Ultrasonic interlock and method of using the same

• US 5,968,060 A
• Filed: 02/28/1997
• Issued: 10/19/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Kellogg, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Thaler, Michael H.
• Application Number:
  US08/808,638
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 606/169, 606/185, 606/128, 433/119, 433/86, 601/2, 228/1.1, 604/22
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3476 Powered trocars, e.g. electrosurgical cutting, lasers, powered knives
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating 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

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical device includes a transducer assembly adapted to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency in response to electrical energy. A transmission component having a transmission component adapted to receive ultrasonic vibration from the transducer assembly and to transmit the ultrasonic vibration from a first end to a second end. A braking device is configured to apply a force to the outer surface of the transmission component to dampen the ultrasonic vibration being transmitted from the first end of the transmission rod to the second end of the transmission rod. A method of inserting a trocar cannula into tissue of a patient is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing an ultrasonic trocar obturator having an ultrasonic waveguide including an end effector at a distal end thereof, positioning the trocar obturator within a trocar cannula, positioning the trocar obturator in contact with a wall of said body cavity, and ultrasonicly vibrating the end effector to create a penetration opening. The method further includes advancing the ultrasonic obturator into said penetration opening, detecting when penetration has been completed, applying a braking member to the obturator to dampen the ultrasonic vibration of the end effector, and advancing the trocar cannula into the penetration opening.

Claims

1. A method of inserting a trocar cannula into tissue of a patient, comprising the steps of:

providing an ultrasonic trocar obturator having an ultrasonic waveguide including an end effector at a distal end thereof;

positioning the trocar obturator within a trocar cannula;

positioning the trocar obturator in contact with a wall of said body cavity;

ultrasonicly vibrating the end effector to create a penetration opening;

advancing the ultrasonic obturator into said penetration opening;

applying a braking member to the obturator to dampen the ultrasonic vibration of the end effector; and

advancing the trocar cannula into the penetration opening.

2. The method of claim 1 further including the step of:

removing the ultrasonic trocar obturator from within the trocar cannula after insertion of said cannula into the penetration opening.

3. The method of claim 1 further including the step of detecting when penetration has been completed.

4. The method of claim 1 further including the step of sensing the impedance of the obturator.

5. A trocar assembly comprising:

a cannula including a cannula handle and a cannula tube extending from the cannula handle;

an obturator adapted to be inserted through the cannula tube, the obturator includes an ultrasonic transducer, a transmission rod, and an end effector wherein the ultrasonic transducer is adapted to vibrate at a selected frequency;

the transmission rod has a first end and a second end, the first end of the transmission rod coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and the second end coupled to the end effector;

a braking device adapted to engage the transmission rod, said braking device including at least one brake pad moveable from a retracted position, to an engaged position in which said brake pad engages said transmission rod to dampen transmission of ultrasonic vibration therethrough; and

means for arming said obturator to permit transmission of ultrasonic vibration through said transmission rod to said end effector, said arming means acting in opposition to said braking means to releaseably maintain said braking means out of said engaged position.

6. A trocar assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said arming means comprises an arming collar positioned on said transmission rod, said arming collar being movable to position for releasing said braking means as said obturator advances distally of said cannula tube.