Ultrasonic medical probe with failsafe for sterility and associated method

A medical method comprising:

• providing an ultrasonic probe including:
• a horn or shaft;
• a shank at a proximal end of said horn or shaft, said shank including a pair of opposed flats, said shank being provided at a proximal end opposite said horn or shaft with an externally threaded connector for attaching the probe to a source of ultrasonic vibratory energy;
• and
• a probe head at a distal end of said horn or shaft, opposite said shank,
• said probe incorporating at least one polymeric component, said at least one polymeric component being disposed in a recess in at least one of said horn or shaft, said shank and said probe head;
• operatively connecting said probe to said source of ultrasonic vibratory energy via said externally threaded connector;
• generating an ultrasonic standing wave in said probe including said horn or shaft, said shank and said probe head;
• placing an operative surface on said probe head into contact with a tissue surface of a patient;
• by virtue of the generating of said standing wave in said probe including said horn or shaft, said shank and said probe head and the placing of said operative surface, conducting vibratory energy through said probe including said horn or shaft, said shank, said probe head and said operative surface into tissue of the patient;
• and
• subsequently subjecting said probe to energy causing degradation or decomposition of said at least one polymeric component.