Ultrasonic knife
OwnerLarry L. Hoodinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic knife of the type for surgical incision in various types of tissue and/or for the removal of cement within the body. The knife has a reduced thermal footprint to minimize thermally induced tissue damage. Tooth configuration on the knife cooperates with the stroke of the ultrasonic drive to produce efficient cutting, as well as tactile feedback to the surgeon with respect to the rate of cutting, and changes in tissue density. Ultrasonic knife tip extenders are also disclosed for advancing the ultrasonic knife tip through the working channel of an endoscope. Methods utilizing the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed.
Claims14
A blade carrier for handling an ultrasonic surgical blade in a sterile environment while minimizing the risk of inadvertent blade stick, said ultrasonic blade of the type comprising a generally planar body extending from a shaft which has a pair of opposing wrenching flats, said blade carrier comprising:
- a blade tip end defining a blade cavity which is configured to receive the blade planar body;
- and
- a blade connector end comprising a pair of generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces and said hinge region forming an open channel configured to receive a portion of the blade shaft with the opposing surfaces contacting the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, said blade connector end being constructed of a material having sufficient resilience such that rotation of the blade carrier will rotate the blade contained therein until a predetermined torque is applied, whereby said opposing surfaces of said open channel deflect outwardly and cam off the wrenching flats to release the blade when said predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier.
A blade carrier comprising:
- a blade housing;
- a blade tip end on the housing;
- a blade cavity in said housing, said cavity sized to receive a planar body portion of a blade with a shaft of the blade extending from said blade cavity;
- and
- means on said housing for engaging opposing wrenching flats on the blade shaft so that the blade contained within said blade carrier rotates with rotation of said blade carrier, and for releasing said blade from said blade carrier when a predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier.
A method of attaching a surgical blade to a knife while maintaining a sterile surgical environment and minimizing the risk of inadvertent blade stick, said blade of the type comprising a generally planar body extending from a shaft which has a pair of opposing wrenching flats, said shaft having a connector end positioned opposite of said blade, said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a blade carrier comprising a blade tip end defining a blade cavity which is configured to receive the blade planar body, and a blade connector end comprising of generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces and said hinge region forming an open channel configured to receive a portion of the blade shaft with the opposing surfaces contacting the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, said blade connector end being constructed of a material having sufficient resilience such that rotation of the blade carrier will rotate the blade contained therein until a predetermined torque is applied, whereby said opposing surfaces of said open channel deflect outwardly and cam off the wrenching flats to release the blade when said predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier;
- inserting the blade into said blade carrier such that the blade planar body is positioned within said blade cavity of said blade tip end and said blade shaft extends through said blade connector end with said pair of generally opposing surfaces contacting said opposing wrenching flats of said blade shaft;
- engaging the connector end of the blade shaft with a corresponding end of a knife;
- rotating said blade carrier relative to the knife;
- tightening the blade against said knife by applying a torque to said blade carrier;
- and
- spreading said opposing surfaces apart so as to release said blade shaft once a predetermined torque is applied to said blade carrier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.