Ultrasonic surgical instrument with probe at angle to handpiece

An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprising:

• a handpiece defining a longitudinal axis;
• an electromechanical transducer assembly disposed inside the handpiece, the electromechanical transducer assembly including a front driver;
• a probe operatively connected to the front driver at an acute angle to the longitudinal axis, the probe having a distal end provided with an end effector, the electromechanical transducer assembly configured to generate ultrasonic vibratory energy that can be delivered to the probe;
• a sheath surrounding the probe and connected at a proximal end to the handpiece, the end effector extending distally of a distal tip of the sheath, the sheath being provided proximate the proximal end with a port connectable to a source of pressurized liquid coolant for flowing the pressurized liquid coolant into a tubular space between the probe and an inner surface of the sheath;
• a diaphragm seal disposed near the proximal end of the sheath, the diaphragm seal having an annular outer surface that contacts and forms a liquid-tight seal with the inner surface of the sheath and an annular inwardly extending flange that contacts and forms a liquid-tight seal with the probe, the diaphragm seal configured to reduce sensations experienced by a user grasping a proximal portion of the sheath when the ultrasonic transducer assembly is generating the ultrasonic vibratory energy.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a handpiece defining a longitudinal axis;
• a sheath coupled to a distal end of the handpiece, the sheath defining a lumen;
• a probe disposed within the lumen, the probe and the sheath extending from the distal end of the handpiece at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis, the probe including an end effector that is configured to be disposed distal to the sheath when the probe is disposed in the lumen;
• and
• an ultrasonic transducer assembly disposed within the handpiece and coupled to the probe, the ultrasonic transducer assembly configured to generate ultrasonic vibratory energy at a predetermined frequency that can cause reciprocating movements of the end effector,
• the handpiece having a length of a quarter wavelength of the predetermined frequency and the probe having a length of three-quarter wavelengths of the predetermined frequency to facilitate the reciprocating movements of the end effector.