MEDICAL TOOL FOR REDUCED PENETRATION FORCE

• US 20090069712A1
• Filed: 06/27/2008
• Published: 03/12/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Actuated Medical, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Piezo Resonance Innovations, Inc.
• Inventors: Mulvihill, Maureen L., Park, Brian M., Booth, David E.
• Granted Patent: US 8,043,229 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/564
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 10/025 for taking bone, bone marrow or cartilage samples
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3401 Puncturing needles for the peridural or subarachnoid space or the plexus, e.g. for anaesthesia local anaesthesia A61M19/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3415 for introducing tubes or catheters, e.g. gastrostomy tubes, drain catheters A61B17/3417 takes precedence; body piercing catheter guide needles A61M25/06
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3476 Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location

Abstract

A medical device is provided having reduced penetration force. The device includes a body having a central hollow channel and a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body. The piezoelectric transducer has a hollow portion concentric with the central hollow channel. A tubular member is associated with and in communication with the piezoelectric transducer. The tubular member has at least one open end formed concentric with the central hollow channel and the hollow portion of the piezoelectric transducer, wherein the transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member.

Claims

1. A medical device comprising:

a body having a central hollow channel;

a piezoelectric transducer received within and secured to the body, said piezoelectric transducer having a hollow portion concentric with said central hollow channel; and

a tubular member associated with and in communication with said piezoelectric transducer, said tubular member having at least one open end formed concentric with said central hollow channel and said hollow portion of said piezoelectric transducer, wherein said transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce an oscillating displacement of the tubular member.

2. The medical device of claim 1 wherein said piezoelectric transducer is adapted for vibrating at a frequency to produce a sinusoidal displacement of the tubular member.

3. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the tubular member is hollow with open ends formed opposite one another and wherein said central hollow channel of said body, said hollow portion of said piezoelectric transducer and said tubular member form a continuous bore extending from a proximal end to a distal end of said medical device.

4. The medical device of claim 3 wherein the tubular member is a hypodermic needle.

5. The medical device of claim 3 wherein the tubular member is a bone biopsy trocar.

6. The medical device of claim 3 wherein the tubular member is a catheterization needle.

7. The medical device of claim 3 wherein the tubular member is a Tuohy needle.

8. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is a cymbal transducer.

9. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is a Langevin transducer.

10. The medical device of claim 1 wherein the piezoelectric transducer is an amplified piezoelectric actuator.

11. The medical device of claim 9 wherein said tubular member is attached to a portion of a horn section of the Langevin transducer defining an anti-node.

12. The medical device of claim 9 wherein said tubular member comprises a handle, an elongated shaft and a tip formed opposite the handle, said handle being coupled to a portion of a horn section of the Langevin transducer defining an anti-node, said handle being adapted to transfer motion between said Langevin transducer and said elongated shaft.

13. The surgical cutting device of claim 9 wherein said Langevin transducer is adapted for vibrating said tubular member at a frequency in the range of 20-50 kHz.

14. The medical device of claim 9 wherein said Langevin transducer is adapted for vibrating said tubular member at a frequency in the range of 30-40 kHz.

15. The medical device of claim 9 wherein said Langevin transducer is adapted for vibrating said blade at a frequency of 38 kHz.

16. A method of operating a surgical device comprising:

electrically driving a piezoelectric transducer disposed within and secured to a device body, said electrically driving of the piezoelectric actuator occurring electrically with an AC signal; and

associating said piezoelectric transducer with a tubular member and causing said tubular member to oscillate at an equivalent frequency as said AC signal.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein electrically driving of the piezoelectric transducer occurs electrically with an AC signal at an electric field of between 50-100 V/mm and at a frequency of 38 kHz.