Method of balancing asymmetric ultrasonic surgical blades
AssigneeEthicon Endo-Surgery, Inc.
InventorJean M. Beaupre
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Abstract
The present invention describes a method of designing a balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument including an ultrasonic transmission rod and an asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade attached to the distal end of the ultrasonic transmission rod. According to the present invention, the ultrasonically actuated blade includes a treatment portion. The treatment portion has a functional feature such as, for example, a curved blade which makes the treatment portion asymmetric. In the method according to the present invention, a balance portion including at least a first asymmetric balance feature is designed and positioned between the ultrasonically actuated blade and the ultrasonic transmission rod to balance out any undesirable torque generated by the treatment portion.
Claims12
A method of balancing a ultrasonic instrument including an asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade and an ultrasonic waveguide wherein said asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade induces an undesirable torque in said ultrasonic waveguide, said method comprising the steps of:
- incorporating a balance region between a distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide and a proximal end of said asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade;
- incorporating one or more balance asymmetries into said balance region, wherein said one or more balance asymmetries generate a counter torque which opposes said undesirable torque.
An ultrsonic surgical instrument including an asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade and an ultrasonic waveguide wherein said asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade induces an undesirable torque in said ultrasonic waveguide, wherein said ultrasonic surgical instrument is balanced by a method comprising the steps of:
- incorporating a balance region between a distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide and a proximal end of said asymmetric ultrasonically actuated blade;
- incorporating one or more balance asymmetries into said balance region, wherein said one or more balance asymmetries generate a counter torque which opposes said undesirable torque.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.