Finger operated switch for controlling a surgical handpiece

• US 20040230214A1
• Filed: 11/17/2003
• Published: 11/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Jason A. Born, Mary E. Schramm, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard M. Harper, Robert P. Gill, William T. Donofrio
• Original Assignee: Jason A. Born, Mary E. Schramm, Richard F. Schwemberger, Richard M. Harper, Robert P. Gill, William T. Donofrio
• Inventors: Born, Jason A., Schwemberger, Richard F., Donofrio, William T., Harper, Richard M., Schramm, Mary E., Gill, Robert P.
• Granted Patent: US 7,883,465 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320068 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/014 Application surgical instrument
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2300/022 Application wake up; switches or contacts specially provided for the wake up or standby shift of a circuit

Abstract

According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch. The finger-operated switch includes, but not limited to, force sensitive resistors whose resistance is proportional to the force applied by the finger of the human operator of the surgical handpiece, force sensitive capacitors whose capacitance is proportional to the pressure, deflection or compression of the insulation layer between two electrodes or is proportional to the spacing between the two conductive layers, strain gauges mounted underneath or integral to the housing of the surgical handpiece such that the pressure applied thereto results in an output change in the strain gauges, magnets or ferromagnets encased or embedded in an elastomer with a sensor inside the surgical handpiece that detects the field strength of the magnet and monitors changes relative to the force applied to the handpiece housing, and piezo film or piezo ceramic whose charge or voltage is proportional to the force applied.

Claims

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61. A method for controlling an ultrasonic surgical handpiece using a switch located on a housing of the handpiece, comprising the steps of:

monitoring pressure applied to the housing using the switch;

activating the handpiece at a first power level if the Monitored pressure reaches a high threshold; and

deactivating the handpiece if the monitored pressure reaches a low threshold.

62. The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of operating the handpiece at a power level selected from a plurality of power levels if the monitored pressure reaches a specific threshold of a respective plurality of thresholds corresponding to the plurality of power levels.

63. The method of claim 61 wherein the pressure is monitored by a sensor located inside the housing of the handpiece selected from a group consisting of an electromechanical switch, a force-sensitive resistor, force sensitive capacitor, strain gauge, magnet, ferromagnet, piezo film and piezo ceramic.

64. The method of claim 61 wherein the switch is generally aligned with the blade as the blade is rotated.

65. The method of claim 61 wherein the switch provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressured is changed.

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