Ultrasound apparatus and method of use

• US 20080172076A1
• Filed: 11/01/2006
• Published: 07/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/01/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Novartis Ag
• Original Assignee: Alcon Incorporated
• Inventors: Gordon, Raphael, Chon, James Y.
• Application Number:
  US11/591,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20080172076A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• 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 magnetostrictive ultrasonic handpiece capable of providing both longitudinal and torsional or twisting motion.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) a magnetostrictive stack;

b) an ultrasound horn attached to the stack; and

c) an electric coil surrounding the stack.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the horn has a plurality of slits.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the plurality of slits are 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.

4. A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) providing a handpiece having a magnetostritive stack, an ultrasound horn attached to the stack and an electric coil surrounding the stack;

b) passing a first drive signal through the coil to cause longitudinal movement of the stack and the hom; and

c) continuously and/or episodically passing a second drive signal through the stack to cause torsional movement of the stack and the hom.

5. A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) providing a handpiece having a magnetostritive stack, an ultrasound horn attached to the stack, the horn having a plurality of slits and an electric coil surrounding the stack;

b) passing a first drive signal having a first frequency through the coil so as to produce torsional movement in the hom; and

c) passing a second drive signal having a second frequency through the coil so as to produce longitudinal movement in the hom.

6. A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) providing a handpiece having a magnetostritive stack, an ultrasound horn attached to the stack, the horn having a plurality of slits and an electric coil surrounding the stack;

b) passing a drive signal through the coil so as to produce torsional movement in the horn.

7. A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) providing a handpiece having a magnetostritive stack, an ultrasound horn attached to the stack, the horn having a plurality of slits and an electric coil surrounding the stack;

b) passing a drive signal through the coil so as to produce longitudinal movement in the horn.

8. A method of operating an ultrasonic handpiece, comprising:

a) providing a handpiece having a magnetostritive stack, an ultrasound horn attached to the stack, the horn having a plurality of slits and an electric coil surrounding the stack;

b) passing a first drive signal having a first frequency through the coil so as to produce torsional movement in the horn;

c) continuously and/or episodically passing a second drive signal having a second frequency through the coil so as to produce longitudinal movement in the horn; and

d) continuously and/or episodically passing a third drive signal through the stack.