US 5,221,282 A · Tapered tip ultrasonic aspirator

Abstract

An aspirating ultrasonic surgical device for the melting and removal of thermoplastic prosthetic implant cement is provided. The instrument defines a centrally located bore which expands in diameter from a surgical tip in the direction of aspirant flow for a length equal to at least 1/4 the wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of the device so as to prevent blockage by solidified cores of cement. Alternatively, the bore expands from a first uniform diameter extending from the tip end to a second uniform diameter. A compound taper at the tip end minimizes contact between the outer surface of the tube at the tip end. A novel transducer cooling system is provided by incorporating a thermally conductive, electrically insulating material between the piezoelectric crystal (which generates heat as a byproduct) and a hollow metal bolt which defines a central bore through which cooling irrigant flows to conductively remove heat generated by the crystal.

Claims52

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic aspirating surgical device comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer including a piezoelectric crystal, said crystal having a predetermined resonant frequency;
and
a hollow surgical tube n/2 wavelength in length, said wavelength being a wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of said transducer, said tube including a surgical tip portion at one end and at an opposite end a transducer contacting surface for conducting ultrasonic vibration produced by said transducer to said tube, said hollow surgical tube defining a centrally located bore, said bore increasing in diameter between said tip portion and said opposite terminus;
wherein said transducer defines a centrally located bore positioned adjacent and contiguous with the bore of said surgical tube and wherein said transducer contacts and is affixed to said hollow surgical tube at said transducer contacting surface and provides ultrasonic vibration to said tip of sufficient frequency and amplitude so as to enable said tip to melt prosthetic cement from the surface of bone and for removal of said melted cement through said centrally located bore.

1 more element

An ultrasonic aspirating surgical device comprising:

a transducer including a hollow cylindrical piezoelectric crystal, a nut, and a hollow bolt, said bolt defining a centrally located bore contiguous with a bore defined by a hollow surgical tube, said bolt having a cap at one end, and an external threaded portion at an opposite end wherein said bolt is positioned within a bore defined by said crystal, said nut engaging said external threaded portion of said bolt and compressing said crystal against said cap;
and
a hollow surgical tube n/2 wavelength in length, said wavelength being a wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of said transducer, said tube including a surgical tip portion at one end and a transducer contacting surface for conducting ultrasonic vibration produced by said transducer to said tube at an opposite end, said hollow tube defining a centrally located bore, said bore increasing in diameter from said tip portion to said opposite end for a length equal to at least 1/4 wavelength;
wherein said bores of said hollow bolt and surgical tube are contiguous and wherein said transducer contacts and is affixed to said hollow surgical tube at said transducer contacting surface and provide ultrasonic vibration to said tip of sufficient frequency and amplitude so as to enable said tip to melt prosthetic cement from the surface of bone and for removal of said melted cement through said centrally located bore.

1 more element

An ultrasonic aspirating surgical device comprising:

a transducer, said transducer including a plurality of piezoelectric crystals in adjacent spatial relation, a means for energizing said crystals in a manner which causes vibration thereof, a tubular support for transmitting vibrations generated by said crystals, and a means for mechanically coupling said crystals to said support, said coupling means including a hollow interior portion;
a hollow surgical tube n/2 wavelength in length, said wavelength being a wavelength corresponding to the resonant frequency of said transducer, said tube including a surgical tip at one end and a transducer contacting surface for conducting ultrasonic vibration produced by said transducer to said tube at an opposite end, said hollow tube defining a centrally located bore, said bore increasing in diameter between said tip portion and said opposite end;
means for rotating said hollow surgical tube wherein said means is operatively associated with said hollow tube and enables said surgical tip to rotate and thus apply shearing force to cement adherent to bone;
where
said bores of said hollow bolt and surgical tube are contiguous and wherein said transducer contacts and is affixed to said hollow surgical tube at said transducer contacting surface and provides ultrasonic vibration to said tip of sufficient frequency and amplitude so as to enable said tip to melt while simultaneously shearing prosthetic cement from the surface of bone for removal of said melted cement through said centrally located bore.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Tapered tip ultrasonic aspirator

Life of this patent

Tapered tip ultrasonic aspirator

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims52