An apparatus may include an ultrasonic sensor system having a first layer stack and a second layer stack. The first layer stack may include a first ultrasonic transmitter and the second layer stack may include a second ultrasonic transmitter. The first layer stack and/or the second layer stack may include an ultrasonic receiver. A frequency splitting layer may reside between the first layer stack and the second layer stack.

A system and method that includes inserting a needle of a phacoemulsification handpiece into an eye of a patient and vibrating the needle in a first trajectory. Matter from the eye is aspirated via an aspiration line while the needle is vibrated in the first trajectory. An indication is received, of a vacuum level in the aspiration line. Determined is, that the vacuum level has changed by at least a preset vacuum level change, and in response vibrating the needle is switched to a second trajectory, different from the first trajectory.

A dual frequency ultrasonic and sonic actuator with constrained impact mass is presented. According to one aspect, displacement of the impact mass is constrained by cavity to which ultrasonic stress from the tip of a horn is applied. According to another aspect, the displacement of the impact mass is constrained by a spring attached to the tip of the horn. According to another aspect, the displacement of the impact mass is constrained by a flexure. The constrained impact mass converts the ultrasonic stress to lower frequency sonic stress that is coupled to a transmitting element for transmission through a surface. According to one aspect, the transmitting element is a longitudinal probe. According to another aspect, the transmitting element is a drill bit used to penetrate though the surface. According to another aspect, the transmitting element is a thumper used to transmit elastic waves though the surface.

Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-frequency transducer array. In one example, the transducer array is fabricated by forming an interdigitated structure from a first comb structure with a first sub-element and a second comb structure with a second sub-element. The interdigitated structure is coupled to a base package, a matching layer, and a backing layer to form a plurality of multi-frequency transducers.

A Transducer in a downhole environment with an increased amplitude of the transducer output at lower frequencies. A transducer may include a bender bar, wherein the bender bar may include a first piezoelectric layer disposed on one surface of the bender bar, a second piezoelectric layer disposed on the opposite surface of the bender bar, and a metallic substrate disposed between the first piezoelectric layer and the second piezoelectric layer. The transducer may further include a first fixed end is attached to the bender bar and connects the bender bar to a base, a second fixed end opposite the first fixed end that attaches the bender bar to the base, and a compartment disposed within the base.

Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-frequency transducer array. In one example, the transducer array may be fabricated via a wafer scale approach, where a first comb structure, with a first type of element, is formed by dicing a first acoustic stack and a second comb structure, with a second type of element, is formed by dicing a second acoustic stack. Combining the first and second comb structures may form a multi-frequency transducer array.

A dual frequency ultrasound transducer includes a high frequency ultrasound array and a low frequency transducer positioned behind or proximal to the high frequency ultrasound array. In one embodiment, a dampening material is positioned between a rear surface of the high frequency array and the a front surface of the low frequency array. The dampening preferably is high absorbing of signals at the frequency of the high frequency array but passes signals at the frequency of the low frequency transducer with little attenuation. In additional, or alternatively, the low frequency can angled with respect to the plane of the high frequency transducer to reduce inter-stack multipath reflections. Beamforming delays compensate for the differences in physical distances between the elements of the low frequency transducer and the plane of the high frequency transducer.

A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) which comprises a first piezoelectric layer and a second piezoelectric layer. The first piezoelectric layer is disposed between a first electrode and a second electrode. The second piezoelectric layer is disposed between the second electrode and a third electrode. At least the first electrode has first and second ends along a first axis, one or more of which is defined by a radius of curvature R. A second axis normal to the first passes through a midpoint of the first axis. A half-width of the first electrode is defined by a length L measured from the midpoint, in the direction of the second axis, to an outer perimeter of the first electrode. A total width of the first electrode at its narrowest point along the first axis is at most 2L such that the first electrode has a concave shape. R/L, is greater than 1.

An example of a method for a multi-frequency transducer array can include forming a first comb structure with a first sub-element having a first resonance frequency, forming a second comb structure, complementary in geometry to the first comb structure with a second sub-element having a second resonance frequency, combining the first and second comb structures to form an interdigitated structure, forming a third acoustic stack by coupling the interdigitated structure to a base package, and coupling the third acoustic stack to a matching layer block and a backing layer block to form a plurality of multi-frequency transducers.

Control console for a powered surgical tool (310) that includes a transformer (250) with a secondary winding (264) across which the tool drive signal is present. Also internal to the transformer is a matched current source that consists of leakage control winding (246) and a capacitor. The current sourced by the matched current source at least partially cancels out leakage current that may be present.