ULTRASONIC SURGICAL DRILL, ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED SURGICAL METHOD
First Claim
1. A medical drill assembly comprising:
- a probe connectable at a proximal end to an electromechanical transducer for generating mechanical vibration of an ultrasonic frequency, said probe having a shaft with a central lumen or channel, said shaft being formed at a distal end with an enlarged head having a tapered distal side;
a source of pressurized liquid communicating with said lumen or channel;
a translatory or linear drive operatively connected to said probe for applying a distally directed force to said probe; and
a controller operatively connected to said translatory or linear drive for periodically at least reducing the magnitude of said distally directed force.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A medical drill assembly includes a probe connectable at a proximal end to an electromechanical transducer for generating mechanical vibration of an ultrasonic frequency. The probe has a shaft with a central lumen or channel, the shaft being formed at a distal end with a head having a tapered distal side. A source of pressurized liquid communicates with the lumen or channel of the probe, and a translatory or linear drive is operatively connected to the probe for applying a distally directed force to the probe. A controller is operatively connected to the translatory or linear drive for periodically at least reducing the magnitude of the distally directed force.
1 Citation
18 Claims
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1. A medical drill assembly comprising:
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a probe connectable at a proximal end to an electromechanical transducer for generating mechanical vibration of an ultrasonic frequency, said probe having a shaft with a central lumen or channel, said shaft being formed at a distal end with an enlarged head having a tapered distal side; a source of pressurized liquid communicating with said lumen or channel; a translatory or linear drive operatively connected to said probe for applying a distally directed force to said probe; and a controller operatively connected to said translatory or linear drive for periodically at least reducing the magnitude of said distally directed force. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A surgical method comprising:
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providing an ultrasonic probe having a shaft with a central lumen or channel, said shaft being formed at a distal end with an enlarged head having a tapered distal side, said lumen or channel terminating in a port or opening at an outer surface of said head; connecting said probe at a proximal end to a source of ultrasonic vibratory energy; connecting said lumen or channel to a source of pressurized liquid; coupling said probe to a mechanical drive; placing said distal side against a surface of a bone; while said distal side is in contact with said bone surface, operating said transducer to vibrate said head and said distal side at an ultrasonic frequency; while said distal side is in contact with said surface of said bone and while operating said transducer, actuating said drive to exert a force on said probe tending to push said probe into said bone; while said distal side is in contact with said surface of said bone and while operating said transducer, conducting liquid through said lumen or channel to said port or opening; and while said distal side is in contact with said surface of said bone and while said liquid is being conducted through said lumen or channel to said port or opening, periodically interrupting the actuating of said drive so as to reduce said force. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification