Double sealed acoustic isolation members for ultrasonic

• US 5,935,144 A
• Filed: 04/09/1998
• Issued: 08/10/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Estabrook, Brian
• Primary Examiner(s): Buiz, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGO, LIEN M
• Application Number:
  US09/058,088
• Time in Patent Office: 488 Days
• Field of Search: 606/169, 606/167, 606/168, 606/170-174, 606/176-184, 606/79-85, 604/22, 604/24
• 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 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described for use in medical procedures to, for example, dissect or cut living organic tissue. The ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an outer sheath, a waveguide, and an improved acoustic isolation element. The acoustic isolation element is bonded to both the ultrasonic waveguide and the interior surface of the outer sheath, creating an acoustic isolation seal. The improved acoustic isolation element seals the distal end of the ultrasonic instrument, substantially improving its ability to reduce or eliminate penetration by liquids or other contaminants during, for example, soaking or steam autoclave sterilization.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface;

an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said outer sheath and having an end-effector extending from said distal end of said outer sheath; and

an acoustic isolation seal wherein said acoustic isolation seal comprises an acoustic isolation element bonded to said ultrasonic waveguide and a sealant positioned between said acoustic isolation element and said inner surface wherein said sealant is bonded to said acoustic isolation element and said inner surface, wherein said acoustic isolation element includes a distal sealing ridge and a proximal sealing ridge defining an annular groove around said acoustic isolation seal, said sealant filling said annular groove.

2. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said outer sheath includes at least one injection opening positioned over said annular groove.

3. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said acoustic isolation element and said sealant comprise an elastomeric material.

4. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein at least one of said acoustic isolation element or said sealant comprises a fluoroelastomer synthetic rubber.

5. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 3 wherein at least one of said acoustic isolation element or said sealant comprises silicone.

6. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 1 wherein said acoustic isolation seal is approximately positioned at a vibratory node of said ultrasonic waveguide.

7. An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

an outer sheath having a proximal end, a distal end and an inner surface;

an ultrasonic waveguide positioned within said outer sheath and having an end-effector extending from said distal end of said outer sheath; and

an acoustic isolation seal wherein said acoustic isolation seal is bonded to said ultrasonic waveguide and to said outer sheath interior surface, wherein said acoustic isolation seal includes a distal sealing ridge and a proximal sealing ridge defining an annular groove around said ultrasonic waveguide, a sealant filling said annular groove.

8. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said outer sheath includes at least one injection opening positioned over said annular groove.

9. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said acoustic isolation seal and said sealant comprises an elastomeric material.

10. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9 wherein said acoustic isolation seal comprises a fluoroelastomer synthetic rubber.

11. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 9 wherein said acoustic isolation seal comprises silicone.

12. An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 7 wherein said acoustic isolation seal is positioned at a node of said ultrasonic waveguide.