Ultrasonic cutting device
An ultrasonic surgical cutting method and apparatus is provided wherein the method and apparatus allows for the cutting of bone from within a hollow pathway such that a cutter associated with the ultrasonic method and apparatus remains sufficiently cool to prevent necrosis of the bone being cut. Furthermore the ultrasonic device and method can be employed in the cutting of soft tissue, wherein a cooled cutter is used to prevent the sticking of soft tissue to the cutting blade of the device during use.
1 ) An ultrasonic surgical cutting system, said system comprising
an ultrasonic transducer element for producing an ultrasonic output: and
an ultrasonic lateral cutter associated with the ultrasonic transducer element, wherein the lateral cutter can be oriented for use in surgical cutting.
2 ) The system of claim 1 , further comprising a ultrasonic generator, wherein said ultrasonic generator is capable of producing an ultrasonic signal for use with the ultrasonic transducer.
3 ) The system of claim 1 , further comprising a rotatable handpiece, wherein the handpiece is sized and oriented to contain the ultrasonic transducer.
4 ) The system of claim 1 , further comprising a vibratory shaft, said vibrator shaft sized and orientated to transmit a mechanical motion produced by the ultrasonic transducer to the ultrasonic lateral cutter.
5 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein said transducer is capable of transmitting an ultrasonic signal in the frequency range in between about 22 Khz and about 45 Khz.
6 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein said transducer is capable of transmitting an ultrasonic signal with an amplitude in the range between about 50 to about 100 microns.
7 ) The system of claim 3 , wherein the hand piece assembly further comprises gears wherein upon rotation of the handpiece the vibratory shaft and associated attached cutter is rotated such that a circumferential pathway is traced by the lateral ultrasonic vibratory cutter.
8 ) The system of claim 4 , wherein the vibratory shaft is housed within a guide tube such that the ultrasonic lateral cutter associated with the vibratory shaft is eccentrically oriented to the guide tube.
9 ) The system of claim 4 , wherein the vibratory shaft further includes a convective cooling pathway located internal to the vibratory shaft.
10 ) The system of claim 9 , wherein the convective cooling pathway removes heat generated at the lateral cutter during surgical cutting operations.
11 ) The system of claim 10 , wherein the convective cooling pathway maintains a lateral cutter temperature less than approximately 50° C.
12 ) The system of claim 10 , wherein the convective cooling pathway maintains a lateral cutter temperature less than approximately 45° C.
13 ) The system of claim 10 , wherein the convective cooling pathway maintains a lateral cutter temperature less than approximately 40° C.
14 ) The system of claim 8 , wherein a adjustable stop is associated with the guide tube, such that the adjustable stop may be oriented at a plurality of points along the length of the guide tube.
15 ) The system of claim 8 , wherein calibration markings are provided along the length of the guide tube for use in determining penetration depth of the guide tube in an associated cavity.
16 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein said system is capable of cutting bone using a predetermined amplitude and frequency signal.
17 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic lateral cutter is made of a biocompatible material
18 ) The system of claim 4 , wherein the ultrasonic later cutter is modular, such that a plurality of differently sized and oriented lateral cutters can be attached to the vibratory shaft
19 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic lateral cutter is oriented perpendicular to the ultrasonic transducer.
20 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic lateral cutter is orientated at a plurality of angles relative to the ultrasonic transducer.
21 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic cutter traces a variable radius depth of cut in the material surrounding the cutter.
22 ) The system of claim 1 , wherein said system is used in stenosis correction surgery.
23 ) A ultrasonic cutting device for use in cutting bone having a cooled cutter, said device comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer for generating an ultrasonic output;
a ultrasonic cutter associated with said ultrasonic transducer; and
a convective cooling mechanism associated with the ultrasonic cutter and ultrasonic transducer, wherein the convective cooling mechanism provides for a cooled cutter in the ultrasonic cutting device.
24 ) The ultrasonic cutting device of claim 23 , said device further comprising a ultrasonic generator capable of producing a signal with a frequency in the range between about 22 Khz and about 45 Khz.
25 ) The ultrasonic cutting device of claim 23 , said device further comprising a ultrasonic generator capable of producing a signal with an amplitude in the range between about 50 to about 100 microns.
26 ) The ultrasonic cutting device of claim 23 , wherein the convective cooling mechanism comprises a thermally conductive cellular matrix disposed within the convective cooling mechanism
27 ) The ultrasonic cutting device of claim 23 , wherein the convective cooling mechanism includes a working fluid, wherein the working fluid undergoes a fluid reflux within the convective cooling mechanism.
28 ) The ultrasonic cutting device of claim 23 , wherein a convective thermal gradient originating at the cutter and extending toward the ultrasonic transducer is establish within the convective cooling mechanism.
29 ) The device of claim 26 , wherein said thermally conductive cellular matrix includes a hollow central region capable of passing a heated working fluid originating at the cutter end of the convective cooling mechanism.
30 ) The device of claim 26 , wherein a cooled working fluid returns to the end of the convective cooling mechanism associated with the cutter via the cellular matrix of the convective cooling mechanism.
31 . A tool for cutting tissue comprising:
a mechanical cutting tip and
a convection cooling system incorporated within the tool to cool the mechanical cutting tip to a temperature sufficient to inhibit tissue necrosis.
32 . The tool of claim 31 , wherein the mechanical cutting tip is a drill bit.
33 . The tool of claim 31 , wherein the mechanical cutting tip is a burr.
34 . The tool of claim 31 , wherein the mechanical cutting tip is a blade.
35 . The tool of claim 31 , wherein the mechanical cutting tip is an ultrasonic cutting tip.
36 . The tool of claim 32 , further comprising a tool body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the convection cooling system is positioned within the tool body.
37 . The tool of claim 32 , wherein the convection cooling system comprises
a thermally conductive cellular matrix, and
a working fluid.