Ultrasonic needles and transducer assemblies formed of non-metal materials or a combination of materials

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Quick Facts

Patent No.: US 10,932,948
App. No.: 14/690,791
Granted: Mar 2, 2021
Kind: B2

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Abstract

A phacoemulsification needle includes a hub for connection to an ultrasonic handpiece. An elongated shaft is formed with the hub and extends from the hub. A distal end of the shaft breaks-up tissue when the distal end is caused to be vibrated by the handpiece. At least a distal portion of the shaft is formed of a material that has properties providing advantages compared to a metal needle. Example properties include a substantially lower density, a substantially higher electrical resistivity, a substantially lower thermal conductivity, a substantially lower mechanical lateral stiffness, a substantially higher efficiency of converting electrical energy powering the handpiece into motion of the distal end, a substantially lower acoustical impedance, a substantially higher Poisson's ratio, and a substantially higher mechanical gain.

Claims (9)

1. A phacoemulsification needle comprising:

a hub for connection to an ultrasonic handpiece;

an elongated shaft formed with the hub and extending from the hub wherein a distal end of the shaft breaks-up tissue when the distal end is caused to be vibrated by the handpiece; and

wherein the hub and the shaft are formed of a material having a density of less than 2000 kg/m 3 .

2. The needle of claim 1 , wherein the material is substantially transparent.

3. The needle of claim 1 , wherein a horn of the handpiece is also formed of the material forming the hub and the shaft.

4. The needle of claim 1 , wherein the hub and the shaft are formed of a plastic material.

5. The needle of claim 4 , wherein the plastic material is polyether ether ketone.

6. The needle of claim 1 , wherein an irrigation sleeve is integrally molded with the shaft.

Assignments (23)

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025

From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

To: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED

Reel/Frame 073637/0001 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025

From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

To: BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.

Reel/Frame 073637/0126 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025

From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.

Reel/Frame 073654/0242 →

ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (059913/0548) Recorded Aug 14, 2025

From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS RESIGNING AGENT

To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR AGENT

Reel/Frame 072469/0091 →

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 1, 2025

From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; ALDEN OPTICAL LABORATORIES, INC.; BAUSCH + LOMB IRELAND LIMITED

To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 071773/0871 →

RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2025

From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT

To: SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH IRELAND LIMITED (F/K/A/ VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED); SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD; SANTARUS, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; HUMAX PHARMACEUTICAL S.A.; SOLTA MEDICAL IRELAND LIMITED; BAUSCH & LOMB MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V.; BAUSCH+LOMB OPS B.V.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH HOLDCO LIMITED; BAUSCH HEALTH MAGYARORSZAG KFT (A/K/A BAUSCH HEALTH HUNGARY LLC); BAUSCH HEALTH POLAND SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA (F/K/A VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA); BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. / SANTE BAUSCH, CANADA INC.; ICN POLFA RZESZOW SPOLKA AKCYJNA (A/K/A ICN POLFA RZESZOW S.A.); ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRZEDSIEBIORSTWO FARMACEUTYCZNE JELFA SPOLKA AKCYJNA (A/K/A PRZEDSIEBIORSTWO FARMACEUTYCZNE JELFA S.A.); SOLTA MEDICAL DUTCH HOLDINGS B.V.; V-BAC HOLDING CORP.; VRX HOLDCO LLC; 1261229 B.C. LTD.; 1530065 B.C. LTD.

Reel/Frame 070778/0199 →

PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 4, 2023

From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED

To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT

Reel/Frame 065120/0086 →

OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 045444/0634) Recorded Nov 2, 2022