Abstract:
A surgical generator that may produce a drive signal or signals of particular voltages, currents, and frequencies, e.g. 55,500 cycles per second (Hz). The drive signal or signals may be provided to an ultrasonic surgical device, and specifically to a transducer. In one embodiment, the generator may be configured to produce a drive signal of a particular voltage, current, and/or frequency output signal that can be stepped with high resolution, accuracy, and repeatability. Additionally, the surgical generator may generate a drive signal or signals with output power sufficient to perform bipolar electrosurgery using radio frequency (RF) energy. The drive signal may be provided, for example, to electrodes of the electrosurgical device. Accordingly, the generator may be configured for therapeutic purposes by applying electrical signals to an ultrasonic transducer or electrical energy to the tissue sufficient for treating the tissue (e.g., cutting, coagulation, cauterization, tissue welding, etc.).
Abstract:
In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument that can supply mechanical energy and electrical energy to an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may be operated in a first operating mode in which a transducer of the surgical instrument produces mechanical energy, or vibrations, that are transmitted to the end effector and a second operating mode in which electrical energy, or current, can flow through the end effector to perform electrosurgery. In another general aspect, the surgical instrument may comprise a clamp, or jaw, which can be moved into a closed position to hold tissue against a waveguide, or blade, of the end effector. In the second operating mode of the surgical instrument, current can flow from a power source, through the waveguide, and return to the power source through a path comprising the jaw. In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to an ultrasonic surgical instrument that comprises a handpiece housing that operably supports an electrical contact assembly therein that is in electrical communication with a signal source. An acoustic assembly is supported within the handpiece housing in rotatable contact with the electrical contact assembly. In various embodiments, the signal source produces at least one of an ultrasonic signal and a radio frequency signal. In one general aspect, various embodiments are directed to a surgical instrument that can supply mechanical energy and electrical energy to an end effector of the surgical instrument. The surgical instrument comprises an ultrasonic generator module coupled to an ultrasonic drive system, which comprises an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a waveguide and an end effector coupled to the waveguide. The ultrasonic drive system is configured to resonate mechanically at a resonant frequency to generate a first ultrasonic drive signal. An electronic circuit is coupled to the ultrasonic generator module to monitor an electrical characteristic of the ultrasonic drive system. A processor is coupled to the electronic circuit to control the ultrasonic drive signal in response to the monitored electrical characteristic of the ultrasonic drive system.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument comprises a handpiece and an ultrasonically actuated blade distal to the handpiece. The instrument includes an activation member that is operable to selectively activate the blade and a controller that is operable to select the energy level at which the blade will be activated. The activation member may comprise capacitive switches; resistive sensors; resonant cavity switching technology; infrared sensing technology; technology that uses a resonant, standing wave on a surface that is perturbed by the presence of a finger; and/or any other suitable type of technology. The controller may comprise the same. The controller may permit selection from three or more available ultrasonic energy levels. The activation member and/or controller may be manipulated from various longitudinal positions on the handpiece and/or various rotational positions about the handpiece, such that the handpiece may be gripped in a variety of ways.
Abstract:
A surgical apparatus comprises a body assembly, an ultrasonic transducer, a shaft assembly, a motor, and a locking feature. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to convert electrical power into ultrasonic vibrations. The shaft assembly comprises a waveguide operable to transmit ultrasonic vibrations. The motor is operable to rotate the ultrasonic transducer to thereby selectively couple the ultrasonic transducer with the waveguide. The locking feature is configured to selectively prevent rotation of at least a portion of the shaft assembly relative to the body assembly. The locking feature and the motor may be activated automatically in response to an operator positioning a proximal portion of the shaft assembly in a distal portion of the body assembly. The surgical apparatus may include a feature configured to alert a user when the waveguide has been adequately secured to the ultrasonic transducer.
Abstract:
Various forms are directed to a method for operating an ultrasonic surgical instrument. The ultrasonic surgical instrument may be activated by generating a drive signal provided to the ultrasonic drive system to drive the end effector. A plurality of input variables may be applied to a multi-variable model to generate a multi-variable model output, where the multi-variable model output corresponds to an effect of the ultrasonic instrument on tissue. The plurality of input variables may comprise at least one variable describing the drive signal and at least one variable describing a property of the ultrasonic surgical instrument. When the multi-variable model output reaches a threshold value, feedback may be generated indicating a corresponding state of at least one of the ultrasonic surgical instrument and tissue acted upon by the ultrasonic surgical instrument.
Abstract:
A connector module for an ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing having a spindle and a coupling rotatably mounted on the spindle. A first conductor is mechanically coupled to the housing. A first link is rotatable relative to the first conductor between a first position and a second position and includes a first contact positioned to electrically contact the first conductor and a second contact electrically coupled to the first contact and positioned to electrically contact an ultrasonic hand piece.
Abstract:
An apparatus comprises a base and at least one indicator in communication with the base. The base comprises a housing and at least one slot. The at least one slot is shaped to receive a reusable component from a surgical instrument. The at least one indicator is in communication with the at least one slot. The base is configured to detect at least one characteristic related to the reusable component when the reusable component is placed into the at least one slot. Wherein the at least one indicator is configured to provide a signal to the user regarding the at least one characteristic.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument handle assembly includes a housing having a proximal end and a distal end. A proximal opening is formed at the proximal end of the housing. A distal opening is formed at the distal end of the housing. The proximal and the distal openings define a longitudinal axis. A handle extends downwardly from the longitudinal axis. The handle defines a proximal contact surface, a saddle surface, and a stabilization tail. A trigger is pivotally attached to the housing and is pivotally moveable relative to the handle.
Abstract:
A surgical instrument that may include a housing, a transducer engaged with the housing which can produce vibrations, and an end-effector engaged with the transducer. The surgical instrument can further include an adjustable sheath extending from the housing where the sheath is movable relative to the distal tip of the end-effector and where the distance between the distal tip of the sheath and the distal tip of the end-effector can be set such that the sheath can act as a depth stop. The sheath can be adjusted such that, when the distal tip of the sheath contacts the tissue or bone being incised, the surgeon can determine that the appropriate depth of the incision has been reached. In other embodiments, the end-effector can be moved with respect to the sheath in order to adjust the distance between the distal tip of the end-effector and the distal tip of the sheath.
Abstract:
An ultrasonic surgical instrument that is configured to permit selective positioning of the relative distance between an end effector for cutting and coagulating tissue and a power actuation switch that is carried by the instrument for selectively energizing the end effector. In one instance, the end effector is able to change position relative to the actuation switch, alternatively, the actuation switch moves relative to the end effector, and still further, both the end effector and the actuation switch are capable of moving relative to each other.