Ultrasonic surgical blades
View Patent ↗An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis and an ultrasonic blade is disclosed. The ultrasonic blade includes a proximal end coupled to the waveguide, a distal end movable relative to the longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the waveguide, an outer surface, a first layer adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface, and a second layer overlapping at least a portion of the first layer. At least a portion of the second layer contacts the outer surface.
1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
a waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis; and
an ultrasonic blade, comprising:
a proximal end coupled to the waveguide;
a distal end movable relative to the longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the waveguide;
an outer surface;
a first layer adhered to at least a portion of the outer surface; and
a second layer overlapping at least a portion of the first layer, wherein at least a portion of the second layer contacts the outer surface.
2. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises:
a first portion comprising a first thickness; and
a second portion laterally offset from the first portion, wherein the second portion comprises a second thickness, and wherein the second thickness is less than the first thickness.
3. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 2 , wherein the first layer comprises a variable thickness.
4. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the second layer comprises a variable thickness.
5. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second layer is adhered to the outer surface.
6. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first layer comprises a first material, and wherein the second layer comprises a second material.
7. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first layer is configured to enhance adhesion of the second layer to the ultrasonic blade.
8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic blade is operably coupled to a generator that is susceptible to a lockout condition at power levels above a threshold power, and wherein the second layer is configured to reduce friction at an interface between a tissue and the ultrasonic blade to avoid exceeding the threshold power draw by the generator to prevent the lockout condition.
9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a clamp arm movable between an unclamped position and a clamped position, wherein the clamp arm is positioned opposite at least a portion of the second layer when the clamp arm is in the clamped position, and wherein the clamp arm is configured to clamp a tissue against the second layer when the clamp arm is in the clamped position.
10. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
a waveguide extending along a longitudinal axis; and
an ultrasonic blade, comprising:
a proximal end coupled to the waveguide;
a distal end movable relative to the longitudinal axis in accordance with ultrasonic vibrations applied to the waveguide;
an outer surface comprising a treatment region; and
a plurality of layered coatings, comprising:
a first coating, wherein at least a portion of the first coating contacts the outer surface; and
a second coating overlapping at least a portion of the first coating, wherein at least a portion of the second coating contacts the outer surface.
11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first coating comprising a first material, wherein the second coating comprising a second material, and wherein the second material is different than the first material.
12. An ultrasonic surgical blade, comprising:
a solid metal body comprising a proximal end configured to receive ultrasonic vibrations;
an outer surface comprising a treatment region; and
a plurality of coatings, comprising:
a first coating; and
a second coating at least partially overlapping the first coating, wherein at least a portion of the second coating contacts the treatment region of the outer surface.
13. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the first coating comprises:
a first portion comprising a first thickness; and
a second portion laterally offset from the first portion, wherein the second portion comprises a second thickness, and wherein the second thickness is different than the first thickness.
14. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the first coating comprises a first material, and wherein the second coating comprises a second material.
15. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the first coating comprises a variable thickness.
16. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the second coating comprises a variable thickness.
17. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the first coating is configured to enhance adhesion of the second coating to the treatment region.
18. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the treatment region further comprises a surface treatment to enhance adhesion of the plurality of coatings.
19. The ultrasonic surgical blade of claim 12 , wherein the solid metal body is configured to operably couple to a generator that is susceptible to a lockout condition at power levels above a threshold power, and wherein the plurality of coatings are configured to reduce friction at an interface between a tissue and the solid metal body to avoid exceeding the threshold power draw by the generator to prevent the lockout condition.