Ultrasonic surgical instruments with rotatable blade and hollow sheath arrangements

• US 9,259,234 B2
• Filed: 02/11/2010
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Robertson, Galen C., Timm, Richard W., Mumaw, Daniel J., Houser, Kevin L., Miller, Matthew C., Sell, Stacey J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tuan V
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TIN DUC
• Application Number:
  US12/703,870
• Publication Number:
  US 20110196399A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,196 Days
• Field of Search: 606/169, 606/167, 606/170, 606/171, 606/183, 606/207, 604/22
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/22004 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic shock waves A61B17/225 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/32002 with continuously rotating, oscillating or reciprocating cutting instruments
• 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 17/3207 Atherectomy devices working by cutting or abrading; Similar devices specially adapted for non-vascular obstructions A61B17/32037 takes precedence; endoscopic cutting instruments A61B17/320016
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320783 through side-hole, e.g. sliding or rotating cutter inside catheter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320069 for ablating tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/32007 with suction or vacuum means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location

Abstract

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein that may be selectively rotated by a motor housed therein. Various forms of blades are disclosed for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly such that the blade may be selectively rotatable within a hollow outer sheath. The hollow outer sheath has at least one opening therein through which the blade tip may be exposed to tissue. Vacuum may be applied to the cutting implement or through the outer sheath to draw tissue through the opening(s) in the sheath and into contact with a portion of the blade.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

a housing;

an ultrasonic transducer assembly rotatably supported within said housing and communicating with a source of ultrasonic electrical signals;

a motor within said housing and communicating with a source of motor drive signals, said motor communicating with said ultrasonic transducer assembly for applying rotational motion thereto;

a horn coupled to said ultrasonic transducer assembly;

a hollow sheath coupled to said housing and having at least one access window therein, wherein said hollow sheath comprises a fluid port;

an inner sheath at least partially surrounded by said hollow sheath, wherein said inner sheath and said hollow sheath are configured to form a fluid path therebetween, wherein said fluid path extends through said fluid port;

a source of vacuum communicating with said fluid path for drawing tissue into said at least one access window; and

a blade coupled to said horn and extending at least partially within said inner sheath, said blade having at least one distal tissue cutting portion thereon arranged to interact with tissue drawn through said at least one access window, wherein said inner sheath extends between said fluid path and said blade to separate and isolate said blade from said fluid path.

2. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said hollow sheath has a closed, substantially blunt distal end portion.

3. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said hollow sheath has a rounded distal end and wherein said blade has a substantially blunted distal tip portion that protrudes out through a blade access opening in said rounded distal end of said hollow sheath.

4. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 3 wherein said at least one access window comprises two lateral window portions that extend laterally from said blade access opening in said distal end of said hollow sheath.

5. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one access window has at least one sharp edge formed thereon.

6. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one access window has two opposed, inwardly extending cutting edges.

7. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said blade has a curved distal tip portion.

8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7 wherein said curved distal tip portion has sharpened lateral edges thereon.

9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein said at least one access window forms a shearing edge and wherein said ultrasonic surgical instrument further comprises a friction reducing pad attached to said shearing edge.