APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR AN ULTRASONIC MEDICAL DEVICE OPERATING IN TORSIONAL AND TRANSVERSE MODES
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic medical device comprising:
- an ultrasonic probe comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween; and
a transducer coupled to the ultrasonic probe, the transducer being configured to create a torsional vibration along the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe and the transducer being adapted so that the torsional vibration induces a transverse vibration along a portion of the ultrasonic probe.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and a method for an ultrasonic medical device operating in a torsional mode and a transverse mode. An ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic medical device is placed in communication with a biological material. An ultrasonic energy source is activated to produce an electrical signal that drives a transducer to produce a torsional vibration of the ultrasonic probe. The torsional vibration produces a component of force in a transverse direction relative to a longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe, thereby exciting a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis causing the ultrasonic probe to undergo both a torsional vibration and a transverse vibration. The torsional vibration and the transverse vibration cause cavitation in a medium surrounding the ultrasonic probe to ablate the biological material.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic medical device comprising:
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an ultrasonic probe comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween; and a transducer coupled to the ultrasonic probe, the transducer being configured to create a torsional vibration along the ultrasonic probe, the ultrasonic probe and the transducer being adapted so that the torsional vibration induces a transverse vibration along a portion of the ultrasonic probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A medical device comprising:
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an elongated, flexible probe comprising a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end; a transducer coupled to the elongated, flexible probe, the transducer being configured to create a torsional vibration along the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe when electrical energy is applied to the transducer, the elongate, flexible probe and the transducer being adapted so that the torsional vibration induces a transverse vibration along the longitudinal axis of the elongated, flexible probe. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An ultrasonic probe comprising:
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a proximal end; a distal end that terminates in a probe tip; and a longitudinal axis between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the ultrasonic probe supports a torsional vibration and a transverse vibration. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification