Apparatus for eliminating air bubbles in an ultrasonic surgical device

• US 5,151,083 A
• Filed: 07/29/1991
• Issued: 09/29/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/29/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Misonix Incorporated (Smith & Nephew PLC)
• Original Assignee: Fibra-Sonics, Inc.
• Inventors: Pichler, Robert H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pellegrino, Stephen C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dawson, Glenn K.
• Application Number:
  US07/737,425
• Time in Patent Office: 428 Days
• Field of Search: 606/107, 606/166, 606/169, 606/170, 606/171, 604/19, 604/22, 604/48, 604/54, 128/35, 128/43, 128/305, 128/24 A, 128/749-754
• US Class Current: 604/22
• 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 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system
• CPC Class Codes: A61M 3/0279 Cannula; Nozzles; Tips; their connection means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 604/902 Suction wands

Abstract

In an ultrasonic handpiece with irrigation an aspiration passages, an opening is made between the aspirating passage and the irrigating passage so as to remove bubbles from the operating site so that the surgeon'"'"'s vision will not be obstructed.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic handpiece comprising, an ultrasonic motor with an aspirating passage therethrough mounted in said handpiece and formed with a tubular shaped extending portion, suction means connected to said aspirating passage, said passage extending through said tubular-shaped extending portion, a hollow needle attached to said tubular-shaped extending portion, a generally cylindrical-shaped member of said handpiece extending and enclosing said tubular-shaped extending portion to form a cavity and irrigation means adapted to supply irrigation fluid to said cavity and to an operating site at an end of said needle a and an opening formed in said ultrasonic motor between said aspirating passage and said cavity so as to remove bubbles from the irrigation fluid.

2. An ultrasonic handpiece according to claim 1 wherein said opening is substantially linear and makes an angle of sixty degrees with the longitudinal axis of said handpiece.