ULTRASONIC HANDPIECE

• US 20120316472A1
• Filed: 06/13/2012
• Published: 12/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M., Beyers, Justin, Cremens, Matthew, Crandall, Frank Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 9,883,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

An ultrasonic handpiece includes a horn and a transducer system. The transducer system is configured to detect a first pressure applied to at least a first portion of the transducer system, transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, and generate ultrasonic vibratory energy. The first pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to the horn.

Claims

1. A method of operating a handheld medical device, said method comprising:

detecting a first pressure applied to a force determining mechanism, wherein the first pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to a horn;

transmitting a signal associated with the first pressure; and

generating vibratory energy based at least in part on the first pressure.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising restricting an inner housing from moving toward the force determining mechanism beyond a predetermined position, wherein the inner housing houses at least a portion of the horn.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising counteracting the first pressure applied to the force determining mechanism.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising coupling an end effector to the horn.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising extending a sheath about the horn.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising identifying the handheld medical device based on an identifier associated with the handheld medical device.

7. A medical device comprising:

a vibrating mechanism configured to generate vibratory energy;

a horn configured to transmit the vibratory energy generated by the vibrating mechanism to an operative site; and

a force determining mechanism configured to detect a first pressure applied to the force determining mechanism and transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, wherein the first pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to the horn.

8. The medical device of claim 7 further comprising:

an inner housing that houses the vibrating mechanism and at least a portion of the horn; and

an outer housing that houses the inner housing and the force determining mechanism.

9. The medical device of claim 8 further comprising:

a retaining mechanism positioned within the outer housing between the inner housing and the force determining mechanism, the retaining mechanism including an opening; and

a standoff coupled to the inner housing and extending through the opening such that the standoff is configured to apply the first pressure to the force determining mechanism.

10. The medical device of claim 7 further comprising a biasing mechanism.

11. The medical device of claim 7 further comprising an end effector coupled to the horn.

12. The medical device of claim 7 further comprising a sheath extending about the horn.

13. The medical device of claim 7 further comprising an identifier associated with the medical device.

14. An ultrasonic handpiece comprising:

a horn; and

a transducer system configured to detect a first pressure applied to at least a first portion of the transducer system, transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, and generate ultrasonic vibratory energy, wherein the first pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to the horn.

15. The ultrasonic handpiece of claim 14 further comprising:

an inner housing that houses the first portion of the transducer system and at least a portion of the horn; and

an outer housing that houses the inner housing and a second portion of the transducer system.

16. The ultrasonic handpiece of claim 15 further comprising:

a retaining mechanism positioned within the outer housing between the inner housing and the second portion of the transducer system, the retaining mechanism including an opening; and

a standoff coupled to the inner housing and extending through the opening such that the standoff is configured to apply the first pressure to the first portion of the transducer system.

17. The ultrasonic handpiece of claim 14 further comprising a biasing mechanism.

18. The ultrasonic handpiece of claim 14 further comprising an end effector coupled to the horn.

19. The ultrasonic handpiece of claim 14 further comprising a sheath extending about the horn.

20. The ultrasonic handpiece of claim 14 further comprising an identifier associated with the handheld device.