Ultrasonic probe

A method for performing a procedure on a target site of a meniscus, using an ultrasonic surgical tool, the meniscus including a blood-flow area and a no-blood-flow area in a posterior portion of the meniscus, the method comprising:

• inserting a probe of the ultrasonic surgical tool in a body, the probe having an elongated shaft shape and being configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration from a proximal end to a front end, the probe comprising:
• a bent portion that is inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of a probe main body, and
• a procedure portion disposed at the front end of the probe and comprising a cutting surface;
• moving the probe through a space in between a femur and a tibia to position the procedure portion adjacent to the target site;
• positioning the cutting surface of the procedure portion on the target site;
• and
• performing the procedure on the target site,
• wherein:
• in a case where the target site is positioned to extend from the no-blood-flow area to the blood-flow area, the procedure comprises:
• forming an inclined resection plane without corner portions by resecting a portion of the target site that is positioned in the no-blood-flow area using the cutting surface;
• and
• smoothing a portion of the target site that is positioned in the blood-flow area using the cutting surface, and
• in a case where the target site is positioned only in the no-blood-flow area, the procedure comprises forming an inclined resection plane without corner portions by resecting the target site positioned in the no-blood-flow area using the cutting surface.