US 5,484,398 A · Methods of making and using ultrasonic handpiece

Abstract

An ultrasonic surgical handpiece for surgery on a patient has a handpiece with distal and proximal ends on a housing thereof for manipulation by a surgeon. A vibrator is carried within a hollow inside of the housing. A tool extends from the vibrator at the distal end to a distal tip and is tubular with a bore along its axis so axial vibrations at high frequency are transmitted to the distal tip. Fluid flows from the distal tip to the vibrator, cools the vibrator and connects to a source of suction at the proximal end. A flue carried cantilever on the distal end extends about the tool so a space is between the tool and the flue for guiding fluid from the distal end to the distal tip. A port located through the tool connects between the space and the bore and is axially positioned near the distal end to collect fluid. An inlet on the flue is near the distal end for fluid provided by a supply. The inlet is axial distal of the port and/or may meter fluid to a preset range. The port may be at, near or toward a low stress region of the tool. The vibrator is piezo. The port can be diametrically opposed to the inlet. Holes may be located through the tool near the distal tip to prevent misting, clogging or dripping of fluid. A method of cooling the ultrasonic surgical handpiece has steps that circulate fluid from the inlet to the space and port and pass cooling fluid about the vibrator and to the source of suction. A method of making the ultrasonic tool may include having one or more ports through the tool to the bore wherein the ports are at, near or toward low stress regions and allow fluid flow from the space to the bore.

Claims11

Dependent claims

An ultrasonic surgical handpiece for providing surgical effects at an operational site on a patient comprising:

a handpiece having a proximal end for handling and manipulation by a surgeon, the handpiece having a distal end;
a housing of the handpiece shaped to be handheld, the housing having a hollow for enclosing ultrasonics;
a tool extending from the distal end of the handpiece;
a distal tip on the tool away from the distal end;
a vibrator supported within the hollow of the housing and connected to the tool for transmitting thereto ultrasonic frequency energy, the vibrator having an opening;
an axis passing through the tool along which axial vibration at high frequencies are transmitted;
a tool bore extending along the axis through the tool to carry debris and fluid through the vibrator opening and for cooling the vibrator while providing fluid flow from the distal tip to the proximal end;
a source of suction connected to the proximal end for drawing fluid through the tool bore and the vibrator opening for cooling the vibrator in the housing;
a flue positioned about the tool and extending along the axis from the distal end toward the distal tip, the flue carried cantilever and sealed against the distal end;
a source of fluid connected to the distal end;
a space between the tool and the flue for guiding fluid from the distal end toward the distal tip, and
a tool port extending from the space to the bore to permit passage of fluid from the source of fluid to the source of suction, the tool port located near low stress regions on the tool, the tool port near nodes of the tool to minimize the effect of stress concentration due to removal of material from the tool through the tool port, the tool port axially positioned near the distal end for collection of fluid for cooling the vibrator so that there is thermal intimacy between the vibrator and the fluid and debris removed from the operational site.

9 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Methods of making and using ultrasonic handpiece

Life of this patent

Methods of making and using ultrasonic handpiece

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11