ULTRASONIC HORN WITH ENLARGED DISTAL END PORTION
An ultrasonic horn includes a main body portion and a distal end structure formed at a distal end of the main body portion, the ultrasonic horn being adapted to be used to cut living tissue. The largest outer diameter of a portion of the ultrasonic horn is in the distal end structure, the portion being inserted into the living tissue when the living tissue is cut.
1 . An ultrasonic horn comprising a main body portion and a distal end structure formed at a distal end of the main body portion, the ultrasonic horn being adapted to be used to cut living tissue,
wherein a largest outer diameter of a portion of the ultrasonic horn is in the distal end structure, the portion being inserted into the living tissue when the living tissue is cut.
2 . The ultrasonic horn according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of grooves is formed on a side surface of the distal end structure, the grooves extending in a longitudinal direction of the ultrasonic horn.
3 . The ultrasonic horn according to claim 1 , wherein a distal edge of the distal end structure is chamfered.
4 . The ultrasonic horn according to claim 1 , wherein a through-hole is formed in the main body portion, the through-hole extending through the main body portion from the distal end thereof to a proximal end thereof.
5 . The ultrasonic horn according to claim 4 , wherein the through-hole includes a first diameter portion, one end thereof being open at the distal end of the horn, and a second diameter portion having a larger diameter than the first diameter portion and communicating with the other end of the first diameter portion.
6 . The ultrasonic horn according to claim 5 , wherein the first diameter portion has a length that is substantially the same as or shorter than that of the distal end structure.
7 . The ultrasonic horn according to claim 4 , wherein the through-hole is tapered such that a diameter of the through-hole is gradually increased from the distal end of the main body portion to a proximal end of the main body portion.
8 . An ultrasonic hand piece comprising:
an ultrasonic vibration mechanism for generating ultrasonic vibration,
an ultrasonic horn according to claim 1 , the ultrasonic horn being coupled to the ultrasonic vibration mechanism, and
an outer cylindrical portion covering the ultrasonic vibration mechanism and a part of the ultrasonic horn.
9 . A method for cutting living tissue to create a hole in the living tissue, comprising inserting an ultrasonic horn into the living tissue, the ultrasonic horn including a main body portion and a distal end structure formed at a distal end of the main body portion, wherein a largest outer diameter of a portion of the ultrasonic horn is in the distal end structure, the portion being inserted into the living tissue when the living tissue is cut.