U.S. patent application number 12/603599 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-18 for ultrasound medical instrument having a medical ultrasonic blade.
Invention is credited to Kevin L. Houser, Atsunori Kozuki, Shinichi Miyala.
Application Number | 20100042126 12/603599 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38286488 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100042126 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Houser; Kevin L. ; et
al. |
February 18, 2010 |
ULTRASOUND MEDICAL INSTRUMENT HAVING A MEDICAL ULTRASONIC BLADE
Abstract
A first ultrasound medical instrument includes a medical
ultrasonic blade having first, second and third blade portions. The
second blade portion is more bendable than either of the first and
third blade portions. A second ultrasound medical instrument
includes a medical ultrasonic blade having a proximal blade portion
and a distal blade portion. The distal blade portion bends more
easily than does the proximal blade portion. The distal blade
portion includes a distal end portion adapted to contact and
ultrasonically treat patient tissue. A third ultrasonic medical
instrument includes a medical ultrasonic blade. The medical
ultrasonic blade includes a proximal blade portion having a
centerline and includes a distal blade portion in contact with the
proximal blade portion at a substantially planar interface. The
interface is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a
perpendicular to the centerline at the interface.
Inventors: |
Houser; Kevin L.;
(Springboro, OH) ; Miyala; Shinichi; (Konan-ku,
JP) ; Kozuki; Atsunori; (Aoba-ku, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PHILIP S. JOHNSON;JOHNSON & JOHNSON
ONE JOHNSON & JOHNSON PLAZA
NEW BRUNSWICK
NJ
08933-7003
US
|
Family ID: |
38286488 |
Appl. No.: |
12/603599 |
Filed: |
October 22, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11336274 |
Jan 20, 2006 |
7621930 |
|
|
12603599 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
606/169 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 2017/00336
20130101; A61B 2017/320089 20170801; A61B 2017/22015 20130101; A61B
2017/003 20130101; A61B 17/320092 20130101; A61B 2017/320094
20170801 |
Class at
Publication: |
606/169 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/32 20060101
A61B017/32 |
Claims
1. An ultrasonic medical instrument comprising a medical ultrasonic
blade having a length and including a proximal blade portion and a
distal blade portion, wherein the proximal blade portion has a
larger transverse area and the distal blade portion has a smaller
transverse area, wherein the distal blade portion is more bendable
than the proximal blade portion, and wherein the distal blade
portion includes a distal end portion adapted to contact and
ultrasonically treat patient tissue.
2. An ultrasonic medical instrument comprising a medical ultrasonic
blade including a proximal blade portion having a centerline and
including a distal blade portion in contact with the proximal blade
portion at a substantially planar interface, wherein the interface
is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a perpendicular to
the centerline at the interface.
3. The ultrasonic medical instrument of claim 2, wherein the
proximal and distal blade portions each have a shape of a
substantially solid circular cylinder.
4. The ultrasonic medical instrument of claim 2, wherein the
proximal and distal blade portions each have a shape of a
substantially solid circular cylinder having at least one area of
removed material, wherein the medical ultrasonic blade has an
unarticulated position and an articulated position, and wherein the
at-least-one areas of the proximal and distal blade portions are
substantially rotationally opposed about the centerline in the
unarticulated position and are substantially rotationally aligned
about the centerline in the articulated position.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present invention is a divisional of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/336,274, filed Jan. 20, 2006, (attorney
docket no. END5718USNP), the full disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is related generally to ultrasound
medical instruments, and more particularly to an ultrasound medical
instrument having a medical ultrasonic blade.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Known ultrasound medical instruments include ultrasonic
surgical blades. Ultrasonic surgical instruments are also known
which include ultrasonic surgical shears having an ultrasonic
surgical blade (in the form of a titanium rod), a clamping arm
operable to open and close toward the blade, a tissue pad attached
to the clamping arm, and a device for exerting a clamping force on
the clamping arm which creates a clamping pressure on a blood
vessel which is positioned between the tissue pad and the blade.
The result of the ultrasonically-vibrating ultrasonic surgical
blade and the clamping pressure on the blood vessel is a coaptation
of the blood vessel (a bringing together of the walls of the blood
vessel), a transection (a cutting) of the coaptated blood vessel,
and a coagulation (a sealing) of the coaptated cut ends of the
blood vessel. Articulating surgical staplers, scissors, and
graspers are also known.
[0004] Still, scientists and engineers continue to seek improved
ultrasound medical instruments having a medical ultrasonic
blade.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A first embodiment of the invention is for an ultrasound
medical instrument including a medical ultrasonic blade. The
medical ultrasonic blade has a length and includes first, second
and third blade portions. The second blade portion is located
lengthwise between the first and third blade portions, the first
blade portion is located proximal the second blade portion, and the
third blade portion is located distal the second blade portion. The
first and third blade portions each have a larger transverse area
and the second blade portion has a smaller transverse area. The
second blade portion is more bendable than either of the first and
third blade portions.
[0006] A second embodiment of the invention is for an ultrasound
medical instrument including a medical ultrasonic blade. The
medical ultrasonic blade has a length and includes a proximal blade
portion and a distal blade portion. The proximal blade portion has
a larger transverse area and the distal blade portion has a smaller
transverse area. The distal blade portion bends more easily than
does the proximal blade portion. The distal blade portion includes
a distal end portion adapted to contact and ultrasonically treat
patient tissue.
[0007] A third embodiment of the invention is for an ultrasound
medical instrument including a medical ultrasonic blade. The
medical ultrasonic blade includes a proximal blade portion having a
centerline and includes a distal blade portion in contact with the
proximal blade portion at a substantially planar interface. The
interface is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a
perpendicular to the centerline at the interface.
[0008] Several benefits and advantages are obtained from one or
more of the embodiments of the invention. In one example of the
first embodiment, the first and second blade portions are rigid,
and the second blade portion is controllably bent during a medical
procedure to more easily access a target site in a patient. In one
example of the second embodiment, the proximal blade portion is
rigid, and the distal blade portion is controllably bent during a
medical procedure for the distal end portion of the distal blade
portion to more easily access a target site in a patient to contact
and ultrasonically treat patient tissue. In one example of the
third embodiment, relative rotation, about the interface, of the
proximal and distal blade portions articulates the distal blade
portion with respect to the proximal blade portion.
[0009] The present invention has, without limitation, application
with straight or curved ultrasonic surgical blades, with or without
clamping arms, and further in hand-activated instruments as well as
in robotic-assisted instruments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion
(with the handpiece and the sheath-articulation control knobs, etc.
omitted for clarity) of a first embodiment of an ultrasound medical
instrument of the invention wherein the second blade portion is
substantially 1/2 of a resonant-longitudinal-wavelength long;
[0011] FIG. 2 is view, as in FIG. 1, but of an alternate embodiment
of the ultrasound medical instrument wherein the second blade
portion spans multiple 1/2 resonant longitudinal wavelengths;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a view, as in FIG. 1, but of only an alternate
embodiment of the medical ultrasonic blade, wherein the second
blade portion is joined to the first blade portion by a dowel press
fit;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a view, as in FIG. 3, but of an alternate
embodiment of the medical ultrasonic blade, wherein the second
blade portion is joined to the first blade portion by a
ball-and-socket type attachment;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a
second embodiment of an ultrasound medical instrument of the
invention which lacks the third blade portion of the embodiment of
FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of a
third embodiment of an ultrasound medical instrument of the
invention having a medical ultrasonic blade which includes two
blade portions having a tilted interface, wherein relative rotation
of the blade portions causes articulation of the distal blade
portion with respect to the proximal blade portion; and
[0016] FIGS. 7 and 8 are side-elevational views,
before-and-after-rotation, of an alternate embodiment of the
medical ultrasonic blade wherein the blade portions have areas of
removed material.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Before explaining the present invention in detail, it should
be noted that the invention is not limited in its application or
use to the details of construction and arrangement of parts
illustrated in the accompanying drawings and description. The
illustrative embodiments of the invention may be implemented or
incorporated in other embodiments, variations and modifications,
and may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Furthermore,
unless otherwise indicated, the terms and expressions employed
herein have been chosen for the purpose of describing the
illustrative embodiments of the present invention for the
convenience of the reader and are not for the purpose of limiting
the invention.
[0018] It is understood that any one or more of the
following-described embodiments, examples, etc. can be combined
with any one or more of the other following-described embodiments,
examples, etc.
[0019] Referring now to the Figures, in which like numerals
indicate like elements, FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of
the invention. A first expression of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is
for an ultrasound medical instrument 10 including a medical
ultrasonic blade 12. The medical ultrasonic blade 12 has a length
and includes first, second and third blade portions 14, 16 and 18.
The second blade portion 16 is located lengthwise between the first
and third blade portions 14 and 18, the first blade portion 14 is
located proximal the second blade portion 16, and the third blade
portion 18 is located distal the second blade portion 16. The first
and third blade portions 14 and 18 each have a larger transverse
area and the second blade portion 16 has a smaller transverse area.
The second blade portion 16 is more bendable than either of the
first and third blade portions 14 and 18. It is further noted that
ultrasonic vibration can be any one, or any combination, of
longitudinal, transverse, and torsional vibration.
[0020] In one enablement of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the medical
ultrasonic blade 12 is a monolithic blade. In one variation, the
medical ultrasonic blade 12 includes first and second longitudinal
vibration antinodes 20 and 22, wherein the first blade portion 14
transitions to the second blade portion 16 proximate the first
longitudinal vibration antinode 20, and wherein the second blade
portion 16 transitions to the third blade portion 18 proximate the
second longitudinal vibration antinode 22.
[0021] In one application of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the
ultrasound medical instrument 10 also includes a user-actuated
articulated sheath 24 which surrounds the medical ultrasonic blade
12. In one variation, the medical ultrasonic blade 12 includes
three (meaning at least three) longitudinal vibration nodes 26
located, one each, on the first, second and third blade portions
14, 16 and 18. It is noted that one or more additional longitudinal
vibration nodes may, or may not, be present between any one or two
of the three longitudinal vibration nodes 26. In one modification,
the sheath 24 contacts (i.e., directly contacts or indirectly
contacts through at least one intervening member 27 such as a
silicone intervening member) the first, second and third blade
portions 14, 16 and 18 at a corresponding one of the three
longitudinal vibration nodes 26. In one example, the sheath 24
includes a rigid first sheath portion 28 contacting the first blade
portion 14 at the first longitudinal vibration node (the leftmost
node 26 of FIG. 1), a flexible second sheath portion 30 contacting
the second blade portion 16 at the second longitudinal vibration
node (the middle node 26 of FIG. 1), and a rigid third sheath
portion 32 contacting the third blade portion 18 at the third
longitudinal vibration node (the rightmost node 26 of FIG. 1). In
one deployment, the sheath 24 has only two articulation positions
(i.e., straight and fully articulated). In a different deployment,
the sheath 24 has a number of intermediate bent positions between a
straight position and a fully articulated position depending on the
number of energy efficient curves the blade 12 can be formed to. In
one arrangement, such energy efficient curves minimize vibrational
energy going into non-longitudinal vibrational modes.
[0022] In the same or a different variation, as illustrated in the
alternate embodiment of the ultrasound medical instrument 110 of
FIG. 2, the medical ultrasonic blade 112 includes at least two
longitudinal vibration nodes 126 located on the second blade
portion 116. In one variation, the sheath 124 contacts (i.e.,
directly contacts or indirectly contacts through at least one
intervening member 127 such as a silicone intervening member) the
second blade portion 116 at the at-least-two longitudinal vibration
nodes 126. In one modification, the sheath 124 includes two rigid
sheath portions 128 and 132 and one flexible sheath portion 130,
wherein the flexible sheath portion 130 contacts the second blade
portion 116 at at least one of the two longitudinal vibration nodes
126, and wherein the flexible sheath portion 130 is disposed
between the two rigid sheath portions 128 and 132. In one example,
the two rigid sheath portions 128 and 132 each contact the second
blade portion 116 at a corresponding one of the at-least-two
longitudinal vibration nodes 126.
[0023] In one enablement of the application which includes the
sheath 24 of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the medical ultrasonic blade
12 includes a fourth blade portion 34 adapted to contact and
ultrasonically treat patient tissue, wherein the fourth blade
portion 34 is disposed distal of the third blade portion 18. In one
variation, the ultrasound medical instrument 10 also includes a
user-actuated clamp arm 36 pivotally attached to the sheath 24
proximate the fourth blade portion 34, wherein the clamp arm 36 and
the medical ultrasonic blade 12 at least in part define an
ultrasonic surgical shears 38. The tissue pad and clamping arm
control mechanism have been omitted from FIG. 1 for clarity.
[0024] In one employment of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the first and
third blade portions 14 and 18 are essentially rigid. In the same
or a different employment, the medical ultrasonic blade 12 includes
first and second neck portions 40 and 42 joining, respectively, the
first and second blade portions 14 and 16 and the second and third
blade portions 16 and 18. In one modification, the medical
ultrasonic blade 12 is substantially cylindrical from the first
blade portion 14 to the third blade portion 18, wherein the first,
second and third blade portions 14, 16 and 18 each have a
substantially constant diameter, and wherein the diameter of the
second blade portion 16 is smaller than the diameter of either of
the first and third blade portions 14 and 18. In one illustration,
the diameter of the second blade portion 16 is between
substantially one and two millimeters, and the diameter of the
first and third blade portions is between substantially three and
five millimeters. In one choice of materials, the medical
ultrasonic blade 12 consists essentially of a titanium alloy. In
one modification, the medical ultrasonic blade 12 includes first
and second longitudinal vibration antinodes 20 and 22, and the
first neck portion 40 is disposed proximate the first longitudinal
vibration antinode 20 and the second neck portion 42 is disposed
proximate the second longitudinal vibration antinode 22.
[0025] In one construction, as illustrated in the alternate
embodiment of the medical ultrasonic blade 212 of FIG. 3, wherein
the medical ultrasonic blade 212 is not a monolithic blade, the
second blade portion 216 is joined to the first blade portion 214
by a dowel press fit and is joined to the third blade portion 218
by a dowel press fit. In one illustration, the second blade portion
216 consists essentially of titanium or nitinol. In the same or a
different illustration, the length of the second blade portion is
less than 1/2 wave (a wave being the length of a
resonant-longitudinal-wavelength of the medical ultrasonic blade
which depends essentially on the material of the blade and the
frequency at which it is run) and in one example is less than 1/8
wave. In a different construction, as illustrated in the alternate
embodiment of the medical ultrasonic blade 312 of FIG. 4, wherein
the medical ultrasonic blade 312 is not a monolithic blade, the
second blade portion 316 is joined to the first blade portion 314
by a ball-and-socket type attachment and is joined to the third
blade portion 318 by a dowel press fit. Other attachments between
blade portions are left to those skilled in the art.
[0026] Referring again to the Figures, FIG. 5 illustrates a second
embodiment of the invention. A first expression of the embodiment
of FIG. 5 is for an ultrasound medical instrument 410 including a
medical ultrasonic blade 412. The medical ultrasonic blade 412 has
a length and includes a proximal blade portion 414 and a distal
blade portion 416. The proximal blade portion 414 has a larger
transverse area and the distal blade portion 416 has a smaller
transverse area. The distal blade portion 416 bends more easily
than does the proximal blade portion 414. The distal blade portion
416 includes a distal end portion 444 adapted to contact and
ultrasonically treat patient tissue.
[0027] In one example of the first expression of the embodiment of
FIG. 5, the additional 1/2 wave needed to neck up and create the
larger diameter end effector of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is
eliminated making it possible to place the articulation joint
closer to the distal end of the ultrasound medical instrument.
[0028] The enablements, applications, etc. of the embodiment of
FIG. 1 and of the alternate embodiments of FIGS. 2-4 are equally
applicable (without the presence of the third blade portion) to the
embodiment of FIG. 5.
[0029] Referring again to the Figures, FIG. 6 illustrates a third
embodiment of the invention. A first expression of the embodiment
of FIG. 6 is for an ultrasound medical instrument 510 including a
medical ultrasonic blade 512. The medical ultrasonic blade 510
includes a proximal blade portion 514 having a centerline 546 and
includes a distal blade portion 518 in contact with the proximal
blade portion 514 at a substantially planar interface 548. The
interface is oriented at a non-zero angle with respect to a
perpendicular to the centerline 546 at the interface 548.
[0030] In one arrangement of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the non-zero
angle has a range from substantially thirty degrees to
substantially sixty degrees. In one variation, the non-zero angle
is substantially forty-five degrees.
[0031] In one enablement of the embodiment of FIG. 6, the proximal
and distal blade portions 514 and 518 each have a shape of a
substantially solid circular cylinder. In a different enablement,
as shown in the alternate embodiment of FIGS. 7 and 8, the proximal
and distal blade portions 614 and 618 each have a shape of a
substantially solid circular cylinder having at least one area 650
and 652 of removed (surface and/or non-surface) material, wherein
the medical ultrasonic blade 612 has an unarticulated position (see
FIG. 7) and a fully articulated position (see FIG. 8), and wherein
the at-least-one areas 650 and 652 of the proximal and distal blade
portions 614 and 618 are substantially rotationally opposed about
the centerline 646 in the unarticulated position and are
substantially rotationally aligned about the centerline 646 in the
fully articulated position. In one example, relative 180-degree
rotation, about the interface 648, of the proximal and distal blade
portions 614 and 618 articulates the distal blade portion 618 with
respect to the proximal blade portion 614 portion from the
unarticulated position to the fully articulated position. In one
application, in the unarticulated position the substantially
rotationally opposed areas 650 and 652 balance the medical
ultrasonic blade 612, and in the fully articulated position the
substantially aligned areas balance the blade asymmetry, as can be
understood by those skilled in the art.
[0032] It is within the ordinary level of skill of the artisan to
employ mechanisms (such as those employed in conventional flexible
endoscopes, articulating surgical staplers, articulating surgical
scissors and/or articulating surgical graspers, and the like) to
bend or rotate the appropriate blade portion or portions of the
above-described embodiments of ultrasound medical instruments to
articulate the medical ultrasonic blade, when manual bending or
rotation during a medical procedure is not desired.
[0033] Several benefits and advantages are obtained from one or
more of the embodiments of the invention. In one example of the
first embodiment, the first and second blade portions are rigid,
and the second blade portion is controllably bent during a medical
procedure to more easily access a target site in a patient. In one
example of the second embodiment, the proximal blade portion is
rigid, and the distal blade portion is controllably bent during a
medical procedure for the distal end portion of the distal blade
portion to more easily access a target site in a patient to contact
and ultrasonically treat patient tissue. In one example of the
third embodiment, relative rotation, about the interface, of the
proximal and distal blade portions articulates the distal blade
portion with respect to the proximal blade portion.
[0034] While the present invention has been illustrated by a
description of several embodiments, it is not the intention of the
applicants to restrict or limit the spirit and scope of the
appended claims to such detail. Numerous other variations, changes,
and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, the
ultrasound medical instruments have application in robotic assisted
surgery taking into account the obvious modifications of such
systems, components and methods to be compatible with such a
robotic system. It will be understood that the foregoing
description is provided by way of example, and that other
modifications may occur to those skilled in the art without
departing from the scope and spirit of the appended Claims.
* * * * *