Ultrasonic dissector and sealer

• US 9,872,698 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2014
• Issued: 01/23/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Covidien LP (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Van Tol, David J., Ross, Anthony B., Stoddard, Robert B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shi, Katherine M
• Application Number:
  US14/464,832
• Publication Number:
  US 20150088180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,251 Days
• Field of Search: 606169, 601 1, 604 22
• 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 2017/2929 with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2948 Sealing means, e.g. for sealing the interior from fluid entry
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320072 Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320074 blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320075 single edge blade, e.g. for cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320078 Tissue manipulating surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320093 additional movable means performing cutting operation
• 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 2018/00589 Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 7/00 Ultrasound therapy lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 ; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092

Abstract

A tool assembly includes an ultrasonic blade and a jaw member. The ultrasonic blade includes a proximal portion and a distal portion. The distal portion extends from the proximal portion and defines a longitudinal axis. The distal portion is configured to oscillate along the longitudinal axis to ultrasonically treat tissue. The distal portion includes a top portion, a bottom portion, a notch, and planar side segments. The notch is disposed on the bottom portion. One of the top portion, the bottom portion, or the notch is configured to dissect tissue. The top portion is configured to seal tissue. The jaw member is configured to move relative to the ultrasonic blade and is configured to contact the top portion.

Claims

1. A tool assembly comprising:

an ultrasonic blade including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion defining a longitudinal axis and including;

a top portion configured to seal tissue;

a bottom portion including a planar surface that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defines a part of at least one notch in the bottom portion, wherein the planar surface of the bottom portion is configured to dissect tissue; and

planar side segments extending between the top and bottom portions; and

a jaw member configured to move relative to the ultrasonic blade and to contact the top portion.

2. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the ultrasonic blade includes a planar distal tip.

3. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the ultrasonic blade includes a pointed distal tip.

4. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one notch further includes an arcuate surface.

5. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion includes converging planar surfaces.

6. The tool assembly of claim 1, wherein the top portion has a rectangular cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the planar surface of the bottom portion and the planar side segments.

7. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, the elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and including a waveguide; and

a tool assembly including a blade coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a jaw member moveable relative to the blade, the blade including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion including;

a top portion configured to seal tissue;

a bottom portion including a planar surface that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defines a part of at least one notch, the planar surface of the bottom portion configured to dissect tissue, the at least one notch includes an arcuate surface; and

planar side segments extending between the top and bottom portions.

8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the jaw member is moveable between an open position, in which the jaw member is spaced from the blade, and a closed position, in which the jaw member is in juxtaposed alignment with the blade and is configured to clamp tissue against the top portion.

9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the distal portion of the blade includes a planar distal tip.

10. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the distal portion of the blade includes a pointed distal tip.

11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7, wherein the bottom portion includes converging planar surfaces.

12. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

a handle assembly;

an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, the elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and including a waveguide; and

a tool assembly including a blade coupled to a distal end of the waveguide and a jaw member moveable relative to the blade between an open position, in which the jaw member is spaced from the blade, and a closed position, in which the jaw member is in juxtaposed alignment with the blade and is configured to clamp tissue against a top portion the blade including a proximal portion and a distal portion extending from the proximal portion, the distal portion including;

a top portion configured to seal tissue;

a bottom portion including a planar surface that is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis and defines a part of at least one notch, the planar surface of the bottom portion configured to dissect tissue; and

planar side segments extending between the top and bottom portions.

13. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the distal portion of the blade includes a planar distal tip.

14. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the distal portion of the blade includes a pointed distal tip.

15. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 12, wherein the bottom portion includes converging planar surfaces.