the analysis result, and a prototype of the optimized UOS with an operating frequency of 25.51 kHz and amplitude of
$\mathbf{45}\ \boldsymbol{\mu}\mathbf{m}$
is manufactured. Finally, the manufactured UOS is used to perform in vitro cutting tests on pig thigh bones. The experimental results indicate that the UOS can implement selective tissue removal. This means that the UOS can cut hard bones effectively without causing damage to peripheral soft tissue and without causing tissue burns, which is beneficial for postoperative recovery.