# US 7,494,468 B2 · Ultrasonic medical device operating in a transverse mode > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,494,468 B2 - Document ID: US7494468B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/371,781 - Filed: 2003-02-21 - Published: 2003-07-03 - Granted: 2009-02-24 - Earliest claimed: 1999-10-05 - Assignees: OmniSonics Medical Technologies, Inc. - Inventors: Robert A. Rabiner; Bradley A. Hare; David M. Fischer; Andy Levine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7494468B2 ## CPC - A61N 7/022: {intracavitary} - A61B 17/22012: {in direct contact with, or very close to, the obstruction or concrement (for removing obstructions in blood vessels by laser A61B18/245)} - A61B 2017/00137: {Details of operation mode} - A61B 2017/00274: {Prostate operation, e.g. prostatectomy, turp, bhp treatment} - A61B 2017/22002: {preventing restenosis} - A61B 2017/22007: {Cavitation or pseudocavitation, i.e. creation of gas bubbles generating a secondary shock wave when collapsing} - A61B 2017/22008: {used or promoted} - A61B 2017/22015: {with details of the transmission member} - A61B 2017/22018: {segmented along its length} - A61B 2017/22051: {with an inflatable part, e.g. balloon, for positioning, blocking, or immobilisation (A61B2017/22048, A61B2017/3486 take precedence)} - A61B 2017/293: {with means preventing relative rotation between the shaft and the actuating rod} - A61B 2017/32007: {with suction or vacuum means} - A61B 2017/320084: {Irrigation sleeves} - A61B 2017/320089: {node location} - A61B 2018/00547: {Prostate} - A61B 2018/00982: {combined with or comprising means for visual or photographic inspections inside the body, e.g. endoscopes} - A61B 2217/005: with suction drainage system - A61B 2217/007: with irrigation system - A61N 2007/0008: {Destruction of fat cells} - A61N: ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY (measurement of bioelectric currents A61B; surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body A61B18/00; anaesthetic apparatus in general A61M; incandescent lamps H01K; infrared radiators for heating H05B) - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract An ultrasonic medical device comprises an ultrasonic vibration generator that generates vibration along its longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic vibration is transmitted through an ultrasonic coupler and a series of transformer sections that amplify the ultrasonic vibration. A flexible member is coupled to the distal end of the transformer sections, and is thus supplied with a longitudinal vibration at its base by the transformer sections. The flexible member is designed so that it converts the longitudinal vibration into a standing wave that runs along the length of the flexible member. The standing wave produces a series of nodes and anti-nodes along the length of the flexible member. Each of the anti-nodes produces cavitation in fluids in contact with the probe. The cavitation of the fluids causes destruction of adjacent tissue. In this manner, the entire length of the flexible member becomes a working surface that may be utilized for destroying tissue. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ultrasonic device comprising: a flexible probe coupled to a horn, the flexible probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the flexible probe comprising first and second transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer sections by the horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, wherein a portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a degree of stiffness which allows the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections to support a transverse ultrasonic vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, and a length and a cross section of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections are sized to support the transverse ultrasonic vibration with a plurality of transverse nodes and transverse anti-nodes along the length of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the cross section of the flexible probe has a small profile. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the cross section of the flexible probe is approximately circular. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the transverse anti-nodes are points of a maximum transverse displacement along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein, during use, the transverse anti-nodes cause a cavitation in a fluid containing medium in communication with the flexible probe in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein the transformer sections are located between the proximal end of the flexible probe and the distal end of the flexible probe. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a driver coupled to the horn, the driver configured to produce longitudinal vibration. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal vibration applied to the transformer sections has a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to about 80 kHz. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a length such that eight transverse nodes are produced along the length of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections when the longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections comprises titanium. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the transformer sections are sized to produce a gain of about 4-5 over the horn. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a diameter of less than about 1 millimeter. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a diameter of about 0.020 inches. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the flexural stiffness of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections is in the range of about 2.5×107 N/m to about 8.5×107 N/m. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the first transformer section comprises a threaded portion and the horn comprises a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the first transformer section configured to mate with the threaded portion of the horn. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a sheath, the flexible probe being disposed within the sheath. ### Claim 17 An ultrasonic medical device comprising: an ultrasonic probe coupled to an ultrasonic horn, the ultrasonic probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween, the ultrasonic probe comprising first and second transformer sections located between the proximal end of the ultrasonic probe and the distal end of the ultrasonic probe, the transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer sections by the ultrasonic horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, a portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections being configured to vibrate in a direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the cross section of the ultrasonic probe has a small profile. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the cross section of the ultrasonic probe is approximately circular. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein, during use, a transverse ultrasonic vibration along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe produces a plurality of transverse nodes and transverse anti-nodes along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20 wherein the transverse anti-nodes are points of maximum transverse displacement along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20 wherein, during use, the transverse anti-nodes cause a cavitation in a fluid containing medium in communication with the ultrasonic probe in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the ultrasonic probe. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The device of claim 20 wherein, during use, more than one of the plurality of transverse antinodes is in communication with a biological material. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, further comprising an ultrasonic driver coupled to the horn, the ultrasonic driver configured to produce longitudinal ultrasonic vibration. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the longitudinal vibration applied to the transformer sections has a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to about 80 kHz. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a length such that eight transverse nodes are produced along length of the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections when the longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections comprises titanium. ### Claim 28 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the transformer sections are sized to produce a gain of about 4-5 over the horn. ### Claim 29 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a diameter of less than about 1 millimeter. ### Claim 30 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a diameter of about 0.020 inches. ### Claim 31 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the flexural stiffness of the portion of the ultrasonic probe extending distally from the transformer sections is in the range of about 2.5×107 N/m to about 8.5×107 N/m. ### Claim 32 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the first transformer section comprises a threaded portion and the horn comprises a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the first transformer section configured to mate with the threaded portion of the horn. ### Claim 33 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, further comprising a sheath, the ultrasonic probe being disposed within the sheath. ### Claim 34 An ultrasonic medical device comprising: a flexible probe coupled to a horn, the flexible probe having a proximal end, a distal end and a longitudinal axis therebetween; a largest diameter of the flexible probe at a proximal end of the flexible probe; a smallest diameter of the flexible probe at a distal end of the flexible probe; and first and second transformer sections located between the proximal end of the flexible probe and the distal end of the flexible probe, the transformer sections configured to amplify an amplitude of longitudinal vibration when longitudinal vibration is applied to the transformer section by the horn, the first transformer section having a first diameter and the second transformer section having a second diameter, the first diameter differing from the second diameter, wherein, when longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to a portion the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, a transverse ultrasonic vibration is produced along the longitudinal axis of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections, which produces a plurality of transverse nodes and transverse anti-nodes along the longitudinal axis of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34 wherein the cross section of the flexible probe has a small profile. ### Claim 36 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34 wherein the cross section of the flexible probe is approximately circular. ### Claim 37 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34 wherein the flexible probe is configured to vibrate in a direction transverse to at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe. ### Claim 38 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34 wherein the transverse anti-nodes are points of a maximum transverse displacement along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe. ### Claim 39 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34 wherein, during use, the transverse anti-nodes cause a cavitation in a fluid containing medium in communication with the flexible probe in a direction approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the flexible probe. ### Claim 40 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34 wherein, during use, more than one of the plurality of transverse antinodes are in communication with a biological material. ### Claim 41 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, further comprising a driver coupled to the horn, the driver configured to produce longitudinal vibration. ### Claim 42 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the longitudinal vibration applied to the transformer sections has a frequency in the range of about 20 kHz to about 80 kHz. ### Claim 43 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a length such that eight transverse nodes are produced along the length of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections when the longitudinal vibration is applied by the transformer sections to the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections. ### Claim 44 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections comprises titanium. ### Claim 45 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the transformer sections are sized to produce a gain of about 4-5 over the horn. ### Claim 46 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a diameter of less than about 1 millimeter. ### Claim 47 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections has a diameter of about 0.020 inches. ### Claim 48 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the flexural stiffness of the portion of the flexible probe extending distally from the transformer sections is in the range of about 2.5×107 N/m to about 8.5×107 N/m. ### Claim 49 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, wherein the first transformer section comprises a threaded portion and the horn comprises a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the first transformer section configured to mate with the threaded portion of the horn. ### Claim 50 (depends on 34) The device of claim 34, further comprising a sheath, the flexible probe being disposed within the sheath.