# US 10,368,957 B2 · Ultrasonic surgical instrument with blade cleaning feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,368,957 B2 - Document ID: US10368957B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/976,483 - Filed: 2015-12-21 - Published: 2017-06-22 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-21 - Assignees: Ethicon, Inc. - Applicants: Ethicon Endo-Surgery, LLC - Inventors: Kristen G. Denzinger; Ashvani K. Madan; Cory G. Kimball; Robert A. Kemerling; John A. Hibner; Rafael J. Ruiz Ortiz; Catherine A. Corbett; Michael R. Lamping; Thomas B. Remm - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10368957B2 ## CPC - A61B 90/70: Cleaning devices specially adapted for surgical instruments - 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 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61N 7/02: Localised ultrasound hyperthermia - A61B 2017/320088: {with acoustic insulation, e.g. elements for damping vibrations between horn and surrounding sheath} - A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation} - A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means} - A61B 2018/00595: {Cauterization} - A61B 2018/00619: {Welding} - A61B 2018/0063: {Sealing} - A61N 2007/0056: {Beam shaping elements} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) ## Abstract A surgical instrument includes a shaft assembly, an ultrasonic blade, and a cleaning device. The shaft assembly includes a first tube and an acoustic waveguide. The first tube has a first inner diameter and a distal end. The waveguide has a first outer diameter. The waveguide extends within the first tube. The first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap. The ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube. The acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade. The cleaning device is configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument comprising: (a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises: (i) a first tube having an first inner diameter and a distal end, and (ii) an acoustic waveguide having a first outer diameter, wherein the acoustic waveguide extends within the first tube, wherein the first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap; (b) an ultrasonic blade coupled with the acoustic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube, wherein the acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade; and (c) a cleaning device configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade, wherein the cleaning device comprises a hollow shaft defining a lumen, wherein the lumen is dimensioned to receive the acoustic waveguide such that the hollow shaft is configured to actuate within the gap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device comprises a brush assembly configured to actuate within the gap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical instrument of claim 2, wherein the brush assembly further comprises a wire and a brush. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The surgical instrument of claim 3, wherein the wire and the brush extend along a helical path. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The surgical instrument of claim 4, wherein the helical path defines a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is configured to contact the first outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is configured to contact the first inner diameter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the lumen is configured to deliver fluid within the first tube. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic blade has a curved longitudinal profile. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the surgical instrument further comprises a body, wherein the cleaning device is housed within the body, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be removed from the body in order to actuate within the gap. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument of claim 1, wherein the cleaning device further comprises a brush, wherein the brush wraps around the hollow shaft, wherein the brush is configured to contact the first inner diameter and the first outer diameter when the hollow shaft actuates within the gap. ### Claim 10 A surgical instrument comprising: (a) a body; (b) a shaft assembly extending distally from the body, wherein the shaft assembly defines a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises: (i) a first tube having a first inner diameter and a distal end, and (ii) an acoustic waveguide having a first outer diameter, wherein the acoustic waveguide extends within the first tube, wherein the first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap; (b) an ultrasonic blade coupled with the acoustic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube, wherein the acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade; and (c) a cleaning device configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade, wherein the cleaning device is housed within the body, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be removed from the body in order to actuate within the gap. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the body further comprises a rotating knob, wherein the cleaning device is configured to be removed from the rotating knob in order to actuate within the gap. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument of claim 11, wherein the rotating knob defines a recess configured to house the cleaning device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The surgical instrument of claim 10, wherein the cleaning device further comprise a helical wire and a brush body, wherein the brush body surrounds the helical wire. ### Claim 14 A surgical instrument comprising: (a) a shaft assembly defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the shaft assembly comprises: (i) a first tube having an first inner diameter and a distal end, and (ii) an acoustic waveguide having a first outer diameter, wherein the acoustic waveguide extends within the first tube, wherein the first outer diameter of the acoustic waveguide and the first inner diameter of the first tube together define a gap; (b) an ultrasonic blade coupled with the acoustic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade extends distally from the distal end of the first tube, wherein the acoustic waveguide is configured to communicate ultrasonic energy to the ultrasonic blade; and (c) a cleaning device configured to actuate within the gap to thereby clean at least a portion of the shaft assembly and/or at least a portion of the ultrasonic blade, wherein the cleaning device comprises a brush assembly comprising: (i) a wire, and (ii) a brush, wherein the wire and the brush extend along a helical path, wherein the helical path defines a second inner diameter and a second outer diameter, wherein the second inner diameter is configured to contact the first outer diameter, wherein the second outer diameter is configured to contact the first inner diameter. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the cleaning device further comprises a handle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the brush assembly is connected to the handle via an interference fit. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The surgical instrument of claim 15, wherein the cleaning device comprises a removable cap. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The surgical instrument of claim 14, wherein the cleaning device comprises a luer fitting.