Development of a Durability Test Platform for Ultrasonic Scalpels

In order to meet the requirement for durability test of domestically produced ultrasonic surgical scalpels, a durability test platform for ultrasonic scalpels is designed and manufactured. The platform uses a stepping motor to drive the gantry structure composed of a ball screw to achieve the three-axis translation of the ultrasonic scalpel. An improved torque-closed-loop electric actuator is employed to achieve controllable torque actuation of the ultrasonic scalpel handle. A self-designed fixture capable of simultaneously holding six ultrasonic scalpel heads is developed, and a micro electric actuator is used to control the activation of the ultrasonic scalpel. According to the requirement for durability test of ultrasonic scalpels, each module of the platform is designed and verified. The results prove that the platform can achieve a speed adjustment of 0~1.5 ms, a pressing time adjustment of 0~5000 ms, and a pressing force adjustment of 0~100 N. It can stably carry out more than 100,000 durability tests for six scalpels simultaneously, and can be used for the experimental evaluation of the durability performance of ultrasonic surgical scalpels.