Ultrasonic surgical instruments

• US 20090030439A1
• Filed: 07/27/2007
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stulen, Foster B.
• Granted Patent: US 8,882,791 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 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3203 Fluid jet cutting instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22082 after introduction of a substance
• 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: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32035 with gas or air

Abstract

A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. The transducer is configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The body includes a treatment region that extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The body includes surface coatings to prevent the formation of a thin layer of fluid on the body which may be atomized thus creating a mist. The body may also include a bore configured to emit a spray which will also prevent the formation of thin layer of fluid on the body.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency; and

an ultrasonic blade extending along a longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer, and wherein at least a portion of the body comprises at least one layer of a first material to globulize fluid particles in contact therewith.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the layer of first material comprises a hydrophobic material.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first material comprises a superhydrophobic material.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the first material has a surface tension that is less than a surface tension of the fluid.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the first material comprises any one of polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polycaprolactone.

6. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency; and

an ultrasonic blade extending along a longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer, and wherein at least a first portion of the body comprises at least one layer of a first material which comprises a material suitable to carry an electric charge.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein the electrical charge carried by the at least one layer of the first material is the same as an electrical charge carried by the fluid.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6, wherein at least a second portion of the body comprises at least one layer of a second material.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8, wherein the at least one layer of the second material comprises an electrically insulative material to insulate the blade from electrical charges.

10. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency; and

an ultrasonic blade extending along a longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and

a longitudinally extending bore formed within the blade.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to emit a spray from the bore at the distal end thereof to substantially prevent fluid from contacting the distal end of the blade.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the spray comprises a gas.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the gas is at least one of carbon dioxide or air.

14. An ultrasonic surgical blade, comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer, and wherein at least a portion of the body comprises at least one layer of a first material to globulize fluid particles in contact therewith.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the first material has a surface tension that is less than a surface tension of the fluid.

16. An ultrasonic surgical blade, comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer, and wherein at least a first portion of the body comprises at least one layer of a first material which comprises a material which carries an electric charge.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the electrical charge carried by the at least one layer of the first material is the same as an electrical charge carried by the fluid.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein at least a second portion of the body comprises at least one layer of a second material, wherein the at least one layer of the second material comprises an electrically insulative material to insulate the blade from electrical charges.

19. An ultrasonic surgical blade, comprising:

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer; and

a longitudinally extending bore formed within the blade;

wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to emit a spray from the bore at the distal end thereof to substantially prevent fluid from contacting the distal end of the blade.

20. A method comprising:

obtaining a surgical instrument, wherein the surgical instrument comprises;

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency;

an ultrasonic blade extending along a longitudinal axis coupled to the transducer, wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer;

applying at least one layer of a first material to globulize fluid particles in contact therewith on at least a first portion of the body;

sterilizing the surgical instrument; and

storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.

21. A method comprising:

obtaining an ultrasonic surgical blade, wherein the ultrasonic surgical blade comprises;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to a longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer;

applying at least one layer of first material to globulize fluid particles in contact therewith on at least a first portion of the body;

sterilizing the surgical instrument; and

storing the surgical instrument in a sterile container.

22. A method comprising:

obtaining an ultrasonic surgical blade comprising;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer;

applying at least one layer of a first material which comprises a material which carries an electric charge that is the same as the electric charge carried by a fluid on at least a first portion of the body;

applying at least one layer of a second material on at least a second portion of the body; and

applying an electrically insulative material to insulate the blade from electrical charges on at least one layer of the second material;

sterilizing the ultrasonic surgical blade; and

storing the ultrasonic surgical blade in a sterile container.

23. A method comprising:

obtaining an ultrasonic surgical blade comprising;

a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the body is configured to emit a spray from the bore at the distal end thereof to substantially prevent fluid from contacting the distal end of the body; and

forming a longitudinally extending bore within the blade;

sterilizing the ultrasonic surgical blade; and

storing the ultrasonic surgical blade in a sterile container.