Apparatus and method for altering generator functions in an ultrasonic surgical system

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention generally relates to an apparatus & method for altering generator functions in an ultrasonic surgical system and, more particularly, to an ultrasonic system for providing information to a generator from an ultrasonic surgical instrument.

#2. Description of the Related Art

#The foregoing and other advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention given below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of a console for an ultrasonic surgical cutting and hemostasis system, as well as a hand piece and foot switch in which the method of the present invention is implemented;

#FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a cross section through the ultrasonic scalpel hand piece of the system of FIG. 1;

#FIG. 1 is an illustration of a system for implementing surgical procedures according to the invention. By means of a first set of wires in cable 20, electrical energy, i.e., drive current, is send from the console 10 to a hand piece 30 where it imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to a surgical device, such as a sharp end-effector 32. This blade can be used for generally simultaneous dissection and cauterization of tissue. The generator in console 10 drives the hand piece 30 such that the ultrasonically tuned blade 32 mounted on the proximal end thereof vibrates and in turn is used for cutting and coagulation in open or laparoscopic surgical procedures. The hand piece 30 is a hand-held device that includes an ultrasonic resonator or transducer that converts the appropriate electrical signals supplied by the generator in console 10 into mechanical vibrations for vibrating the frequency-tuned blade 32. The supply of ultrasonic current to the hand piece 30 may be under the control of a switch 34 located on the hand piece 30, which is connected to the generator in console 10 by a wire in cable 26 via the electrical connection 19. The generator may also be controlled by a foot switch 40, which is connected to the console 10 by another cable 50. Thus, in use a surgeon may apply an ultrasonic electrical signal to the hand piece 30, causing the blade to vibrate longitudinally at an ultrasonic frequency, by operating the switch 34 on the hand with his finger which is activated by pressing button 18, or by operating the foot switch 40 with his foot.

#In a specific embodiment according to the invention, the button 18 is a set of twin rocker switches which are generally 180 degrees apart from each other. Each rocker switch in the button set 18 can signal to the generator console 10 for delivering power to the transducer in the hand piece 30 at a minimum or maximum power levels. In addition, the foot switch 40 includes two paddles of the press-and-hold activation type, where the paddle on the left serves as the switch for activating power delivery at a minimum level, and the paddle on the right serves as the switch for activating power delivery at a maximum level.

#The generator console 10 includes a liquid crystal display device 12, which can be used for indicating the selected cutting power level in various means such as percentage of maximum cutting power or numerical power levels associated with cutting power. The liquid crystal display device 12 can also be utilized to display other parameters of the system. A power switch 11 and power “on” indicator 13 are also provided on the console. Further, buttons and switches 16 to 17 control various other functions of the system may be located on the console front panel.