U.S. patent application number 15/888798 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-16 for ultrasonic handpiece.
This patent application is currently assigned to P TECH, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is P TECH, LLC. Invention is credited to Justin Beyers, Peter M. Bonutti, Frank Anthony Crandall, Matthew Cremens.
Application Number | 20180228507 15/888798 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47293748 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180228507 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bonutti; Peter M. ; et
al. |
August 16, 2018 |
ULTRASONIC HANDPIECE
Abstract
An ultrasonic handpiece includes a horn and a transducer system.
The transducer system is configured to detect a first pressure
applied to at least a first portion of the transducer system,
transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, and generate
ultrasonic vibratory energy. The first pressure is associated with
a second pressure applied to the horn.
Inventors: |
Bonutti; Peter M.;
(Manalapan, FL) ; Beyers; Justin; (Effingham,
IL) ; Cremens; Matthew; (Effingham, IL) ;
Crandall; Frank Anthony; (Salt Lake City, UT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
P TECH, LLC |
Effingham |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
P TECH, LLC
EFFINGHAM
IL
|
Family ID: |
47293748 |
Appl. No.: |
15/888798 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13495728 |
Jun 13, 2012 |
9883883 |
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15888798 |
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61526182 |
Aug 22, 2011 |
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61526207 |
Aug 22, 2011 |
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61496147 |
Jun 13, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/320068 20130101;
A61B 2017/00022 20130101; A61B 2090/064 20160201 |
International
Class: |
A61B 17/32 20060101
A61B017/32 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A method of operating a handheld medical device, said method
comprising: detecting a first pressure applied to a horn of the
handheld medical device when the horn is pressed against a first
surgical implement; determining when the first pressure is within a
predetermined pressure range indicating that the first pressure is
suitable for securing the first surgical implement to a second
surgical implement; generating energy when the first pressure has
remained within the predetermined pressure range for at least a
predetermined duration of time; and applying the energy through the
horn to the first surgical implement to secure the first surgical
implement to the second surgical implement.
22. The method of claim 21, further comprising inhibiting the
generation of energy when the first pressure is outside the
predetermined pressure range.
23. The method of claim 21, further comprising: determining when
the first surgical implement is secured to the second surgical
implement; and stopping the generation of energy after determining
the first surgical implement is secured to the second surgical
implement.
24. The method of claim 23, further comprising providing an
indication to a user when the first surgical implement is secured
to the second surgical implement.
25. The method of claim 23, wherein said determining when the first
surgical implement is secure to the second surgical implement
comprises determining when a predetermined amount of energy has
been applied to the first surgical implement by the handheld
medical device.
26. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined duration of
time is 2 seconds.
27. The method of claim 21, wherein the energy generated is
vibratory energy.
28. The method of claim 21, further comprising receiving a user
input, wherein said generating energy further comprises generating
energy when the first pressure has remained within the
predetermined pressure range for at least a predetermined duration
of time and the user input has been received.
29. The method of claim 21, further comprising: identifying the
handheld medical device based on an identifier associated with the
handheld medical device; and retrieving at least one setting for
the handheld medical device based on the identifier.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the at least one setting
includes the predetermined pressure range.
31. The method of claim 30, wherein the at least one setting
further includes the predetermined duration of time.
32. A controller for use with a handheld medical device, the
controller comprising: a processor; and a memory device having
encoded thereon computer-readable instructions that are executable
by the processor to perform functions comprising:
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/496,147 filed Jun. 13, 2011, U.S. Provisional
Patent Application No. 61/526,182 filed Aug. 22, 2011, and U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/526,207 filed Aug. 22, 2011,
which are hereby incorporated by reference in their respective
entireties.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices
and, more particularly, to an ultrasonic handpiece.
[0003] Various types of known medical procedures involve repair and
stabilization of body tissue. Such medical procedures may be
utilized, for example, to treat conditions, such as, without
limitation, a defect, damage, or fracture to bone, damaged or torn
muscle, ligament or tendon, or separation of body tissues, etc. For
example, fractured bones often involve stabilization of the bone in
order to promote healing. Different bones and/or different types of
fractures generally require unique procedures and/or surgical
implements to facilitate stabilization of the body tissue.
Accordingly, medical personnel employ a variety of surgical
implements, such as screws, plates, and rods, to stabilize the bone
across the fracture. In another example, further surgical
implements may be used to anchor torn ligaments or tendons to other
appropriate body tissue. As such, a variety of medical procedures
and surgical implements are known to be used within the body of a
patient to facilitate repair, stabilization, and/or healing of body
tissue.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect, a method is provided for operating a handheld
medical device. The method includes detecting a first pressure
applied to a force determining mechanism. The first pressure is
associated with a second pressure applied to a horn. The method
further includes transmitting a signal associated with the first
pressure, and generating vibratory energy based at least in part on
the first pressure.
[0005] In another aspect, a medical device is provided. The medical
device includes a vibrating mechanism, a horn, and a force
determining mechanism. The vibrating mechanism is configured to
generate vibratory energy. The horn is configured to transmit the
vibratory energy generated by the vibrating mechanism to an
operative site. The force determining mechanism is configured to
detect a first pressure applied to the force determining mechanism
and transmit a signal associated with the first pressure. The first
pressure is associated with a second pressure applied to the
horn.
[0006] In yet another aspect, an ultrasonic handpiece is provided.
The ultrasonic handpiece includes a horn and a transducer system.
The transducer system is configured to detect a first pressure
applied to at least a first portion of the transducer system,
transmit a signal associated with the first pressure, and generate
ultrasonic vibratory energy. The first pressure is associated with
a second pressure applied to the horn.
[0007] The features, functions, and advantages described herein may
be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present
disclosure or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further
details of which may be seen with reference to the following
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1-4 show exemplary embodiments of the methods and
systems described herein.
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary surgical
system;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary ultrasonic
handpiece that may be used with the surgical system shown in FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of operating
the surgical system shown in FIG. 1; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
ultrasonic handpiece that may be used with the surgical system
shown in FIG. 1.
[0013] Although specific features of various embodiments may be
shown in some drawings and not in others, this is for convenience
only. Any feature of any drawing may be referenced and/or claimed
in combination with any feature of any other drawing.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] The present disclosure relates generally to medical devices
and, more particularly, to ultrasonic handpieces. In one
embodiment, an ultrasonic handpiece includes a vibrating mechanism,
a horn, and a force determining mechanism. The force determining
mechanism detects a force and/or pressure applied to the force
determining mechanism, and transmits a first signal associated with
the force and/or pressure to a surgical generator. The surgical
generator transmits a second signal to the vibrating mechanism
based on the first signal to generate vibratory energy, which is
transmitted by the horn to an operative site.
[0015] As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular
and preceded with the word "a" or "an" should be understood as not
excluding plural elements or steps unless such exclusion is
explicitly recited. Moreover, references to "one embodiment" and/or
the "exemplary embodiment" are not intended to be interpreted as
excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also
incorporate the recited features.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary surgical system 100 including a
surgical generator 110 and a handpiece 120, which may be removably
coupled to surgical generator 110. Alternatively, surgical
generator 110 may be integrated with handpiece 120. As used herein,
surgical and/or surgery are used to generally refer to any medical
procedure involving a patient (a human being, an animal, etc.) and
may include in-patient procedures, out-patient procedures, invasive
procedures, non-invasive procedures, and/or minimally invasive
procedures. In at least some embodiments, surgical implements (not
shown) are disposed within the patient's body in orientations
suitable for a respective medical procedure, such as a fracture
stabilization procedure. Surgical implements may include implants
or other suitable medical devices such as, without limitation,
pins, screws, fasteners, dowels, rods, plates, and/or anchors.
Moreover, as used herein, handpiece is used to generally refer to a
housing, casing, frame, holder, and/or support that can be manually
carried and manipulated during a medical procedure involving a
patient.
[0017] In the exemplary embodiment, surgical generator 110 includes
a processing device 130 and a memory device 140 coupled to
processing device 130. Processing device 130 may include, without
limitation, a microcontroller, a microprocessor, a programmable
gate array, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a
logic circuit, and/or any other circuit, integrated or otherwise,
suitable to perform as described herein. Memory device 140 includes
one or more devices operable to enable information such as
executable instructions and/or other data to be stored and/or
retrieved. Memory device 140 may include one or more computer
readable media including, without limitation, hard disk storage,
optical drive/disk storage, removable disk storage, flash memory,
non-volatile memory, ROM, electrically-erasable programmable
read-only memory (EEPROM), and/or random access memory (RAM).
Memory device 140 is used to store one or more of predetermined
thresholds, resonant frequencies, settings specific to handpiece
120, and/or executable instructions.
[0018] In the exemplary embodiment, surgical generator 110 includes
an output device 150 for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT), a
liquid crystal display (LCD), an LED display, an "electronic ink"
display, and/or other device suitable to display information to an
operator. Additionally, output device 150 may include an audio
output device (e.g., a speaker, etc.) to indicate verbal
instructions, alerts, and/or warnings to the operator.
[0019] In the exemplary embodiment, surgical generator 110 includes
one or more input devices, such as, without limitation, a button, a
pedal, a knob, a keypad, a pointing device, a mouse, a touch
sensitive panel (e.g., a touch pad or a touchscreen), a gyroscope,
a position detector, and/or an audio input (e.g., a microphone).
For example, in the exemplary embodiment, a foot pedal 160 is
removably coupled to surgical generator 110 to enable an operator
to provide input to surgical generator 110. In one embodiment, the
input device is integrated with surgical generator 110. In another
embodiment, the input device is remote from surgical generator 110
and coupled thereto.
[0020] Different types of handpieces 120 may be used with surgical
generator 110 based on a type of medical procedure and/or a type of
surgical implement. For example, various handpieces 120 may have
different configurations and/or properties (e.g., acoustical
characteristics, resonance frequency), and/or various surgical
implements may require handpieces 120 of different sizes and/or
configurations. In the exemplary embodiment, an identifier (not
shown) enables surgical generator 110 to automatically identify
handpiece 120. For example, surgical generator 110 may read and/or
detect a resistance identification, an RFID tag, and/or another
identifying component to differentiate handpiece 120 from other
handpieces 120. Additionally or alternatively, an operator may
manually identify handpiece 120. In at least some embodiments, the
identifier is associated with multiple medical procedures and/or
surgical implements. In such embodiments, the operator may provide,
and surgical generator 110 may receive, one or more inputs to
select a medical procedure to be performed and/or a surgical
implement to be interfaced.
[0021] In this manner, one or more handpieces 120 may be replaced
between medical procedures. In at least some embodiments, handpiece
120 is removed after each patient such that handpiece 120 may be
autoclaved between medical procedures to substantially ensure
sterility for one or more subsequent patients. Accordingly,
handpiece 120 is configured to withstand multiple autoclave
procedures.
[0022] In the exemplary embodiment, handpiece 120 includes an outer
housing 170, a horn 180 extending longitudinally from outer housing
170, an end effector 190 coupled to horn 180, and a sheath 195
(shown in FIG. 2) coupled to outer housing 170 and extending about
and spaced radially from horn 180 and/or end effector 190. In the
exemplary embodiment, horn 180 and/or end effector 190 are sized
and/or configured to slide within sheath 195. In at least some
embodiments, end effector 190 is integrated with horn 180.
[0023] In the exemplary embodiment, handpiece 120 is useable to
affect one or multiple surgical implements during a surgery. More
specifically, handpiece 120 applies vibratory energy, such as
ultrasonic energy, to one or more of the surgical implements to
form a weld between the surgical implements. Alternatively,
handpiece 120 may apply any energy that enables surgical generator
110 and/or handpiece 120 to function as described herein.
[0024] In the exemplary embodiment, handpiece 120 is configured to
provide an ergonomic interaction with an operator including,
without limitation, a surgeon, a doctor, a surgery assistant, a
nurse, a veterinarian, and/or other medical personnel present for a
medical procedure. Other shapes and/or sizes of handpiece 120 may
be included in other surgical system embodiments. In at least some
embodiments, handpiece 120 is configured to interact with and/or be
utilized by a robotic and/or haptic arm for robotic (e.g., fully
automatic or programmed) and/or remote control (e.g., direct human
control with end points or boundaries) of handpiece 120.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of handpiece 120. In the
exemplary embodiment, outer housing 170 houses at least an inner
housing 200 and at least a portion of a transducer system or, more
specifically, load cell 210. In the exemplary embodiment, load cell
210 is configured to detect a first force and/or pressure applied
to load cell 210 and transmit to surgical generator 110 (shown in
FIG. 1) a pressure signal associated with and/or indicative of the
first pressure. The first pressure is associated with a force
and/or pressure between end effector 190 (shown in FIG. 1) and a
surgical implement in contact with end effector 190, which, in
turn, directly applies a force and/or pressure to horn 180.
[0026] In the exemplary embodiment, a biasing mechanism 220 is
positioned within outer housing 170 to counteract, reduce and/or
limit the first pressure applied to load cell 210. More
specifically, biasing mechanism 220 is moveable between an unflexed
or home position and a flexed position. In this manner, load cell
210 "floats" within outer housing 170. As the first pressure
applied to load cell 210 generally increases, in the exemplary
embodiment, biasing mechanism 220 moves toward the flexed position.
Conversely, as the first pressure applied to load cell 210
generally decreases, in the exemplary embodiment, biasing mechanism
220 moves toward the home position. In the exemplary embodiment,
biasing mechanism 220 includes a spring plate 230 and a wave spring
240 that is configured to compress as the first pressure increases
and/or expand as the first pressure decreases. Alternatively, any
type of biasing mechanism 220 may be used that enables handpiece
120 to function as described herein. In at least some embodiments,
load cell 210 is fixedly coupled within outer housing 170.
[0027] In the exemplary embodiment, outer housing 170 defines a
cavity therein that is sized and/or configured such that inner
housing 200 is retained within outer housing 170. More
specifically, outer housing 170 and/or inner housing 200 includes
at least one retaining mechanism 250 that facilitates
counteracting, reducing, and/or limiting the first pressure applied
to load cell 210. For example, in the exemplary embodiment,
retaining mechanism 250 is positioned within outer housing 170
between inner housing 200 and load cell 210 to prevent and/or limit
inner housing 200 from moving toward load cell 210 beyond a
predetermined position. In the exemplary embodiment, a portion of
retaining mechanism 250 is positioned at the predetermined position
within a groove 260 defined by an inner surface of outer housing
170. In the exemplary embodiment, retaining mechanism 250 includes
an opening 270 extending longitudinally therethrough, and a
standoff 280 coupled to inner housing 200 extends through opening
270 such that standoff 280 is configured to directly apply the
first pressure to load cell 210. In at least some embodiments,
standoff 280 may be a spring. Alternatively, any type of retaining
mechanism 250 and/or standoff 280 may be used that enables
handpiece 120 to function as described herein.
[0028] In the exemplary embodiment, inner housing 200 houses at
least a portion of horn 180 and at least a portion of the
transducer system or, more specifically, vibrating mechanism 290
coupled to horn 180. In the exemplary embodiment, vibrating
mechanism 290 is a piezoelectric stack that is configured to
generate vibratory energy (e.g., ultrasonic energy) upon receiving
a control signal to activate a weld cycle. In the exemplary
embodiment, horn 180 is configured to transmit the vibratory energy
to an operative site. More specifically, horn 180 is coupleable to
end effector 190 such that the vibratory energy is transmitted to
end effector 190 through horn 180. Alternatively, the vibratory
energy may be transmitted to the operative site using any mechanism
that enables handpiece 120 to function as described herein.
[0029] The transducer system includes at least vibrating mechanism
290 and load cell 210. In this manner, the transducer system is
configured to detect the first pressure, transmit the pressure
signal, and generate ultrasonic vibratory energy. In the exemplary
embodiment, vibrating mechanism 290 is remote from load cell 210.
Alternatively, vibrating mechanism 290 may be adjacent and/or
integrated with load cell 210, or load cell 210 may be adjacent
and/or integrated with vibrating mechanism 290. For example, the
first pressure may be determined based on a pressure detected by
vibrating mechanism 290, and/or load cell 210 may be configured to
generate vibratory energy.
[0030] In at least some embodiments, handpiece 120 includes a
series of electrical contacts that are coupled to vibrating
mechanism 290. In such embodiments, the electrical contacts are
moveable between a closed configuration and an open configuration
such that the electrical contacts are electrically and/or
communicatively coupled and/or decoupled, respectively. In such
embodiments, as pressure applied to end effector 190, horn 180,
and/or load cell 210 generally increases, the electrical contacts
move toward the closed configuration, thereby coupling surgical
generator 110 to vibrating mechanism 290. Conversely, as pressure
applied to end effector 190, horn 180, and/or load cell 210
generally decreases, in such embodiments, the electrical contacts
move toward the open configuration, thereby decoupling surgical
generator 110 from vibrating mechanism 290. Alternatively, the
electrical contacts may be positioned anywhere within handpiece 120
that enables surgical system 100 to function as described
herein.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an exemplary method 300 of
operating surgical system 100. During operation, in the exemplary
embodiment, handpiece 120 is identified based on an identifier
and/or selected based on a type of medical procedure and/or
surgical implement. In the exemplary embodiment, surgical generator
110 retrieves one or more settings associated with handpiece 120,
the medical procedure, and/or the surgical implement from memory
device 140 based on the identifier. The settings are used by
surgical generator 110 to provide one or more control signals to
handpiece 120. Settings retrieved from memory device 140 may
include, without limitation, frequencies, voltages, currents,
and/or control algorithms. For example, in the exemplary
embodiment, the setting retrieved from memory device 140 includes a
predetermined first force and/or pressure range that enables
vibratory energy transfer to the surgical implement, as described
below.
[0032] Upon identification and/or selection of handpiece 120 and
retrieval of one or more settings from memory device 140, surgical
system 100 is generally ready to affect the surgical implement. In
the exemplary embodiment, end effector 190 is positioned 310 at
least partially within the patient and in contact with the surgical
implement. More specifically, the operator uses handpiece 120 to
apply force and/or pressure to the surgical implement, which, in
turn, applies a force and/or pressure to horn 180 and inner housing
200. As a result, standoff 280 applies the first pressure to load
cell 210, which detects 320 the first pressure and transmits 330
the pressure signal from handpiece 120 to surgical generator
110.
[0033] In at least some embodiments, output device 150 presents an
indication of the pressure to the operator. For example, in one
embodiment, a visual display presents a visual indication of the
applied pressure relative to the first pressure range such that the
operator is able to visualize what, if any, corrections need to be
made in order to provide a pressure within the first pressure
range. Additionally or alternatively, an audio output device
presents an audible tone indicative of the applied pressure, and/or
a tactile output device presents vibrations indicative of the
applied pressure. The tone and/or vibrations may include three
rates, volumes, and/or intensities: a first rate, volume, and/or
intensity indicating the pressure is below the first pressure
range, a second rate, volume, and/or intensity indicating the
pressure is within the first pressure range, and a third rate,
volume, and/or intensity indicating the pressure is above the first
pressure range. As such, the audible tone and/or the vibrations
enable the operator to understand the applied pressure relative to
the first pressure range without diverting the operator's visual
attention from the patient and/or surgical implement.
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment, when the pressure is below the
first pressure range, output device 150 presents no visual or
audible indicator. When the pressure is within the first pressure
range, output device 150 presents a ready light and a beep that is
emitted at one second intervals. When the pressure is above the
first pressure range, output device 150 presents an "over pressure"
display and a beep that is emitted at half-second intervals.
Alternatively, output device 150 may present any indication to the
operator that enables surgical system 100 to function as described
herein.
[0035] In the exemplary embodiment, when the applied pressure is
within the predetermined pressure range, the operator presses foot
pedal 160 down to initiate transmission of the control signal to
activate a weld cycle. More specifically, surgical generator 110
transmits the control signal to handpiece 120 upon determining
and/or identifying that the applied pressure is within the first
pressure range and/or determining and/or identifying that foot
pedal 160 is pressed down. In one embodiment, the control signal is
transmitted to handpiece 120 upon receiving the first indication
that the applied pressure is within the first pressure range and
then the second indication that foot pedal 160 is pressed second.
In another embodiment, the control signal is transmitted to
handpiece 120 upon receiving the second indication that foot pedal
160 is pressed down and then the first indication that the applied
pressure is within the first pressure range.
[0036] In the exemplary embodiment, vibrating mechanism 290
receives 340 the control signal to activate a weld cycle and
generates 350 vibratory energy upon receiving the control signal.
The vibratory energy is transferred through horn 180 and end
effector 190 to the surgical implement. The vibratory energy
propagates through the surgical implement to vibrate the surgical
implement and an adjacent surgical implement, which generates heat
and a weld therebetween.
[0037] During operation of handpiece 120 in the active weld cycle,
output device 150 presents an indication of the active weld cycle
to the operator. For example, in one embodiment, an audio output
device presents an audible tone indicative of the active weld
cycle. In the exemplary embodiment, the active weld cycle stops
when the weld is complete. More specifically, surgical generator
110 determines and/or identifies that the weld is complete based on
a predetermined amount of energy or work applied by handpiece 120,
and stops transmission of the control signal and/or transmits a
second control signal to stop the active weld cycle when the weld
is complete. In the exemplary embodiment, the amount of energy
applied to the surgical implement is approximately 100 Joules (J).
Alternatively, surgical generator 110 may apply any amount of
energy that enables surgical system 100 to function as described
herein.
[0038] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of another exemplary
handpiece 420, which may be removably coupled to surgical generator
110 (shown in FIG. 1). Alternatively, surgical generator 110 may be
integrated with handpiece 420. In the exemplary embodiment,
handpiece 420 includes an outer housing 470, a horn 480 extending
longitudinally from outer housing 470, an end effector 490 coupled
to horn 480, and a sheath (not shown) coupled to outer housing 470
and extending about and spaced radially from horn 480 and/or end
effector 490. In the exemplary embodiment, horn 480 and/or end
effector 490 are sized and/or configured to slide within the
sheath. In at least some embodiments, end effector 490 is
integrated with horn 480.
[0039] In the exemplary embodiment, handpiece 420 is useable to
affect one or multiple surgical implements during a surgery. More
specifically, handpiece 420 applies vibratory energy, such as
ultrasonic energy, to one or more of the surgical implements to
form a weld between the surgical implements. Alternatively,
handpiece 420 may apply any energy that enables surgical generator
110 and/or handpiece 420 to function as described herein.
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment, handpiece 420 is configured to
provide an ergonomic interaction with the operator. Other shapes
and/or sizes of handpiece 420 may be included in other surgical
system embodiments. In at least some embodiments, handpiece 420 is
configured to interact with and/or be utilized by a robotic arm for
robotic and/or remote control of handpiece 420.
[0041] In the exemplary embodiment, outer housing 470 houses at
least an inner housing 500, a positional sensor 510 extending
longitudinally or axially between an end cap of inner housing 500
and an end cap of outer housing 470, and a biasing mechanism 520
moveable between an unflexed or home position and a flexed
position. As a first force and/or pressure applied to positional
sensor 510 and/or biasing mechanism 520 generally increases, in the
exemplary embodiment, biasing mechanism 520 moves toward the flexed
position. Conversely, as the first pressure applied to positional
sensor 510 and/or biasing mechanism 520 generally decreases, in the
exemplary embodiment, biasing mechanism 520 moves toward the home
position.
[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, the first pressure is
associated with a force and/or pressure between end effector 490
and a surgical implement in contact with end effector 490, which,
in turn, directly applies a force and/or pressure to horn 480. In
the exemplary embodiment, biasing mechanism 520 is a coil spring
configured to compress as the first pressure increases and/or
expand as the first pressure decreases. Alternatively, any type of
biasing mechanism 520 may be used that enables handpiece 420 to
function as described herein.
[0043] In the exemplary embodiment, positional sensor 510 is
configured to detect the first pressure applied to positional
sensor 510 and/or biasing mechanism 520 and transmit to surgical
generator 110 a pressure signal associated with and/or indicative
of the first pressure. More specifically, positional sensor 510
detects a longitudinal or axial compression and/or extension of
positional sensor 510 and/or biasing mechanism 520 and determines
the first pressure based at least in part on the axial compression
and/or extension. In the exemplary embodiment, positional sensor
510 is a linear variable differential transformer and/or a Hall
effect sensor. Alternatively, positional sensor 510 may be any
sensor that enables handpiece 420 to function as described
herein.
[0044] In the exemplary embodiment, outer housing 470 defines a
cavity therein that is sized and/or configured such that inner
housing 500 is retained within outer housing 470. More
specifically, outer housing 470 and/or inner housing 500 includes
at least one retaining mechanism 550 configured to prevent and/or
limit inner housing 500 from moving away from positional sensor 510
and/or biasing mechanism 520 beyond a predetermined position. In
the exemplary embodiment, retaining mechanism 550 is a step that
generally complements a flange extending radially outward from the
end cap of inner housing 500. Alternatively, any type of retaining
mechanism 550 may be used that enables handpiece 420 to function as
described herein.
[0045] In the exemplary embodiment, inner housing 500 houses at
least a portion of horn 480 and at least a portion of the
transducer system or, more specifically, vibrating mechanism 590
coupled to horn 480. In the exemplary embodiment, vibrating
mechanism 590 is a piezoelectric stack that is configured to
generate vibratory energy (e.g., ultrasonic energy) upon receiving
a control signal to activate a weld cycle. In the exemplary
embodiment, horn 480 is configured to transmit the vibratory energy
to an operative site. More specifically, horn 480 is coupleable to
end effector 490 such that the vibratory energy is transmitted to
end effector 490 through horn 480. Alternatively, the vibratory
energy may be transmitted to the operative site using any mechanism
that enables handpiece 420 to function as described herein.
[0046] The embodiments described herein relate generally to medical
devices and, more particularly, to an ultrasonic handpiece. The
ultrasonic handpieces described herein enable monitoring forces
and/or pressures applied to the handpiece, its components, and/or a
surgical implement. As such, the handpieces described herein
facilitate creating effective and/or reliable welds, thereby
improving a repair, stabilization, and/or healing time associated
with the patient.
[0047] Exemplary embodiments of ultrasonic handpieces are described
above in detail. The methods and systems are not limited to the
specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of
systems and/or steps of the method may be utilized independently
and separately from other components and/or steps described herein.
Each method step and each component may also be used in combination
with other method steps and/or components. Although specific
features of various embodiments may be shown in some drawings and
not in others, this is for convenience only. Any feature of a
drawing may be referenced and/or claimed in combination with any
feature of any other drawing.
[0048] This written description uses examples to disclose the
embodiments, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the embodiments, including making
and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ
from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal language of the claims.
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