# US 11,304,719 B2 · Ultrasonic dissector and sealer

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- Number: US 11,304,719 B2
- Document ID: US11304719B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/904,606
- Filed: 2018-02-26
- Published: 2018-07-05
- Granted: 2022-04-19
- Earliest claimed: 2013-09-25
- Assignees: Covidien LP
- Applicants: Covidien LP
- Inventors: David J. Van Tol; Anthony B. Ross; Robert B. Stoddard
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11304719B2

## CPC

- A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw}
- 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 2017/2929: {with a head rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the shaft}
- A61B 2017/2948: {Sealing means, e.g. for sealing the interior from fluid entry}
- A61B 2017/320072: {Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts}
- A61B 2017/320074: {blade}
- A61B 2017/320075: {single edge blade, e.g. for cutting}
- A61B 2017/320078: {Tissue manipulating surface}
- A61B 2017/320089: {node location}
- A61B 2017/320093: {additional movable means performing cutting operation}
- A61B 2017/320094: {additional movable means performing clamping operation}
- A61B 2017/320095: {with sealing or cauterizing means}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- A61B 2018/00601: {Cutting}
- A61B 2018/00607: {Coagulation and cutting with the same instrument}
- A61N 7/00: Ultrasound therapy (lithotripsy A61B17/22, A61B17/225; massage using supersonic vibration A61H23/00 {; using ultrasound for introducing media into the body A61M37/0092})
- 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 method for ultrasonically treating tissue includes accessing a surgical site with an ultrasonic surgical instrument, dissecting tissue with a first portion of the blade, and sealing tissue with a second portion of the blade. The instrument includes a blade that defines a longitudinal axis. The blade is configured to oscillate along the longitudinal axis to ultrasonically treat tissue.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tool assembly comprising:
an ultrasonic blade defining a longitudinal axis and including a proximal portion and a distal portion, the distal portion including:
a top surface configured to seal tissue;
a bottom surface having a notch defined therein, the notch first planar surface and a second planar surface that are in contact with each other and extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface, at least one of the first planar surface or the second planar surface configured to dissect tissue; and
side segments extending between the top and bottom surfaces; and
a jaw member configured to move relative to the ultrasonic blade and to contact the top surface.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the ultrasonic blade includes a planar distal tip.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the distal portion of the ultrasonic blade includes a pointed distal tip.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The tool assembly according to claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is formed at a convergence of two planar surfaces.

### Claim 5

An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising:
a handle assembly;
an elongated body extending distally from the handle assembly, the elongated body defining a longitudinal axis and including a waveguide; and
a tool assembly including a blade having a proximal portion and a distal portion, the proximal portion coupled to a distal end of the waveguide, the distal portion including:
a top surface configured to seal tissue;
a bottom surface having a notch defined therein, the notch first planar surface and a second planar surface that are in contact with each other and extend from the bottom surface towards the top surface, at least one of the first planar surface or the second planar surface configured to dissect tissue; and
side segments extending between the top and bottom surfaces.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein tool assembly includes a jaw member moveable relative to the blade between an open position in which the jaw member is spaced from the blade and a closed position in which the jaw member is in juxtaposed alignment with the blade.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 6, wherein the jaw member is configured to clamp tissue against a top portion the blade.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the distal portion of the blade includes a planar distal tip.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the distal portion of the blade includes a pointed distal tip.

### Claim 10 (depends on 5)

The ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 5, wherein the bottom surface is formed at a convergence of two planar surfaces.