| Patent application number | Description | Published |
|---|
| 20090030351 | Multiple end effectors ultrasonic surgical instruments - A surgical instrument includes a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency. The transducer includes a first end and a second end. A first resonator portion includes a first end coupled to the first end of the transducer. The first resonator includes a second end adapted to receive a first ultrasonic transmission waveguide. A second resonator portion includes a first end coupled to the second end of the transducer. The second resonator includes a second end adapted to receive a second ultrasonic transmission waveguide. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20090036912 | Ultrasonic surgical instruments - A surgical instrument. The surgical instrument may comprise a transducer and an end effector. The transducer may be configured to provide vibrations along a longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency and may comprise a piezoelectric stack positioned along the longitudinal axis. The transducer also may comprise a first metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a first end of the piezoelectric stack and a second metallic end mass positioned along the longitudinal axis adjacent a second end of the piezoelectric stack. The length of the transducer may be greater than or equal to of one wavelength and less than ½ of one wavelength. The end effector may be coupled to the transducer and may extend along the longitudinal axis. The length of the transducer and the end effector may be a multiple of ½ of one wavelength. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090118751 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALERTING GENERATOR FUNCTIONS IN AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL SYSTEM - The present invention provides a system for surgery which includes an ultrasonic hand piece having a end-effector, a console having a digital signal processor (DSP) for controlling the hand piece, and a memory disposed in the end-effector. The generator console sends a drive current to drive the hand piece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the blade. As the generator console reads the memory, the hand piece is authenticated for use with the generator console if a copyrighted data string is present in the memory. In a particular embodiment, the data string is an encrypted code, where the hand piece is authenticated for use with the console by decoding a corresponding encryption algorithm resident in the generator console and providing a responding data pattern. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20100036405 | ULTRASONIC DEVICE FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING WITH STEPPED OUTPUT - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus, system, and method for driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic transducer in a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating a first ultrasonic drive signal by a generator coupled to an ultrasonic drive system, actuating the ultrasonic transducer with the first ultrasonic drive signal for a first period, generating a second ultrasonic drive signal by the generator, and actuating the ultrasonic transducer with the second ultrasonic drive signal for a second period, subsequent to the first period. The first drive signal is different from the second drive signal over the respective first and second periods. The first and second drive signals define a step function waveform over the first and second periods. The apparatus comprises a generator configured to couple to an ultrasonic instrument. The system comprises a generator coupled to an ultrasonic instrument. The ultrasonic instrument comprises an ultrasonic drive system comprising an ultrasonic transducer coupled to a waveguide and an end effector coupled to the waveguide, and wherein the ultrasonic drive system is configured to resonate at a resonant frequency. | 02-11-2010 |
| 20100125292 | ULTRASONIC SURGICAL SYSTEM - An ultrasonic surgical system utilizes a digital control system to generate ultrasonic drive current for transducers that are located in a hand piece and are attached to a surgical scalpel or blade in the hand piece so as to vibrate the blade in response to the current. The digital control includes a digital signal processor (DSP) or microprocessor; a direct digital synthesis (DDS) device; a phase detection logic scheme, a control algorithm for seeking and maintaining resonance frequency; and design scheme that allows to regulate current, voltage, and power delivered to an ultrasonic thereby a device. Such system allows the power versus load output curve to be tailored to a specific hand piece, which improves efficiency and reduces heat. Further, the components of the digital system are much less sensitive to temperature variations, thereby allowing it to operate with narrow as needed frequency range around the desired resonance in order to avoid excitation of other resonances. Also, the digital system provides increased flexibility in locating the resonance frequency of the blade and running diagnostic tests. The start of a user initiated diagnostic test that requires movement of the blade is caused by operating two of the system switches, which guards against accidental operation of the blade which could be harmful if in contact with tissue and also generate false diagnostic results. In addition, the system has interlock with an Electrosurgical unit so that it is not effected by the electromagnetic interference generated by that unit. | 05-20-2010 |
| 20110015627 | IMPEDANCE MONITORING APPARATUS, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - 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. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110015631 | ELECTROSURGERY GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - 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. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110015660 | ROTATING TRANSDUCER MOUNT FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS - 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. | 01-20-2011 |
| 20110082486 | DEVICES AND TECHNIQUES FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE - Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus and method of driving an end effector coupled to an ultrasonic drive system of a surgical instrument. The method comprises generating at least one electrical signal. The at least one electrical signal is monitored against a first set of logic conditions. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110087212 | SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - A surgical device control circuit. The control circuit may comprise a first circuit portion comprising at least one first switch. The first circuit portion may communicate with a surgical generator over a conductor pair. The control circuit may also comprise a second circuit portion comprising a data circuit element. The data circuit element may be disposed in an instrument of the surgical device and transmit or receive data. The data circuit element may implement data communications with the surgical generator over at least one conductor of the conductor pair. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087213 | SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - A surgical generator for providing a drive signal to a surgical device may have a receptacle assembly having a receptacle body, a flange and a central protruding portion. The outer periphery of the central protruding portion may have at least one curved section and at least one linear section. Additionally, a surgical instrument may comprise an electrical connector assembly having a flange. The flange may comprise at least one curved section and at least one linear section. In some embodiments, A surgical instrument system may comprise a surgical generator, a surgical instrument comprising a connector assembly, and an adapter assembly operatively coupled to the receptacle assembly and the connector assembly. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087216 | SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - In accordance with various embodiments, a surgical generator for providing a drive signal to a surgical device may comprise a first transformer and a second transformer. The first transformer may comprise a first primary winding and a first secondary winding. The second transformer may comprise a second primary winding and a second secondary winding. The surgical generator may further comprise a generator circuit to generate the drive signal. The generator circuit may be electrically coupled to the first primary winding to provide the drive signal across the first primary winding. The surgical generator may also comprise a patient-side circuit electrically isolated from the generator circuit. The patient-side circuit may be electrically coupled to the first secondary winding. Further, the patient-side circuit may comprise first and second output lines to provide the drive signal to the surgical device. In addition, the surgical generator may comprise a capacitor. The capacitor and the second secondary winding may be electrically coupled in series between the first output line and ground. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087256 | SURGICAL GENERATOR FOR ULTRASONIC AND ELECTROSURGICAL DEVICES - A method for determining motional branch current in an ultrasonic transducer of an ultrasonic surgical device over multiple frequencies of a transducer drive signal. The method may comprise, at each of a plurality of frequencies of the transducer drive signal, oversampling a current and voltage of the transducer drive signal, receiving, by a processor, the current and voltage samples, and determining, by the processor, the motional branch current based on the current and voltage samples, a static capacitance of the ultrasonic transducer and the frequency of the transducer drive signal. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110125175 | FOLDED ULTRASONIC END EFFECTORS WITH INCREASED ACTIVE LENGTH - An end effector for use with an ultrasonic surgical instrument. A body extends along a longitudinal axis. The body includes a proximal end and a distal end. The body comprises an outer surface that defines an inner portion. The proximal end of the body is configured to couple to an ultrasonic transducer configured to produce vibrations at a predetermined frequency and a predetermined amplitude. A folded element includes a first end coupled to the distal end of the body and extending proximally along the longitudinal axis from the distal end of the body toward the proximal end of the body. The folded element comprises a second free acoustic end. The folded element and the outer surface of the body define a single substantially parallel acoustic path. A clamp arm is operatively coupled to the body. | 05-26-2011 |
