A MAGNETOSTRICTIVE ACTUATOR ADAPTED TO BE USED IN A MEDICAL ULTRASOUND TRANSUCER ASSEMBLY, AND A MEDICAL UTREASOUND HANDPIECE AND MEDICAL ULTRASOUND SYSTEM HAVING SUCH ACTUATOR

摘要

Apparatus includes a magnetostrictive actuator of a medical ultrasoundtransducer assembly. The actuatorcompris-es a magnetostrictive alloy chosen from a list. A medical ultrasoundhandpiece includes an ultrasound transducer assemblyadapt-ed to attachingly receive an end effector. The transducer assemblyincludes a magnetostrictive actuator having a magnetostrictivealloy, and includes a first coil surrounding the actuator and adapted toexcite the actuator to substantially a desired medicalreso-nant frequency and substantially a desired medical amplitude. A medicalultrasound system includes a handpiece housing, a firstmedical ultrasound transducer assembly, and a first medical end effectorattachable to the first transducer assembly. The firsttransducer assembly includes a magnetostrictive first actuator having a firstmagnetostrictive alloy. At least a portion of the firsttransducer assembly is attachingly insertable in the handpiece housing withoutthe use of tools, without damaging the handpiecehousing, and without damaging the first transducer assembly.