ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT BLADES

• US 20160296249A1
• Filed: 05/16/2016
• Published: 10/13/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cilag Gmbh International (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery LLC (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Robertson, Galen C.
• Granted Patent: US 10,441,308 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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 17/320092 with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/3205 Excision instruments
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/00973 pedal-operated
• 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 2017/320072 Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320074 blade
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320082 for incising tissue
• 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: Y10S 83/956 Ultrasonic

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonically actuated blade or end effector having a treatment portion. The blade can define a central axis and at least one axis which is transverse to the central axis, wherein the transverse axis can lie within a plane which is perpendicular, or normal, to the longitudinal axis and can define a cross-section of the treatment portion. Such a cross-section can include a central portion and a step extending from the central portion, wherein the central portion can comprise a width, and wherein the step can comprise a cutting edge. In at least one embodiment, the cutting edge can be defined by first and second surfaces which define an angle therebetween. In various embodiments, the position of the cutting edge and/or the angle between the cutting edge surfaces can be selected in order to balance the blade with respect to the transverse axis.

Claims

1-13. -13. (canceled)

14. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency;

a waveguide coupled to the transducer and defining a longitudinal axis;

a tube, wherein the waveguide extends through the tube; and

an end effector, comprising;

a surgical blade extending from the waveguide, wherein the surgical blade is asymmetric relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the surgical blade comprises;

a cutting edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis; and

an atraumatic surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis; and

a protective sheath extending along at least a portion of the tube and along at least a portion of the surgical blade.

15. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the atraumatic surface comprises an arcuate surface.

16. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the atraumatic surface comprises a dull surface.

17. The surgical instrument of claim 16, wherein the cutting edge comprises a sharp edge.

18. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the protective sheath comprises a polymeric material.

19. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the protective sheath comprises a coating on a portion of the surgical blade.

20. The surgical instrument of claim 18, wherein the protective sheath is molded over a portion of the surgical blade.

21. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the protective sheath is permanently attached to the surgical blade.

22. The surgical instrument of claim 21, wherein the surgical blade comprises a distal tip, and wherein the protective sheath extends around the distal tip of the surgical blade.

23. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the protective sheath is spaced apart from the atraumatic surface by an air gap.

24. The surgical instrument of claim 23, further comprising a spring in the air gap between the protective sheath and the atraumatic surface.

25. The surgical instrument of claim 23, further comprising an irrigation source fluidically coupled to the air gap.

26. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the protective sheath is movable between an undeployed position and a deployed position relative to the surgical blade.

27. The surgical instrument of claim 26, wherein the surgical blade comprises a distal tip, and wherein the protective sheath extends around the distal tip when in the deployed position.

28. The surgical instrument of claim 26, further comprising a handle, wherein the handle comprises an actuator configured to move the protective sheath between the undeployed position and the deployed position.

29. The surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein the actuator comprises a pivotable lever.

30. The surgical instrument of claim 28, wherein the actuator comprises a slide button.

31. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the protective sheath comprises a plurality of bumps extending toward the ultrasonic blade.

32. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the protective sheath comprises an outside surface facing away from the surgical blade, and wherein the outside surface comprises a proximal convex portion and a distal concave portion.

33. The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the end effector further comprising a non-vibrating clamp arm movable between an open position and a clamped position relative to the surgical blade.

34. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency;

a waveguide coupled to the transducer and defining a longitudinal axis;

a tube, wherein the waveguide extends through the tube; and

an end effector, comprising;

a surgical blade extending from the waveguide, wherein the surgical blade is asymmetric relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the surgical blade comprises;

a sharp edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis; and

a dull surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis; and

a protective sheath extending along at least a portion of the tube and along at least a portion of the surgical blade.

35. A surgical instrument, comprising:

a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency;

a waveguide coupled to the transducer and defining a longitudinal axis;

a tube, wherein the waveguide extends through the tube; and

an end effector, comprising;

a surgical blade extending from the waveguide, wherein the surgical blade is asymmetric relative to the longitudinal axis, and wherein the surgical blade comprises;

a cutting edge on a first side of the longitudinal axis; and

an atraumatic surface on a second side of the longitudinal axis; and

means for shielding tissue from a portion of the surgical blade.