Ultrasonic surgical instrument with cooling system

• US 10,485,996 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2017
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Stoddard, Robert B., Larson, Eric R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Fishback, Ashley L
• Application Number:
  US15/705,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20180001115A1
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00092 using thermocouples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320072 Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320075 single edge blade, e.g. for cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The inflow conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the distal end of the blade lumen and the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the proximal end of the blade lumen. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and an inflow pump. The inflow pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit.

Claims

1. A tool assembly, comprising:

a blade configured to receive ultrasonic energy from a waveguide, the blade defining a blade lumen having closed proximal and distal ends, a proximal portion of the blade defining an output in communication with the blade lumen;

an inflow conduit entering the blade lumen via the output and extending distally through the blade lumen, the inflow conduit defining an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the closed distal end of the blade lumen; and

a return conduit defining an open distal end positioned within the proximal portion of the blade lumen, the return conduit exiting the blade lumen via the output.

2. The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the inflow and return conduits are microtubes.

3. The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the output is sealed about the inflow and return conduits.

4. The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein an interior surface of the blade lumen and an outer surface of the inflow conduit define an annular gap therebetween.

5. A tool assembly, comprising:

a blade configured to receive ultrasonic energy from a waveguide, the blade defining a blade lumen having closed proximal and distal ends, the blade having a proximal portion defining an output in communication with the blade lumen;

an inflow conduit; and

a return conduit, wherein the inflow and return conduits are configured to extend along an outer surface of an elongated body, through the output, and into the blade lumen.

6. The tool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the inflow conduit is configured to couple to a first pump such that a fluid is delivered through the inflow conduit into the blade lumen.

7. The tool assembly according to claim 6, wherein the return conduit is configured to couple to a second pump such that fluid is pulled from the blade lumen through the return conduit.

8. The tool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the inflow conduit extends distally through the blade lumen, the inflow conduit defining an open distal end positioned within the blade lumen adjacent the closed distal end of the blade lumen.

9. The tool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the return conduit defines an open distal end positioned within proximal portion of the blade lumen.

10. The tool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the output is sealed about the inflow and return conduits.

11. The tool assembly according to claim 5, wherein the inflow and return conduits are microtubes.