Longitudinal-torsional ultrasonic tissue dissection

• US 7,762,979 B2
• Filed: 11/26/2007
• Issued: 07/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: David G. Wuchinich
• Original Assignee: David G. Wuchinich
• Inventors: Wuchinich, David G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sirmons; Kevin C
• Assistant Examiner(s): WITCZAK, CATHERINE
• Application Number:
  US11/944,727
• Publication Number:
  US 20080103418A1
• Time in Patent Office: 974 Days
• Field of Search: 604/22, 606167-170, 310/328, 310/333
• 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 2017/320074 blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320098 with transverse or torsional motion
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/005 with suction drainage system
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2217/007 with irrigation system

Abstract

An ultrasonic tissue dissection system providing combined longitudinal and torsional motion of tips, together with irrigation and aspiration, for improved cutting of resistant biological tissue. The system permits the use of common and inexpensive electro-mechanical transducers for the production of such motion through the use of longitudinal-torsional resonators.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic longitudinal-torsional tissue dissection system having only a single source of vibration consisting of only a single electro-mechanical transducer for receiving alternating electrical current and voltage from an ultrasonic generator, said transducer having a point of mechanical contact with a resonator, said transducer producing at said point of contact only a single type of vibration selected from the group consisting of longitudinal vibration and torsional vibration, said transducer immediately upstream from said point of mechanical contact having only said single type of vibration, said resonator being mechanically joined to a tip shaped for cutting biological tissue, a hollow longitudinal passageway extending completely through said tip and into said resonator, at least a portion of said resonator having a helical spiral formation in its outer surface which creates an inhomogeneous cross section which at said resonator converts the single type of vibration into a combined longitudinal-torsional vibration upstream from said tip for imparting the longitudinal-torsional vibration to said tip, and said inhomogeneous portion comprising a section having a rectangular cross section having said helical spiral.

2. An ultrasonic longitudinal-torsional tissue dissection system having only a single source of vibration consisting of only a single electro-mechanical transducer for receiving alternating electrical current and voltage from an ultrasonic generator, said transducer having a point of mechanical contact with a resonator, said transducer producing at said point of contact only a single type of vibration selected from the group consisting of longitudinal vibration and torsional vibration, said transducer immediately upstream from said point of mechanical contact having only said single type of vibration, said resonator being mechanically joined to a tip shaped for cutting biological tissue, a hollow longitudinal passageway extending completely through said tip and into said resonator, at least a portion of said resonator having a helical spiral formation in its outer surface which creates an inhomogeneous cross section which at said resonator converts the single type of vibration into a combined longitudinal-torsional vibration upstream from said tip for imparting the longitudinal-torsional vibration to said tip, and said inhomogeneous portion comprising a twisted flat bar.

3. An ultrasonic longitudinal-torsional tissue dissection system having only a single source of vibration consisting of only a single electro-mechanical transducer for receiving alternating electrical current and voltage from an ultrasonic generator, said transducer having a point of mechanical contact with a resonator, said transducer producing at said point of contact only a single type of vibration selected from the group consisting of longitudinal vibration and torsional vibration, said transducer immediately upstream from said point of mechanical contact having only said single type of vibration, said resonator being mechanically joined to a tip shaped for cutting biological tissue, and at least a portion of said resonator has a density that varies in a helical manner throughout said portion to create an inhomogeneous cross section which at said resonator converts the single type of vibration into a combined longitudinal-torsional vibration upstream from said tip for imparting the longitudinal-torsional vibration to said tip.

4. A system of claim 3 where said portion also has an elastic modulus that varies in a helical manner throughout said portion.

5. A system of claim 3 where a hollow longitudinal passageway extends completely through said tip and into said resonator.

6. An ultrasonic longitudinal-torsional tissue dissection system having only a single source of vibration consisting of only a single electro-mechanical transducer for receiving alternating electrical current and voltage from an ultrasonic generator, said transducer having a point of mechanical contact with a resonator, said transducer producing at said point of contact only a single type of vibration selected from the group consisting of longitudinal vibration and torsional vibration, said transducer immediately upstream from said point of mechanical contact having only said single type of vibration, said resonator being mechanically joined to a tip shaped for cutting biological tissue, a hollow longitudinal passageway extending completely through said tip and into said resonator, at least a portion of said resonator having a helical spiral formation in its outer surface which creates an inhomogeneous cross section which at said resonator converts the single type of vibration into a combined longitudinal-torsional vibration upstream from said tip for imparting the longitudinal-torsional vibration to said tip, and said inhomogeneous cross section portion being symmetrical.