ROTATING TRANSDUCER MOUNT FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS

• US 20110015660A1
• Filed: 07/15/2009
• Published: 01/20/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wan, Shan, Norvell, David K., Price, Daniel W., Giordano, James R., Wiener, Eitan T.
• Granted Patent: US 8,461,744 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/18 by applying electromagnetic radiation, e.g. microwaves radiation therapy A61N5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00367 Details of actuation of instruments, e.g. relations between pushing buttons, or the like, and activation of the tool, working tip, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00393 with means for switching between functions
• 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 2018/00702 Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00767 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00827 Current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00875 Resistance or impedance
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00892 Voltage
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00916 with means for switching or controlling the main function of the instrument or device

Abstract

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that operably supports an electrical contact assembly therein that is in electrical communication with a signal source. An acoustic assembly is supported within the handpiece housing in rotatable contact with the electrical contact assembly. In various embodiments, the signal source produces at least one of an ultrasonic signal and a radio frequency signal.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handpiece housing;

an electrical contact assembly supported within said handpiece housing, said electrical contact assembly in electrical communication with a signal source; and

an acoustic assembly supported within said handpiece housing in rotatable contact with said electrical contact assembly.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said acoustic assembly comprises:

a transducer comprising a plurality of piezoelectric electric elements and wherein said acoustic assembly further comprises;

at least one positive electrode coupled to said transducer and supported for continuous rotational contact with said electrical contact assembly; and

at least one negative electrode coupled to said transducer and supported for continuous rotational contact with said electrical contact assembly.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said electrical contact assembly comprises:

a positive slip ring contact mounted within said handpiece housing and in continuous rotational contact with said at least one positive electrode; and

a negative slip ring contact mounted within said handpiece housing and in continuous rotational contact with said at least one negative electrode.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein said plurality of piezoelectric elements form a stack of piezoelectric elements that has a maximum outer circumference and wherein said at least one positive electrode has an annular shape with a first outer circumference that is greater than said maximum circumference and wherein said at least one negative electrode has a second circumference that is greater than said maximum outer circumference.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said stack of piezoelectric elements is supported between a first resonator and a fore-bell.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 5 wherein said fore-bell rotatably interfaces with a waveguide operably attached to an end effector.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said waveguide it rotatably supported by said handpiece housing to enable said waveguide to be selectively rotated relative to said handpiece housing and said fore-bell.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 6 wherein said waveguide is supported by a rotation wheel rotatably supported by said handpiece housing.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said signal source comprises an electronic signal/radio frequency generation unit.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 1 further comprising an end effector acoustically coupled to said acoustical assembly.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 10 wherein said end effector has a movable portion thereon and wherein said surgical instrument comprises a trigger portion operably supported on said handpiece assembly and communicating with said movable portion of said end effector for selectively actuating said movable portion.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein said handpiece housing has a pistol grip portion.

13. A surgical instrument comprising:

a handpiece housing;

acoustic means rotatably supported within said handpiece housing for generating ultrasonic motions upon application of an electrical signal thereto;

signal means for supplying said electrical signal to said acoustic means; and

coupling means coupled to said acoustic means and said signal means for transmitting said electrical signal from said signal means to said acoustic means.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 13 further comprising waveguide means for transmitting said ultrasonic motions from said acoustic means to a surgical end effector operably coupled to said waveguide means.

15. A surgical instrument system comprising:

a handpiece housing;

an acoustic assembly rotatably supported by said handpiece housing for rotatable travel relative thereto, said acoustic assembly configured to generate ultrasonic motions upon application of an electrical signal thereto;

a waveguide rotatably supported by said handpiece housing in rotatable contact with said acoustic assembly for rotation relative thereto;

an end effector operably coupled to said waveguide;

a signal source for generating at least one of an electrical signal and a radio frequency signal; and

an electrical contact assembly supported within said handpiece housing and in electrical contact with said signal source and said acoustic assembly.