Temperature controlled ultrasonic surgical instruments
AssigneeCilag GmbH International
InventorKevin L. Houser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency. An ultrasonic end effector extends along a longitudinal axis and is coupled to the transducer. The ultrasonic end effector comprises an ultrasonic blade and a clamping mechanism. A controller receives a feedback signal from the ultrasonic end effector and the feedback signal is measured by the controller. A lumen is adapted to couple to a pump. The controller is configured to control fluid flow through the lumen based on the feedback signal, and the lumen is located within the ultrasonic end effector.
Claims20
A surgical instrument usable with a fluid system, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:
- an ultrasonic waveguide;
- and
- an end effector comprising:
- an ultrasonic blade in ultrasonic communication with the ultrasonic waveguide and defining a longitudinal axis, wherein the ultrasonic blade is movable along the longitudinal axis in response to ultrasonic vibrations applied to the ultrasonic waveguide by an ultrasonic transducer;
- a jaw movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to provide ultrasonic energy to the tissue as the ultrasonic blade moves along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a fluid line in fluid communication with the fluid system, wherein the fluid line is configured to receive fluid from the fluid system, wherein the fluid is configured to be in thermal communication with the ultrasonic blade, wherein the fluid line is configured to adjust a temperature of the ultrasonic blade using the fluid.
A surgical instrument usable with a fluid system, wherein the surgical instrument comprises:
- an ultrasonic waveguide;
- and
- an end effector, comprising:
- an ultrasonic blade extending from the ultrasonic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the ultrasonic blade is movable along the longitudinal axis in response to ultrasonic vibrations applied to the ultrasonic waveguide by an ultrasonic transducer;
- a clamp arm movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to provide ultrasonic energy to the tissue based on the ultrasonic blade moving along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a fluid line in fluid communication with the fluid system, wherein the fluid line is configured to receive fluid from the fluid system, wherein the fluid is configured to be in thermal communication with the ultrasonic blade, wherein the fluid is configured to control a temperature of the ultrasonic blade such that coagulation of the tissue can occur and desiccation of the tissue does not occur as the ultrasonic blade provides ultrasonic energy to the tissue, and wherein the fluid line comprises:
- a fluid inlet configured to receive the fluid from the fluid system;
- and
- a fluid outlet configured to direct the fluid toward the fluid system.
A surgical system, comprising:
- a fluid system, comprising:
- a fluid pump;
- and
- a fluid temperature regulator in fluid communication with the fluid pump;
- and
- a surgical instrument, comprising:
- an ultrasonic transducer;
- an ultrasonic waveguide extending from the ultrasonic transducer;
- and
- an end effector, comprising:
- an ultrasonic blade extending from the ultrasonic waveguide, wherein the ultrasonic blade defines a longitudinal axis, and wherein the ultrasonic blade is movable along the longitudinal axis in response to ultrasonic vibrations applied to the ultrasonic waveguide by the ultrasonic transducer;
- a jaw movable relative to the ultrasonic blade to capture tissue therebetween, wherein the ultrasonic blade is configured to provide ultrasonic energy to the tissue as the ultrasonic blade moves along the longitudinal axis;
- and
- a fluid line in fluid communication with the fluid system, wherein the fluid line is configured to receive fluid from the fluid system, wherein the fluid is configured to be in thermal communication with the ultrasonic blade, wherein the fluid is configured to maintain a temperature of the ultrasonic blade such that coagulation of the tissue can occur and desiccation of the tissue does not occur as the ultrasonic blade provides ultrasonic energy to the tissue, and wherein the fluid line comprises:
- a fluid inlet configured to receive the fluid from the fluid system;
- and
- a fluid outlet configured to direct the fluid toward the fluid system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.