IP Library Granted Patent US 11,000,707
Granted Patent B2
US 11,000,707 · App. 16/552,700 · Granted May 11, 2021

Ultrasonic surgical instruments

Inventors: Aaron C. Voegele (Loveland, OH); Scott A. Nield (Morrow, OH); Shan Wan (Plymouth, MN)
Assignee: Ethicon LLC
A61N7/02A61B8/4209A61B8/4494A61B17/320068H01L41/0906A61B2017/0023A61B2017/00402A61B2017/320069A61B2017/320071A61B2017/320072A61B2017/320078A61B2017/320088A61B2017/320089A61B2018/00607Y10T29/42Y10T29/49005Y10T29/49155
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,000,707
App. No.
16/552,700
Granted
May 11, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. In various embodiments, an ultrasonic blade extends along the longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. In various embodiments, the ultrasonic blade includes a body having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the distal end is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer.

Claims (44)

1. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade;

a waveguide extending to the ultrasonic blade; and

a vibration generating system, comprising:

a transducer attachable to the housing, wherein the transducer comprises piezoelectric elements, and wherein the piezoelectric elements vibrate at a magnitude proportional to at least one electrical input; and

a switch positioned on the housing, wherein the vibration generating system is selectively operable from the switch in a plurality of energizing operating states and a non-energizing operating state, wherein the plurality of energizing operating states comprises:

a first operating state in which the transducer vibrates at a first vibration magnitude; and

a second operating state in which the transducer vibrates at a second vibration magnitude, wherein the first vibration magnitude is different than the second vibration magnitude, and wherein the switch is configured to select the first operating state, the second operating state, or the non-energizing operating state.

2. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the housing defines a handle, and wherein the handle is configured to receive a battery therein.

3. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical input comprises a voltage.

4. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical input comprises a current.

5. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a curved body.

6. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the first vibration magnitude is less than the second vibration magnitude.

7. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the switch is movable between an off position, a first position, and a second position.

8. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 7 , wherein the first position corresponds to the first operating state, and wherein the second position corresponds to the second operating state.

9. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the transducer is removably attachable to the housing.

10. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing comprising a switch;

an end effector comprising a curved ultrasonic blade;

a transducer attachable to the housing, wherein the transducer comprises piezoelectric elements, and wherein the piezoelectric elements vibrate at a magnitude proportional to at least one electrical input;

a waveguide extending from the transducer to the curved ultrasonic blade; and

a vibration generating system selectively operable by the switch in a plurality of energizing operating states and a non-energizing operating state, wherein the plurality of energizing operating states comprises:

a first operating state, wherein the transducer vibrates at a first vibration magnitude in the first operating state; and

a second operating state, wherein the transducer vibrates at a second vibration magnitude in the second operating state, wherein the first vibration magnitude is different than the second vibration magnitude, and wherein the switch is configured to select the first operating state, the second operating state, or the non-energizing operating state.

11. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the at least one electrical input comprises a voltage.

12. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the at least one electrical input comprises a current.

13. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the first vibration magnitude is less than the second vibration magnitude.

14. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 10 , wherein the switch is movable between an off position, a first position, and a second position.

15. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 14 , wherein the first position corresponds to the first operating state, wherein the second position corresponds to the second operating state, and wherein the off position corresponds to the non-energizing operating state.

16. An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:

a housing;

an end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade;

a waveguide extending to the ultrasonic blade; and

an ultrasonic energy delivery system, comprising:

a transducer attachable to the housing, wherein the transducer comprises piezoelectric elements, and wherein the piezoelectric elements vibrate at a magnitude proportional to at least one electrical input; and

a switch, wherein the switch is configured to selectively operate the ultrasonic energy delivery system in a plurality of energizing operating states and a non-energizing operating state, wherein the plurality of energizing operating states comprises:

a first operating state in which the transducer vibrates at a first vibration magnitude; and

a second operating state in which the transducer vibrates at a second vibration magnitude, wherein the first vibration magnitude is different than the second vibration magnitude, and wherein the switch is configured to selectively switch the ultrasonic energy delivery system between the first operating state, the second operating state, and the non-energizing operating state.

17. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 16 , wherein the at least one electrical input comprises a voltage.

18. The ultrasonic surgical instrument of claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic blade comprises a body, and wherein the body comprises:

a proximal end;

a distal end; and

a longitudinal axis defined between the proximal end and the distal end, wherein the longitudinal axis defines at least one curve.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 27, 2021
From: ETHICON LLC
To: CILAG GMBH INTERNATIONAL
Reel/Frame 056601/0339 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 11, 2020
From: VOEGELE, AARON C.; NIELD, SCOTT A.; WAN, SHAN
To: ETHICON LLC
Reel/Frame 052903/0500 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 15352145 · Nov 15, 2016
Continuation 14270722 · May 6, 2014
Continuation 13717084 · Dec 17, 2012
Continuation 12490906 · Jun 24, 2009
Related Publication 20190381339A1 · Dec 19, 2019
Cited By (8)
US 12,220,143 US 12,268,900 US 12,324,602 US 12,369,939 US 12,383,296 US 12,575,849 US 12,581,859 US 12,605,571