ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH FEATURES FOR FORMING BUBBLES TO ENHANCE CAVITATION

• US 20150142033A1
• Filed: 11/20/2013
• Published: 05/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stulen, Foster B., Dietz, Timothy G., Messerly, Jeffrey D.
• Granted Patent: US 9,763,688 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• 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 2017/00172 Pulse trains, bursts, intermittent continuous operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00176 Two pulses, e.g. second pulse having an effect different from the first one
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22008 used or promoted
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22024 with a part reflecting mechanical vibrations, e.g. for focusing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320074 blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

An ultrasonic element comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a head or blade. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The head or blade is in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically. The head or blade has a curved distal face. The curved distal face defines a proximally extending concave curve. The transducer and head or blade may be driven using a control logic that is configured to cause the ultrasonic transducer to generate a first vibration set followed by a second vibration set. The first vibration set is configured to generate microbubbles in a fluid. The second vibration set is configured to grow microbubbles generated by the first vibration set. The control logic may provide a pause between the first vibration set and the second vibration set.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic instrument comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations;

(b) an ultrasonic blade in acoustic communication with the ultrasonic transducer such that the ultrasonic transducer is operable to drive the ultrasonic blade to vibrate ultrasonically;

wherein the ultrasonic blade has a curved distal face, wherein the curved distal face is curved along a first plane;

wherein the curved distal face defines a proximally extending concave curve.

2. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, wherein the curved distal face is further curved along a second plane.

3. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic blade defines a central longitudinal axis, wherein the central longitudinal axis extends through a center, proximal-most point on the curved distal face.

4. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, wherein the curved distal face further includes a pointed region projecting distally from the proximally extending concave curve.

5. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 4, wherein the pointed region terminates in a sharp distal tip.

6. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 5, wherein the ultrasonic blade further comprises lateral edges positioned on a first transverse plane, wherein the sharp distal tip is positioned on a second transverse plane, wherein the second transverse plane is offset from the first transverse plane.

7. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 6, wherein the second transverse plane is distal to the first transverse plane.

8. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 4, wherein the pointed region comprises a curved portion having a curvature that differs from the curvature of the proximally extending concave curve.

9. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, further comprising a fluid conduit configured to communicate a fluid.

10. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 9, wherein the curved distal face defines an orifice in fluid communication with the fluid conduit.

11. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 9, further comprising a sheath disposed about the ultrasonic blade, wherein the fluid conduit extends through the sheath.

12. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 11, further comprising an irrigation beam extending distally from the sheath, wherein the irrigation beam extends distal to the ultrasonic blade, wherein the irrigation beam defines an orifice in fluid communication with the fluid conduit, wherein the orifice is positioned distal to the ultrasonic blade.

13. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, further comprising a power source in communication with the ultrasonic transducer and a control logic configured to control vibrations generated by the ultrasonic transducer, wherein the control logic is configured to cause the ultrasonic transducer to generate a first vibration set followed by a second vibration set, wherein the first vibration set is configured to generate microbubbles in a fluid, wherein the second vibration set is configured to grow microbubbles generated by the first vibration set.

14. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 13, wherein the control logic is further configured to provide a pause between the first vibration set and the second vibration set.

15. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximally extending concave curve has an arcuate profile.

16. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximally extending concave curve has a parabolic profile.

17. The ultrasonic instrument of claim 1, wherein the proximally extending concave curve has a hyperbolic profile.

18. A method of providing cavitation in a tissue or other anatomical structure at a surgical site in a patient, the method comprising:

(a) activating an ultrasonic element at a first vibrational profile to generate microbubbles in a fluid at a surgical site in a patient; and

(b) activating the ultrasonic element at a second vibrational profile to grow the microbubbles and burst the microbubbles, to thereby induce erosion by cavitation in the tissue or other anatomical structure at the surgical site;

wherein the first vibrational profile includes ultrasonic vibrations at a first amplitude;

wherein the second vibrational profile includes ultrasonic vibrations at a second amplitude;

wherein the first amplitude is greater than the second amplitude.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising introducing the fluid to the surgical site from an external fluid source.

20. A method of removing disc tissue between vertebrae in a spinal column of a patient, the method comprising:

(a) positioning an ultrasonic element in relation to disc tissue between vertebrae in a spinal column of a patient;

(b) activating an ultrasonic element at a first vibrational profile to generate microbubbles in or near the disc tissue; and

(c) activating the ultrasonic element at a second vibrational profile to grow the microbubbles and burst the microbubbles, to thereby induce erosion by cavitation in the disc tissue.