Ultrasonic instrument with coupler for work tip

• US 20030114873A1
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Published: 06/19/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Surgical Design Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Surgical Design Incorporated
• Inventors: Coplein, Gordon D., Banko, William
• Granted Patent: US 7,083,589 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 9/00745 using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic

Abstract

An ultrasonic instrument includes generator of ultrasonic energy; a connecting body that receives ultrasonic energy from the generator and having an end from which the energy exits and a coupler at such end exterior of the connecting body having an inlet aspiration flow passage for receiving aspiration flow force from a source. A work tip has its proximal end connected to the coupler to receive the generated ultrasonic energy and a distal end from which the ultrasonic energy is supplied to the operating site to emulsify material. The work tip has an aspiration passage that is in communication with an aspiration passage in the coupler that communicates with the inlet passage and at least one of the work tip is detachable from the coupler and coupler detachable from the connecting body. Aspiration fluid flow force is provided through the coupler to the work tip aspiration passage without coming into contact with the interior of the connecting body to thereby permit removal of the work tip so that the instrument can be reused by replacing the work tip and without sterilization of the connecting body.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic instrument comprising:

a generator of ultrasonic energy;

a connecting body that receives ultrasonic energy from said generator and having a first end from which the energy exits;

a coupler at said connecting body first end and exterior thereto having an aspiration flow passage for receiving aspiration flow force from a source to remove emulsified material from an operating site; and

a work tip having a proximal end for connection to said coupler to receive the generated ultrasonic energy and a distal end from which the ultrasonic energy is to be supplied to the operating site to emulsify material, said work tip having an aspiration passage that is in communication with said coupler aspiration passage, wherein at least one of said work tip is detachable from said coupler and said coupler is detachable from said connecting body.

2. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 1 wherein said coupler comprise a body having a first end connected to said connecting body, a second end to which said work tip proximal end is connected and an inlet passage between said first and second ends in fluid communication with said aspiration passage.

3. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 2 further comprising:

a sleeve spaced from and surrounding said coupler and a portion of said work tip;

first and second sealing elements between the exterior of said coupler and the interior of said sleeve respectively positioned on each side of said inlet passage to define a first chamber between said first and second sealing elements with said coupler inlet passage being in fluid flow communication with said first chamber; and

wherein said sleeve has an inlet port to supply the aspiration flow force to said first chamber.

4. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 3 wherein said coupler inlet passage extends through said coupler to form two inlets from said first chamber.

5. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 3 further comprising an inlet on said sleeve distally of said first chamber to provide irrigation fluid to the interior of the sleeve to flow between the exterior of said work tip and the interior of said portion of said sleeve that surrounds said work tip.

6. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 2 wherein said proximal end of said work tip is treaded into said coupler second end.

7. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 2 wherein said coupler first end is threaded to said connecting body.

8. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 2 further comprising:

an inlet conduit having a first end for direct connection to said coupler inlet passage to supply the aspiration flow force to said coupler aspiration passage and a second end for receiving the aspiration flow force.

9. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 8 wherein said one end of said conduit includes a piece that is inserted into said coupler inlet passage.

10. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 8 further comprising a duct extending from said coupler in communication with said coupler inlet passage and said conduit first end is connected to said duct.

11. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 8 further comprising:

a sleeve spaced from and surrounding said coupler and a portion of said work tip, said sleeve having an opening to provide access of said conduit first end to said coupler inlet passage; and

a first sealing element between the exterior of said coupler and the interior of said sleeve distally of said coupler inlet passage to define a chamber to receive irrigation fluid to flow in the space between the interior of said sleeve and the portion of said work tip surrounded by said sleeve.

12. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 1 wherein said coupler further comprises:

a collar at first end of said connecting body;

a passage from said collar through said connecting body to the exterior of said connecting body; and

a tube extending through said connecting body passage having a first end exterior to said connecting body to receive the aspiration flow force and a second end having a part that opens into said collar, said proximal end of said work tip being fastened to said collar with said work tip aspiration passage in fluid flow communication with said tube to receive the aspiration flow force.

13. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 12 further comprising a flange on said second end of said tube to lie between said proximal end of said work tip and the opening of said connecting body passage in said collar.

14. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 3 further comprising a groove on the exterior of said coupler body in which said resilient element fits

15. An ultrasonic instrument as in claim 11 further comprising a groove on the exterior of said coupler body in which said resilient element fits