Transducer arrangements for ultrasonic surgical instruments

• US 8,344,596 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2009
• Issued: 01/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Nield, Scott A., Wan, Shan, Madan, Ashvani K.
• Primary Examiner(s): SAN MARTIN, JAYDI A
• Application Number:
  US12/490,933
• Publication Number:
  US 20100331871A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,287 Days
• Field of Search: 310/334, 600/459, 600/437
• US Class Current: 310/334
• 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 2017/0023 disposable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00402 Piezo electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00526 Methods of manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320072 Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320078 Tissue manipulating surface
• 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 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4494 characterised by the arrangement of the transducer elements devices for short-range imaging using particular transducer elements arrangements under G01S15/8909; arrangements of transducers in generation of mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency B06B1/0607
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0607 using multiple elements B06B1/064 and B06B1/0688 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 3/00 Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/202 using longitudinal or thickness displacement combined with bending, shear or torsion displacement
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/503 with non-rectangular cross-section orthogonal to the stacking direction, e.g. polygonal, circular
• CPC Class Codes: H10N 30/505 Annular cross-section
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/42 Piezoelectric device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49155 : Manufacturing circuit on or in base

Abstract

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Claims

1. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element comprising a first outer profile;

a second piezoelectric element comprising a second outer profile;

a first polarizing electrode comprising a first tab extending outwardly with respect to said first outer profile, wherein said first polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element;

a second polarizing electrode comprising a second tab extending outwardly with respect to said second outer profile, wherein said second polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element; and

a connecting electrode configured to operably engage and electrically connect said first tab and said second tab.

2. The transducer of claim 1, wherein said first polarizing electrode is mounted to said first piezoelectric element.

3. The transducer of claim 2, wherein said first polarizing electrode is adhered to said first piezoelectric element.

4. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element comprising a first outer profile;

a second piezoelectric element comprising a second outer profile;

a first polarizing electrode comprising a first portion extending outwardly with respect to said first outer profile, wherein said first polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element;

a second polarizing electrode comprising a second portion extending outwardly with respect to said second outer profile, wherein said second polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element; and

a connecting electrode configured to operably engage and electrically connect said first portion and said second portion.

5. The transducer of claim 4, wherein said first polarizing electrode is mounted to said first piezoelectric element.

6. The transducer of claim 5, wherein said first polarizing electrode is adhered to said first piezoelectric element.

7. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element;

a second piezoelectric element;

a first polarizing electrode in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element, wherein said first polarizing electrode comprises a conductive ink applied to at least a portion of said first piezoelectric element; and

a second polarizing electrode in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element.

8. The transducer of claim 7, wherein said second polarizing electrode comprises a conductive ink applied to at least a portion of said second piezoelectric element.

9. The transducer of claim 8, wherein said first piezoelectric element comprises a first alignment feature, wherein said second piezoelectric elements comprises a second alignment feature, wherein said first alignment feature and said second alignment feature are configured such that said first conductive electrode is aligned with said second conductive electrode when said first piezoelectric element is assembled to said second piezoelectric element, and wherein said first alignment feature and said second alignment feature are configured such that first piezoelectric element cannot be assembled to said second piezoelectric element unless said first alignment feature is aligned with said second alignment feature.

10. The transducer of claim 7, wherein said conductive ink is comprised of at least one of silver and carbon.

11. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element comprising a first outer profile and having a first alignment feature;

a second piezoelectric element comprising a second outer profile and having a second alignment feature;

a first polarizing electrode comprising a first tab extending outwardly with respect to said first outer profile, wherein said first polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element;

a second polarizing electrode comprising a second tab extending outwardly with respect to said second outer profile, wherein said second polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element; and

a connecting electrode configured to operably engage and electrically connect said first tab and said second tab and wherein said first alignment feature and said second alignment feature are configured such that first tab is aligned with said second tab when said first piezoelectric element is assembled to said second piezoelectric element, and wherein said first alignment feature and said second alignment feature are configured such that first piezoelectric element cannot be assembled to said second piezoelectric element unless said first alignment feature is aligned with said second alignment feature.

12. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element comprising a first outer profile;

a second piezoelectric element comprising a second outer profile;

a first polarizing electrode comprising a first tab extending outwardly with respect to said first outer profile, wherein said first polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element;

a second polarizing electrode comprising a second tab extending outwardly with respect to said second outer profile, wherein said second polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element; and

a connecting electrode configured to operably engage and electrically connect said first tab and said second tab, said connecting electrode further comprising a clip movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said clip is configured to be biased into its closed position, and wherein at least a portion of said clip is comprised of an electrically-conductive material.

13. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element comprising a first outer profile and having a first alignment feature;

a second piezoelectric element comprising a second outer profile and having a second alignment feature;

a first polarizing electrode comprising a first portion extending outwardly with respect to said first outer profile, wherein said first polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element;

a second polarizing electrode comprising a second portion extending outwardly with respect to said second outer profile, wherein said second polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element and wherein said first alignment feature and said second alignment feature are configured such that said first portion is aligned with said second portion when said first piezoelectric element is assembled to said second piezoelectric element, and wherein said first alignment feature and said second alignment feature are configured such that first piezoelectric element cannot be assembled to said second piezoelectric element unless said first alignment feature is aligned with said second alignment feature; and

a connecting electrode configured to operably engage and electrically connect said first portion and said second portion.

14. A transducer for a surgical instrument, said transducer comprising:

a first piezoelectric element comprising a first outer profile;

a second piezoelectric element comprising a second outer profile;

a first polarizing electrode comprising a first portion extending outwardly with respect to said first outer profile, wherein said first polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said first piezoelectric element;

a second polarizing electrode comprising a second portion extending outwardly with respect to said second outer profile, wherein said second polarizing electrode is in electrical communication with said second piezoelectric element; and

a connecting electrode configured to operably engage and electrically connect said first portion and said second portion, said connecting electrode comprising a clip movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein said clip is configured to be biased into its closed position, and wherein at least a portion of said clip is comprised of an electrically-conductive material.