Ultrasonic surgical instrument with features for forming bubbles to enhance cavitation
First Claim
1. A method of providing cavitation in a tissue or other anatomical structure at a surgical site in a patient, the method comprising:
- (a) activating an ultrasonic element at a first vibrational profile to generate microbubbles in a fluid at a surgical site in a patient; and
(b) activating the ultrasonic element at a second vibrational profile to grow the microbubbles and burst the microbubbles, to thereby induce erosion by cavitation in the tissue or other anatomical structure at the surgical site;
wherein the first vibrational profile includes ultrasonic vibrations at a first amplitude;
wherein the second vibrational profile includes ultrasonic vibrations at a second amplitude;
wherein the first amplitude is greater than the second amplitude.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic element comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a head or blade. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The head or blade is in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically. The head or blade has a curved distal face. The curved distal face defines a proximally extending concave curve. The transducer and head or blade may be driven using a control logic that is configured to cause the ultrasonic transducer to generate a first vibration set followed by a second vibration set. The first vibration set is configured to generate microbubbles in a fluid. The second vibration set is configured to grow microbubbles generated by the first vibration set. The control logic may provide a pause between the first vibration set and the second vibration set.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of providing cavitation in a tissue or other anatomical structure at a surgical site in a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) activating an ultrasonic element at a first vibrational profile to generate microbubbles in a fluid at a surgical site in a patient; and (b) activating the ultrasonic element at a second vibrational profile to grow the microbubbles and burst the microbubbles, to thereby induce erosion by cavitation in the tissue or other anatomical structure at the surgical site; wherein the first vibrational profile includes ultrasonic vibrations at a first amplitude; wherein the second vibrational profile includes ultrasonic vibrations at a second amplitude; wherein the first amplitude is greater than the second amplitude. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method of providing cavitation in a tissue or other anatomical structure at a surgical site in a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) activating an ultrasonic element at a high amplitude to generate microbubbles in a fluid at a surgical site in a patient; (b) transitioning the ultrasonic element from the high amplitude to a low amplitude to grow and burst the microbubbles in the fluid at the surgical site, wherein transitioning the ultrasonic element from the high amplitude to the low amplitude is gradual, wherein activating the ultrasonic element at the low amplitude induces erosion by cavitation in the tissue or other anatomical structure at the surgical site; (c) transitioning the ultrasonic element from the low amplitude to a zero amplitude; and (d) maintaining an inactivity period at the zero amplitude to decrease gross circulation in the fluid to prevent the microbubbles from being swept away from the surgical site. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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20. A method of providing cavitation in a tissue or other anatomical structure at a surgical site in a patient, the method comprising:
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(a) initiating a first vibration period, wherein the first vibration period comprises; (i) activating an ultrasonic element at a high amplitude to generate microbubbles in a fluid at a surgical site in a patient, (ii) transitioning the ultrasonic element from the high amplitude to a low amplitude to grow and burst the microbubbles in the fluid at the surgical site, wherein transitioning the ultrasonic element from the high amplitude to the low amplitude is gradual, wherein activating the ultrasonic element at the low amplitude induces erosion by cavitation in the tissue or other anatomical structure at the surgical site, and (iii) transitioning the ultrasonic element from the low amplitude to a zero amplitude; (b) initiating an inactivity period after reaching the zero amplitude to decrease gross circulation in the fluid to prevent the microbubbles from being swept away from the surgical site; and (c) initiating a second vibration period, wherein the second vibration period comprises; (i) activating the ultrasonic element at the low amplitude to further grow the microbubbles, and (ii) transitioning the ultrasonic element from the low amplitude to the zero amplitude, wherein the second vibration period is longer than the first vibration period.
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Specification