Methods for driving an ultrasonic surgical instrument with modulator

• US 8,709,031 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2012
• Issued: 04/29/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Stulen, Foster B.
• Primary Examiner(s): FISHBACK, ASHLEY LAUREN
• Application Number:
  US13/595,880
• Publication Number:
  US 20120323265A1
• Time in Patent Office: 610 Days
• Field of Search: 433/86, 433/102, 433/103, 433/118, 433/119, 433141-144, 433/166, 604/22, 606/157, 606/159, 606/167, 606/169, 606/170, 606/180
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• 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 2017/00146 with multiple frequencies
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0015 applied simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00172 Pulse trains, bursts, intermittent continuous operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22014 the ultrasound transducer being outside patient's body; with an ultrasound transmission member; with a wave guide; with a vibrated guide wire not applied in A61B17/22012
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/22018 segmented along its length
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320094 additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 with sealing or cauterizing means

Abstract

Methods for driving a surgical instrument are disclosed. The surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. An end effector is adapted to couple to the transducer and extends along the longitudinal axis. The end effector includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. A drive module is coupled to the transducer to generate a modulated drive signal. The distal end of the end effector is movable in response to the vibrations produced by the transducer in response to the modulated drive signal.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a modulation waveform comprising a modulation amplitude (A_m) component and a modulation frequency (f_m) component;

wherein the modulation waveform is defined by the following relationship;

S_m=1+A_m·

sin (2π

·

f_m·

t);

generating a modulated drive signal with a drive module; and

coupling the modulated drive signal to a transducer, wherein the transducer is coupled to an end effector having a distal end;

wherein the distal end is movable in response to vibrations produced by the transducer in response to the modulated drive signal.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

receiving a current set point signal at a first input of a modulator;

receiving the modulation waveform at a second input of the modulator;

generating a modulation signal by modulating the current set point signal with the modulation waveform; and

coupling the modulation signal with a current control loop to control the modulated drive signal coupled to the transducer.

3. The method of claim 2,

wherein receiving the modulation waveform comprises receiving a time varying modulation amplitude (A_m) component.

4. The method of claim 2,

wherein receiving the modulation waveform comprises receiving a time varying modulation frequency (f_m) component.

5. The method of claim 2,

wherein receiving the modulation waveform comprises receiving a time varying modulation amplitude (A_m) component and a time varying modulation frequency (f_m) component.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising:

imparting a radiation pressure proportional to the modulated drive signal onto a fluid droplet particle in contact with the distal end of the end effector in response to the modulated drive signal.