GEAR DRIVEN COUPLING BETWEEN ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND WAVEGUIDE IN SURGICAL INSTRUMENT

• US 20120116263A1
• Filed: 10/17/2011
• Published: 05/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon, LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Houser, Kevin L., Miller, Matthew C., Kimball, Cory G., Willis, John W., Dietz, Timothy G., Stulen, Foster B.
• Granted Patent: US 10,143,513 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 601/2
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/00234 for minimally invasive surgery A61B17/0218, A61B17/0469, A61B17/12013, A61B17/1285, A61B17/29, A61B17/320016 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/064 Surgical staples, i.e. penetrating the tissue
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/2812 with a single pivotal connection A61B17/29 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/285 combined with cutting implements
• 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 18/00 Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/04 by heating by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18; hyperthermia using electric or magnetic fields, radiation or ultrasound A61N
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/12 by passing a current through the tissue to be heated, e.g. high-frequency current
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1206 Generators therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1233 with circuits for assuring patient safety
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/14 Probes or electrodes therefor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1442 Probes having pivoting end effectors, e.g. forceps
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 18/1445 at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00017 Electrical control of surgical instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00022 Sensing or detecting at the treatment site
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00084 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00119 alarm; indicating an abnormal situation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00128 related to intensity or progress of surgical action
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00221 with wireless transmission of data, e.g. by infrared radiation or radiowaves
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00398 : using powered actuators, e.g. stepper motors, solenoids
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0046 : with a releasable handle; with handle and operating part separable for prosthetic joint-implanting tools A61F2/4603
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00473 : Distal part, e.g. tip or head A61B2017/00464 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00477 : Coupling A61B2017/0046 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00482 : with a code
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00734 : battery operated
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/0084 : low friction A61B2017/00853 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/291 : the position of the handle being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2929 : with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/293 : with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2931 : with releasable head
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2933 : camming or guiding means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/294 : Connection of actuating rod to jaw, e.g. releasable
• 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 2017/320094 : additional movable means performing clamping operation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320095 : with sealing or cauterizing means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00178 : Electrical connectors
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/0019 : vibrating
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00589 : Coagulation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00595 : Cauterization
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00601 : Cutting
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00607 : Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00702 : Power or energy
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00791 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/00988 : Means for storing information, e.g. calibration constants, or for preventing excessive use, e.g. usage, service life counter
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1226 : powered by a battery
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1253 : monopolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/126 : bipolar
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1412 : Blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2018/1455 : having a moving blade for cutting tissue grasped by the jaws
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/2048 : using an accelerometer or inertia sensor
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2034/254 : being adapted depending on the stage of the surgical procedure
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/005 : with a lid or cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0065 : Peelable cover
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0067 : Types of closures or fasteners
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/0076 : having additional locking means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/008 : Pegs inserted, e.g. forced, into openings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3007 : Stackable casings
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2050/3008 : having multiple compartments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0803 : Counting the number of times an instrument is used
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0807 : Indication means
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0813 : Accessories designed for easy sterilising, i.e. re-usable
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/0814 : Preventing re-use
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/372 : Details of monitor hardware
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2090/502 : Headgear, e.g. helmet, spectacles
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 34/25 : User interfaces for surgical systems
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 46/10 : specially adapted for instruments, e.g. microscopes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 50/30 : Containers specially adapted for packaging, protecting, dispensing, collecting or disposing of surgical or diagnostic appliances or instruments for wound clamps A61B17/10; for ligaturing clips A61B17/122; packages or dispensers for surgical gloves or finger-stalls A61B42/40
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/08 : Accessories or related features not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 90/40 : Apparatus fixed or close to patients specially adapted for providing an aseptic surgical environment
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/40 : relating to mechanical, radiation or invasive therapies, e.g. surgery, laser therapy, dialysis or acupuncture
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 40/63 : for local operation
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/425 : Structural combination with electronic components, e.g. electronic circuits integrated to the outside of the casing printed circuits H05K1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/46 : Accumulators structurally combined with charging apparatus circuits for charging H02J7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/48 : Accumulators combined with arrangements for measuring, testing or indicating the condition of cells, e.g. the level or density of the electrolyte constructional details of current conducting connections for detecting conditions inside cells or batteries, e.g. details of voltage sensing terminals, H01M50/569
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 2220/30 : Batteries in portable systems, e.g. mobile phone, laptop
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 2310/23 : The load being a medical device, a medical implant, or a life supporting device
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0044 : specially adapted for holding portable devices containing batteries H02J7/0045 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0045 : concerning the insertion or the connection of the batteries
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 : Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 : Energy storage using batteries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49005 : Acoustic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49895 : Associating parts by use of aligning means [e.g., use of a drift pin or a "fixture"]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53913 : Aligner or center

Abstract

A surgical instrument is separable into a transducer unit and a lower body portion. The lower body portion includes a waveguide and a casing. The transducer unit includes a transducer and a geared mechanism operable to couple the transducer to the waveguide. In some versions the geared mechanism includes bevel gears coupled to a rack and pinion such that linear motion may be used to rotatably couple a transducer to a waveguide. The rack gear may further include a handle extending out of the transducer unit casing to be actuatable by a user. The rack gear may also be flexible or rigid. In other versions, the bevel gears may be coupled to a threaded shaft that is operable to translate the transducer into the waveguide to form an interference fit. The transducer unit may also include a slide lock mechanism to couple to the casing of the lower body portion.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a lower body portion comprising;

i. a body casing, and

ii. a waveguide extending distally from the body casing; and

(b) a transducer unit comprising;

i. a transducer casing,

ii. a transducer, and

iii. a geared assembly operable to rotate or translate the transducer relative to the transducer casing;

wherein the geared mechanism is operable to selectively couple the transducer to the waveguide.

2. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the geared mechanism comprises a plurality of bevel gears and a shaft, wherein the shaft is coupled to the transducer and coupled to at least one of the plurality of bevel gears.

3. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein at least one bevel gear of the plurality of bevel gears is coupled to a pinion gear.

4. The surgical instrument of claim 3 further comprising a rack gear, wherein the pinion gear engages the rack gear, wherein the rack gear is translatable relative to the pinion gear.

5. The surgical instrument of claim 4 wherein the rack gear is flexible.

6. The surgical instrument of claim 4 wherein the rack gear is rigid.

7. The surgical instrument of claim 4 further comprising a handle coupled to a distal end of the rack gear and a slot formed in the transducer unit casing, wherein a portion of the handle extends through the slot, and wherein the handle is translatable relative to the slot.

8. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the shaft comprises threading, wherein the transducer comprises a proximal threaded recess complementary to the threading of the shaft, and wherein the shaft is operable to translate the transducer relative to the shaft.

9. The surgical instrument of claim 8 wherein the transducer is selectively coupleable to the waveguide by an interference fitting.

10. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the waveguide comprises threading formed on a proximal end of the waveguide, wherein the transducer comprises a horn having a threaded recess complementary to the threading of the waveguide, wherein the shaft is fixedly coupled to the transducer, and wherein the shaft is operable to thread the threading of the waveguide into the threaded recess of the transducer.

11. The surgical instrument of claim 2 wherein the wherein the shaft is fixedly coupled to the transducer, and wherein the shaft is operable to rotate the transducer relative to the transducer casing.

12. The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein the waveguide comprises a male connector at a proximal end of the waveguide, wherein the transducer comprises a female recess formed in a distal end and configured to receive the male connector, and wherein the shaft is operable to rotate the transducer having the female recess about the male connector to selectively couple the transducer to the waveguide.

13. The surgical instrument of claim 11 wherein the waveguide comprises an elliptic cylinder projection at a proximal end, wherein the transducer comprises an ovular recess formed in a distal end and configured to receive the elliptic cylinder projection, and wherein the shaft is operable to rotate the transducer when the elliptic cylinder is within ovular recess.

14. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the transducer unit is coupleable to the lower body portion.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 1 wherein the transducer unit comprises a slide lock assembly, wherein the lower body portion comprises a slider recess formed in the body casing, and wherein the slide lock assembly is operable to selectively couple the transducer unit to the lower body portion via insertion into the slider recess.

16. An ultrasonic transmission assembly comprising:

(a) an ultrasonic transducer assembly having a distal end;

(b) a waveguide assembly having a proximal end; and

(c) non-threaded means for coupling the proximal end of the waveguide assembly to the distal end of the ultrasonic transducer assembly to provide acoustic continuity between the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the waveguide assembly.

17. The ultrasonic transmission assembly of claim 16 wherein the non-threaded means for coupling comprises a first member extending from the proximal end of the waveguide assembly and a receptacle formed in the distal end of the ultrasonic transducer assembly, wherein the first member is insertable into the receptacle.

18. The ultrasonic transmission assembly of claim 16 wherein the non-threaded means for coupling is operable to secure the waveguide assembly to the ultrasonic transducer assembly in a first orientation.

19. A surgical instrument comprising:

(a) a lower body assembly comprising;

i. a body casing having a slider recess formed in a portion of the body casing, and

ii. a waveguide extending distally from the body casing; and

(b) a transducer unit comprising;

i. a transducer,

ii. a transducer casing, and

iii. a slide lock assembly translatable relative to the transducer casing and operable to selectively couple to the slider recess.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 19 wherein the waveguide comprises a shaft and a ball, wherein the shaft extends from a proximal end of the waveguide, wherein the ball is coupled to a proximal end of the shaft, and wherein the transducer comprises a cup feature configured to receive the ball and shaft.