Ultrasonic medical device operating in a transverse mode
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic device comprising:
- a flexible probe coupled to a horn, the flexible probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the flexible probe comprising first and second transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer sections by the horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, wherein a portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a degree of stiffness which allows the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections to support a transverse ultrasonic vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, and a length and a cross section of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections are sized to support the transverse ultrasonic vibration with a plurality of transverse nodes and transverse anti-nodes along the length of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic medical device comprises an ultrasonic vibration generator that generates vibration along its longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through an ultrasonic coupler and a series of transformer sections that amplify the ultrasonic vibration. A flexible member is coupled to the distal end of the transformer sections, and is thus supplied with a longitudinal vibration at its base by the transformer sections. The flexible member is designed so that it converts the longitudinal vibration into a standing wave that runs along the length of the flexible member. The standing wave produces a series of nodes and anti-nodes along the length of the flexible member. Each of the anti-nodes produces cavitation in fluids in contact with the probe. The cavitation of the fluids causes destruction of adjacent tissue. In this manner, the entire length of the flexible member becomes a working surface that may be utilized for destroying tissue.
1237 Citations
50 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic device comprising:
a flexible probe coupled to a horn, the flexible probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the flexible probe comprising first and second transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer sections by the horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, wherein a portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a degree of stiffness which allows the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections to support a transverse ultrasonic vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, and a length and a cross section of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections are sized to support the transverse ultrasonic vibration with a plurality of transverse nodes and transverse anti-nodes along the length of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An ultrasonic medical device comprising:
an ultrasonic probe coupled to an ultrasonic horn, the ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the ultrasonic probe comprising first and second transformer sections located between the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe and the distal end of the ultrasonic probe, the transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer sections by the ultrasonic horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, a portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections being configured to vibrate in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. An ultrasonic medical device comprising:
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a flexible probe coupled to a horn, the flexible probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a largest diameter of the flexible probe at a proximal end of the flexible probe; a smallest diameter of the flexible probe at a distal end of the flexible probe; and first and second transformer sections located between the proximal end of the flexible probe and the distal end of the flexible probe, the transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer section by the horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, wherein, when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to a portion the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, a transverse ultrasonic vibration is produced along the longitudinal axis of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, which produces a plurality of transverse nodes and transverse anti-nodes along the longitudinal axis of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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Specification