# US 10,117,666 B2 · Ultrasonic instrument and method using same > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,117,666 B2 - Document ID: US10117666B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/038,463 - Filed: 2013-09-26 - Published: 2015-03-26 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-26 - Assignees: Misonix, Incorporated - Applicants: Misonix Incorporated - Inventors: Dan Voic - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10117666B2 ## CPC - A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)} - A61B 2017/320089: {node location} - A61B 2090/0803: {Counting the number of times an instrument is used} - A61B 2090/0807: {Indication means} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An ultrasonic medical instrument includes a probe shaft having a threaded coupling at a proximal end and an end effector or head at a distal end. The coupling is configured for operative attachment to a source of ultrasonic mechanical vibratory energy, while the head has an operative surface configured for engagement with organic tissues of a patient. The probe shaft, the coupling, and the head are made of a metal or metal alloy. At least one end-of-life indicator element is affixed to the probe shaft or head, the indicator element being made of a material that gradually disintegrates or degrades with use of the instrument so as to provide a visible indicator of degree of use and remaining useful life of the instrument. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ultrasonic medical instrument comprising: a probe shaft having a connector at a proximal end and a head at a distal end, the connector being configured for operative attachment to a source of ultrasonic mechanical vibratory energy, the head having an operative surface configured for engagement with organic tissues of a patient, said probe shaft, said connector, and said head being made of a rigid first material; and at least one end-of-life indicator element affixed to one of said probe shaft and said head, said indicator element including a layer of a second material that disintegrates or degrades with repeated use of the instrument, said indicator element further including an alphanumeric or graphic symbol hidden by said layer and revealed upon a disintegration or degrading of said layer upon repeated use of the instrument. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said second material is a biocompatible material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 2 wherein said second material is a biodegradable material. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said first material is taken from the group consisting of metal and alloy, said second material being taken from the group consisting of polymeric and ceramic material. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said end-of-life indicator element is fastened to an exterior surface of said one of said probe shaft and said head. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said end-of-life indicator element is disposed in a recess formed in an exterior surface of said one of said probe shaft and said head. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said end-of-life indicator element is affixed to said one of said probe shaft and said head at a preselected location within one-half an operating wavelength of a distal end of said instrument. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said symbol has a meaning directing a user to cease or terminate further use of the instrument. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 8 wherein said symbol is taken from the group consisting of a stop sign, a do-not-enter sign, the word “recycle”, the word “discard,” and a skull and bones representation. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 1 wherein said end-of-life indicator element is affixed to said one of said probe shaft and said head at a preselected location within one-half an operating wavelength of a distal end of said instrument. ### Claim 11 An ultrasonic medical instrument comprising: a probe shaft having a connector at a proximal end and a head at a distal end, the connector being configured for operative attachment to a source of ultrasonic mechanical vibratory energy, the head having an operative surface configured for engagement with organic tissues of a patient, said probe shaft, said connector, and said head being made of a rigid first material; and a plurality of separate end-of-life indicator elements affixed to one of said probe shaft and said head, said indicator elements each including a layer of a second material that disintegrates or degrades with repeated use of the instrument, said indicator elements configured to provide visual indicators after different degrees of accumulated use. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 11 wherein a first of said plurality of indicator elements signals that the expected life of the instrument has been reduced by a first percentage, and wherein a second of said plurality of indicator elements signals that the expected life of the instrument has been reduced by a second percentage greater than said first percentage. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 11 wherein said second material is a biocompatible material. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 13 wherein said second material is a biodegradable material. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 11 wherein said first material is taken from the group consisting of metal and alloy, said second material being taken from the group consisting of polymeric and ceramic material. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The ultrasonic medical instrument defined in claim 11 wherein each of said plurality of end-of-life indicator elements is fastened to an exterior surface of said one of said probe shaft and said head.