Articulating ultrasonic surgical shears

• US 7,135,030 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Issued: 11/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Original Assignee: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson)
• Inventors: Wright, John C., Schwemberger, Richard F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hindenburg, Max F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SZMAL, BRIAN SCOTT
• Application Number:
  US10/316,419
• Publication Number:
  US 20030083683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 606169-171, 604/22, 600/459
• US Class Current: 606/169
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 17/320016 Endoscopic cutting instruments, e.g. arthroscopes, resectoscopes A61B10/0233, A61B17/29, A61B17/3207 take precedence
• 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 17/3201 Scissors for biopsy A61B10/02
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/2927 the angular position of the head being adjustable with respect to the shaft
• 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 2017/320088 with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2017/320089 node location

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical instrument is described which incorporates an articulating shearing end-effector. The instrument comprises an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonically activated end-effector, and a substantially solid ultrasonic waveguide that connects the ultrasonic transducer to the end-effector. The waveguide comprises a transmission section extending from the transducer to a fixed node, and an articulation section extending from the fixed node to a pivoting node. The end-effector includes a bifurcated waveguide segment. A handle is adapted to hold the transducer. An outer sheath extends from the handle to the end-effector and surrounds the waveguide. An actuation trigger is rotatably positioned on the handle, and an actuation arm extends from a distal end of the actuation trigger to the pivoting node.

Claims

1. A surgical instrument comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer having a distal end;

an ultrasonic end-effector comprising;

a bifurcated portion, said bifurcated portion comprising;

a first arm and a second arm, both defining a longitudinal axis;

wherein said first arm and said second arm are moveable with respect to said longitudinal axis; and

an ultrasonic waveguide having a first end operatively connected to the distal end of the transducer and a second end operatively connected to the end effector.

2. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the end-effector is articulatable with respect to said longitudinal axis.

3. The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the first arm and the second arm move substantially normal to said longitudinal axis.

4. The surgical instrument according to claim 3, wherein the end-effector articulates with respect to said longitudinal axis.