Systems and methods for tissue treatment
A system, delivery device and method delivers ultrasonic energy to a target musculoskeletal tissue site. In some embodiments, the delivery device includes a stainless steel needle joined to a horn. In some embodiments, the stainless steel needle is joined to the horn using a heating process or a brazing process.
1. An ultrasonic energy delivery device configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to a musculoskeletal tissue site, the device comprising:
a horn configured to receive energy generated by a transducer; and
a work-hardened stainless steel needle brazed to the horn.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising a processor configured to activate the transducer, wherein the processor includes stored instructions that when executed cause the device to deliver ultrasonic energy at a frequency selected to debride the musculoskeletal tissue.
3. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel needle is a fully hardened hypodermic needle.
4. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel needle is brazed to the horn using an alloy.
5. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel needle is brazed to the horn using an acid flux.
6. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel needle is brazed to the horn using an inert gas.
7. The device of claim 1 , wherein the horn includes a tip portion that has an inwardly slanted portion configured to receive brazing material.
8. The device of claim 1 , wherein the horn comprises stainless steel.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the stainless steel needle brazed to the horn is not annealed during the brazing process.
10. A system configured to deliver ultrasonic energy to a musculoskeletal tissue site, the system comprising:
a memory device containing instructions;
a processor in communication with the memory device;
a delivery device comprising:
a horn; and
a work-hardened stainless steel needle brazed to the horn;
wherein execution of the instructions by the processor causes a transducer to generate ultrasonic energy at a pre-determined frequency suitable for debriding musculoskeletal tissue.
11. The system of claim 10 further comprising a fluid source, wherein the delivery device further comprises a fluid delivery conduit for delivering fluid from the fluid source to the musculoskeletal tissue site.
12. The system of claim 10 , wherein the delivery device further comprises an aspiration conduit configured to remove detritus from the musculoskeletal site.
13. The system of claim 10 , wherein the needle is brazed to the horn using an alloy.
14. The system of claim 10 , wherein the needle is brazed to the horn using an acid flux.
15. The system of claim 10 , wherein the needle is brazed to the horn using an inert gas.
16. The system of claim 10 , wherein the delivery device includes a housing having a clear portion.
17. The system of claim 10 , wherein the stainless steel needle is a fully hardened hypodermic needle.
18. The system of claim 10 , wherein the stainless steel horn has a tip portion which has an inwardly slanted portion which is configured to receive brazing material.
19. The system of claim 10 , wherein the stainless steel needle brazed to the stainless steel horn is not annealed during the brazing process.