Ultrasonic surgical instruments

• US 9,883,884 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2014
• Issued: 02/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/22/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Neurohr, Mark A., Robertson, Galen C., DeLuca, Louis T., Stulen, Foster B., Price, Daniel W.
• Primary Examiner(s): FISHBACK, ASHLEY LAUREN
• Application Number:
  US14/564,651
• Publication Number:
  US 20150119915A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• 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 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320071 with articulating means for working tip
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320078 Tissue manipulating surface
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320084 Irrigation sleeves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• 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

A surgical instrument configured to be coupled to a transducer configured to produce vibrations. The surgical instrument comprises an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade, a protective sheath, and outer tube and an aperture. The ultrasonic blade extends along a longitudinal axis of the end effector and is configured to be coupled to a transducer. The protective sheath extends at least partially around the ultrasonic blade. The outer tube extends at least partially along the longitudinal axis. The aperture defines a channel extending at least partially through the end effector along the longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

an ultrasonic blade extending along a longitudinal axis of an end effector, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to be coupled to a distal end of a waveguide, and wherein the waveguide is coupled to a transducer configured to produce vibrations, wherein the ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the waveguide;

a protective sheath, wherein the protective sheath extends at least partially around the ultrasonic blade and defines a chamber, wherein the protective sheath is disposed adjacent to a bottom surface of the ultrasonic blade to prevent damage to a bone while cutting tissue;

an outer tube extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis;

an inner tube extending at least partially along the longitudinal axis; and

a plurality of apertures, wherein each of the apertures defines a channel, wherein each of the channels extends at least partially through the end effector along the longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the apertures defines an opening in the chamber,

wherein each of the apertures comprises an irrigation channel configured to deliver fluid to the chamber to dissipate thermal energy generated by the ultrasonic blade.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the irrigation channels comprises a port configured to be coupled to an irrigation device to deliver irrigation fluid to the chamber.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a clip arm assembly configured to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the clip arm assembly is movable between an open and closed position to compress tissue against the ultrasonic blade.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner tube is longitudinally translatable between a retracted position and an extended position.