A control console for a powered surgical tool. The console includes a transformer that supplies the drive signal to the surgical tool. A linear amplifier with active resistors selectively ties the ends of the transformer primary winding between ground and the open circuit state. Feedback voltages from the transformer windings regulate the resistances of the active resistors.

An ultrasonic transducer is described that includes a stack of at least two membranes attached to a substrate. An electric circuit is coupled to the electrodes with a controller configured to apply a first electric signal to a first electrode on the first membrane, and a different, second electric signal to a second electrode on the second membrane. The first and second electric signals are configured to apply a varying voltage between the first electrode and the second electrode during a respective vibration cycle of the membranes. The first electrode on the first membrane is configured to interact with the second electrode on the second membrane by a varying electrostatic force during the respective vibration cycle depending on the varying voltage.

Methods and apparatuses provide a phacoemulsification probe, wherein the probe has a piezoelectric actuator coupled with a needle configured to be inserted into an eye of a patient; and a processor configured to sequentially drive the actuator electrically in a range of frequencies, to measure a respective electrical power input to the actuator at each of the frequencies in the range, to identify a frequency in the range of frequencies wherein a metric of the electrical power input is a maximum, and to estimate from the identified frequency a mechanical resonant frequency of the actuator, and to drive the actuator electrically at the mechanical resonant frequency.

An apparatus for transmitting ultrasonic waves, the apparatus comprising a microchip (300) for driving a resonant circuit and a resonant circuit which is at least one of an LC tank, an antenna and a piezoelectric transducer. The microchip (300) is a single unit which comprises a plurality of interconnected embedded components and subsystems comprising at least an oscillator (315), a pulse width modulation (PWM) signal generator subsystem (329), an analogue to digital converter (ADC) subsystem (318) and a digital to analogue converter (DAC) subsystem (327).

A focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (f-ESWT) device includes a handheld housing, a battery, and a transducer assembly. The battery is located in the handheld housing. The transducer assembly is located in the handheld housing and is operably connected to the battery. The transducer assembly is configured to generate a focused shock wave using electrical energy from the battery.

A focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (f-ESWT) system includes an f-ESWT device and a plurality of interchangeable standoff structures. The f-ESWT device includes a housing. The f-ESWT device is configured to generate a focused shock wave as a combination of a plurality of individual shock waves. Each standoff structure is configured for removable connection to the housing to receive and to transmit the plurality of individual shock waves. Each standoff structure of the plurality of interchangeable standoff structures includes a rigid exterior shell defining a shell space, and an elastomeric interior at least partially located in the shell space. The plurality of individual shock waves is transmitted through the rigid exterior shell and the elastomeric interior of a selected standoff structure of the plurality of interchangeable standoff structures that is removably connected to the housing.

A method of generating a focused shock wave with a handheld focused extracorporeal shock wave therapy (f-ESWT) device includes driving a plurality of piezoelectric elements to generate a focused shock wave based on a first plurality of time delays when a first standoff structure is removably connected to a handheld housing of the f-ESWT device, and driving the plurality of piezoelectric elements to generate the focused shock wave based on a second plurality of time delays when a second standoff structure is removably connected to the handheld housing of the f-ESWT device, the second plurality of time delays different from the first plurality of time delays, and the second standoff structure different from the first standoff structure.

A nicotine delivery device (200) for generating a mist containing nicotine for inhalation by a user. The device comprises a mist generator device (201) and a driver device (202). The driver device (202) is configured to drive the mist generator device (201) at an optimum frequency to maximise the efficiency of mist generation by the mist generator device (201).

An ultrasonic signal detecting circuit, an ultrasonic signal detecting method, and a display panel. The ultrasonic signal detecting circuit includes a control sub-circuit and a sensing sub-circuit. The sensing sub-circuit detects an ultrasonic echo signal, and generates a piezoelectric signal, which includes a first sub signal and a second sub-signal, according to the ultrasonic echo signal, the voltage value of one of the first and second sub-signals are higher than the value of a reference voltage signal, and that of the other one of the first and second sub-signals are lower than the reference voltage signal. The control sub-circuit is electrically connected to the sensing sub-circuit. Under control of the first sub-signal, a first power supply end and an output end of the control sub-circuit are turned on; and under control of the second sub-signal, the first power supply end and the output end of the control sub-circuit are turned on.

A transceiver apparatus for maximizing voltage. A voltage booster or transformer is implemented using piezoelectric thin films in substrates, preferably CMOS substrates where active processing of RF signals can lead to highly integrated and inexpensive ICs. The voltage gain is achieved by cascading multiple transducers, formed in the same piezoelectric thin film, or films cascaded in series on top of each other. An array of transducers are connected in parallel or series, connected to the input or output port electrodes. Other approaches include placing the receive transformer in a location where the diffracting field from the transmitter transducer is incident on the receive transducer generating a higher ultrasonic field at the receive transformer and increasing the voltage is to connect an array of transducers, formed in the same layer, or different layers of piezoelectric layer in parallel in drive mode when the pulse is transmitted.