Methods and systems for controlling an ultrasonic handpiece based on sensed pressure

• US 9,463,042 B2
• Filed: 06/13/2012
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/13/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Original Assignee: P TECH, LLC
• Inventors: Bonutti, Peter M., Beyers, Justin, Cremens, Matthew
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Tse
• Assistant Examiner(s): HOFFMAN, JOANNE M
• Application Number:
  US13/495,735
• Publication Number:
  US 20120316473A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,581 Days
• Field of Search: 600/437, 600/438, 600/336, 600/459, 601/2, 73584-648, 367/87
• 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 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/064 for measuring force, pressure or mechanical tension
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/06 Measuring instruments not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A system includes a handpiece configured to generate vibratory energy, and a generator coupled to the handpiece. The generator includes a processing device and a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processing device to perform functions including receiving a pressure signal from the handpiece. The pressure signal is indicative of a pressure between the handpiece and a surgical implement. The functions further include determining the pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement, comparing the pressure to a predetermined pressure range, and transmitting a control signal to the handpiece when the pressure is within the predetermined pressure range.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a handpiece, said method comprising:

receiving a pressure signal from the handpiece, the pressure signal indicative of a manually applied pressure generated by a user of the handpiece between the handpiece and the surgical implement by pressing the handpiece against the surgical implement;

determining the pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement;

comparing the pressure to a predetermined pressure range;

transmitting a signal to the handpiece causing the handpiece to transmit vibratory energy to the surgical implement to form a weld to stabilize body tissue with the weld when the determined pressure is within the predetermined pressure range indicating the manually applied pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement is suitable for forming the weld; and

determining whether the pressure has settled within the predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined settling interval, wherein transmitting the signal further comprises transmitting the signal to the handpiece when the pressure has settled within the predetermined pressure range for at least the predetermined settling interval, wherein the predetermined settling interval is 2 seconds.

2. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

identifying the handpiece based on an identifier, the identifier being associated with at least one of multiple procedures and surgical implements; and

retrieving at least one setting for the handpiece based on the identifier.

3. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising providing at least one indication associated with the pressure.

4. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:

providing a first indication when the pressure is below the predetermined pressure range;

providing a second indication when the pressure is within the predetermined range; and

providing a third indication when the pressure is above the predetermined pressure range.

5. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising determining whether a foot pedal is depressed, wherein transmitting the signal further comprises transmitting the signal to the handpiece when the pressure is within the predetermined pressure range and the foot pedal is depressed.

6. The method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising determining whether the handpiece is in an active weld cycle.

7. A surgical generator for use with a handpiece, said surgical generator comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processor to perform functions comprising;

receiving a pressure signal from the handpiece, the pressure signal indicative of a manually applied pressure generated by a user of the handpiece between the handpiece and a surgical implement by pressing the handpiece against the surgical implement;

determining the pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement;

comparing the pressure to a predetermined pressure range;

transmitting a signal to the handpiece causing the handpiece to transmit vibratory energy to the surgical implement to form a weld to stabilize body tissue with the weld when the determined pressure is within the predetermined pressure range indicating the manually applied pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement is suitable for forming the weld;

determining whether the pressure has settled within the predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined settling interval; and

transmitting the signal to the handpiece when the pressure has settled within the predetermined pressure range for at least the predetermined settling interval, wherein the predetermined settling interval is 2 seconds.

8. The surgical generator in accordance with claim 7, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise:

identifying the handpiece based on an identifier, the identifier being associated with at least one of multiple procedures and surgical implements; and

retrieving at least one setting for the handpiece based on the identifier.

9. The surgical generator in accordance with claim 7, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise providing at least one indication associated with the pressure.

10. The surgical generator in accordance with claim 7, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise:

providing a first indication when the pressure is below the predetermined pressure range;

providing a second indication when the pressure is within the predetermined range; and

providing a third indication when the pressure is above the predetermined pressure range.

11. The surgical generator in accordance with claim 7, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise:

determining whether a foot pedal is depressed; and

transmitting the signal to the handpiece when the pressure is within the predetermined pressure range and the foot pedal is depressed.

12. The surgical generator in accordance with claim 7, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise determining whether the handpiece is in an active weld cycle.

13. A system comprising:

a handpiece configured to generate vibratory energy; and

a generator coupled to the handpiece, the generator comprising a processor and a memory device having encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable by the processor to perform functions comprising;

receiving a pressure signal from the handpiece, the pressure signal indicative of a manually applied pressure generated by a user of the handpiece between the handpiece and a surgical implement by pressing the handpiece against the surgical implement;

determining the pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement;

comparing the pressure to a predetermined pressure range;

transmitting a signal to the handpiece causing the handpiece to transmit the vibratory energy to the surgical implement to form a weld to stabilize body tissue with the weld when the determined pressure is within the predetermined pressure range indicating the manually applied pressure between the handpiece and the surgical implement is suitable for forming the weld;

determining whether the pressure has settled within the predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined settling interval; and

transmitting the signal to the handpiece when the pressure has settled within the predetermined pressure range for at least the predetermined settling interval, wherein the predetermined settling interval is 2 seconds.

14. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise:

identifying the handpiece based on an identifier, the identifier being associated with at least one of multiple procedures and surgical implements; and

retrieving at least one setting for the handpiece based on the identifier.

15. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise providing at least one indication associated with the pressure.

16. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise:

determining whether a foot pedal is depressed; and

transmitting the signal to the handpiece when the pressure is within the predetermined pressure range and the foot pedal is depressed.

17. The system in accordance with claim 13, wherein the functions performed by the processor further comprise determining whether the handpiece is in an active weld cycle.