BALANCED ULTRASONIC END EFFECTOR

• US 20080051814A1
• Filed: 09/18/2007
• Published: 02/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Beaupre, Jean
• Granted Patent: US 7,758,600 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 2017/320072 Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320077 double edge blade, e.g. reciprocating
• 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

A balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to the present invention includes an ultrasonic transmission rod which is connected to a blade or end effector by a balance portion, which includes first and second balance asymmetries designed to compensate for the imbalances induced by the blade.

Claims

1. A balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end; and

a balance region including first and second balance asymmetries wherein the balance region extends from a node point at the distal end of the ultrasonic transmission rod to a proximal end of an ultrasonic surgical end effector;

and wherein the first and second balance asymmetries are positioned to counter torque created in the proximal end of the end effector such that transverse vibrations in the ultrasonic transmission rod are substantially equal to zero.

2. The balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the balance ratio of the transmission waveguide is less than 1:

10.

3. The balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the balance ratio of the transmission waveguide is less than 1:

200.

4. The balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein the first balance asymmetry is shorter than the second balance asymmetry.

5. The balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first and second balance asymmetries are symmetrical about a plane bisecting the end effector.

6. The balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end effector is curved.