Surgical instruments

• US 9,445,832 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2013
• Issued: 09/20/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wiener, Eitan T., Kramer, Kenneth S., Stulen, Foster B., Madan, Ashvani K., Houser, Kevin L.
• Primary Examiner(s): FISHBACK, ASHLEY LAUREN
• Application Number:
  US13/923,954
• Publication Number:
  US 20130282039A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,187 Days
• Field of Search: 433/86, 433/118, 433/119, 604/22, 606/39, 606/45, 606/46, 606/159, 606167-171, 606174-180
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00106 ultrasonic
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00353 one mechanical instrument performing multiple functions, e.g. cutting and grasping
• 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 2017/320089 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
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00642 with feedback, i.e. closed loop control
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/02 Localised ultrasound hyperthermia hyperthermia in general A61F7/00

Abstract

A surgical device. The surgical device may comprise a transducer, an end effector, a generator and a control circuit. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend from the transducer along the longitudinal axis. The generator may provide an electrical signal to the transducer. Also, the control circuit may modify a current amplitude of the electrical signal in response to a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector. Accordingly to various embodiments, the control circuit may detect a first contribution to a vibration frequency of the end effector, the first contribution originating from tissue in contact with the end effector. Also, according to various embodiments, the control circuit may indicate a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, the instrument comprising:

a transducer positioned along a longitudinal axis;

an end effector coupled to the transducer and extending away from the transducer along the longitudinal axis;

a control circuit, wherein the control circuit is configured to;

provide a drive signal to the transducer to cause the transducer to provide vibrations along the longitudinal axis;

detect a change in a vibration frequency of the end effector based at least in part on a change in a frequency of the drive signal;

correlate the change in vibration frequency of the end effector to a tissue condition of tissue in contact with the end effector; and

modify the drive signal in response to the tissue condition.

2. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the change in the vibration frequency of the end effector comprises a reduction in a rate of decrease of the vibration frequency of the end effector, and wherein the tissue condition is an onset of tissue coagulation.

3. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the control circuit is further configured to detect a second change in the vibration frequency of the end effector after the change in the vibration frequency of the end effector, wherein the second change in the vibration frequency of the end effector comprises an increase in the rate of decrease of the vibration frequency of the end effector after the reduction in the rate of decrease of the vibration frequency of the end effector, and wherein the tissue condition is an onset of tissue desiccation.

4. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the change in the vibration frequency of the end effector comprises an increase in a rate of decrease of a vibration frequency of the end effector, and wherein the tissue condition is an onset of tissue desiccation.

5. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue condition is an onset of tissue coagulation, and wherein modifying the drive signal in response to the tissue condition comprises making at least one modification selected from the group consisting of de-energizing the end effector and reducing an amplitude of vibration of the end effector.

6. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the tissue condition is an onset of tissue desiccation, and wherein detecting the change in the vibration frequency of the end effector comprises-isolating a frequency component of the drive signal attributable to a cavitation of the end effector caused by the tissue.

7. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to:

detect a power provided to the end effector;

correlate the power provided to the end effector to a second tissue condition; and

modify the drive signal in response to the second tissue condition.

8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein detecting the power provided to the end effector comprises monitoring the drive signal when the end effector is under load.

9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to detect a displacement of the end effector, based at least in part on the drive signal.

10. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 9, wherein detecting the displacement of the end effector comprises monitoring a current of the drive signal.

11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, further comprising a clamp arm pivotable relative to the end effector, wherein the control circuit is further configured to detect a clamp force applied between the clamp arm and the end effector.

12. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to receive a model relating changes in vibration frequency of the end effector to tissue conditions and wherein correlating the change in vibration frequency of the end effector to the tissue condition comprises applying the model.

13. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is further configured to generate a signal indicating the tissue condition.