Ultrasound handpiece

• US 20060041220A1
• Filed: 07/18/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Chon, James Y., Boukhny, Mikhail, Salehi, Ahmad
• Granted Patent: US 7,645,256 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/22
• 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 2017/22015 with details of the transmission member
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320098 with transverse or torsional motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

Abstract

A handpiece having at least one set of piezoelectric elements polarized to produce longitudinal motion when excited at the relevant resonant frequency. The piezoelectric crystals are connected to an ultrasonic horn to which a cutting tip is attached. The horn and/or the cutting tip contains a plurality of diagonal slits or grooves. The slits or grooves produce optimized torsional movement in the cutting tip when the piezoelectric crystals are excited at a second resonant frequency.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) a handpiece shell;

b) an ultrasound horn held within the shell, the horn containing a plurality of circumferential, diagonal slits sized and spaced so as to produce torsional movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a first frequency and longitudinal movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a second frequency; and

c) a plurality of piezoelectric elements;

wherein the drive signal having the first frequency is alternated with the drive signal having the second frequency.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive signal having the first frequency and the drive signal having the second frequency do not overlap.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drive signal having the first frequency and the drive signal having the second frequency overlap.

4. An ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) a handpiece shell;

b) an ultrasound horn held within the shell, the horn containing a plurality of circumferential, diagonal slits sized and spaced so as to produce torsional movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a first frequency and longitudinal movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a second frequency; and

c) a plurality of piezoelectric elements;

wherein the drive signal having the first frequency is applied continuously and the drive signal having the second frequency is pulsed.

5. An ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) a handpiece shell;

b) an ultrasound horn held within the shell, the horn containing a plurality of circumferential, diagonal slits sized and spaced so as to produce torsional movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a first frequency and longitudinal movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a second frequency; and

c) a plurality of piezoelectric elements;

wherein the drive signal having the first frequency is pulsed and the drive signal having the second frequency is applied continuously.

6. An ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) a handpiece shell;

b) an ultrasound horn held within the shell, the horn containing a plurality of circumferential, diagonal slits sized and spaced so as to produce torsional movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a first frequency and longitudinal movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a second frequency; and

c) a plurality of piezoelectric elements;

wherein the drive signal having the first frequency and the drive signal having the second frequency are applied continuously, with an amplitude of the both signals being selected such that overheating and excessive mechanical stress on the piezoelectric elements is reduced.

7. An ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) a handpiece shell;

b) an ultrasound horn held within the shell, the horn containing a plurality of circumferential, diagonal slits sized and spaced so as to produce torsional movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a first frequency and longitudinal movement in the horn in response to a drive signal having a second frequency; and

c) a plurality of piezoelectric elements;

wherein the drive signal having the first frequency and the drive signal having the second frequency are provided in pulses that overlap completely.