# US 12,214,222 B2 · Ultrasonic surgical instrument with cooling system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,214,222 B2 - Document ID: US12214222B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/135,517 - Filed: 2023-04-17 - Published: 2023-08-10 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2013-09-11 - Assignees: Covidien LP - Applicants: Covidien LP - Inventors: Robert B. Stoddard; Eric R. Larson - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12214222B2 ## CPC - 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 17/32: Surgical cutting instruments ({A61B18/042 takes precedence; suture cutters A61B17/0467;} implements for ligaturing and cutting {A61B17/122, A61B17/12; instruments for rupturing the amniotic membrane A61B17/4208; specially adapted knives for eye surgery A61F9/0133}) - A61B 17/320092: {with additional movable means for clamping or cutting tissue, e.g. with a pivoting jaw} - A61B 2017/00022: {Sensing or detecting at the treatment site} - A61B 2017/00084: {Temperature} - A61B 2017/00092: {using thermocouples} - A61B 2017/320072: {Working tips with special features, e.g. extending parts} - A61B 2017/320075: {single edge blade, e.g. for cutting} - A61B 2017/320084: {Irrigation sleeves} - 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} - 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) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a blade that treats tissue and a fluid control system to cool the blade by pumping cooling fluid through the blade. The blade defines a blade lumen in fluid contact with an inflow and return conduit of the fluid control system. The fluid control system may further include a fluid reservoir holding the cooling fluid and a pump. The pump is configured to deliver the fluid from the fluid reservoir, through the inflow conduit and the blade lumen, and into return conduit. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an elongated tube extending distally from the housing and defining an outer surface; a tool assembly extending distally from the elongated tube, the tool assembly defining a lumen having a closed distal portion and an opening in communication with a proximal portion of the lumen; an inflow conduit; and a return conduit, wherein the inflow and return conduits extend longitudinally along at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated tube and into fluid communication with the opening to enable the inflow and return of fluid to and from, respectively, the lumen of the tool assembly. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the tool assembly includes an ultrasonic blade and wherein the lumen extends through a portion of the ultrasonic blade such that the closed distal portion of the lumen is disposed within the ultrasonic blade. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The surgical instrument according to claim 2, wherein the tool assembly further includes a clamp member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to clamp tissue therebetween. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The surgical instrument according to claim 2, further comprising an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the elongated tube, wherein the ultrasonic waveguide defines the ultrasonic blade at a distal end thereof. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the inflow and return conduits extend through the opening and into the lumen. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, further comprising a seal establishing a seal about the opening and the inflow and return conduits. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the elongated tube defines a distal aperture extending through the outer surface into an interior of the elongated tube, and wherein the inflow and return conduits extend from the outer surface of the elongated tube, through the distal aperture, and into fluid communication with the opening. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The surgical instrument according to claim 7, wherein the elongated tube defines a proximal aperture extending through the outer surface into the interior of the elongated tube, and wherein the inflow and return conduits extend from the interior of the elongated tube, through the proximal aperture, and along the outer surface of the elongated tube. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the inflow and return conduits are microtubes. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The surgical instrument according to claim 1, wherein the inflow and return conduits extend through the opening and into the lumen, wherein free ends of the inflow and return conduits are longitudinally spaced apart from one another within the lumen. ### Claim 11 A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an elongated tube extending distally from the housing, the elongated tube defining an interior, an outer surface, and an aperture extending through the outer surface into the interior; a tool assembly extending distally from the elongated tube, the tool assembly defining a lumen; and at least one of an inflow tube or a return tube, wherein a first portion of the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated tube, wherein a second portion of the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube extends through the aperture into the interior of the elongated tube, and wherein the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube is disposed in fluid communication with the lumen to enable at least one of inflow or return of fluid to or from, respectively, the lumen of the tool assembly. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the tool assembly includes an ultrasonic blade and wherein the lumen extends through a portion of the ultrasonic blade. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, wherein the tool assembly further includes a clamp member movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to clamp tissue therebetween. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The surgical instrument according to claim 12, further comprising an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the elongated tube, wherein the ultrasonic waveguide defines the ultrasonic blade at a distal end thereof. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the lumen defines a closed configuration and wherein the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube includes the inflow tube and the return tube. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The surgical instrument according to claim 15, wherein free ends of the inflow and return tubes extend into the lumen and are longitudinally spaced apart from one another within the lumen. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the aperture is disposed towards a distal end of the elongated tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the aperture is disposed towards a proximal end of the elongated tube. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The surgical instrument according to claim 11, wherein the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube is a microtube. ### Claim 20 A surgical instrument, comprising: a housing; an elongated tube extending distally from the housing, the elongated tube defining an interior and an outer surface; an ultrasonic waveguide extending through the interior of the elongated tube, the ultrasonic waveguide defining an ultrasonic blade at a distal end thereof, the ultrasonic blade extending distally from the elongated tube, wherein the ultrasonic waveguide defines a lumen extending into the ultrasonic blade; and at least one of an inflow tube or a return tube, wherein the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube extends distally along at least a portion of the outer surface of the elongated tube, and wherein a distal end of the at least one of the inflow tube or the return tube is disposed in fluid communication with the lumen.