Ultrasonic surgical instrument incorporating fluid management

• US 20050049546A1
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Messerly, Jeffrey D., Faller, Craig N.
• Granted Patent: US 8,348,880 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• 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 2017/320075 single edge blade, e.g. for cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320077 double edge blade, e.g. reciprocating
• 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: F16K 7/17 the diaphragm being actuated by fluid pressure

Abstract

Disclosed is an ultrasonic surgical device having a distally/proximally movable fluid management system consisting of single lumen or multiple lumens. The invention provides for the delivery of irrigation fluid or the removal of fluid, debris or vapor from the tissue-effecting portion of the blade while minimizing the loading on the blade. The blades of the surgical device, when excited at a natural blade system frequency, will have modal shapes characterized by longitudinal, transverse and/or torsional motion and will have nodal locations for these motions at positions along the tissue effecting length of the blade. The instrument is designed to allow for the fluid management system to be positioned at one or more motion nodes to facilitate efficient removal of tissue or fluid, which tends to accumulate at such nodes of the ultrasonic surgical blades.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument defining a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:

an asymmetric blade positioned at the distal end of the instrument; and

a lumen having a distal end positioned in an overlapping relationship with the blade.

2. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the lumen provides suction to remove fluid, debris, or vapors from a surgical field.

3. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the lumen provides irrigation fluid to a surgical site.

4. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the distal end of the lumen is moveable.

5. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade is designed to vibrate in a longitudinal mode coupled with either a transverse or torsional mode.

9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the lumen is movable distally of the blade distal end.

10. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the lumen is movable radially with respect to the blade.

11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the surgical instrument incorporates controls for suction and or irrigation functionality.

12. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the blade defines a channel.

13. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the channel directs debris and/or fluids toward the lumen for removal with suction.

14. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the channel directs irrigation fluid from the lumen to the surgical site.

15. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the channel directs provides support or constraint to the lumen.

7. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the lumen is movable to a position adjacent to the transverse or torsional node.

6. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the lumen is fixed in a position adjacent to the transverse or torsional node.

8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the transverse or torsional node facilitate debris or fluid removal in conjunction with suction.

16. An ultrasonic surgical instrument defining a proximal end and a distal end and comprising:

A blade symmetric in at least one plane positioned at the distal end of the instrument; and

at least one lumen positioned in an overlapping relationship with the blade.

17. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the lumen provides suction to remove fluid, debris, or vapors from a surgical field.

18. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the lumen provides irrigation fluid to a surgical site.

19. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the distal end of the lumen is moveable.

20. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the blade is designed to vibrate in a longitudinal mode coupled with either a transverse or torsional mode.