Cordless Hand-Held Ultrasonic Cautery Cutting Device

• US 20110178542A1
• Filed: 03/25/2011
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien AG (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Palmer, Matthew A., Smith, Kevin W., Bales, Thomas O. JR., Deville, Derek Dee
• Granted Patent: US 8,333,778 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/1285 for minimally invasive surgery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32 Surgical cutting instruments A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467; instruments for ligaturing or cutting A61B17/128; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133
• 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 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00075 Motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00137 Details of operation mode
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 additional movable means performing cutting operation
• 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 2017/320097 with stapling means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320098 with transverse or torsional motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 3/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49169 : Assembling electrical component directly to terminal or elongated conductor

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide, a motional feedback circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the transducer, a variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration, a voltage meter operable to determine a feedback voltage measured from the motional feedback circuit, and a voltage controller operable to vary an output of the power source based upon the measured feedback voltage, resulting in a substantially constant feedback voltage and maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic surgical assembly, comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide;

a motional feedback circuit connected in a parallel configuration with the ultrasonic transducer;

a variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration;

a voltage meter operable to determine a feedback voltage measured from the motional feedback circuit; and

a voltage controller operable to vary an output of the power source based upon the measured feedback voltage, resulting in a substantially constant feedback voltage and maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads.

2. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a first capacitive element in a series configuration with the ultrasonic transducer.

3. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 2, wherein the motional feedback circuit is comprised of a second capacitive element and a third capacitive element in a series configuration with each other and, together, connected in a parallel configuration with the series configuration of the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element.

4. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 3, wherein the variable power source is connected in a parallel configuration with the series configuration of the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element and with the series configuration of the second and third capacitive elements.

5. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 3, wherein the voltage meter determines the feedback voltage measured from a first point located between the second and third capacitive elements and a second point located between the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element.

6. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 3, wherein the second and third capacitive elements have a combined capacitive value that is less than the first capacitive element.

7. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 3, wherein:

a capacitive value of the third capacitive element is a ratio of a capacitive value of the ultrasonic transducer, the ratio having a value less than one; and

a capacitive value of the second capacitive element is a capacitive value of the first capacitive element multiplied by the ratio.

8. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 7, wherein a value of the motional voltage is a product of the ratio multiplied by the measured feedback voltage.

9. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 1, wherein:

the voltage controller comprises a processor; and

the variable power source comprises a phase locked loop communicatively coupled to the processor and operable to;

determine a frequency of movement of the cutting blade; and

utilize the phase of the motional voltage for controlling the movement of the cutting blade such that the movement remains resonant along the ultrasonic waveguide.

10. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a clamping mechanism having a range of clamping force values and being operable to place material in physical contact with the cutting blade, the voltage controller communicatively coupled to the clamping mechanism and operable to vary the motional voltage based upon a given clamping value within the range of clamping values.

11. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 1, wherein the variable power source comprises a removable battery.

12. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 1, further comprising a disposable handle body having:

a portion defining a battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts;

a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the ultrasonic waveguide therein;

a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock; and

an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to substantially simultaneously;

selectively removably secure at least the ultrasonic transducer to the handle body;

place an end of the ultrasonic transducer within the transducer attachment dock; and

electrically couple at least the ultrasonic transducer to the at least two battery contacts.

13. An ultrasonic surgical assembly, comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide;

a first capacitive element in a series configuration with the ultrasonic transducer;

a second capacitive element and a third capacitive element in a series configuration with each other and, together, connected in a parallel configuration with the series configuration of the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element;

a variable power source connected in a parallel configuration with;

the series configuration of the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element; and

the series configuration of the second and third capacitive elements, the variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration;

a voltage meter operable to determine a feedback voltage measured from a first point located between the second and third capacitive elements and a second point located between the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element; and

a voltage controller operable to vary an output of the power source based upon the measured feedback voltage, resulting in a substantially constant feedback voltage and maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads.

14. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 13, wherein the second and third capacitive elements have a combined capacitive value that is less than the first capacitive element.

15. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 13, wherein:

a capacitive value of the third capacitive element is a ratio of a capacitive value of the ultrasonic transducer, the ratio having a value less than one; and

a capacitive value of the second capacitive element is a capacitive value of the first capacitive element multiplied by the ratio.

16. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 15, wherein a value of the motional voltage is a product of the ratio multiplied by the measured feedback voltage.

17. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 13, wherein:

the voltage controller comprises a processor; and

the variable power source comprises a phase locked loop communicatively coupled to the processor and operable to;

determine a frequency of movement of the cutting blade; and

utilize the phase of the motional voltage for controlling the movement of the cutting blade such that the movement remains resonant along the ultrasonic waveguide.

18. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 13, further comprising a clamping mechanism having a range of clamping force values and being operable to place material in physical contact with the cutting blade, the voltage controller varying the motional voltage based upon a given clamping value within the range of clamping values.

19. An ultrasonic surgical assembly, comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer operable to convert a received motional voltage into a movement of a cutting blade of an ultrasonic waveguide;

a removable battery;

a disposable handle body having;

a portion defining a battery-holding compartment having at least two battery contacts;

a waveguide attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to accept the ultrasonic waveguide therein;

a transducer attachment dock exposed to the environment and shaped to place the ultrasonic transducer in coaxial alignment with the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic waveguide is disposed within the waveguide attachment dock; and

an ultrasonic-signal-generator assembly dock exposed to the environment and shaped to substantially simultaneously;

selectively removably secure at least the ultrasonic transducer to the handle body;

place an end of the ultrasonic transducer within the transducer attachment dock; and

electrically couple at least the ultrasonic transducer to the at least two battery contacts;

a first capacitive element in a series configuration with the ultrasonic transducer;

a second capacitive element and a third capacitive element in a series configuration with each other and, together, connected in a parallel configuration with the series configuration of the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element;

a variable power source connected in a parallel configuration with;

the series configuration of the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element; and

the series configuration of the second and third capacitive elements, the variable power source operable to apply a first voltage between a set of connection points to the parallel configuration;

a voltage meter operable to determine a feedback voltage measured from a first point located between the second and third capacitive elements and a second point located between the ultrasonic transducer and the first capacitive element; and

a voltage controller operable to vary an output of the power source based upon the measured feedback voltage, resulting in a substantially constant feedback voltage and maintaining a substantially constant rate of movement of the cutting blade across a variety of cutting loads.

20. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 19, wherein the second and third capacitive elements have a combined capacitive value that is less than the first capacitive element.

21. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 19, wherein:

a capacitive value of the third capacitive element is a ratio of a capacitive value of the ultrasonic transducer, the ratio having a value less than one; and

a capacitive value of the second capacitive element is a capacitive value of the first capacitive element multiplied by the ratio.

22. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 21, wherein a value of the motional voltage is a product of the ratio multiplied by the measured feedback voltage.

23. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 19, further comprising:

the voltage controller comprises a processor; and

the variable power source comprises a phase locked loop communicatively coupled to the processor and operable to;

determine a frequency of movement of the cutting blade; and

utilize the phase of the motional voltage for controlling the movement of the cutting blade such that the movement remains resonant along the ultrasonic waveguide.

24. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 19, further comprising a clamping mechanism having a range of clamping force values and being operable to place material in physical contact with the cutting blade, the voltage controller varying the motional voltage based upon a given clamping value within the range of clamping values.

25. The ultrasonic surgical assembly according to claim 19, further comprising:

a clamping mechanism operable to place material in physical contact with the cutting blade; and

a processor communicatively coupled to the clamping mechanism and operable to vary the motional voltage based upon a given clamping value within the range of clamping values.