Seal arrangements for ultrasonically powered surgical instruments

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure generally relates to ultrasonic surgical systems and, more particularly, to ultrasonic systems that allow surgeons to perform cutting and coagulation of tissue.

Over the years, a variety of different types of non-ultrasonically powered cutters and shaving devices for performing surgical procedures have been developed. Some of these devices employ a rotary cutting instrument and other devices employ a reciprocating cutting member. For example, shavers are widely used in arthroscopic surgery. These devices generally consist of a power supply, a handpiece, and a single-use end effector. The end effector commonly has an inner and outer tube. The inner tube rotates relative to the outer tube and will cut tissue with its sharpened edges. The inner tube can rotate continuously or oscillate. In addition, such device may employ a suction channel that travels through the interior of the inner tube. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,354 to McGurk-Burleson, et al., discloses a non-ultrasonically powered surgical cutting instrument that comprises a rotary cutter for cutting material with a shearing action. It employs an inner cutting member which is rotatable within an outer tube.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,776,238 to Peyman et al. discloses an ophthalmic instrument in which tissue is cut by a chopping action set-up by the sharp end of an inner tube moving against the inner surface of the end of an outer tube. U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,910 to Kajiyama et al. discloses another surgical cutting instrument that has an inner member which moves relative to an outer member to cut tissue entering through an aperture in the outer member.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,922,902 to Wuchinich et al. discloses a method and apparatus for endoscopic removal of tissue utilizing an ultrasonic aspirator. The device uses an ultrasonic probe which disintegrates compliant tissue and aspirates it through a narrow orifice. U.S. Pat. No. 4,634,420 to Spinosa et al. discloses an apparatus and method for removing tissue from an animal and includes an elongated instrument having a needle or probe, which is vibrated at an ultrasonic frequency in the lateral direction. The ultrasonic movement of the needle breaks-up the tissue into fragments. Pieces of tissue can be removed from the area of treatment by aspiration through a conduit in the needle. U.S. Pat. No. 3,805,787 to Banko discloses yet another ultrasonic instrument that has a probe that is shielded to narrow the beam of ultrasonic energy radiated from the tip of the probe. In one embodiment the shield extends past the free-end of the probe to prevent the probe from coming into contact with the tissue. U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,569 to Davis discloses a phaco-emulsification needle which focuses the ultrasonic energy. The focusing surfaces can be beveled, curved or faceted. U.S. Pat. No. 6,984,220 to Wuchinich and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2005/0177184 to Easley disclose ultrasonic tissue dissection systems that provide combined longitudinal and torsional motion through the use of longitudinal-torsional resonators. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0030797 A1 to Zhou et al. discloses an orthopedic surgical device that has a driving motor for driving an ultrasound transducer and horn. An adapter is provided between the driving motor and transducer for supplying ultrasonic energy signals to the transducer.

While the use of ultrasonically powered surgical instruments provide several advantages over traditional mechanically powered saws, drills, and other instruments, temperature rise in bone and adjacent tissue due to frictional heating at the bone/tissue interface can still be a significant problem. Current arthroscopic surgical tools include punches, reciprocating shavers and radio frequency (RF) devices. Mechanical devices such as punches and shavers create minimal tissue damage, but can sometimes leave behind ragged cut lines, which are undesirable. RF devices can create smoother cut lines and also ablate large volumes of soft tissue; however, they tend to create more tissue damage than mechanical means. Thus, device which could provide increased cutting precision while forming smooth cutting surfaces without creating excessive tissue damage would be desirable.

Arthroscopic surgery involves performing surgery in the joint space. To perform the surgery, the joints are commonly filled with pressurized saline for distention and visualization. Ultrasonic instruments which may be used in such surgeries must withstand the fluid pressure without leaking. However, conventional ultrasonic instruments generally experience significant forces during use. Current seals on ultrasonic devices are generally not robust enough to withstand this environment without leaking.

It would be desirable to provide an ultrasonic surgical instrument that overcomes some of the deficiencies of current instruments. The ultrasonic surgical instruments described herein overcome many of those deficiencies.

It would also be desirable to provide more robust sealing arrangements for ultrasonic surgical instruments used to cut and coagulate in the aqueous environment of arthroscopic surgery.

The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate some of the shortcomings present in the field of various embodiments of the invention at the time, and should not be taken as a disavowal of claim scope.

SUMMARY

In connection with one general aspect, there is provided an ultrasonic surgical instrument that includes a housing that operably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly. A blade may be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and a hollow sheath may be coupled to the housing and extend axially around a portion of the blade. The instrument may further include a seal assembly for establishing a seal between a portion of the blade and the hollow sheath. In various embodiments, the seal assembly may comprise a first annular seal portion that is attached to the blade. Two axial seal portions may extend axially beyond the first annular seal portion in opposite axial directions from the first annular seal portion. The axial seal portions may be oriented in flexible sealing contact with corresponding portions of an inner wall of the hollow sheath.

In connection with another general aspect, there is provided an ultrasonic surgical instrument that includes a housing that operably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly. A blade may be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and have an annular seal on a portion thereof. The instrument may further include a hollow sheath that comprises a first sheath segment and a second sheath segment that is attachable to the first sheath segment to form a substantially hollow lumen for receiving the portion of the blade therein. The first sheath segment and the second sheath segment may be configured relative to each other to form an annular groove within the hollow tube for sealingly receiving the annular seal therein when the first sheath segment and the second sheath segment are attached together and the portion of the blade is received within the hollow lumen.

In connection with still another general aspect, there is provided an ultrasonic surgical instrument that includes a housing that supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein. A blade may be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly and a hollow sheath may be coupled to the housing and extend axially around a portion of the blade. The instrument may further include a seal assembly for establishing a seal between a portion of the blade and the hollow sheath. In various embodiments, the seal assembly may comprise an annular seal that is attached to the blade and a first annular ring member that protrudes from an inner wall of the hollow sheath adjacent a proximal end of the annular seal.

In connection with another general aspect, there is provided an ultrasonic surgical instrument that may include a housing that supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly therein. A blade may be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly. A hollow sheath may be coupled to the housing and extend axially around a portion of the blade. The instrument may further include an annular seal that is attached to a portion of the blade. The annular seal may have an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the hollow sheath and further have a proximal side and a distal side such that when the portion of said blade is installed in the hollow sheath, a portion of the proximal side is in sealing engagement with an inner wall of the hollow sheath.

In connection with yet another general aspect, there is provided a method of creating a substantially fluid-tight seal between a blade of an ultrasonic surgical instrument and a hollow sheath of the instrument. Various forms of the method may include installing a seal on the cutting member wherein the seal has an annular groove therein and forming a portion of the hollow sheath into said annular groove in the seal.

FIGURES

The features of various non-limiting embodiments are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The various non-limiting embodiments, however, both as to organization and methods of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical control system;

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a non-limiting embodiment of control system enclosure;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another non-limiting embodiment of a control system enclosure arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of anon-limiting embodiment of a handpiece;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of an ultrasonic surgical handpiece that may be employed with various non-limiting embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a non-limiting nosepiece embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded assembly view of a non-limiting nosepiece embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of a non-limiting embodiment of a surgical instrument handpiece;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the non-limiting surgical instrument handpiece embodiment of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting surgical instrument handpiece embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting surgical instrument handpiece embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the surgical instrument handpiece embodiment depicted in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a partial exploded assembly view of a non-limiting coupling assembly embodiment for coupling a motor to a transducer assembly;

FIG. 12 is a side view of a thin plate member and drive shaft arrangement of a non-limiting coupling assembly embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an end view of the non-limiting thin plate member embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a side view of a non-limiting thin plate member and drive shaft arrangement of another non-limiting coupling assembly embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an end view of the non-limiting thin plate member embodiment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting surgical instrument handpiece embodiment;

FIG. 17 is a partial perspective view of a non-limiting outer sheath and blade embodiment;

FIG. 18 is a partial perspective view of the non-limiting blade embodiment depicted in FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a partial bottom perspective view of the blade of FIGS. 17 and 18;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 21 is a side view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of a distal end of another non-limiting outer sheath and blade arrangement;

FIG. 23 is a partial perspective view of a distal end of another non-limiting outer sheath and blade arrangement;

FIG. 23A is a side view of a portion of the non-limiting outer sheath embodiment depicted in FIG. 23;

FIG. 24 is a side view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a side view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a partial perspective view the non-limiting blade embodiment of FIG. 25 within a distal end of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a side view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a partial perspective view the non-limiting blade embodiment of FIG. 27 within a distal end of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a partial cross-sectional end view of the non-limiting blade and outer sheath embodiments of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is a side view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a partial perspective view of the non-limiting blade embodiment of FIG. 30 within a distal end of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 32A illustrates a first rotational position of the non-limiting blade embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31 within the outer sheath embodiment of FIG. 31;

FIG. 32B illustrates a second rotational position of the non-limiting blade embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31 within the outer sheath embodiment of FIG. 31;

FIG. 32C illustrates a third rotational position of the blade embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31 within the outer sheath embodiment of FIG. 31;

FIG. 32D illustrates a fourth rotational position of the blade embodiment of FIGS. 30 and 31 within the outer sheath embodiment of FIG. 31;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a partial perspective view of the blade embodiment of FIG. 33 within a non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 34A is a partial perspective view of another non-limiting blade and outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting ultrasonic surgical instrument embodiment;

FIG. 36A is a partial cross-sectional view of a nosepiece portion of another non-limiting surgical instrument embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a partial perspective view of a distal end of the non-limiting outer sheath and blade arrangement of FIG. 36;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of distal portions of the outer sheath and blade embodiments depicted in FIG. 37 cutting tissue;

FIG. 39 illustrates use of the surgical instrument embodiment of FIG. 36 in connection with performing a discectomy;

FIG. 40 depicts further use of the surgical instrument embodiment of FIG. 36 in connection with performing a discectomy;

FIG. 41 is a side elevational view of the surgical instrument embodiment of FIG. 36 with a selectively retractable safety sheath mounted thereon;

FIG. 42 is a partial perspective view of the retractable safety sheath embodiment illustrated in FIG. 41 starting to be retracted from a closed position;

FIG. 43 is another partial perspective view of the retractable safety sheath embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 41 and 42 with the safety sheath refracted to an open position;

FIG. 44 is another partial perspective view of the retractable safety sheath embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 41-43 with the safety sheath retracted to an open position;

FIG. 45 is a side elevational view of a portion of the outer sheath and safety sheath embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 41-44 with the safety sheath shown in cross-section in an open position;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 47 is a side view of a portion of another hollow outer sheath and blade arrangement of another non-limiting embodiment;

FIG. 48 is a cross-sectional view of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 49 is a cross-sectional view of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 50 is a cross-sectional view of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting outer sheath and blade embodiment;

FIG. 53 is another partial cross-sectional view of the outer sheath and blade embodiment of FIG. 52 interacting with body tissue;

FIG. 54 is an end cross-sectional view of the outer sheath and blade arrangement depicted in FIGS. 52 and 53 interacting with body tissue;

FIG. 55 is a partial perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 56 is a partial perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 57 is a partial cross-sectional view of the outer sheath embodiment of FIG. 56 supporting another non-limiting blade embodiment;

FIG. 58 is a partial perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 59 is a cross-sectional view of another non-limiting outer sheath and blade embodiment;

FIG. 60 illustrates an angle between the cutting edges formed on a non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 61 is a perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 62 is a cross-sectional view of the outer sheath and blade embodiment of FIG. 61;

FIG. 63 is a perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 64 is a cross-sectional view of the outer sheath and blade embodiment of FIG. 63;

FIG. 65 is a perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 66 is a cross-sectional view of the outer sheath and blade embodiment of FIG. 65;

FIG. 67 is a cross-sectional end view of another non-limiting outer sheath and blade arrangement;

FIG. 68 is a partial side cross-sectional view of the outer sheath and blade arrangement of FIG. 67;

FIG. 69 is a partial side view of a distal end portion of the outer sheath and blade arrangement of FIGS. 67 and 68;

FIG. 70 is a side view of a non-limiting handpiece housing embodiment attached to the outer sheath and blade arrangement of FIGS. 67-69;

FIG. 71 depicts a method of using the surgical instrument embodiment of FIG. 70;

FIG. 72 depicts another method of using the surgical instrument embodiment of FIG. 70;

FIG. 73 depicts another method of using the surgical instrument embodiment of FIG. 70;

FIG. 74 is a partial side cross-sectional view of another non-limiting surgical instrument embodiment;

FIG. 75 is a perspective view of a portion of the outer sheath and blade arrangement employed with the surgical instrument embodiment depicted in FIG. 74;

FIG. 76 is an end view of the outer sheath and blade arrangement of FIG. 75;

FIG. 77 is a cross-sectional end view of the sheath and blade arrangement of FIGS. 75 and 76;

FIG. 78 is a side view of another non-limiting ultrasonic surgical instrument embodiment;

FIG. 79 is a partial cross-sectional view of a non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 80 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 81 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 82 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 83 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment, prior to being crimped in position;

FIG. 84 is a partial cross-sectional view of the seal embodiment of FIG. 83 after being crimped in position;

FIG. 85 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a two-piece hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 86 is a partial cross-sectional exploded assembly view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between another two-piece hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 87 is a partial perspective view of a portion of the two piece hollow sheath embodiment of FIG. 86;

FIG. 88 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 89 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 90 is a partial cross-sectional view of another non-limiting seal embodiment between a hollow sheath and a waveguide portion of an ultrasonic implement embodiment;

FIG. 91A is an illustration depicting an initial position of two cutting edge embodiments preparing to cut tough tissue;

FIG. 91B is a second position of the cutting edges and tissue of FIG. 91A;

FIG. 91C is a third position of the cutting edges and tissue of FIGS. 91A-B;

FIG. 91D is a fourth position of the cutting edges and tissue of FIGS. 91A-C;

FIG. 92 is a perspective view of a portion of a non-limiting cutting blade and bushing embodiment;

FIG. 92A is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of the blade and bushing embodiment of FIG. 92 installed within an inner sheath of a non-limiting surgical instrument embodiment;

FIG. 93 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the blade and bushing embodiment of FIG. 92 in a non-limiting surgical instrument embodiment;

FIG. 94 is a perspective view of a portion of another non-limiting cutting blade and bushing embodiment;

FIG. 95 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the blade and bushing embodiment of FIG. 94 in a non-limiting surgical instrument embodiment;

FIG. 96 is a partial perspective view of a portion of a non-limiting blade and outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 97 is a cross-sectional view of the blade and outer sheath arrangement of FIG. 96;

FIG. 98 is a partial rear perspective view of a portion of the outer sheath and blade arrangement of FIG. 97;

FIG. 99 is a partial rear perspective view of a portion of another non-limiting outer sheath and blade embodiment;

FIG. 100 is a partial perspective view of another non-limiting outer sheath embodiment;

FIG. 101 is a cross-sectional end view of the outer sheath embodiment of FIG. 100 supporting a cutting blade embodiment therein; and

FIG. 102 is a perspective view of a portion of another non-limiting blade embodiment.

DESCRIPTION

The owner of the present application also owns the following U.S. Patent Applications that were filed on Feb. 11, 2010, and which are herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties:

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,860, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,531,064, entitled ULTRASONICALLY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATING CUTTING IMPLEMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,864, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,323,302, entitled METHODS OF USING ULTRASONICALLY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE CUTTING IMPLEMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,870, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011-0196399 A1, entitled ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH ROTATABLE BLADE AND HOLLOW SHEATH ARRANGEMENTS

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,875, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,981, entitled ROTATABLE CUTTING IMPLEMENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,877, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,382,782, entitled ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH PARTIALLY ROTATING BLADE AND FIXED PAD ARRANGEMENT;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,879, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,486,096, entitled DUAL PURPOSE SURGICAL INSTRUMENT FOR CUTTING AND COAGULATING TISSUE;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,885, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,928, entitled OUTER SHEATH AND BLADE ARRANGEMENTS FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS;

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,893, now U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011-0196404 A1, entitled ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS WITH MOVING CUTTING IMPLEMENT; and

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,899, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,419,759, entitled ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENT WITH COMB-LIKE TISSUE TRIMMING DEVICE.

Various embodiments are directed to apparatuses, systems, and methods for the treatment of tissue Numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the overall structure, function, manufacture, and use of the embodiments as described in the specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, that the embodiments may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known operations, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described in the specification. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the embodiments described and illustrated herein are non-limiting examples, and thus it can be appreciated that the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein may be representative and do not necessarily limit the scope of the embodiments, the scope of which is defined solely by the appended claims.

Reference throughout the specification to “various embodiments,” “some embodiments,” “one embodiment,” or “an embodiment”, or the like, means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” “in one embodiment,” or “in an embodiment”, or the like, in places throughout the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Thus, the particular features, structures, or characteristics illustrated or described in connection with one embodiment may be combined, in whole or in part, with the features structures, or characteristics of one or more other embodiments without limitation.

Various embodiments are directed to improved ultrasonic surgical systems and instruments configured for effecting tissue dissecting, cutting, and/or coagulation during surgical procedures as well as the cutting implements and sealing features employed thereby. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic surgical instrument apparatus is configured for use in open surgical procedures, but has applications in other types of surgery, such as laparoscopic, endoscopic, and robotic-assisted procedures. Versatile use is facilitated by selective use of ultrasonic energy and the selective rotation of the cutting/coagulation implement.

It will be appreciated that the terms “proximal” and “distal” are used herein with reference to a clinician gripping a handpiece assembly. Thus, an end effector is distal with respect to the more proximal handpiece assembly. It will be further appreciated that, for convenience and clarity, spatial terms such as “top” and “bottom” also are used herein with respect to the clinician gripping the handpiece assembly. However, surgical instruments are used in many orientations and positions, and these terms are not intended to be limiting and absolute.

Surgical Systems

FIG. 1 illustrates in schematic form one non-limiting embodiment of a surgical system 10. The surgical system 10 may include a ultrasonic generator 12 and an ultrasonic surgical instrument assembly 100 that may include a “self-contained” ultrasonic instrument 110. As will be discussed in further detail below, the ultrasonic generator 12 may be connected by a cable 14 to an ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 of the self-contained ultrasonic instrument 110 by a slip ring assembly 150 located in a housing portion 102 of the surgical instrument assembly 100. In one embodiment, the system 10 further includes a motor control system 20 that includes a power supply 22 that is coupled to a control module 24 by cable 23 to supply, for example, 24 VDC thereto. The motor control module 24 may comprise a control module manufactured by National Instruments of Austin, Tex. under Model No. NI cRIO-9073. However, other motor control modules may be employed. The power supply 22 may comprise a power supply manufactured by National Instruments. However, other power supplies may be successfully employed. The power supply 22 may be further coupled to a motor drive 26 by cable 25 to also supply 24 VDC thereto. The motor drive 26 may comprise a motor drive manufactured by National Instruments. Control module 24 may also be coupled to the motor drive 26 by cable 27 for supplying power thereto. A conventional foot pedal 30 or other control switch arrangement may be attached to the control module 24 by a cable 31. As will be discussed in further detail below, the ultrasonic surgical instrument 100 may include a motor 190 that has an encoder 194 associated therewith. The motor 190 may comprise a motor manufactured by National Instruments under Model No. CTP12ELF10MAA00. The encoder 194 may comprise an encoder manufactured by U.S. Digital of Vancouver, Wash. under Model No. E2-500-197-I-D-D-B. However, other motors and encoders may be used. The encoder 194 may be coupled to the motor control module 24 by an encoder cable 32 and the motor 190 may be coupled to the motor drive 26 by cable 33. The surgical system 10 may also include a computer 40 that may communicate by Ethernet cable 42 with the motor control module 24.

As can also be seen in FIG. 1, in various embodiments, the motor control system 20 is housed in an enclosure 21. To facilitate easy portability of the system, various components may be attached to the motor control system 20 by removable cable connectors. For example, foot pedal switch 30 may be attached to a detachable cable connector 37 by cable 35 to facilitate quick attachment of the foot pedal to the control system 20. A/C power may be supplied to the power supply 22 by a conventional plug/cable 50 that is attached to a detachable cable connector 54 that is attached to cable 52. The computer 40 may have a cable 60 that is attached to detachable cable connector 62 that is coupled to cable 42. The encoder 194 may have an encoder cable 70 that is attached to a detachable connector 72. Likewise, the motor 190 may have a cable 74 that is attached to the detachable connector 72. The detachable connector 72 may be attached to the control module 24 by cable 32 and the connector 72 may be attached to the motor drive 26 by cable 33. Thus, cable connector 72 serves to couple the encoder 194 to the control module 24 and the motor 190 to the motor drive 26. The cables 70 and 74 may be housed in a common sheath 76.

In an alternative embodiment, the ultrasonic generator 12 and the control system 20 may be housed in the same enclosure 105. See FIG. 1A. In yet another embodiment, the ultrasonic generator 12 may electrically communicate with the motor control system 20 by a jumper cable 107. Such arrangement may share a data link as well as a common means for supplying power (cord 50). See FIG. 1B.

In various embodiments, the ultrasonic generator 12 may include an ultrasonic generator module 13 and a signal generator module 15. See FIG. 1. The ultrasonic generator module 13 and/or the signal generator module 15 each may be integrated with the ultrasonic generator 12 or may be provided as a separate circuit module electrically coupled to the ultrasonic generator 12 (shown in phantom to illustrate this option). In one embodiment, the signal generator module 15 may be formed integrally with the ultrasonic generator module 13. The ultrasonic generator 12 may comprise an input device 17 located on a front panel of the generator 12 console. The input device 17 may comprise any suitable device that generates signals suitable for programming the operation of the generator 12 in a known manner. Still with reference to FIG. 1, the cable 14 may comprise multiple electrical conductors for the application of electrical energy to positive (+) and negative (−) electrodes of an ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 as will be discussed in further detail below.

Various forms of ultrasonic generators, ultrasonic generator modules and signal generator modules are known. For example, such devices are disclosed in commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/503,770, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,461,744, entitled ROTATING TRANSDUCER MOUNT FOR ULTRASONIC SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, filed Jul. 15, 2009, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other such devices are disclosed in one or more of the following U.S. Patents, all of which are incorporated by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 6,480,796 (METHOD FOR IMPROVING THE START UP OF AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM UNDER ZERO LOAD CONDITIONS); U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,291 (METHOD FOR DETECTING A LOOSE BLADE IN A HANDLE CONNECTED TO AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL SYSTEM); U.S. Pat. No. 6,626,926 (METHOD FOR DRIVING AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM TO IMPROVE ACQUISITION OF BLADE RESONANCE FREQUENCY AT STARTUP); U.S. Pat. No. 6,633,234 (METHOD FOR DETECTING BLADE BREAKAGE USING RATE AND/OR IMPEDANCE INFORMATION); U.S. Pat. No. 6,662,127 (METHOD FOR DETECTING PRESENCE OF A BLADE IN AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM); U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,621 (OUTPUT DISPLACEMENT CONTROL USING PHASE MARGIN IN AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL HANDLE); U.S. Pat. No. 6,679,899 (METHOD FOR DETECTING TRANSVERSE VIBRATIONS IN AN ULTRASONIC HANDLE); U.S. Pat. No. 6,908,472 (APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALTERING GENERATOR FUNCTIONS IN AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL SYSTEM); U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,495 (DETECTION CIRCUITRY FOR SURGICAL HANDPIECE SYSTEM); U.S. Pat. No. 7,077,853 (METHOD FOR CALCULATING TRANSDUCER CAPACITANCE TO DETERMINE TRANSDUCER TEMPERATURE); U.S. Pat. No. 7,179,271 (METHOD FOR DRIVING AN ULTRASONIC SYSTEM TO IMPROVE ACQUISITION OF BLADE RESONANCE FREQUENCY AT STARTUP); and U.S. Pat. No. 7,273,483 (APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ALERTING GENERATOR FUNCTION IN AN ULTRASONIC SURGICAL SYSTEM).

Surgical Instruments

As can be seen in FIG. 2, an ultrasonic surgical instrument handpiece 100 may comprise a housing 102 that houses the motor 190, the encoder 194, the slip ring assembly 150 and the self-contained ultrasonic surgical instrument 110. The housing 102 may be provided in two or more parts that are attached together by fasteners such as screws, snap features, etc. and may be fabricated from, for example, polycarbonate material. The motor 190 may comprise, for example, a stepper motor manufactured by National Instruments under Model No. CTP12ELF10MAA00. However other motors may be employed to effectuate, for example, “gross” rotational motion of the self-contained ultrasonic surgical instrument 110 relative to the housing 102 on the order of 1-6000 rpm. The encoder 194 converts the mechanical rotation of the motor shaft 192 into electrical pulses that provide speed and other motor control information to the control module 24.

The self-contained ultrasonic surgical instrument 110 may comprise a surgical instrument that is manufactured and sold by Ethicon Endo-Surgery under Model No. HP054. However, other ultrasonic instruments may be successfully employed. It will be understood that the term “self-contained” as used herein means that the ultrasonic surgical instrument may be effectively used as an ultrasonic surgical instrument on its own, apart from use with the surgical instrument 100. As illustrated in more detail in FIG. 3, the ultrasonic surgical instrument 110 includes a housing 112 that supports a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 for converting electrical energy to mechanical energy that results in longitudinal vibrational motion of the ends of the transducer assembly 114. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 may comprise a stack of ceramic piezoelectric elements with a motion null point located at some point along the stack. The ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 may be mounted between two cylinders 116 and 118. In addition, a cylinder 120 may be attached to cylinder 118, which in turn is mounted to the housing at another motion null point 122. A horn 124 may also be attached at the null point on one side and to a coupler 126 on the other side. A blade 200 may be fixed to the coupler 126. As a result, the blade 200 will vibrate in the longitudinal direction at an ultrasonic frequency rate with the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114. The ends of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 achieve maximum motion with a portion of the stack constituting a motionless node, when the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 is driven at maximum current at the transducer's resonant frequency. However, the current providing the maximum motion will vary with each instrument and is a value stored in the non-volatile memory of the instrument so the system can use it.

The parts of the ultrasonic instrument 110 may be designed such that the combination will oscillate at the same resonant frequency. In particular, the elements may be tuned such that the resulting length of each such element is one-half wavelength or a multiple thereof. Longitudinal back and forth motion is amplified as the diameter closer to the blade 200 of the acoustical mounting horn 124 decreases. Thus, the horn 124 as well as the blade/coupler may be shaped and dimensioned so as to amplify blade motion and provide ultrasonic vibration in resonance with the rest of the acoustic system, which produces the maximum back and forth motion of the end of the acoustical mounting horn 124 close to the blade 200. A motion from 20 to 25 microns at the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 may be amplified by the horn 124 into blade movement of about 40 to 100 microns.

When power is applied to the ultrasonic instrument 110 by operation of the foot pedal 30 or other switch arrangement, the control system 20 may, for example, cause the blade 200 to vibrate longitudinally at approximately 55.5 kHz, and the amount of longitudinal movement will vary proportionately with the amount of driving power (current) applied, as adjustably selected by the user. When relatively high cutting power is applied, the blade 200 may be designed to move longitudinally in the range of about 40 to 100 microns at the ultrasonic vibrational rate. Such ultrasonic vibration of the blade 200 will generate heat as the blade contacts tissue, i.e., the acceleration of the blade 200 through the tissue converts the mechanical energy of the moving blade 200 to thermal energy in a very narrow and localized area. This localized heat creates a narrow zone of coagulation, which will reduce or eliminate bleeding in small vessels, such as those less than one millimeter in diameter. The cutting efficiency of the blade 200, as well as the degree of hemostasis, will vary with the level of driving power applied, the cutting rate or force applied by the surgeon to the blade, the nature of the tissue type and the vascularity of the tissue.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the ultrasonic instrument 110 is supported within the housing 102 by a tailpiece drive adapter 130 and a distal handpiece adapter 134. The tailpiece drive adapter 130 is rotatably supported within housing 102 by a proximal bearing 132 and is non-rotatably coupled to the output shaft 192 of the motor 190. See FIG. 2. The tailpiece drive adapter 130 may be pressed onto the housing 112 of the ultrasonic instrument 110 or, for example, be attached to the housing 112 by setscrews or adhesive. The distal handpiece adapter 134 may be pressed onto a distal end 113 of the handpiece housing 112 or be otherwise attached thereto by set screws or adhesive. The distal handpiece adapter 134 is rotatably supported in the housing 102 by a distal bearing 136 that is mounted within housing 102.

When power is applied to motor 190, motor 190 applies a “gross rotational motion” to the handpiece 110 to cause the ultrasonic surgical instrument 110 and blade 200 to rotate about central axis A-A. As used herein, the term “gross rotational motion” is to be distinguished from that “torsional ultrasonic motion” that may be achieved when employing a non-homogeneous formed ultrasonic blade. The term “gross rotational motion” instead encompasses rotational motion that is not solely generated by operation of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114.

To provide the ultrasonic instrument 110 with power from the ultrasonic generator 12, a slip ring assembly 150 may be employed. As can be seen in FIG. 2, conductors 151, 152 are coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 and extend through a hollow stem portion 132 of the tail piece drive adapter 130. The hollow stem portion 132 is attached to the drive shaft 192 of the motor 190 and is free to rotate within the slip ring assembly 150. A first inner contact 154 is attached to the hollow stem portion 132 for rotational travel therewith about axis A-A. The first inner contact 154 is positioned for rotational contact with a fixed outer contact 156 within the slip ring assembly 150. The contacts 154, 156 may be provided in the form of concentrically arranged rings. Conductors 157, 158 are coupled to the fixed outer contact 156 and form generator cable 14. Conductors 191 and 193 are attached to the motor and form motor cable 74 and conductors 195, 197 are attached to encoder 194 and form encoder cable 70. Rotation of the motor shaft 192 results in the rotation of the tailpiece drive adapter 130 and the ultrasonic instrument 110 attached thereto about axis A-A. Rotation of the motor drive shaft 192 also results in the rotation of the inner contact 154. Ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic generator 12 are transferred to the inner contact 154 by virtue of contact or “electrical communication” between the inner contact 154 and the outer contact 156. Those signals are transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 by conductors 151, 152. In other alternative embodiments, the slip ring assembly may employ use of conventional pogo pins that engage concentric ring contacts. Other slip ring arrangements could also be employed.

Various embodiments also include a distal nosepiece 160 that may be removably attached to the distal end 103 of the housing 102 by fasteners 161. See FIG. 5. One or more shim members 162 may be positioned between the distal end 103 and the nosepiece 160 to facilitate coaxial attachment between the housing 102 and the nosepiece 160. The nosepiece 160 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel or polycarbonate. In various embodiments, the distal end 202 of the blade 200 extends through a hollow coupler segment 210 that is journaled within an inner sheath seal 212. Inner sheath seal 212 may comprise, for example, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE″), and serve to establish a substantially fluid-tight and/or airtight seal between the coupler segment 210 and the nosepiece 160. Also in the embodiment of FIG. 4, an inner sheath 220 may be attached to the hollow coupler segment 210 by, for example, welding or the hollow coupler segment 210 may comprise an integral portion of the inner sheath 220. In one embodiment, a blade pin/torquing member 216 may extend transversely through the blade member 200 and the hollow coupler segment 210 to facilitate movement of the inner sheath 220 with the blade member 200. One or more vented silicone bushings 214 may be journaled around the blade 200 to acoustically isolate the blade 200 from the inner sheath 220. The blade member 200 may have a proximal end 201 that is internally threaded and adapted to removably engage a threaded portion of the coupler 126. To facilitate tightening of the blade 200 to the coupler 126, a tightening hole 108 (FIG. 2) may be provided through the housing 102 to enable a tool (e.g., Allen wrench) to be inserted therethrough into a hole 131 in the tail piece drive adapter 130 to prevent the rotation of the ultrasonic surgical instrument 110 and coupler 126 attached thereto. Once the blade 200 has been screwed onto the coupler 126, the user may remove the Allen wrench or other tool from holes 108, 131 and insert a threaded plug (not shown) into hole 108 to prevent fluids/debris from entering the housing 102 therethrough.

Also in various embodiments, an outer sheath 230 may be coaxially aligned with the inner sheath 220 and blade member 200 and be attached to a distal end 163 of nosepiece 160 by, for example, welding, brazing, overmolding or pressfit. As can be seen in FIG. 4, a suction port 240 may be attached to the nosepiece 160 to communicate with the hollow outer sheath 230. A flexible tube 242 may be attached to the suction port 240 and communicate with a collection receptacle 243 that is coupled to a source of vacuum, generally depicted as 244. Thus, the outer sheath 230 forms a suction path extending around the inner sheath 220 that begins at a distal tip of the outer sheath 230 and goes out through the suction port 240. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that alternate suction paths are also possible. In addition, in alternative embodiments, the inner sheath 220 is omitted.

Various embodiments of the surgical system 10 provide the ability to selectively apply ultrasonic axial motion to the blade 200 and gross rotational motion to the blade 200 as well. If desired, the clinician may simply activate the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 without activating the motor 190. In such cases, the instrument 100 may be used in ultrasonic mode simply as an ultrasonic instrument. Frequency ranges for longitudinal ultrasonic motion may be on the order of, for example, 30-80 kHz. Similarly, the clinician may desire to active the motor 190 without activating the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114. Thus, gross rotational motion will be applied to the blade 200 in the rotation mode, without the application of longitudinal ultrasonic motion thereto. Gross rotational speeds may be, for example, on the order of 1-6000 rpm. In other applications, the clinician may desire to use the instrument 100 in the ultrasonics and rotational modes wherein the blade 200 will experience longitudinal ultrasonic motion from the transducer assembly 114 and gross rotational motion from the motor. Oscillatory motion of, for example, 2 to 10 revolutions per cycle (720 to 3600 degrees) or continuous unidirectional rotation may be achieved. Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that various embodiments of the surgical system 10 may be affectively employed in connection with arthroscopic as well as other surgical applications.

At least one non-limiting embodiment may further include a control arrangement 170 on the housing 102. See FIG. 2. The control arrangement 170 may communicate with the control module 24 by multi-conductor cable 171. The control arrangement 170 may include a first button 172 for activating/deactivating a “dual” mode that includes the “ultrasonic mode” and “rotational mode”. In such arrangements, the control module 24 may be pre-programmed to provide a pre-set amount of gross rotational motion to the blade 200. The control arrangement 170 may further include a second button 174 for activating/deactivating the rotational mode without activating the ultrasonics mode to thereby cut without hemostasis. The control arrangement 170 may also include a third button 176 for activating/deactivating a “coagulation mode” wherein the motor 190 drives to a pre-set rotational orientation and then “parks” or deactivates, thereby exposing the ultrasonic blade surface at the distal end of the outer sheath 240 as will be discussed in further detail below. Also in this mode, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 may be powered to provide spot coagulation or in an alternative embodiment, the clinician may simply activate a spot coagulation button 77 which activates the ultrasonic transducer assembly 114 for a preset time period of, for example, five seconds. The control arrangement may further include a button 178 to switch between ultrasonics and rotational modes. In accordance with various non-limiting embodiments, any combinations of the aforementioned functions/modes may be combined and controlled by one or more buttons without departing from the spirit and scope of the various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein as well as their equivalent structures.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the housing member 102 and the mounting adapters 130 and 134 may be configured to operably support various different types and shapes of ultrasonic handpieces therein that may be independently used apart from the surgical instrument 100. Thus, the control system 20 and instrument 100 may be provided in “kit form” without the ultrasonic handpiece 110 to enable the purchaser to install their existing ultrasonic handpiece therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein as well as their respective equivalent structures.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate another surgical instrument 300 wherein like numbers previously used to describe the various embodiments discussed above are used to designate like components. In these embodiments, the surgical instrument 300 includes a housing 302 that houses a transducer assembly 314 that is attached to an ultrasonic horn 324. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be coupled to the proximal end 201 of the blade 200 in the manner described above. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a distal bearing 336. A nosepiece 160 may be attached to the housing 302 by fasteners 161 in the manner described above.

In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 has magnets 316 embedded or otherwise attached thereto to form an integral motor rotor, generally designated as 320. A motor stator ring 330 is mounted within the housing 302 as shown. Conductors 332, 334 are attached to the motor stator ring 330 and pass through the common sheath 76 to be attached to the motor cable 33 in the control system 20 as described above. A hollow shaft 340 extends through the motor rotor 320 to form a passage for conductors 151, 152. Conductors 151, 152 are coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 and an inner contact 154. The inner contact 154 is attached to a portion of the hollow shaft 340 that rotatably extends into a slip ring assembly 150 that is also supported within the housing 302. The hollow shaft 340 is rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a proximal bearing 342. The slip ring assembly 150 is fixed (i.e., non-rotatable) within the housing 302 and includes a fixed outer contact 156 that is coupled to conductors 157, 158 that form generator cable 14 as was described above. When power is supplied to the motor stator 330, the rotor 320 and the integral ultrasonic transducer 314 are caused to rotate about axis A-A. Ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic generator 12 are transferred to the inner contact 154 by virtue of rotating contact or electrical communication between the inner contact 154 and the outer contact 156. Those signals are transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 by conductors 151, 152. The surgical instrument 300 may include a control arrangement of the type described above and be used in the various modes described above. A suction may be applied between the blade 200 and outer sheath 230 through port 240. A collection receptacle 243 and source of suction 240 may be attached to the port 240 by tube 242. The distal end of the blade is exposed through a window in the distal end of the outer sheath 230 to expose the blade to tissue as will be further discussed below.

FIG. 8 illustrates another surgical instrument 400 wherein like numbers previously used to describe the various embodiments discussed above are used to designate like components. In these embodiments, the surgical instrument 400 includes a housing 302 that houses an ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 that is attached to an ultrasonic horn 324. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be coupled to the proximal end 201 of the blade 200 in the manner described above. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a distal bearing 336. A nosepiece 160 may be attached to the housing 302 in the manner described above.

In this embodiment, a brushed motor 410 is integrally attached to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314. As used herein “integrally attached” means directly attached to or otherwise formed with the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 for travel therewith. The term “integrally attached” as used with reference to the attachment of the brushed motor 410 to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 does not encompass those configurations wherein the ultrasonic transducer assembly is attached to the motor via a driven shaft arrangement. Also in this embodiment, magnets 426 are provided in a stator ring 420 that is fixed within the housing 302. Conductors 432, 434 extend through a hollow shaft 340 that is attached to the brushed motor 410. The hollow shaft 340 is rotatably supported within the housing 302 by proximal bearing 342. The motor conductor 432 is attached to a first inner motor contact 436 and the motor conductor 434 is attached to a second inner motor contact 438. The first and second inner motor contacts 436, 438 are supported on the portion of the hollow shaft 340 that extends into a slip ring assembly, generally designated as 450. The slip ring assembly 450 is fixed (i.e., non-rotatable) within the housing 302 and includes a first outer motor contact 440 that is coupled to conductor 441 and a second outer motor contact 442 that is coupled to conductor 443. The conductors 441, 443 form motor cable 74 as was described above. When the clinician desires to apply gross rotational motion to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 and ultimately to the blade 200, the clinician causes power to be supplied to the brushed motor 410 from the motor drive 26.

Also in this embodiment, conductors 151, 152 are attached to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 and extend through the hollow shaft 340 to be coupled to inner transducer contact 154 that is attached to the hollow shaft 340. The slip ring assembly 450 includes a fixed outer transducer contact 156 that is coupled to conductors 157, 158 that form generator cable 14 as was described above. When power is supplied to the brushed motor 410, the motor 410, ultrasonic transducer assembly 314, and motor shaft 340 are caused to rotate about axis A-A. Ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic generator 12 are transferred to the inner contact 154 by virtue of rotational sliding contact or electrical communication between the inner contact 154 and the outer contact 156. Those signals are transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 by conductors 151, 152. The surgical instrument 400 may include a control arrangement of the type described above and be used in the various modes described above. It will be understood that the instrument 400 may be used in rotation mode, ultrasonic mode, rotation and ultrasonic mode (“duel mode”) or coagulation mode as described above. A suction may be applied between the blade 200 and outer sheath 230 through port 240. A collection receptacle 243 and source of suction 240 may be attached to the port 240 by tube 242. The distal end of the blade is exposed through a window in the distal end of the outer sheath 230 to expose the blade to tissue as will be further discussed below.

FIGS. 9-13 illustrate another surgical instrument 500 wherein like numbers previously used to describe the various embodiments discussed above are used to designate like components. In these embodiments, the surgical instrument 500 includes a housing 302 that houses a transducer assembly 530 that is attached to an ultrasonic horn 324. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be coupled to the proximal end 201 of the blade 200 in the manner described above. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a distal bearing 336. A nosepiece 160 may be attached to the housing 302 in the manner described above.

This embodiment includes a motor 510 that may comprise a stepper motor of the type and construction described above and may have an encoder portion associated therewith that communicates with the control module 24 as was described above. The motor 510 may receive power from the motor drive 26 through conductors 511, 512 that comprise motor cable 74 that extends through the common sheath 76. The motor 510 has a hollow motor shaft 520 attached thereto that extends through a slip ring assembly 150. The hollow drive shaft 520 is rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a proximal bearing 342. The slip ring assembly 150 is fixed (i.e., non-rotatable) within the housing 302 and includes a fixed outer contact 156 that is coupled to conductors 157, 158 that form generator cable 14 as was described above. An inner contact 154 is mounted on the hollow drive shaft 520 and is in electrical contact or communication with outer contact 156. Conductors 151, 152 are attached to the inner contact 154 and extend through the hollow drive shaft 520 to be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530.

In various embodiments, to facilitate ease of assembly and also to acoustically isolate the motor from the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530, the hollow drive shaft 520 may be detachably coupled to the ultrasonic transducer stack 530 by a coupling assembly, generally designated as 540. As can be seen in FIGS. 9, 11, and 12, the coupling assembly 540 may include a thin plate member 542 that is attached to a distal end 521 of the hollow drive shaft 520. The thin plate member 542 may be fabricated from a material that has a relatively low stiffness in the axial direction and a high stiffness in rotation. See FIG. 12. For example, the thin plate member 542 may be fabricated from 0.008 inch thick Aluminum 7075-T651 and be attached to the distal end 521 of the hollow drive shaft 520 by, for example, by a press fit or brazing. The coupling assembly 540 may further include a proximal end mass or flange portion 531 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530. The proximal end mass 531 may comprise, for example, a flange manufactured from stainless steel which is attached to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530 by, for example, a bolted or other connection. As can be seen in FIG. 11, the end mass 531 has a hole 532 sized to receive the thin plate member 542 therein. In various embodiments, the thin plate member 542 may be sized to be pressed into the hole 532 such that rotation of the thin plate member 542 about axis A-A will cause the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530 to rotate about axis A-A. In other embodiments, a separate fastener plate (not shown) or snap rings (not shown) or snap features (not shown) may be provided to retain the thin plate member 542 in non-rotatable engagement with the end mass 531 of the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530. Such arrangements serve to minimize the transmission of acoustic vibrations to the motor from the ultrasonic transducer assembly.

FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate an alternative thin plate member 542′ that may be employed. In this embodiment, the thin plate member 542′ has a plurality of radial notches 544 provided therein to form radial tabs 546. The hole 532 would be formed with notches (not shown) to accommodate the radial tabs 546 therein. Such arrangement may reduce the moment force applied to the shaft 520. By employing the thin plate members 542, 542′ the amount of acoustic vibrations that are transferred from the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530 to the drive shaft 520 may be minimized.

When power is supplied to the motor 510, the drive shaft 520 rotates bout axis A-A which also causes the transducer assembly 530 to rotate about axis A-A. When the clinician desires to power the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530, power is supplied form the ultrasonic generator 12 to the fixed contact 156 in the slip ring assembly 150. Power is transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530 by virtue of rotational sliding contact or electrical communication between the inner contact 154 and the outer contact 156. Those signals are transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 530 by conductors 151, 152. The surgical instrument 500 may include a control arrangement of the type described above and be used in the various modes described above. It will be understood that the instrument 400 may be used in rotation mode, ultrasonic mode, rotation and ultrasonic mode (“duel mode”) or coagulation mode as described above. A suction may be applied between the blade 200 and outer sheath 230 through port 240. A collection receptacle 243 and source of suction 240 may be attached to the port 240 by tube 242. The distal end of the blade is exposed through a window in the distal end of the outer sheath 230 to expose the blade to tissue as will be further discussed below.

FIG. 16 illustrates another surgical instrument 600 wherein like numbers previously used to describe the various embodiments discussed above are used to designate like components. In these embodiments, the surgical instrument 600 includes a housing 302 that houses a transducer assembly 314 that is attached to an ultrasonic horn 324. In this embodiment, the transducer assembly 314 and the ultrasonic horn 324 are attached to a PZT housing 602 that is rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a distal bearing 336. The ultrasonic horn 324 may be coupled to the proximal end of the blade 200 in the manner described above. A nosepiece 160 may be attached to the housing 302 by fasteners 161 in the manner described above.

This embodiment includes a motor 510 that may comprise a stepper motor of the type and construction described above. The motor 510 may have an encoder associated therewith that communicates with the control module 24 (FIG. 1) as was described above. The motor 510 may receive power from the motor drive 26 (FIG. 1) through conductors 511, 512 that comprise motor cable 74 that extends through the common sheath 76. The motor 510 has a hollow motor shaft 520 attached thereto that extends through a slip ring assembly 150. The hollow drive shaft 520 is rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a proximal bearing 342.

The slip ring assembly 150 is fixed (i.e., non-rotatable) within the housing 302 and includes a fixed outer contact 156 that is coupled to conductors 157, 158 that form generator cable 14 as was described above. An inner contact 154 is mounted on the rotatable hollow drive shaft 520 and is in electrical contact or communication with outer contact 156. Conductors 151, 152 are attached to the inner contact 154 and extend through the hollow drive shaft 520 to be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314. In various embodiments, to facilitate ease of assembly and also acoustically isolate the motor 510 from the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314, the hollow drive shaft 520 may be detachably coupled to the PZT housing 602 by a coupling assembly, generally designated as 540. The coupling assembly 540 may include a thin plate member 542 that is attached to a distal end 521 of the hollow drive shaft 520. As discussed above, the thin plate member 542 may be fabricated from a material that has a relatively low stiffness in the axial direction and a high stiffness in rotation. The PZT housing 602 has a proximal end portion 604 that has a hole 603 sized to receive the thin plate member 542 therein. In various embodiments, the thin plate member 542 may be sized to be pressed into the hole 603 such that rotation of the thin plate member 542 about axis A-A will cause the PZT housing 602 and ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 and ultrasonic horn 324 to rotate about axis A-A. In other embodiments, a separate fastener plate (not shown) or snap rings (not shown) or snap features (not shown) may be provided to retain the thin plate member 542 in non-rotatable engagement with the proximal end portion 604 of the PZT housing 602. This embodiment could also employ the thin plate member 542′ as was discussed above.

When power is supplied to the motor 510, the drive shaft 520 rotates about axis A-A which also causes the PZT housing 602 and ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 to rotate about axis A-A. When the clinician desires to power the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314, power is supplied from the ultrasonic generator 12 to the fixed contact 156 in the slip ring assembly 150. Power is transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 by virtue of rotational sliding contact or electrical communication between the inner contact 154 and the outer contact 156. Those signals are transmitted to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 by conductors 151, 152. The surgical instrument 500 may include a control arrangement of the type described above and be used in the various modes described above. It will be understood that the instrument 400 may be used in rotation mode, ultrasonic mode, rotation and ultrasonic mode (“duel mode”) or coagulation mode as described above. A suction may be applied between the blade 200 and outer sheath 230 through port 240. A collection receptacle 243 and source of suction 240 may be attached to the port 240 by tube 242. The distal end of the blade is exposed through a window in the distal end of the outer sheath 230 to expose the blade to tissue as will be further discussed below.

In an effort to reduce the overall size of the housing 302 employed in each of the instruments 300, 400, 500, and 600, the ultrasonic transducer assemblies employed in each of those respective instruments could be replaced with a half wave transducer that is physically shorter in length.

Ultrasonic Blade and Sheath Embodiments

Current arthroscopic tools include punches, reciprocating shavers, and radio frequency (RF) powered devices. Mechanical devices such as punches and shavers tend to create minimal tissue damage, but can sometimes leave behind ragged cut lines which are not desirable. RF powered blades can leave behind smoother cut lines and also ablate large volumes of soft tissue. However, such devices can create more tissue damage than pure mechanical instruments. The various non-limiting surgical instruments embodiments described above provide a host of advantages over conventional RF powered surgical instruments as well as conventional mechanical shavers that employ a rotating tissue cutting member. As will be discussed in further detail below, additional advantages may be realized by employing the unique and novel blade and sheath configurations of various non-limiting embodiments.

FIGS. 17-21 illustrate one form of blade 200 and outer sheath 230 that may be employed in connection with the various surgical instruments described above. As can be seen in those Figures, the blade 200 may have a distal end portion 700 and the outer sheath 230 may have a distal end portion 720. The blade 200 may be fabricated from, for example, titanium and the outer sheath 230 may be fabricated from, for example, Poly ether ether ketone (“PEEK”), Ultem®, or stainless steel. As was discussed above, the blade 200 may have a waveguide or proximal end portion that is configured to be threadably or otherwise attached to an ultrasonic horn 324 (FIGS. 6-10 and 16) in a known manner. The distal end portion 700 of the blade 200 may have a curved tip portion 702 formed thereon. The curved tip 702 may have an arcuate top segment 704 that has a cutting edge 706 formed on each lateral side 705. The cutting edges 706 may terminate distally in a common, substantially pointed distal end 708. The pointed distal end 708 may be relatively blunted or the pointed distal end 708 may have a relatively sharpened point. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the pointed distal end 708 may curve inwardly to about the central axis A-A of the blade. As can be seen in FIG. 19, in various embodiments, the cutting edges 706 may not intersect each other but may be separated by a center portion 707. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the blade 200 may have a reduced neck portion 710 that protrudes distally from a waveguide or proximal blade portion 712. A node 714 may be established at the area where the neck portion 710 protrudes from the proximal portion 712.

As can be seen in FIG. 17, the outer sheath 230 also has a distal end portion 720 that has a window or opening 722 formed therein to expose the distal end portion 700 of the blade 200. As can be further seen in FIG. 17, the outer sheath 230 may comprise a hollow cylinder that has a substantially blunted end 724. In various embodiments, the window 722 extends for one half of the circular cross-section of the sheath 230. Such window configuration forms an arcuate ledge 725 that extends around the blunted end 724. In various embodiments, the outer sheath 230 may be fabricated from, for example, Poly ether ether ketone (“PEEK”), Ultem®, or stainless steel. To prevent metal-to-metal contact between the cutting edges 706 on the distal end portion 700 of the blade 200 and the ledge 725, a polymer fender 726 may be attached by, for example, adhesive or a T-slot around the ledge 724. See FIG. 17. Fender 726 may be fabricated from, for example, Teflon®, silicone or other reduced or “low friction” material. The fender 726 may be sized to produce an interference fit of, for example, 0.005 inches with the cutting edges 706 and the pointed distal end 708.

In use, as the blade 200 is rotated about axis A-A within the outer sheath 230 and introduced to tissue, the tissue is drawn into the window 722 by means of the suction applied between the inner sheath 220 (FIG. 4), and the outer sheath 230 as was described above. The tissue drawn into the window 722 is then cut as the cutting edges 706 are rotated past the fender 726 and the cut tissue may pass between the inner sheath 220 and outer sheath 230 and out through the suction port 240 (FIGS. 4, 6-10, and 16) to the collection receptacle 243 (FIGS. 4, 6-10, and 16).

In another embodiment, an axial suction passage 730 may be provided through the neck portion 710 of the blade 200. See FIG. 20. The axial suction passage 730 may communicate with a transverse suction passage 732 in the area of node 714. Thus, the cut tissue may pass through the passages 730, 732 and out between the inner sheath 220 and outer sheath 230 and out through the suction port 240 (FIGS. 4, 6-10, and 16) to the collection receptacle 243 (FIGS. 4, 6-10, and 16). FIG. 21 depicts an alternative embodiment wherein two exit passages 734, 736 communicate with the axial passage 730 and extend at an angle therefrom. In various embodiments, the exit passages 734, 736 may extend from the axial passage 730 at an angle 738 of, for example, forty-five (45) degrees. Such arrangement may serve to reduce impedance and power losses during ultrasonic activation which might have otherwise resulted from water being drawn in through the window 722 in the outer sheath 230.

In use, the clinician may elect to rotate the blade 200 within the outer sheath 230 without applying ultrasonic motion thereto. The clinician may also elect to apply ultrasonic motion to the rotating blade or the clinician may wish apply ultrasonic motion to a parked (non-rotating) blade to use the portion of the blade exposed in the window 722 to coagulate tissue.

FIG. 22 illustrates use of blade 200 in connection with an outer sheath 230 that has a distal end portion 750 that includes a distally protruding nose segment 752. In various embodiments, the nose segment 752 may have an arcuate width “W” that comprises approximately ten (10) to thirty (30) percent of the circumference of the distal end portion 750 of the outer sheath 230. The nose segment 752 may protrude distally from the end of the distal end portion 750 of the sheath 230 a length “L” that may be approximately 0.25 inches, for example. In alternative embodiments, a low friction fender or guard (not shown) may be applied to the sides 753 of the nose segment 752 if desired. These embodiments may operate in a similar manner to the previous embodiment. However, this embodiment has the added ability to cut tissue with the exposed tip. As with the other embodiments, the clinician may apply gross rotational motion to the blade 200 without ultrasonic motion or with ultrasonic motion. In another alternative method of use, the exposed tip 708 and partially exposed cutting edges 706 may be used to cut tissue when the blade is not being rotated or vibrated.

FIGS. 23-24 illustrate another non-limiting blade and outer sheath embodiment. In this embodiment, the blade 200 has a distal end portion 760 that is substantially similar to the distal end portion 700 of the blade configuration described above. However, the distal blade portion 760 does not hook inwardly to the same degree such that the blade tip 762 does not intersect the central axis A-A. See FIG. 24. As can be seen in FIG. 23, the window 722′ in the distal end portion 720 of the outer sheath 230 does not extend the entire distance from an end wall 725 to the blunt tip 724. Thus, in this embodiment, the blunt tip 724 comprises a nose that extends more than 90° but less than 180° (i.e., angle “A” in FIG. 23A is greater than 90° but less than) 180°.

FIGS. 25 and 26 depict another non-limiting blade embodiment. In this embodiment, the blade 200′ may be substantially similar to blade 200 or any of the other blades described herein. In this embodiment, the distal end 700′ has a roughened upper surface 705′. Such roughened surface 705′ creates higher friction forces between the distal end portion 700′ of the blade 200′ and the tissue to draw the tissue into the window 722′ in the distal end portion 720 of the outer sheath 230 (FIG. 26). By pulling more tissue into the window 722, the leading cutting edge 706′ of the blade 200′ may have a higher likelihood of cutting the tissue cleanly. In various embodiments, for example, the roughened surface may be formed by knurling or the upper surface may be coated with a hard material such as diamond or the like

FIGS. 27-29 illustrate another non-limiting blade embodiment. In this embodiment, the blade 200″ may be substantially similar to blade 200 described herein. In this embodiment, the distal end 700″ has a series of radially extending cutting teeth 707 protruding outward from upper surface 705″ for pulling and cutting tissue as the blade 200″ is rotated within the outer sheath 230.

FIGS. 30, 31, and 32A-D illustrate another non-limiting blade and outer sheath embodiment. During use of various instruments that employ a rotatable blade within an outer sheath, it has been experienced that the tissue may get “kicked out” of the sheath window as the blade rotates therein. This can lead to reduced cutting speeds as tissue is not adequately captured and held between the cutting edges. The blade 800 of this embodiment addresses such potential shortcomings.

As can be seen in FIG. 30, the blade 800 may be substantially the same as blade 200 except for the differences noted herein. In particular, the blade 800 may include a neck portion 803 that that terminates in a distal end portion 810. The distal end portion 810 may have a somewhat curved tip 812. A series of teeth 817 may be provided on at least one lateral side 813 or 815 of the distal end portion 810. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 32A-D, teeth 817 and 819 are formed on lateral sides 813, 815, respectively, of the distal end portion 810. The distal end portion 810 further has a somewhat domed top portion 821. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 30-32D, the teeth 817 comprise relatively sharp points that define a series of arcuate openings 823 therebetween. Teeth 819 also comprise relatively sharp points that have a series of arcuate openings 825 therebetween. As shown in FIG. 30, an axial suction passage 805 may be provided through the neck portion 803 of the blade 800. The axial suction passage 805 may communicate with a transverse suction passage 807 in the area of node 808. Thus, the cut tissue may pass through the passages 805, 807 and out between the inner sheath (not shown) and outer sheath 850 and out through a suction port to a collection receptacle in the manner described hereinabove. Other suction path arrangements may also be successfully employed.

The outer sheath 850 may be substantially similar to the outer sheath 230 described above and have a distal sheath tip 852 attached thereto that has a window or opening 854 formed therein to expose the distal end portion 810 of the blade 800. See FIG. 31. The outer sheath 850 may comprise a hollow cylinder fabricated from for example, stainless steel. In various embodiments, the window 854 extends for approximately one half of the circular cross-section of the sheath 850 and forms a blade opening 858 therein. The distal sheath tip 852 may be fabricated from metal such as, for example, stainless steel such that a relatively sharp cutting edge 860 extends around the blade opening 858. For the purpose of explanation, the sharp cutting edge 860 has a first lateral cutting edge portion 862 and a second lateral cutting edge portion 864.

FIGS. 32A-D illustrate a sequential rotation of the blade 800 within the outer sheath 850. Turning to FIG. 32A first, the blade 800 is shown being rotated in a counter clockwise “CCW” direction. As shown in that Figure, the cutting teeth 817 on the first lateral side 813 of the blade 800 are positioned to shear tissue (not shown) between the teeth 817 and the first lateral cutting edge portion 862 of the cutting edge 860. When in that position, the arcuate openings 823 between the teeth 817 are exposed to collectively form a first lateral suction path 870 between the blade 800 and the distal sheath tip 852 to enable the tissue to be drawn therein by the suction being applied through the suction passage 805 (FIG. 30). As the rotational sequence continues, the domed upper portion 821 of the blade 800 covers the opening 854 in the distal sheath tip 852 such that there are no exposed suction paths for tissue to enter into the opening 854. As the blade continues through its rotation, FIG. 32C illustrates that the arcuate openings 825 between teeth 819 collectively form a second lateral suction path 872 between the second lateral cutting edge portion 864 and the blade 800 to enable tissue to be drawn therein. As the blade 800 continues to rotate in the CCW direction, a third suction path 874 is exposed to enable tissue to be further drawn into opening 854. Thus, such arrangement permits a sequential opening of suction paths from one lateral side of the blade opening 858 to the other to facilitate better tissue cutting. In use, the clinician may elect to rotate the blade 800 within the outer sheath 850 without applying ultrasonic motion thereto. The clinician may also elect to apply ultrasonic motion to the rotating blade or the clinician may wish apply ultrasonic motion to a parked (non-rotating) blade to use the portion of the blade exposed in the opening 854 to coagulate tissue.

FIGS. 33 and 34 illustrate another blade embodiment 880 that may be substantially the same as blade 200 except for the differences noted below. In particular, the blade 880 may include a waveguide or proximal portion 882 that that terminates in a distal tissue cutting portion 884. The proximal portion 882 of the blade 880 may be configured to be threadably or otherwise attached to an ultrasonic horn of any of the various embodiments discussed above. The distal tissue cutting portion 884 may have opposed arcuate channels 886, 888 formed therein. The first arcuate channel 886 may define a first cutting edge 890 and the second arcuate channel 888 may define a second cutting edge 892. This blade embodiment may be used in connection with any of the outer sheath configurations described above. In the depicted embodiment, hollow outer sheath 900 is employed which may be similar to sheath 230 for example and include a distal sheath tip 901 that has rounded or blunted nose portion 902 and a window 904. The hollow outer sheath 900 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel and the distal sheath tip 901 may be fabricated from metal such as, for example, stainless steel. The window 904 forms an arcuate cutting edge 906 that cooperates with the cutting edges 890, 892 on the blade 880 to shear off tissue as the blade 880 is rotated within the outer sheath 900 in the various manners described above. In at least one embodiment, the proximal portion 882 of blade 880 may be sized relative to the hollow outer sheath 900 such that a clearance is provided therebetween to enable a suction to be applied thereto in the manner described above, for example. As can be seen in FIG. 34, as the blade 880 rotates (represented by arrow “R”) the arcuate channels 886, 886 define openings 894, 896 between the distal end 884 of the blade 880 and the walls of the distal sheath tip 901 to enable tissue to be drawn therein by the suction (represented by arrows “S”) applied to the area between the inner wall of the outer sheath 900 and the neck 882 of the blade 800. It will also be appreciated that the blade 880 may be rotated in a counter clockwise or clockwise direction or be selectively oscillated between such rotational directions and still effectively cut tissue drawn therein. FIG. 34A depicts an alternative sheath tip embodiment 901′ that is fabricated from a metal material such as, for example, stainless steel that has a series of serrated cutting teeth 905′ formed on each cutting edge 890′, 892′.

FIG. 35 depicts another blade embodiment 910 that may be substantially the same as blade 200 except for the differences noted below. In particular, the blade 910 may include a waveguide or proximal portion 912 that that terminates in a distal tissue cutting portion 914. The proximal portion 912 of the blade 910 may be configured to be threadably or otherwise attached to an ultrasonic horn of any of the various embodiments discussed above. The distal tissue cutting portion 914 may have opposed channels 916 formed therein that cooperate to define a first cutting edge 920 and a second cutting edge 922. This blade embodiment may be used in connection with any of the various outer sheath configurations described above and is designed to only rotate in a single direction “R” for tissue cutting purposes. As with the above-described embodiment, the arcuate channels 916 define openings between the tissue cutting portion 914 of the blade 910 and the inner walls of the distal sheath tip to enable tissue to be drawn therein as suction is applied to the area between the proximal portion 912 an the inner wall of the outer sheath.

FIG. 36 illustrates another surgical instrument 2000 wherein like numbers previously used to describe the various embodiments discussed above are used to designate like components. In these embodiments, the surgical instrument 2000 includes a housing 302 that houses an ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 that is attached to an ultrasonic horn 324. In this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 and the ultrasonic horn 324 may be non-rotatably supported within the housing 302 in a known manner. Electrical control signals may be supplied to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 from an ultrasonic generator 12 by conductors 151, 152. Activation of the ultrasonic generator 12 will cause the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 to apply ultrasonic motion to the ultrasonic horn 324. In this embodiment, a hollow outer sheath 2010 is coupled to the ultrasonic horn 324 for receiving ultrasonic motion therefrom. For example, in various embodiments, the outer sheath 2010 may be coupled to the ultrasonic horn 324 by a threaded connection or other suitable fastening arrangement.

This embodiment includes a rotatable blade 2020 that is rotatably supported within the outer sheath 2010 and is coupled to a motor 510 supported within the housing 302. The motor 510 may, for example, comprise a stepper motor of the type and construction described above. The motor 510 may have an encoder associated therewith that communicates with a control module 24 (FIG. 1) as was described above. The blade 2020 may have a hollow distal portion 2022 and a solid proximal portion 2024. See FIG. 36A. The solid proximal portion 2024 may be attached to the motor drive shaft 520 by a threaded or other suitable connection. The motor drive shaft 520 may be rotatably supported within the housing 302 by a proximal bearing 342. When control signals are supplied to the motor 510, the drive shaft 520 rotates about axis A-A which also causes the blade 2020 to rotate about axis A-A within the outer sheath 2010.

As can be further seen in FIG. 36A, the hollow outer sheath 2010 is supported within a hollow nosepiece 160 that has a suction port 240 therein. A flexible tube 242 may be attached to the suction port 240 and communicate with a collection receptacle 243 that is coupled to a source of suction, generally depicted as 244. The hollow sheath 2010 may be supported within the nosepiece 160 by a proximal seal 2013 and a distal seal 2015 which are located on each side of the suction port 240 as shown in FIG. 36A and which serve to establish fluid tight seals therebetween. The hollow sheath 2010 is provided with at least one proximal sheath opening 2014 in registration with the suction port 240 between the proximal seal 2013 and the distal seal 2015. In addition, the hollow distal portion 2022 of the blade 2020 is rotatably supported within the hollow sheath 2010 by at least a proximal blade seal 2025 and a distal blade seal 2027. At least one blade discharge port 2028 may be provided through the hollow portion 2022 of the blade 2020 between the proximal blade seal 2025 and the distal blade seal 2027 to discharge into the at least one proximal sheath opening 2014.

Also in various embodiments, a distal end portion 2011 of the hollow outer sheath is closed and at least one opening or window 2012 is provided therein to expose a distal tissue cutting portion 2025 of the blade 2020. In at least one embodiment window 2012 comprises an elongated slot and the distal tissue cutting portion also comprises an elongated slot 2026 in the blade 2020 (FIGS. 37 and 38). Thus, suction may be applied from the suction source 244 into the hollow portion of blade 2020 through the port 240, the proximal sheath opening 2014 and the blade discharge port 2028. As the distal openings 2026, 2012 coincide, tissue “T” may be drawn into the hollow distal portion 2022 of blade 2020 as shown in FIG. 38. The severed portions of tissue “T” may pass through the hollow distal portion 2022 of blade 2020 and out through openings 2028, 2014 and into the collection receptacle 243.

In use, the clinician may activate the rotating blade 2020 to cut and evacuate tissue. When a bleeder is encountered, the clinician may activate the ultrasonic transducer assembly 314 to send ultrasonic motions to the outer sheath 2010 for coagulation purposes. For example, spinal fusion surgeries require the removal of disc material due to a variety of disease states. Often times this material is toughened and requires quite a bit of force with conventional instrumentation to break up the disc and remove its fragments. Once the disc material is removed, the end plates must be scraped to reveal fresh surfaces to promote fusion of the plates to the cage. The plates must also be shaped to provide a good fit with the type of cage being used. Conventional instrumentation generally requires high forces from the surgeon very close to critical structures. In other embodiments, the motor may be coupled to rotate the ultrasonic transducer assembly and the blade may be attached to the ultrasonic transducer assembly as was described above so that the blade rotates and may have ultrasonic motion applied thereto.

Use of the above-described surgical instrument 2000 may be particularly advantageous when performing, for example, a discectomy as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40. As can be seen in those drawings, the outer sheath 2010 may be inserted into the disc “D”. The rotating blade 2020 may be used to shave off small pieces of disc and suction them out. Such arrangement eliminates the need for repeated insertion/removal of surgical tools. The device may also be employed to prepare the vertebrae endplates. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 41-45, the rotatable cutting blade 2020 has a series of serrated teeth 2021 formed on at least one side of the distal opening 2026 to further assist with the cutting of tissue drawn in through the opening 2012 in the outer sheath 2010. Also in this embodiment, a retractable safety shield 2040 is movably mounted on the outer sheath 2010 and is selectively movable from a closed position substantially covering the opening 2012 in the outer sheath 2010 to an open position exposing the opening 2012 (FIGS. 43 and 44). Such arrangement covers the teeth 2021 on the blade 2020 during insertion and removal of the outer sheath 2010 adjacent vital nerves and other critical tissues. To facilitate movement of the safety sheath 2040 on the outer sheath 2010, a thumb control tab 2042 (FIGS. 41 and 45) may be formed on the proximal end of the safety sheath 2040 to enable the clinician to apply sliding actuation forces thereto. In addition, in various embodiments, a retainer protrusion 2044 may be formed on the safety sheath 2040 to engage at least one detent or groove 2046 provided in the outer sheath 2010 to retain the safety sheath 2040 in a corresponding open or closed position. For example, one detent or groove 2046 may correspond to a closed position (wherein the safety sheath 2040 covers the opening 2012) and another detent or groove 2046′ may correspond to a partially opened position (wherein a portion of the opening 2012 is exposed) and another detent or groove 2046″ may correspond to a fully opened position (wherein the opening 2012 is fully exposed).

FIGS. 46-51 illustrate a blade 940 that has a nearly straight distal tissue cutting portion 942. Such blade configuration may reduce potential impedance and power increases when the blade 940 is used in an aqueous environment when compared to the impedance and power requirements of various other blade configurations when used in that environment. That is, such relatively straighter blade designs may require less power to operate in an aqueous environment. The blade 940 may have a round or blunted distal end 944 and a groove 946 that forms cutting edges 947, 948 for cutting tissue when the blade 940 is used in connection with an outer sheath 230 as described above. The groove may have a length “L” of, for example, one (1) inch. The blade 942 may also have a suction passage 730 of the type and construction described above. As shown in FIG. 47, a low friction fender or pad 726 of the type and construction described above may be employed around the exposed distal end portion 720 of the outer sheath 230. FIGS. 48-51 depict alternative cross-sectional shapes of a blade 940 where differently shaped grooves 946 are employed.

FIGS. 52-55 depict another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 950 that may be attached to the nosepiece or the ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the surgical instruments described above by any suitable fastening method or connection arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 55, the outer sheath 950 has a closed rounded or blunted nose portion 952 and an elongated rectangular-shaped window or opening 954. In one embodiment, for example, the rectangular-shaped window 954 has a width “W” that is approximately one-fourth of the circumference of the hollow outer sheath 950 and a length of approximately 0.25 inches. The sheath 950 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel.

This embodiment also employs a blade 960 that can be used in connection with any of the surgical instrument embodiments described above or others. For example, a waveguide or proximal portion of the blade may be configured for attachment to the instrument's ultrasonic horn or motor drive shaft by a threaded or other connection. As can be seen in FIGS. 52-54, the blade 960 has a pair of radially-opposed sharpened cutting edges 962 formed thereon that serve to cut tissue “T” that is drawn into the window 954 of the outer sheath 950. In various embodiments, the blade 960 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and be sized relative to the outer sheath 950 such that a clearance “C” is provided between the inner wall 951 of the outer sheath 950 and the tips of the radially opposed sharpened cutting edges 962. See FIG. 54. In some embodiments, for example, the clearance “C” may be approximately 0.001 inches. In this embodiment, the blade 960 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and have a flattened distal end 964. In use, when gross rotary motion is applied to the blade 960 in any of the various manners described above and suction is applied within the hollow outer sheath 950, the tissue “T” is drawn in through the window 954 and trapped between the blade 960 and the inner wall 951 of the outer sheath 950. This action isolates the tissue “T” long enough to cut when, for example, the device is employed in an aqueous environment as will be discussed in further detail below. In some embodiments, the cutting edges 962 may be serrated. In other embodiments the cutting edges 962 are not serrated.

FIG. 57 depicts another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 970 that may be attached to the nosepiece or ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the various instruments described above. As can be seen in FIG. 56, the outer sheath 970 has a rounded or blunted nose portion 972 and an elongated window or opening 974 that forms a blade access hole 976 in the nose portion 972 and two radially-opposed lateral window portions 978. In one embodiment, for example, wherein the outer diameter of the outer sheath 970 is approximately 0.157 inches, the diameter of the blade access hole 976 may be approximately 0.125 inches. The lateral window portions 978 may each have a width “W” of approximately 0.090 inches and a length “L” of approximately 0.25 inches. Other window sizes/configurations may be employed. The sheath 970 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel.

This embodiment also employs a blade 980 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is configured for attachment to the ultrasonic horn or motor drive shaft of any of the various surgical instrument embodiments described above 324 by a threaded or other suitable connection. In various embodiments, the blade 980 may be substantially the same as blade 960 described above (with radially-opposed sharpened cutting edges 982), except that blade 980 has a rounded/substantially blunted distal tip portion 984 that protrudes out through the blade access hole 976 in the outer sheath 970. See FIG. 57. In various embodiments, the blade 980 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and be sized relative to the outer sheath 970 such that a clearance is provided between the inner wall 971 of the outer sheath 970 and the tips of the radially opposed sharpened cutting edges 962. In some embodiments, for example, the clearance may be approximately 0.001 inches. In use, when gross rotary motion is applied to the blade 980 in any of the various manners described above and suction is applied within the hollow outer sheath 970, the tissue is drawn in through the window portions 978 and trapped between the blade 980 and the inner wall 971 of the outer sheath 970. This action isolates the tissue long enough to cut when, for example, the device is employed in an aqueous environment as will be discussed in further detail below. Also, in this embodiment, when the blade 980 is ultrasonically powered, the clinician can use the exposed distal tip portion 984 for spot ablation of fibrous tissue or for spot coagulation purposes. In some embodiments, the cutting edges 982 may be serrated. In other embodiments the cutting edges 982 are not serrated.

FIG. 59 depicts another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 990 that may be attached to the nosepiece or ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the above-described surgical instruments by any suitable fastening method or connection arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 58, the outer sheath 990 has a closed rounded or blunted nose portion 992 and an elongated rectangular-shaped window or opening 994. In one embodiment, for example, the rectangular-shaped window 994 has a width “W” that is approximately 0.100 inches and a length of approximately 0.25 inches. The sheath 990 may be fabricated from, for example, a polyamide or similar material that does not result in the heating of a blade 1000 from contact therewith. The window 994 may be defined by sharp edges 995, 997. As can be seen in FIG. 60, edges 995, 997 may be provided with an angle “B” therebetween. In some embodiments, angle “B” may be approximately 110 degrees.

These embodiments also employ a blade 1000 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is configured for attachment to the ultrasonic horn or motor drive shaft of any of the above-described surgical instruments or others by a threaded or other suitable connection arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 59, the blade 1000 may have a pair of radially-opposed sharpened cutting portions 1002 formed thereon that serve to cut tissue that is drawn into the window 994 in the outer sheath 990. In various embodiments, the blade 1000 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium. The cutting portions 1002 of the blade 1000 may have sharp cutting corners 1003 formed thereon. In some embodiments, the cutting corners 1003 may be serrated. In other embodiments the cutting corners 1003 are not serrated. The cutting portions 1002 may be sized relative to the outer sheath 990 to establish a tissue shearing action between the cutting corners 1003 and the sharp edges 995, 996 of the window opening 994 as the blade 1000 is rotated or oscillated back and forth within the outer sheath 990. The blade 1000 may be sized relative to the outer sheath 990 to create a slip fit therebetween that otherwise prevents tissue from becoming trapped between those two components. The blade 990 could rotate back and forth (arrow “D”) or rotate in a single direction (arrow “E”) and if desire be ultrasonically activated as well as was discussed above. See FIG. 59. In use, when gross rotary motion is applied to the blade 1000 in any of the various manners described above and suction is applied within the hollow outer sheath 990, the tissue “T” is drawn in through the window 994 and trapped between the blade 1000 and the inner wall 999 of the outer sheath 990. This action isolates the tissue long enough to cut when, for example, the device is employed in an aqueous environment as will be discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 62 depicts another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 1010 that may be attached to the nosepiece or ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the above described surgical instruments by any suitable fastening method or connection arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 61, the outer sheath 1010 may have a closed rounded or blunted nose portion 1012 and an elongated rectangular-shaped window or opening 1014. In one embodiment, for example, the window 1014 has a first coined or depressed edge 1016 and a second coined or depressed edge 1018 to define an opening 1019 that may have a width W″ that is approximately 0.100 inches. Window 1014 may have a length of approximately 0.25 inches. The sheath 1010 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel

These embodiments also employ a blade 1020 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is configured for attachment to the ultrasonic horn or motor drive shaft of any of the above-described surgical instruments or others by a threaded or other suitable connection. As can be seen in FIG. 62, the blade 1020 may have a pair of radially-opposed sharpened cutting portions 1022, 1024 formed thereon. The blade 1020 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and have relative sharp cutting corners 1025 formed on each cutting portions 1022, 1024. In some embodiments, the cutting corners 1025 may be serrated. In other embodiments the cutting corners 1025 are not serrated. The cutting portions 1022, 1024 may be sized relative to the outer sheath 1010 to establish a tissue shearing action between the depressed edges 1016, 1018 and the cutting corners 1025 as the blade 1020 is rotated or oscillated within the outer sheath 1010. Such arrangement forms a relatively small localized area to lessen contact issues between the blade and the outer sheath by also facilitates a scissoring effect on the tissue. In use, when gross rotary motion is applied to the blade 1020 in any of the various manners described above and suction is applied within the hollow outer sheath 1010, the tissue is drawn in through the opening 1019 and trapped between the blade 1020 and the inner wall 1011 of the outer sheath 1010. This action isolates the tissue long enough to cut when, for example, the device is employed in an aqueous environment as will be discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 64 depicts another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 1030 that may be attached to the nosepiece or ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the above-described surgical instruments. As can be seen in FIG. 63, the outer sheath 1030 may have a closed rounded or blunted nose portion 1032 and an elongated rectangular-shaped window or opening 1034. This embodiment may further include a pair of sharpened cutting inserts 1036, 1038. The cutting inserts 1036, 1038 may be fabricated from, for example, hardened stainless steel and be attached within the hollow sheath 1030 by, for example, welding. Window 1034 may have a width W″ that is approximately 0.100 inches and a length of approximately 0.25 inches. The sheath 1030 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel.

These embodiments also employ a blade 1040 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is configured for attachment to the ultrasonic horn or motor drive shaft of any of the surgical instruments described herein or others by a threaded or other suitable connection. As can be seen in FIG. 64, the blade 1040 has a pair of radially-opposed cutting portions 1042 formed thereon that have relatively sharp cutting corners 1043. In some embodiments, the cutting corners 1043 may be serrated. In other embodiments the cutting corners 1043 are not serrated. In various embodiments, the blade 1040 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and be sized relative to the cutting inserts 1036, 1038 to establish a tissue shearing action between the sharp cutting corners 1043 and the cutting portions 1042 as the blade 1020 is rotated or oscillated within the hollow outer sheath 1030. The outer diameter of the blade 1020 is smaller than the inner diameter of the outer sheath 1030 to provide clearance for the blade 1040 during operation. The only instance of contact would be between the cutting portions 1042 of the blade 1040 and the inserts 1036, 1038 along the window opening 1034 wherein the tissue is pulled in by the suction.

FIG. 66 depicts another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 1110 that may be attached to the nosepiece or ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the surgical instruments described above by any suitable fastening method or connection arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 65, the outer sheath 1110 may have a closed rounded or blunted nose portion 1112 and an elongated rectangular-shaped window or opening 1114. In this embodiment, the lateral edge portions 1116, 1118 of the window 1114 are coined or depressed inward. Window 1014 may have a width W″ that is approximately 0.10 inches and a length of approximately 0.25 inches.

These embodiments also employ a blade 1120 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is configured for attachment to the ultrasonic horn or motor drive shaft of any of the surgical instrument embodiments described above or others by a threaded or other suitable connection arrangement. As can be seen in FIG. 66, the blade 1120 has a pair of radially-opposed cutting portions 1122 formed thereon that have relatively sharp cutting corners 1023. In some embodiments, the cutting corners 1023 may be serrated. In other embodiments the cutting corners 1023 are not serrated. In various embodiments, the blade 1020 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and be sized relative to the depressed edges 1116, 1118 to establish a tissue shearing action between the sharp cutting corners 1023 and the cutting portions 1122 as the blade 1120 is rotated or oscillated. Such arrangement defines a larger clearance C1 between the cutting portions 1122 of the blade 1120 and the inner wall 1111 of the sheath 1110. To form a tissue shearing action between the lateral edges 1116, 1118 and the cutting portions 1122, a clearance C2 that is less than C1 is provided.

FIGS. 67-69 depict another non-limiting blade and sheath embodiment. This embodiment employs a hollow outer sheath 1210 that may be attached to the nosepiece or ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the surgical instruments described above. The hollow outer sheath 1210 has a distal nose portion 1212 that includes an upper opening 1214 and a lower opening 1215 that serve to define arcuate lateral side portions 1216, 1218. The distal nose portion 1212 may further have a closed end 1219 that extends between the lateral side portions 1216, 1218.

This embodiment further comprises a blade 1220 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is configured for attachment to the ultrasonic transducer assembly of any of the surgical instruments described above. The blade 1220 further has a distal end portion 1221 that has a cavity 1222 that serves to define a pair of arcuate cutting portions 1224, 1226 that extend above the arcuate lateral side portions 1216, 1218 of the hollow sheath 1210. One, both or neither of the cutting portions 1224, 1226 may have serrated teeth 1227. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 67, the cavity 1222 has a cross-sectional shape that roughly resembles a flat bottom “C”. However, the cavity 1222 may have other cross-sectional shapes. At least one suction passage 1230 may be provided through the blade 1220 as shown. The suction passage may communicate with a source of suction (not shown).

In various embodiments, the blade 1220 may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium and be sized relative to the distal nose portion 1212 of the hollow sheath 1210 such that the bottom portion 1232 of the blade 1220 extends downward beyond the lateral sides 1216, 1218 of the nose portion 1212. Likewise, the cutting edges of the arcuate side portions 1224, 1226 extend above the lateral sides 1216, 1218 as shown in FIG. 67. The exposed bottom portion 1232 of the blade 1220 may be used, for example, to coagulate tissue, while the cutting edges 1224, 1226 may be used to cut and sever tissue.

The proximal end 1211 of the hollow sheath 1210 protrudes from a handle housing 1240 as shown in FIG. 70. The handle housing 1240 houses an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a motor, and a slip ring assembly as was described above and is coupled to a control system 10. The handle housing 1240 may include a selector switch 1241 which enables the clinician to switch between a first “ultrasonic” mode 1242, a second “shaver” mode 1244, and a third “injection” mode 1246. The switching mechanism 1241 communicates with the control system 10 to automatically orient the blade 1220 in a desired rotational orientation. For example, to employ the device 1200 in the ultrasonic mode 1242, the clinician switches the selector switch 1241 to the ultrasonic mode position 1242 (depicted as action 1250 in FIG. 71). When in the first ultrasonic configuration 1242, the motor will rotate the blade 1220 to the position shown in FIGS. 67 and 68 (depicted as action 1252 in FIG. 71) and then park it in that position to expose the bottom portion 1232 of the blade 1220 through the hollow sheath 1210 (depicted as action 1254 in FIG. 71). When in that position, the ultrasonic transducer assembly is activated to enable the bottom portion 1232 to be used to achieve hemostasis (depicted as action 1257 in FIG. 71). More particularly, when in the ultrasonic mode 1242, the clinician may orient the bottom portion 1232 against the tissue that is bleeding and then apply firm pressure to the tissue (depicted as action 1256 in FIG. 71) with the exposed portion 1232 of the blade 1220. The clinician then activates the ultrasonic transducer assembly to achieve hemostasis (depicted as action 1258 in FIG. 71). In alternative embodiments, the device 1200 may be provided with a series of switches/buttons as was described above that communicate with a control system such that activation of one switch may initiate rotation. Activation of another switch may initiate rotatable oscillation and activation of another switch may, in cooperation with the control system rotate the blade to the ultrasonic position and park it and thereafter activate the ultrasonic transducer assembly or in still other embodiments, the ultrasonic transducer assembly may be activated by yet another separate switch. All of such alternative arrangements are within the scope of the various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein and their respective equivalent structures.

FIG. 72 illustrates use of the device 1200 when in the shaver mode 1244. In particular, the selector switch 1241 is moved to the shaver position 1242 (depicted as action 1260 in FIG. 72). When in that position, the motor continuously rotates the blade 1220 within the hollow outer sheath 1210 (depicted as action 1262 in FIG. 72). In other embodiments, the motor may rotatably oscillate the blade 1220 back and forth within the outer sheath 1210 or in other embodiments, the selector switch may be movable to yet another position wherein the rotatable oscillation is initiated. In either case, the clinician may then contact tissue with the rotating or oscillating blade (1220) to cause the tissue to be shaved and evacuated through the suction passage 1230 (depicted as action 1264 in FIG. 72).

FIG. 73 illustrates use of the device 1200 when in the injection mode 1246. In particular, the selector switch 1241 is moved to the injection position 1246 (depicted as action 1270 in FIG. 73). When in that position, the blade 1220 is retained in a parked position (depicted as action 1272 in FIG. 73). The clinician may then orient the blade in a desired position and then inject the desired medicament (depicted as action 1274 in FIG. 73). One form of medicament that may be injected for example may comprise a cell generating drug sold under the trademark “Carticel”. However, other drugs and medicaments could be employed. The injection action may be accomplished by orienting the blade 1220 to a position within the outer sheath 1210 such that a medicament passage 1284 extending through the blade 1220 is exposed through the outer sheath 1210 to enable medicament to be advantageously applied to the adjacent site. The medicament may then be injected by activating a pump 1280 that communicates with a source of the medicament 1282. See FIG. 70. In various embodiments, the device 1200 may have an injection trigger 1249 that communicates with the pump 1280 such that activation of the injection trigger 1249 will cause the pump 1280 to inject the medicament out through the passage 1284 (FIG. 68). In alternative embodiments, the medicament may be manually injected by, for example, a syringe into a port (not shown) that communicates with medicament passage 1284 in blade 1220.

FIGS. 74-77 depict another non-limiting surgical instrument embodiment 1300. The device 1300 may include any one of the handpiece devices 300, 400, 500 described above. For example, the device 1300 may include a handpiece 300 that incorporates the difference noted below. The handpiece 300 includes a blade 200 that has a waveguide or proximal portion that is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer assembly that, when activated, applies ultrasonic motion to the blade 200. The blade 200 may also be rotated by the motor arrangement contained within the handpiece 300 as described above. The blade 200 may extend through an inner sheath 1320 that protrudes from the handpiece 300. The blade 200 is free to be selectively vibrated and rotated within the inner sheath 1320. One or more seal members 1322 may be provided between the blade 200 and the inner sheath 1320 to prevent fluids and tissue from entering the area between the inner sheath 1320 and the blade 200. The seal members 1322 may be fabricated from, for example, silastic silicone.

The device 1300 may further include an outer sheath 1330 that is movably received on the inner sheath 1320. The outer sheath 1330 may be sized relative to the inner sheath 1320 such that a suction tube 1350 may extend between a portion of the inner sheath 1320 and a portion of the outer sheath 1330. The suction tube 1350 may communicate with a source of suction generally depicted as 1352. See FIG. 74. As can be seen in FIGS. 74-77, the outer sheath 1330 may include a swing arm portion 1332 that protrudes distally from a distal end portion 1331 of the outer sheath 1330. The swing arm 1332 may be relatively straight (FIG. 75) or it may have a slightly curved distal end 1334 (FIG. 76). As can be seen in FIG. 76, the distal end 1334 may have a sharpened cutting surface 1336 thereon. As can also be seen in FIGS. 74-76, in some embodiments, the blade 200 may have a curved blade tip 1360 that has a pair of lateral cutting edges 1362 formed thereon. In other embodiments, the blade tip 1360 may be straight. In some embodiments, the blade 200 may be rotated in the various manners discussed above. In other embodiments, the blade 200 may not rotate. In such embodiments, for example, the clinician may choose not to activate the motor for rotating the blade or the handpiece may comprise a handpiece that does not include a motor for rotating the blade.

In use, the swing arm portion 1332 may cover portions of the distal end 1360 of the blade 200. In one mode of use, the outer sheath 1330 is retained in position wherein the swing arm portion 1332 covers the back side of the blade 200 as shown in FIG. 74. Such arrangement leaves the curved blade tip 1360 exposed. When in such position, for example, the curved blade tip 1360 could be employed to transect tissue, such as the meniscus. In a second mode of operation, the swing arm portion 1332 is moving.

In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 74-77, a suction tube 1350 is employed to draw loose tissue towards the blade tip 1360 and also remove small sections of transected tissue during cutting. In other embodiments, suction could occur in the annular space between the sheaths 1320, 1330. In still other embodiments, the blade 200 may have a suction path (not shown) extending therethrough which ultimately communicates with a source of suction as was described above. Such suction path would most likely exit the blade 200 at the node at the proximal end. In still other embodiments, no suction is employed.

In some embodiments, the swing arm portion 1332 may be permanently retained in position against the blade 200. In still other embodiments, a lubricious or low friction pad (not shown) may be mounted to the swing arm portion 1332 such that the pad contacts the blade 200. In other embodiments, a 0.002″-0.010″ clearance may be provided between the swing arm portion 1332 and the blade 200. In other embodiments, the swing arm portion 1332 extends around the length of the curved portion of the blade 200 so that the entire blade 200 is covered from the back side.

The various non-limiting embodiments described hereinabove may be effectively employed in a connection with a variety of different surgical applications and are particularly well-suited for cutting and coagulating tissue in the aqueous environment of arthroscopic surgery. In such applications, however, if fluid passes between the blade or waveguide and the inner sheath, the fluid may enter the housing and damage the components therein. Various sealing arrangements are known for use with ultrasonically powered surgical instruments. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,144 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,737, the disclosures of which are each herein incorporated by reference in their respective entireties, each disclose various sealing arrangement for use with ultrasonic surgical instruments in the traditional environment of laparoscopic surgery and open surgery (i.e., non-aqueous environments). However, various non-limiting embodiments discussed below employ improved sealing arrangements that may be better suited for use in aqueous environments.

More particularly and with reference to FIG. 78, there is shown an ultrasonic device 1400 that includes a housing 1402 that rotatably supports an ultrasonic transducer assembly 1404 therein. For example, the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1404 may be rotatably supported within the housing 1402 by a series of bearings (not shown). An ultrasonic horn 1406 may be coupled to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1404 and an ultrasonic implement 1410 is attached thereto by conventional means which may typically comprise a threaded arrangement. As used herein, the term “ultrasonic implement” may encompass any one of the blade and cutting member embodiments described herein. The portion of the ultrasonic implement 1410 that is coupled to the ultrasonic horn 1406 may be referred to as a waveguide portion 1412. The waveguide 1412 may comprise an integral portion of the ultrasonic implement 1410 or it may comprise a separate component attached thereto by, for example, a threaded connection. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 78, the ultrasonic implement 1410 extends through a hollow outer sheath 1420. The outer sheath 1420 and the distal end of the ultrasonic implement 1410 may be configured in any one of the various blade and sheath configurations described hereinabove as well as others.

As can also be seen in FIG. 78, a proximal shaft 1430 is attached to the ultrasonic transducer assembly 1404. Attached to the proximal shaft 1430 is a driven gear 1432 that is in meshing engagement with a drive gear 1434 coupled to an out put shaft 1436 of a motor 1440. Ultrasonic electrical signals and the motor control signals may be supplied from the control system 10 through a slip ring assembly 1450 of the type and construction described above. The device 1400 may further comprise the various control button arrangements described above, so that the device may be used in a ultrasonic mode, a non-ultrasonic mode (e.g., rotational shaving mode) and a combination of such modes. Unlike the various instruments described above, the motor 1440 is not coaxially aligned with the ultrasonic transducer assembly.

FIG. 79 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a seal assembly 1470 that may be employed between in the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of the ultrasonic implement 1410 and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1470 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials such as, for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide 1412 at a node “N”. The seal 1470 may have a first annular seal portion 1472 that is molded onto the waveguide 1412 at a node “N” and two axial seal portions 1474, 1476 that extend axially in opposite axial directions beyond the first annular seal portion 1472 and which are separated by a groove 1478. The groove 1478 may enable the two axial seal portions 1474, 1476 to somewhat flex relative to each other in sealing contact with the outer sheath 1420. The narrower first annular seal portion 1472 may avoid excessive heat build-up while providing a wider contact area wherein the seal 1470 contacts the outer sheath 1420.

FIG. 80 depicts anon-limiting embodiment of a seal 1480 that may be employed between in the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of the ultrasonic implement 1410 and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1480 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials, such as for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide 1412 at a Node “N”. The seal 1480 may be arranged to abut an inwardly-extending annular abutment ring 1490 formed on the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1480 is located distal with respect to the abutment ring 1490. When the fluid pressure builds up within the distal end of the outer sheath 1420, the seal 1480 is forced into the abutment ring 1490 thereby increasing the strength of the seal. The outer sheath 1420 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel.

FIG. 81 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a seal 1500 that may be employed between in the waveguide portion 1412 of the blade 1410 and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1500 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials, such as for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide 1412 at a Node “N”. The seal 1480 may be arranged to be received within an annular groove 1423 provided in the outer sheath 1420. The outer sheath 1420 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel.

FIG. 82 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a seal 1510 that may be employed between in the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of the ultrasonic implement 1410 and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1510 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials such as, for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide 1412 at a node “N”. The seal 1510 may have an inner rim portion 1512 that is molded onto the waveguide 1412 at a node “N” and two axial seal portions 1514, 1516 that extend axially in opposite directions beyond the inner portion 1512 and which are separated by a groove 1518. The axial portions 1514, 1516 are sized to extend into a groove 1520 provided in the outer sheath 1420. As can be seen in FIG. 82, the groove 1520 has an inwardly protruding ring 1522 sized to extend into the groove 1518 in the seal 1510. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring 1522 has an angled ramp 1524 formed thereon that permits the seal 1510 to slide over it during assembly, then lock in place. The outer sheath 1420 may be fabricated from, for example, Ultem®.

FIGS. 83 and 84 depict a non-limiting embodiment of a seal 1530 that may be employed between in the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of the ultrasonic implement 1410 and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1530 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials such as, for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide 1412 at a node “N”. The seal 1530 may have a groove 1532 therein as shown in FIG. 83. The outer sheath 1420 is then crimped to thereby crush the seal 1530 as shown in FIG. 84. The outer sheath 1420 could be crimped evenly all the way around the circumference, or it could be crimpled in discrete locations. For example, four evenly spaced (e.g., at 90 degree intervals) crimps may be employed. In such embodiments, the outer sheath 1420 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel.

FIG. 85 depicts a portion of an outer sheath 1540 that has a proximal axial portion 1542 and a distal axial section 1544 that are adapted to be interconnected together by, for example, welding, press fit, threading or snapping together. As can be seen in FIG. 85, the distal axial section 1544 has a groove portion 1546 sized to engage a portion of an annular seal 1550 that is over molded or otherwise sealingly installed on the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of the ultrasonic implement 1410 at a node “N”. Thus, when attached together, the proximal axial section 1542 and distal axial section 1544 serve to trap and compress a portion of the seal 1550 therebetween. In alternative embodiments, the groove portion 1546 may be provided in the proximal axial section 1542 or each section 1542, 1544 may have a groove segment therein that cooperate to accommodate the annular seal 1550 therein.

FIG. 86 depicts a portion of an outer sheath, generally designated as 1560 that consists of two lateral halves 1562, 1564. Each lateral half 1562, 1564 has a semi-annular groove segment 1566 formed therein. See FIG. 87. The semi-annular groove segments 1566 form an annular groove 1568 sized to receive an annular seal 1570 that is over molded onto or otherwise attached to the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 when the lateral halves 1562, 1564 are joined together to form the hollow outer sheath 1560. By creating a two piece outer sheath 1560, the seal 1570 could have much greater interference with the outer sheath 1560, than it generally could have if the waveguide 1412 must be pushed down the outer sheath 1560 during the assembly process. The two outer sheath halves 1562, 1564 may be joined together by welding, snap fitting or other suitable methods. Thus, the seal 1570 may first be installed on the waveguide 1412. Thereafter, the two halves 1562, 1564 may be brought together around the wave guide 1412 such that the seal 1570 is trapped within the groove 1568. The halves 1562, 1564 are then fastened together in that position.

FIG. 88 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a seal 1580 that may be employed between in the waveguide portion 1412 of the ultrasonic implement and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1580 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials such as, for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 at a node “N”. The seal 1580 may be held in place by a proximal ring 1590 and a distal ring 1592. The proximal ring 1590 may comprise an integral portion of the outer sheath 1420 or it could comprise a separate component that is pressed into the outer sheath 1420 or otherwise attached thereto. The distal ring 1592 may be glued, press fit or otherwise attached to the outer sheath 1420. The distal ring 1592, upon installation, may provide compression on the seal 1580. This would increase the force between the seal 1580 and the waveguide 1412, further decreasing fluid movement past the seal 1580. The rings 1590, 1592 may comprise split annular rings or rings with no splits therein. In addition, as can be seen in FIG. 88 the tings 1590, 1592 may be sized relative to the waveguide 1412 such that an amount of clearance “C” is provided therebetween.

FIG. 89 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a seal 1600 that may be employed between in the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of an ultrasonic implement 1410 and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1600 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials such as, for example, Ultem® and is over molded or otherwise sealingly attached to the waveguide 1412 at a node “N”. The seal 1600 may have an outer diameter that is greater than the inner diameter of the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1600 may further have a proximal side 1602 and a distal side 1604. When assembled, an outer portion of the proximal side 1602 of the seal 1600 sealingly contacts the inner wall 1421 of the outer sheath 1420. Thus, when fluid pressure “P” builds up on the distal side of the seal 1600, the seal 1600 is further urged into sealing contact with the outer sheath 1420, thereby creating a better seal between the waveguide 1412 and the outer sheath 1420.

FIG. 90 depicts a non-limiting embodiment of a seal 1610 that may be employed between in the waveguide or proximal portion 1412 of the blade and the outer sheath 1420. The seal 1610 comprises an annular member that may be fabricated from silicon or other materials such as, for example, Ultem® and is molded or otherwise attached to the outer sheath 1420 as shown. In this embodiment, an annular groove 1620 may be provided in the waveguide 1412 for receiving a portion of the seal 1610 therein. In alternative embodiments, no groove is provided. It will be further understood that the seals depicted in FIGS. 79-82 may likewise be attached to the outer sheath instead of the waveguide or proximal portion of the cutting blade or implement as illustrated without departing from the spirit and scope of the various non-limiting embodiments disclosed herein and their respective equivalents. In addition, it will be further understood that the various seal embodiments described herein may be effectively employed with any of the surgical instrument embodiments described above. That is, the various non-limiting seal arrangements disclosed herein and their respective equivalent structures may be effectively employed to achieve a seal between the ultrasonic blade or waveguide and the corresponding inner sheath. In those embodiments that employ an inner sheath and an outer sheath, but do not apply a suction therebetween, the various non-limiting seal arrangements disclosed herein and their respective equivalents may also be effectively employed to achieve a substantially fluid-tight seal between the inner and outer sheaths. In yet other non-limiting embodiments, the seal may be employed between an ultrasonic blade and an outer sheath wherein the ultrasonic blade does not engage in gross-rotational motion relative to the outer sheath. In such embodiments, the seal may be rigidly attached to the ultrasonic blade and the outer sheath. In still other non-limiting embodiments, the ultrasonic blade may oscillate within the outer sheath. For example the ultrasonic blade may oscillate through a 90 degree arc (45 degrees on each side of a central axis). In such embodiments, the seal may be rigidly attached to the outer sheath and ultrasonic blade by, for example, adhesive, crimping, etc. The seal material may comprise an elastic rubber material or the like that would accommodate twisting of the seal for a range of ±45 degrees. In such embodiments, the stretch experienced by the seal may help to return the blade to a neutral position of zero degrees (in alignment with the central axis).

Various of the above-described embodiments employ rotating blades that serve to shear off tissue between cutting edges formed on the blade and edges of the surrounding outer sheath. While such arrangements are very effective in cutting most tissues, tough tissue, such as tendon tissue for example, can be difficult to effectively cut because it can tend to “milk” between the blade and the outer sheath. Such problem is akin to problems encountered when scissors are used to cut through a tough material such as leather, for example. In short, the scissor blades separate and the material does not get cut. This phenomenon is graphically depicted in FIGS. 91A-D. As can be seen in those Figures, two cutting blades 1700 are employed to cut through tough tissue “T”. As the blades 1700 move inward toward the tissue “T”, the tissue “T” moves between the blades 1700 and causes them to separate.

In various blade and sheath embodiments disclosed herein, it may be advantageous to minimize the amount of clearance between the cutting portion of the outer sheath and the cutting edge(s) of the blades. For example, it may be desirable to maintain the amount of clearance between the cutting portion of the outer sheath and the cutting edge(s) on the blades within the range of 0.001″ to 0.005″. In other non-limiting embodiments, one cutting edge or portion is harder than the other cutting portion. For example, the cutting edge(s) on the blades may be harder than the cutting portion of the outer sheath or visa versa. The motor may then be activated with or without ultrasound to achieve a near zero clearance between the cutting edges/portion. In addition to such approaches or in place of such approaches, other embodiments may employ structure to bias at least a distal portion the blade in an “off-center” arrangement within the outer sheath while still facilitating the rotation of the blade therein. More particularly and with reference to FIGS. 92-93, there is shown a blade 200 of the type and construction described above, extending through an outer sheath assembly 3000. In the depicted embodiment, the outer sheath assembly 3000 is used in connection with a surgical instrument 3001 that may be constructed in any of the manners described above to selectively apply gross rotational motion to the blade 200 as well as to selectively apply ultrasonic motion thereto.

In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 93, the blade 200 extends axially through an inner sheath 3020 that is mounted within a portion of the instrument housing 3010. The outer sheath assembly 3000 is attached to the instrument housing 3010 and has a distal tip portion 3002 that has a window or opening 3004 therein. As discussed above, the window 3004 enables tissue to be drawn into a tip cavity 3006 formed within the distal tip portion 3002. Suction may be applied to the tip cavity 3006 through a suction port 3007 in the distal tip portion 3002 of the outer sheath assembly 3000 that communicates with a source of suction 244. In these embodiments, the blade 200 is somewhat flexible and may be fabricated from, for example, Titanium. In addition, the waveguide portion or proximal portion of blade 200 extends through a bushing 3030 that is mounted within the inner sheath 3020 in the location of node “N”. In various embodiments, the inner sheath 3020 may be fabricated from material that is substantially rigid and resists bending. For example, the inner sheath 3020 may be fabricated from Ultem or similar materials. The bushing 3030 may be fabricated from, for example Ultem® and be non-rotatably retained within the inner sheath 3020 by, for example, stainless steel.

As can be seen in FIGS. 92A and 93, the waveguide or proximal portion 701 of blade 200 extends through a hole 3032 in the bushing 3030. The centerline CL-CL of the bushing hole 3032 is offset (i.e., not coaxial with) from the central axis A-A defined by the outer sheath 3000. The bushing hole 3032 is sized relative to the proximal portion 701 of the blade 200 to permit the proximal portion 701 to rotate freely therein, yet also serves to bias the distal end portion 700 of the blade 200 off the center axis A-A of the outer sheath 3000 such that the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200 is retained in rotatable contact with the cutting edge 3005 defined by the window opening 3004. In some embodiments, for example, the blade 200 may be biased off center a distance that can be as much as 0.030″. Because the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200 is biased in such a manner, the distal end 705 resists forces encountered when cutting tough tissue which may otherwise cause cutting edges 706 on the distal end 705 to move away from the cutting edge 3005 of the window opening 3004.

FIGS. 94 and 95 illustrate another embodiment wherein a proximal portion 701 of the blade 200 coaxially extends through a bushing 3040 that may be fabricated from, for example, silastic silicone or Ultem® and be retained within the inner sheath 3020 by, for example, a slip fit. As with the above embodiment, the bushing 3040 may be located at the node “N” along the waveguide or proximal portion of the blade 200. However, in this embodiment, the distal portion 711 (i.e., the portion of the blade 200 that extends distally from the bushing 3040) is bent slightly to bias the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200 into the cutting edge 3005 of the window opening 3004. For example, the distal portion 711 of the blade 200 may be bent approximately 0.030 inches off-center (distance OS in FIG. 95). Such arrangement causes the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200 to resist forces when cutting tough tissue which may otherwise cause cutting edges 706 on the blade 200 to move away from the cutting edge 3005 of the window opening 3004.

FIGS. 96-97 depict another non-limiting outer sheath 3040 and blade 200 embodiment. In this embodiment, a distal outer sheath tip 3050 is employed. The distal outer sheath tip 3050 may be fabricated from metal such as, for example, stainless steel and have a proximal bearing portion 3052 that extends into an open distal end 3062 of the outer sheath 3060. The outer sheath 3060 may be fabricated from, for example, stainless steel and may be attached to the distal outer sheath tip 3050 by fasteners, adhesive, etc. The proximal end 3062 of the outer sheath 3060 is attached to a portion of an instrument housing as was described above. The instrument may comprise many of the various instrument embodiments described in detail above that supplies gross rotational motion to the blade 200 as well as ultrasonic motions thereto.

The waveguide or proximal portion 701 of the blade 200 may be attached to an ultrasonic horn (not shown) and extend through an inner sheath 3070 in the various manners described above. The proximal portion 701 of the blade 200 may be rotatably supported within the inner sheath 3070 by a bushing 3040 as was described above. A distal portion 711 of the blade 200 rotatably extends through a lumen 3054 in the distal outer sheath tip 3050. See FIG. 97. A window 3056 is formed in the distal outer sheath tip 3050 to expose the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200. As with various embodiments described above, the window 3056 may define at least one cutting edge 3057 that interacts with the rotating tissue cutting distal end 705 of blade 200 to cut tissue drawn into the window 3056. In this embodiment, the outer diameter “OD” of the tissue cutting distal end portion 705 of the blade 200 at the point wherein the distal end 705 of the blade 200 protrudes distally into the window opening 3056 is greater than the inner diameter “ID” of the lumen 3054. In some embodiments, for example, the inner lumen diameter “ID” may be approximately 0.140″ and the blade “OD” may be approximately 0.150″. Such arrangement results in an interference between the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200 and the distal outer sheath tip 3050. In such arrangement, the distal portion 711 of the blade 200 essentially comprises a cantilevered beam which results in the tissue cutting distal end 705 of the blade 200 being pushed downward (FIG. 97) by the distal outer sheath tip 3050.

In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 92-97, it may be desirable to provide an amount of clearance between the distal end 3058 of the distal outer sheath tip 3050 and the curved tip portion 702 of the blade 200. This clearance “C” is illustrated in FIG. 97. Such clearance allows unimpeded ultrasonic motion of the blade 200. However, it may be desirable to minimize such clearance “C” to reduce suction loses around the curved tip portion 702 which may hamper the device's ability to cut tissue.

Also, to facilitate the drawing of tissue into the window opening 3056, suction must be applied within the distal outer sheath tip 3050 from a source of suction (not shown) in the various manners described above. In this embodiment, for example, a suction path 3080 is provided in the distal outer sheath tip 3050 as shown in FIGS. 97 and 98. A seal 3090 is journaled on the distal portion 711 of the blade 200 to establish a fluid tight seal at a point wherein the distal portion 711 of the blade 200 exits the inner sheath 3070. See FIG. 97. Also in this embodiment, the distal end 3072 of the inner sheath 2070 extends into an opening 3055 in the bearing portion 3052 of the distal outer sheath tip 3050 to provide relative rigid support thereto. As can be seen in FIG. 98, the suction path 3080 forms a discontinuity in the inner sheath support surface 3057 defined by opening 3055. FIG. 99 depicts an alternative distal outer sheath tip 3050′ wherein the suction path 3080′ does not extend into the opening 3055′ that supports the distal end 3072 of the inner sheath 3070.

Various ultrasonic surgical instruments that employ an outer sheath and rotatable cutting member arrangement also face the challenge of outer sheath and blade deformation due to heat and high contact forces between those two components. Deformation of the distal tip portion of the outer sheath can be reduced by changing the tip material to metal, but this can result in the undesirable effect of damaging the blade via galling, which can ultimately result in broken blades and extremely limited blade life. Such sheath tip blade galling damage can occur due to metal-to-metal contact between the blade and the sheath tip. This condition may be exacerbated when cutting tough tissues such as tendon and the like. As was discussed above, such tough tissues may bias the cutting edges away from each other and force the opposite cutting edge or face of the blade into contact with the sheath tip, thereby resulting in galling.

Various non-limiting embodiments described herein and their respective equivalents may employ a thin friction-reducing material on the inner wall of the tip cavity formed within the distal tip portion of the outer sheath or, in alternative embodiments, a low friction or friction reducing pad may be affixed within the tip cavity to protect the blade. One exemplary embodiment is depicted in FIGS. 100 and 101. As can be seen in those Figures, the outer sheath 900′ that was described above has a friction-reducing polymeric coating or pad 3100 therein. In various embodiments, the distal tip portion 902′ of the sheath 900′ may be fabricated from metal such as stainless steel and the friction reducing material or pad 3100 may be fabricated from, for example, polyimide, carbon-filled polyimide, Teflon®, Teflon-Ceramic, etc. In those embodiments in which a pad is employed, the pad may be affixed within the tip portion 902′ by, for example, adhesive or a dovetail joint arrangement. The pad 3100 is preferably configured to match the corresponding geometry of the blade. For example, as shown in FIG. 101, a blade 3110 that may be substantially similar to blade 200 described above, has a distal end portion 3112 that has a central portion 3114 that separates two cutting faces 3116, 3118. The cutting faces 3116, 3118 have an arcuate shape and have cutting edges 3120 formed on each edge thereof. In that embodiment, the polymeric pad 3100 also has a similar arcuately shaped upper surface 3101. The advantage of this concept is that it maintains a hard metallic cutting edge (e.g., stainless steel), which is advantageous for cutting tough tissue. It also protects the broad cutting faces 3116, 3118 of the blade 200 when the pad 3100 is fabricated from softer materials that can otherwise support the forces applied to the blade. In addition or in the alternative, the inner wall 903′ of the tip portion 902′ may be coated with a friction-reducing coating 3130 of the type described above. The coating 3130 may comprise a separate component that is held in place via adhesive or it may comprise a deposition coating that is directly adhered to the inner surface 903′ of the tip portion 902′. For example, a Teflon® material may be applied to portions of the inner wall 903′ through vapor deposition. The portions of the tip 902′ wherein the coating is not needed may be masked off using known masking techniques before exposing the tip 902′ to the vapor deposition process.

FIG. 102 depicts a tissue cutting blade end 3112′ that may be coated with a relatively hard, low-friction material to increase surface hardness and reduce friction. In particular, as can be seen in that Figure, at least portions of the cutting faces 3116′, 3118′ are coated with the coating material 3130. In some embodiments, for example, the coating material may comprise coating materials such as Titanium Nitride, Diamond-Like coating, Chromium Nitride, Graphit iC™, etc. The blade 3060′ may be employed in connection with an outer sheath tip that is fabricated from metal (e.g., stainless steel) in order to avoid blade galling and eventual blade breakage. In alternative embodiments, the entire distal tissue cutting end of the blade may be coated with the coating material 3130.

The devices disclosed herein can be designed to be disposed of after a single use, or they can be designed to be used multiple times. In either case, however, the device can be reconditioned for reuse after at least one use. Reconditioning can include any combination of the steps of disassembly of the device, followed by cleaning or replacement of particular pieces, and subsequent reassembly. In particular, the device can be disassembled, and any number of the particular pieces or parts of the device can be selectively replaced or removed in any combination. Upon cleaning and/or replacement of particular parts, the device can be reassembled for subsequent use either at a reconditioning facility, or by a surgical team immediately prior to a surgical procedure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that reconditioning of a device can utilize a variety of techniques for disassembly, cleaning/replacement, and reassembly. Use of such techniques, and the resulting reconditioned device, are all within the scope of the present application.

Preferably, the various embodiments described herein will be processed before surgery. First, a new or used instrument is obtained and if necessary cleaned. The instrument can then be sterilized. In one sterilization technique, the instrument is placed in a closed and sealed container, such as a plastic or TYVEK bag. The container and instrument are then placed in a field of radiation that can penetrate the container, such as gamma radiation, x-rays, or high-energy electrons. The radiation kills bacteria on the instrument and in the container. The sterilized instrument can then be stored in the sterile container. The sealed container keeps the instrument sterile until it is opened in the medical facility. Sterilization can also be done by any number of ways known to those skilled in the art including beta or gamma radiation, ethylene oxide, and/or steam.

In various embodiments, an ultrasonic surgical instrument can be supplied to a surgeon with a waveguide and/or end effector already operably coupled with a transducer of the surgical instrument. In at least one such embodiment, the surgeon, or other clinician, can remove the ultrasonic surgical instrument from a sterilized package, plug the ultrasonic instrument into a generator, as outlined above, and use the ultrasonic instrument during a surgical procedure. Such a system can obviate the need for a surgeon, or other clinician, to assemble a waveguide and/or end effector to the ultrasonic surgical instrument. After the ultrasonic surgical instrument has been used, the surgeon, or other clinician, can place the ultrasonic instrument into a sealable package, wherein the package can be transported to a sterilization facility. At the sterilization facility, the ultrasonic instrument can be disinfected, wherein any expended parts can be discarded and replaced while any reusable parts can be sterilized and used once again. Thereafter, the ultrasonic instrument can be reassembled, tested, placed into a sterile package, and/or sterilized after being placed into a package. Once sterilized, the reprocessed ultrasonic surgical instrument can be used once again.

Although various embodiments have been described herein, many modifications and variations to those embodiments may be implemented. For example, different types of end effectors may be employed. Also, where materials are disclosed for certain components, other materials may be used. The foregoing description and following claims are intended to cover all such modification and variations.

All of the above U.S. Patents and U.S. Patent applications, and published U.S. Patent Applications referred to in this specification are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, but only to the extent that the incorporated material does not conflict with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth in this disclosure. As such, and to the extent necessary, the disclosure as explicitly set forth herein supersedes any conflicting material incorporated herein by reference. Any material, or portion thereof, that is said to be incorporated by reference herein, but which conflicts with existing definitions, statements, or other disclosure material set forth herein will only be incorporated to the extent that no conflict arises between that incorporated material and the existing disclosure material.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said method comprising: providing an ultrasonic waveguide comprising a cutting member at a distal end thereof;providing an ultrasonic transducer assembly;providing a hollow sheath sized to receive the cutting member;identifying a motionless node on the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic transducer assembly is driven at maximum current at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer assembly;installing a seal on the waveguide at the motionless node, wherein the seal has an annular groove therein, wherein installing a seal comprises positioning a first annular seal portion at the motionless node on the ultrasonic waveguide such that a first axial seal portion and a second axial seal portion extend axially in opposite axial directions beyond the first annular seal portion, and wherein when the seal is compressed, contact between the seal and the waveguide is less than contact between the seal and the hollow sheath; andforming a portion of the hollow sheath into said annular groove in the seal.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said forming comprises crimping a portion of the hollow sheath into the annular groove in the seal.
3. The method of claim 2 wherein said crimping comprises crimping the portion of the hollow sheath in discrete annular locations into the annular groove in the seal.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of installing the seal comprises over-molding the seal onto the waveguide at the motionless node.
5. A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said method comprising: providing an ultrasonic waveguide comprising a blade implement at a distal end thereof;providing an ultrasonic transducer assembly;attaching the ultrasonic waveguide to the ultrasonic transducer assembly;providing a hollow sheath sized to at least partially extend around the blade implement;identifying a motionless node on the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic transducer assembly is driven at maximum current at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer assembly; andinstalling a seal on the waveguide at the motionless node, wherein the seal has an annular groove therein, wherein installing a seal comprises positioning a first annular seal portion at the motionless node on the waveguide such that a first axial seal portion and a second axial seal portion extend axially in opposite axial directions beyond the first annular seal portion, and wherein when compressed, the seal maintains a contact with the waveguide that is less than a contact with the hollow sheath.
6. The method of claim 5, further comprising forming a portion of the hollow sheath into said annular groove in the seal at the motionless node.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein step of installing the seal comprises over-molding the seal onto the waveguide at the motionless node.
8. A method of manufacturing an ultrasonic surgical instrument, said method comprising: providing an ultrasonic waveguide comprising a blade implement at a distal end thereof;providing an ultrasonic transducer assembly;providing a hollow sheath sized to receive the blade implement;identifying a motionless node on the ultrasonic waveguide when the ultrasonic transducer assembly is driven at maximum current at a resonant frequency of the ultrasonic transducer assembly; andattaching a seal on the waveguide at the motionless node, wherein installing a seal comprises positioning a first annular seal portion at the motionless node on the waveguide such that a first axial seal portion and a second axial seal portion extend axially in opposite axial directions beyond the first annular seal portion, and wherein the seal is in greater contact with the hollow sheath than with the waveguide when the seal is compressed.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the seal has an annular groove, and wherein the method further comprises forming a portion of the hollow sheath into said annular groove in the seal at the motionless node.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein said step of installing the seal comprises over-molding the seal onto the waveguide at the motionless node.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application claiming priority under 35 U.S.C. §121 to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/703,866, entitled SEAL ARRANGEMENTS FOR ULTRASONICALLY POWERED SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, filed Feb. 11, 2010, which issued on Feb. 10, 2015 as U.S. Pat. No. 8,951,272, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

US Referenced Citations (1322)

Number	Name	Date	Kind
969528	Disbrow	Sep 1910	A
1570025	Young	Jan 1926	A
1813902	Bovie	Jul 1931	A
2188497	Calva	Jan 1940	A
2442966	Wallace	Jun 1948	A
2597564	Bugg	May 1952	A
2704333	Calosi et al.	Mar 1955	A
2736960	Armstrong	Mar 1956	A
2748967	Roach	Jun 1956	A
2845072	Shafer	Jul 1958	A
2849788	Creek	Sep 1958	A
2874470	Richards	Feb 1959	A
2990616	Balamuth et al.	Jul 1961	A
RE25033	Balamuth et al.	Aug 1961	E
3015961	Roney	Jan 1962	A
3033407	Isele-Aregger	May 1962	A
3053124	Balamuth et al.	Sep 1962	A
3082805	Royce	Mar 1963	A
3432691	Shoh	Mar 1969	A
3433226	Boyd	Mar 1969	A
3489930	Shoh	Jan 1970	A
3513848	Winston et al.	May 1970	A
3514856	Camp et al.	Jun 1970	A
3526219	Balamuth	Sep 1970	A
3554198	Tatoian et al.	Jan 1971	A
3606682	Camp et al.	Sep 1971	A
3614484	Shoh	Oct 1971	A
3616375	Inoue	Oct 1971	A
3629726	Popescu	Dec 1971	A
3636943	Balamuth	Jan 1972	A
3668486	Silver	Jun 1972	A
3702948	Balamuth	Nov 1972	A
3776238	Peyman et al.	Dec 1973	A
3805787	Banko	Apr 1974	A
3809977	Balamuth et al.	May 1974	A
3830098	Antonevich	Aug 1974	A
3854737	Gilliam, Sr.	Dec 1974	A
3862630	Balamuth	Jan 1975	A
3875945	Friedman	Apr 1975	A
3885438	Harris, Sr. et al.	May 1975	A
3900823	Sokal et al.	Aug 1975	A
3918442	Nikolaev et al.	Nov 1975	A
3924335	Balamuth et al.	Dec 1975	A
3946738	Newton et al.	Mar 1976	A
3955859	Stella et al.	May 1976	A
3956826	Perdreaux, Jr.	May 1976	A
4012647	Balamuth et al.	Mar 1977	A
4074719	Semm	Feb 1978	A
4156187	Murry et al.	May 1979	A
4167944	Banko	Sep 1979	A
4188927	Harris	Feb 1980	A
4200106	Douvas et al.	Apr 1980	A
4203444	Bonnell et al.	May 1980	A
4300083	Heiges	Nov 1981	A
4302728	Nakamura	Nov 1981	A
4306570	Matthews	Dec 1981	A
4445063	Smith	Apr 1984	A
4491132	Aikins	Jan 1985	A
4494759	Kieffer	Jan 1985	A
4504264	Kelman	Mar 1985	A
4512344	Barber	Apr 1985	A
4526571	Wuchinich	Jul 1985	A
4545374	Jacobson	Oct 1985	A
4574615	Bower et al.	Mar 1986	A
4617927	Manes	Oct 1986	A
4633119	Thompson	Dec 1986	A
4634420	Spinosa et al.	Jan 1987	A
4640279	Beard	Feb 1987	A
4641053	Takeda	Feb 1987	A
4646738	Trott	Mar 1987	A
4646756	Watmough et al.	Mar 1987	A
4649919	Thimsen et al.	Mar 1987	A
4662068	Polonsky	May 1987	A
4674502	Imonti	Jun 1987	A
4708127	Abdelghani	Nov 1987	A
4712722	Hood et al.	Dec 1987	A
4808154	Freeman	Feb 1989	A
4819635	Shapiro	Apr 1989	A
4827911	Broadwin et al.	May 1989	A
4832683	Idemoto et al.	May 1989	A
4836186	Scholz	Jun 1989	A
4838853	Parisi	Jun 1989	A
4844064	Thimsen et al.	Jul 1989	A
4850354	McGurk-Burleson et al.	Jul 1989	A
4852578	Companion et al.	Aug 1989	A
4865159	Jamison	Sep 1989	A
4867157	McGurk-Burleson et al.	Sep 1989	A
4878493	Pasternak et al.	Nov 1989	A
4881550	Kothe	Nov 1989	A
4896009	Pawlowski	Jan 1990	A
4903696	Stasz et al.	Feb 1990	A
4915643	Samejima et al.	Apr 1990	A
4922902	Wuchinich et al.	May 1990	A
4965532	Sakurai	Oct 1990	A
4979952	Kubota et al.	Dec 1990	A
4981756	Rhandhawa	Jan 1991	A
5013956	Kurozumi et al.	May 1991	A
5015227	Broadwin et al.	May 1991	A
5026370	Lottick	Jun 1991	A
5026387	Thomas	Jun 1991	A
5042707	Taheri	Aug 1991	A
5084052	Jacobs	Jan 1992	A
5105117	Yamaguchi	Apr 1992	A
5109819	Custer et al.	May 1992	A
5112300	Ureche	May 1992	A
5123903	Quaid et al.	Jun 1992	A
5126618	Takahashi et al.	Jun 1992	A
D327872	McMills et al.	Jul 1992	S
5152762	McElhenney	Oct 1992	A
5162044	Gahn et al.	Nov 1992	A
5163421	Bernstein et al.	Nov 1992	A
5163537	Radev	Nov 1992	A
5167725	Clark et al.	Dec 1992	A
5172344	Ehrlich	Dec 1992	A
5174276	Crockard	Dec 1992	A
D332660	Rawson et al.	Jan 1993	S
5176677	Wuchinich	Jan 1993	A
5176695	Dulebohn	Jan 1993	A
5184605	Grezeszykowski	Feb 1993	A
5188102	Idemoto et al.	Feb 1993	A
D334173	Liu et al.	Mar 1993	S
5209719	Baruch et al.	May 1993	A
5213569	Davis	May 1993	A
5214339	Naito	May 1993	A
5218529	Meyer et al.	Jun 1993	A
5221282	Wuchinich	Jun 1993	A
5222937	Kagawa	Jun 1993	A
5226909	Evans et al.	Jul 1993	A
5226910	Kajiyama et al.	Jul 1993	A
5241236	Sasaki et al.	Aug 1993	A
5241968	Slater	Sep 1993	A
5242460	Klein et al.	Sep 1993	A
5254129	Alexander	Oct 1993	A
5257988	L'Esperance, Jr.	Nov 1993	A
5261922	Hood	Nov 1993	A
5263957	Davison	Nov 1993	A
5264925	Shipp et al.	Nov 1993	A
5275166	Vaitekunas et al.	Jan 1994	A
5275607	Lo et al.	Jan 1994	A
5275609	Pingleton et al.	Jan 1994	A
5282800	Foshee et al.	Feb 1994	A
5282817	Hoogeboom et al.	Feb 1994	A
5285795	Ryan et al.	Feb 1994	A
5300068	Rosar et al.	Apr 1994	A
5304115	Pflueger et al.	Apr 1994	A
D347474	Olson	May 1994	S
5307976	Olson et al.	May 1994	A
5312023	Green et al.	May 1994	A
5312425	Evans et al.	May 1994	A
5322055	Davison et al.	Jun 1994	A
5324299	Davison et al.	Jun 1994	A
5326013	Green et al.	Jul 1994	A
5326342	Pflueger et al.	Jul 1994	A
5344420	Hilal et al.	Sep 1994	A
5345937	Middleman et al.	Sep 1994	A
5346502	Estabrook et al.	Sep 1994	A
5353474	Good et al.	Oct 1994	A
5357164	Imabayashi et al.	Oct 1994	A
5357423	Weaver et al.	Oct 1994	A
5359994	Krauter et al.	Nov 1994	A
5366466	Christian et al.	Nov 1994	A
5368557	Nita et al.	Nov 1994	A
5370645	Klicek et al.	Dec 1994	A
5371429	Manna	Dec 1994	A
5374813	Shipp	Dec 1994	A
D354564	Medema	Jan 1995	S
5381067	Greenstein et al.	Jan 1995	A
5387215	Fisher	Feb 1995	A
5389098	Tsuruta et al.	Feb 1995	A
5394187	Shipp	Feb 1995	A
5396266	Brimhall	Mar 1995	A
5403312	Yates et al.	Apr 1995	A
5403334	Evans et al.	Apr 1995	A
5408268	Shipp	Apr 1995	A
D358887	Feinberg	May 1995	S
5411481	Allen et al.	May 1995	A
5419761	Narayanan et al.	May 1995	A
5421829	Olichney et al.	Jun 1995	A
5423844	Miller	Jun 1995	A
5438997	Sieben et al.	Aug 1995	A
5445639	Kuslich et al.	Aug 1995	A
5449370	Vaitekunas	Sep 1995	A
5451220	Ciervo	Sep 1995	A
5456684	Schmidt et al.	Oct 1995	A
5471988	Fujio et al.	Dec 1995	A
5472443	Cordis et al.	Dec 1995	A
5478003	Green et al.	Dec 1995	A
5483501	Park et al.	Jan 1996	A
5486162	Brumbach	Jan 1996	A
5490860	Middle et al.	Feb 1996	A
5500216	Julian et al.	Mar 1996	A
5501654	Failla et al.	Mar 1996	A
5505693	Mackool	Apr 1996	A
5507738	Ciervo	Apr 1996	A
5527331	Kresch et al.	Jun 1996	A
5540693	Fisher	Jul 1996	A
5553675	Pitzen et al.	Sep 1996	A
5558671	Yates	Sep 1996	A
5562609	Brumbach	Oct 1996	A
5562610	Brumbach	Oct 1996	A
5562659	Morris	Oct 1996	A
5573424	Poppe	Nov 1996	A
5577654	Bishop	Nov 1996	A
5591187	Dekel	Jan 1997	A
5593414	Shipp et al.	Jan 1997	A
5601601	Tal et al.	Feb 1997	A
5603773	Campbell	Feb 1997	A
5607436	Pratt et al.	Mar 1997	A
5618304	Hart et al.	Apr 1997	A
5618492	Auten et al.	Apr 1997	A
5620447	Smith et al.	Apr 1997	A
5626587	Bishop et al.	May 1997	A
5626595	Sklar et al.	May 1997	A
5628760	Knoepfler	May 1997	A
5630420	Vaitekunas	May 1997	A
5632717	Yoon	May 1997	A
5640741	Yano	Jun 1997	A
D381077	Hunt	Jul 1997	S
5651780	Jackson et al.	Jul 1997	A
5653713	Michelson	Aug 1997	A
5662662	Bishop et al.	Sep 1997	A
5669922	Hood	Sep 1997	A
5674235	Parisi	Oct 1997	A
5678568	Uchikubo et al.	Oct 1997	A
5690269	Bolanos et al.	Nov 1997	A
5694936	Fujimoto et al.	Dec 1997	A
5700261	Brinkerhoff	Dec 1997	A
5704534	Huitema et al.	Jan 1998	A
5709680	Yates et al.	Jan 1998	A
5711472	Bryan	Jan 1998	A
5713896	Nardella	Feb 1998	A
5715817	Stevens-Wright et al.	Feb 1998	A
5717306	Shipp	Feb 1998	A
5728130	Ishikawa et al.	Mar 1998	A
5730752	Alden et al.	Mar 1998	A
5733074	Stöck et al.	Mar 1998	A
5741226	Strukel et al.	Apr 1998	A
5766164	Mueller et al.	Jun 1998	A
5772659	Becker et al.	Jun 1998	A
5792135	Madhani et al.	Aug 1998	A
5792138	Shipp	Aug 1998	A
5792165	Klieman et al.	Aug 1998	A
5797959	Castro et al.	Aug 1998	A
5805140	Rosenberg et al.	Sep 1998	A
5808396	Boukhny	Sep 1998	A
5810859	DiMatteo et al.	Sep 1998	A
5817084	Jensen	Oct 1998	A
5817119	Klieman et al.	Oct 1998	A
5823197	Edwards	Oct 1998	A
5827323	Klieman et al.	Oct 1998	A
5828160	Sugishita	Oct 1998	A
5833696	Whitfield et al.	Nov 1998	A
5836897	Sakurai et al.	Nov 1998	A
5836957	Schulz et al.	Nov 1998	A
5843109	Mehta et al.	Dec 1998	A
5851212	Zirps et al.	Dec 1998	A
5858018	Shipp et al.	Jan 1999	A
5873873	Smith et al.	Feb 1999	A
5873882	Straub et al.	Feb 1999	A
5878193	Wang et al.	Mar 1999	A
5879364	Bromfield et al.	Mar 1999	A
5883615	Fago et al.	Mar 1999	A
5893835	Witt et al.	Apr 1999	A
5897523	Wright et al.	Apr 1999	A
5897569	Kellogg et al.	Apr 1999	A
5903607	Tailliet	May 1999	A
5904681	West, Jr.	May 1999	A
5906627	Spaulding	May 1999	A
5906628	Miyawaki et al.	May 1999	A
5911699	Anis et al.	Jun 1999	A
5916229	Evans	Jun 1999	A
5929846	Rosenberg et al.	Jul 1999	A
5935143	Hood	Aug 1999	A
5935144	Estabrook	Aug 1999	A
5938633	Beaupre	Aug 1999	A
5944718	Austin et al.	Aug 1999	A
5944737	Tsonton et al.	Aug 1999	A
5947984	Whipple	Sep 1999	A
5954736	Bishop et al.	Sep 1999	A
5954746	Holthaus et al.	Sep 1999	A
5957882	Nita et al.	Sep 1999	A
5957943	Vaitekunas	Sep 1999	A
5968007	Simon et al.	Oct 1999	A
5968060	Kellogg	Oct 1999	A
5974342	Petrofsky	Oct 1999	A
D416089	Barton et al.	Nov 1999	S
5980510	Tsonton et al.	Nov 1999	A
5980546	Hood	Nov 1999	A
5989274	Davison et al.	Nov 1999	A
5989275	Estabrook et al.	Nov 1999	A
5993465	Shipp et al.	Nov 1999	A
5993972	Reich et al.	Nov 1999	A
5994855	Lundell et al.	Nov 1999	A
6024741	Williamson, IV et al.	Feb 2000	A
6024750	Mastri et al.	Feb 2000	A
6027515	Cimino	Feb 2000	A
6031526	Shipp	Feb 2000	A
6033375	Brumbach	Mar 2000	A
6033399	Gines	Mar 2000	A
6036667	Manna et al.	Mar 2000	A
6036707	Spaulding	Mar 2000	A
6048224	Kay	Apr 2000	A
6050943	Slayton et al.	Apr 2000	A
6051010	DiMatteo et al.	Apr 2000	A
6056735	Okada et al.	May 2000	A
6063098	Houser et al.	May 2000	A
6066132	Chen et al.	May 2000	A
6066151	Miyawaki et al.	May 2000	A
6068627	Orszulak et al.	May 2000	A
6068647	Witt et al.	May 2000	A
6077285	Boukhny	Jun 2000	A
6083191	Rose	Jul 2000	A
6086584	Miller	Jul 2000	A
6090120	Wright et al.	Jul 2000	A
6096033	Tu et al.	Aug 2000	A
6099542	Cohn et al.	Aug 2000	A
6109500	Alli et al.	Aug 2000	A
6110127	Suzuki	Aug 2000	A
6113594	Savage	Sep 2000	A
6117152	Huitema	Sep 2000	A
6126629	Perkins	Oct 2000	A
6129735	Okada et al.	Oct 2000	A
6129740	Michelson	Oct 2000	A
6132368	Cooper	Oct 2000	A
6132427	Jones et al.	Oct 2000	A
6132448	Perez et al.	Oct 2000	A
6139320	Hahn	Oct 2000	A
6139561	Shibata et al.	Oct 2000	A
6142615	Qiu et al.	Nov 2000	A
6142994	Swanson et al.	Nov 2000	A
6147560	Erhage et al.	Nov 2000	A
6152902	Christian et al.	Nov 2000	A
6154198	Rosenberg	Nov 2000	A
6159160	Hsei et al.	Dec 2000	A
6159175	Strukel et al.	Dec 2000	A
6162194	Shipp	Dec 2000	A
6165150	Banko	Dec 2000	A
6174310	Kirwan, Jr.	Jan 2001	B1
6179853	Sachse et al.	Jan 2001	B1
6183426	Akisada et al.	Feb 2001	B1
6193709	Miyawaki et al.	Feb 2001	B1
6204592	Hur	Mar 2001	B1
6205855	Pfeiffer	Mar 2001	B1
6206844	Reichel et al.	Mar 2001	B1
6210337	Dunham et al.	Apr 2001	B1
6210402	Olsen et al.	Apr 2001	B1
6210403	Klicek	Apr 2001	B1
6214023	Whipple et al.	Apr 2001	B1
6228080	Gines	May 2001	B1
6231565	Tovey et al.	May 2001	B1
6233476	Strommer et al.	May 2001	B1
6238366	Savage et al.	May 2001	B1
6245065	Panescu et al.	Jun 2001	B1
6252110	Uemura et al.	Jun 2001	B1
D444365	Bass et al.	Jul 2001	S
D445092	Lee	Jul 2001	S
D445764	Lee	Jul 2001	S
6254623	Haibel, Jr. et al.	Jul 2001	B1
6257241	Wampler	Jul 2001	B1
6258034	Hanafy	Jul 2001	B1
6267761	Ryan	Jul 2001	B1
6270831	Kumar et al.	Aug 2001	B2
6273852	Lehe et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6274963	Estabrook et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6277115	Saadat	Aug 2001	B1
6278218	Madan et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6280407	Manna et al.	Aug 2001	B1
6283981	Beaupre	Sep 2001	B1
6287344	Wampler et al.	Sep 2001	B1
6290575	Shipp	Sep 2001	B1
6299591	Banko	Oct 2001	B1
6306131	Hareyama	Oct 2001	B1
6306157	Shchervinsky	Oct 2001	B1
6309400	Beaupre	Oct 2001	B2
6311783	Harpell	Nov 2001	B1
6319221	Savage et al.	Nov 2001	B1
6325795	Lindemann et al.	Dec 2001	B1
6325799	Goble	Dec 2001	B1
6325811	Messerly	Dec 2001	B1
6328751	Beaupre	Dec 2001	B1
6332891	Himes	Dec 2001	B1
6338657	Harper et al.	Jan 2002	B1
6340352	Okada et al.	Jan 2002	B1
6350269	Shipp et al.	Feb 2002	B1
6352532	Kramer et al.	Mar 2002	B1
6358264	Banko	Mar 2002	B2
6364888	Niemeyer et al.	Apr 2002	B1
6379320	Lafon et al.	Apr 2002	B1
D457958	Dycus et al.	May 2002	S
6383194	Pothula	May 2002	B1
6384690	Wilhelmsson et al.	May 2002	B1
6387109	Davison et al.	May 2002	B1
6388657	Natoli	May 2002	B1
6391042	Cimino	May 2002	B1
6398779	Buysse et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6402743	Orszulak et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6402748	Schoenman et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6405733	Fogarty et al.	Jun 2002	B1
6416486	Wampler	Jul 2002	B1
6423073	Bowman	Jul 2002	B2
6423082	Houser et al.	Jul 2002	B1
6428538	Blewett et al.	Aug 2002	B1
6428539	Baxter et al.	Aug 2002	B1
6432118	Messerly	Aug 2002	B1
6436114	Novak et al.	Aug 2002	B1
6436115	Beaupre	Aug 2002	B1
6440062	Ouchi	Aug 2002	B1
6443968	Holthaus et al.	Sep 2002	B1
6443969	Novak et al.	Sep 2002	B1
6449006	Shipp	Sep 2002	B1
6454781	Witt et al.	Sep 2002	B1
6454782	Schwemberger	Sep 2002	B1
6458142	Faller et al.	Oct 2002	B1
6475215	Tanrisever	Nov 2002	B1
6480796	Wiener	Nov 2002	B2
6485490	Wampler et al.	Nov 2002	B2
6491708	Madan et al.	Dec 2002	B2
6497715	Satou	Dec 2002	B2
6500176	Truckai et al.	Dec 2002	B1
6500188	Harper et al.	Dec 2002	B2
6500312	Wedekamp	Dec 2002	B2
6506208	Hunt et al.	Jan 2003	B2
6511478	Burnside et al.	Jan 2003	B1
6511493	Moutafis et al.	Jan 2003	B1
6514267	Jewett	Feb 2003	B2
6524251	Rabiner et al.	Feb 2003	B2
6524316	Nicholson et al.	Feb 2003	B1
6527736	Attinger et al.	Mar 2003	B1
6533784	Truckai et al.	Mar 2003	B2
6537272	Christopherson et al.	Mar 2003	B2
6537291	Friedman et al.	Mar 2003	B2
6543452	Lavigne	Apr 2003	B1
6543456	Freeman	Apr 2003	B1
6544260	Markel et al.	Apr 2003	B1
6558376	Bishop	May 2003	B2
6561983	Cronin et al.	May 2003	B2
6565558	Lindenmeier et al.	May 2003	B1
6572563	Ouchi	Jun 2003	B2
6572632	Zisterer et al.	Jun 2003	B2
6575969	Rittman, III et al.	Jun 2003	B1
6582427	Goble et al.	Jun 2003	B1
6582451	Marucci et al.	Jun 2003	B1
D477408	Bromley	Jul 2003	S
6588277	Giordano et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6589200	Schwemberger et al.	Jul 2003	B1
6589239	Khandkar et al.	Jul 2003	B2
6607540	Shipp	Aug 2003	B1
6610059	West, Jr.	Aug 2003	B1
6616450	Mossle et al.	Sep 2003	B2
6619529	Green et al.	Sep 2003	B2
6623500	Cook et al.	Sep 2003	B1
6623501	Heller et al.	Sep 2003	B2
6626848	Neuenfeldt	Sep 2003	B2
6626926	Friedman et al.	Sep 2003	B2
6629974	Penny et al.	Oct 2003	B2
6633234	Wiener et al.	Oct 2003	B2
6644532	Green et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6652513	Panescu et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6652539	Shipp et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6652545	Shipp et al.	Nov 2003	B2
6656132	Ouchi	Dec 2003	B1
6656177	Truckai et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6660017	Beaupre	Dec 2003	B2
6662127	Wiener et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6663941	Brown et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6666860	Takahashi	Dec 2003	B1
6666875	Sakurai et al.	Dec 2003	B1
6669690	Okada et al.	Dec 2003	B1
6669710	Moutafis et al.	Dec 2003	B2
6676660	Wampler et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6678621	Wiener et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6679875	Honda et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6679899	Wiener et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6682544	Mastri et al.	Jan 2004	B2
6685701	Orszulak et al.	Feb 2004	B2
6685703	Pearson et al.	Feb 2004	B2
6689145	Lee et al.	Feb 2004	B2
6689146	Himes	Feb 2004	B1
6716215	David et al.	Apr 2004	B1
6719692	Kleffner et al.	Apr 2004	B2
6719776	Baxter	Apr 2004	B2
6723091	Goble et al.	Apr 2004	B2
D490059	Conway et al.	May 2004	S
6731047	Kauf et al.	May 2004	B2
6733506	McDevitt et al.	May 2004	B1
6739872	Turri	May 2004	B1
6740079	Eggers et al.	May 2004	B1
D491666	Kimmell et al.	Jun 2004	S
6743245	Lobdell	Jun 2004	B2
6746284	Spink, Jr.	Jun 2004	B1
6746443	Morley et al.	Jun 2004	B1
6752815	Beaupre	Jun 2004	B2
6755825	Shoenman et al.	Jun 2004	B2
6761698	Shibata et al.	Jul 2004	B2
6762535	Take et al.	Jul 2004	B2
6770072	Truckai et al.	Aug 2004	B1
6773409	Truckai et al.	Aug 2004	B2
6773443	Truwit et al.	Aug 2004	B2
6773444	Messerly	Aug 2004	B2
6778023	Christensen	Aug 2004	B2
6783524	Anderson et al.	Aug 2004	B2
6786382	Hoffman	Sep 2004	B1
6786383	Stegelmann	Sep 2004	B2
6790173	Saadat et al.	Sep 2004	B2
6790216	Ishikawa	Sep 2004	B1
6796981	Wham et al.	Sep 2004	B2
D496997	Dycus et al.	Oct 2004	S
6802843	Truckai et al.	Oct 2004	B2
6808525	Latterell et al.	Oct 2004	B2
6809508	Donofrio	Oct 2004	B2
6810281	Brock et al.	Oct 2004	B2
6827712	Tovey et al.	Dec 2004	B2
6828712	Battaglin et al.	Dec 2004	B2
6835082	Gonnering	Dec 2004	B2
6849073	Hoey et al.	Feb 2005	B2
6860878	Brock	Mar 2005	B2
6863676	Lee et al.	Mar 2005	B2
6869439	White et al.	Mar 2005	B2
6875220	Du et al.	Apr 2005	B2
6877647	Green et al.	Apr 2005	B2
6882439	Ishijima	Apr 2005	B2
6887209	Kadziauskas et al.	May 2005	B2
6887252	Okada et al.	May 2005	B1
6899685	Kermode et al.	May 2005	B2
6905497	Truckai et al.	Jun 2005	B2
6908472	Wiener et al.	Jun 2005	B2
6913579	Truckai et al.	Jul 2005	B2
6915623	Dey et al.	Jul 2005	B2
6923804	Eggers et al.	Aug 2005	B2
6926712	Phan	Aug 2005	B2
6926716	Baker et al.	Aug 2005	B2
6929602	Hirakui et al.	Aug 2005	B2
6929632	Nita et al.	Aug 2005	B2
6929644	Truckai et al.	Aug 2005	B2
6933656	Matsushita et al.	Aug 2005	B2
D509589	Wells	Sep 2005	S
6942660	Pantera et al.	Sep 2005	B2
6942677	Nita et al.	Sep 2005	B2
6945981	Donofrio et al.	Sep 2005	B2
6946779	Birgel	Sep 2005	B2
6948503	Refior et al.	Sep 2005	B2
D511145	Donofrio et al.	Nov 2005	S
6974450	Weber et al.	Dec 2005	B2
6976844	Hickok et al.	Dec 2005	B2
6976969	Messerly	Dec 2005	B2
6977495	Donofrio	Dec 2005	B2
6979332	Adams	Dec 2005	B2
6981628	Wales	Jan 2006	B2
6984220	Wuchinich	Jan 2006	B2
6994708	Manzo	Feb 2006	B2
7001335	Adachi et al.	Feb 2006	B2
7011657	Truckai et al.	Mar 2006	B2
7014638	Michelson	Mar 2006	B2
7033357	Baxter et al.	Apr 2006	B2
7037306	Podany	May 2006	B2
7041083	Chu et al.	May 2006	B2
7041088	Nawrocki et al.	May 2006	B2
7041102	Truckai et al.	May 2006	B2
7044949	Orszulak et al.	May 2006	B2
7066893	Hibner et al.	Jun 2006	B2
7066895	Podany	Jun 2006	B2
7070597	Truckai et al.	Jul 2006	B2
7074218	Washington et al.	Jul 2006	B2
7074219	Levine et al.	Jul 2006	B2
7077039	Gass et al.	Jul 2006	B2
7077845	Hacker et al.	Jul 2006	B2
7077853	Kramer et al.	Jul 2006	B2
7083618	Couture	Aug 2006	B2
7083619	Truckai et al.	Aug 2006	B2
7087054	Truckai et al.	Aug 2006	B2
7090672	Underwood et al.	Aug 2006	B2
7101371	Dycus et al.	Sep 2006	B2
7101378	Salameh et al.	Sep 2006	B2
7104834	Robinson et al.	Sep 2006	B2
7108695	Witt et al.	Sep 2006	B2
7111769	Wales et al.	Sep 2006	B2
7112201	Truckai et al.	Sep 2006	B2
D531311	Guerra et al.	Oct 2006	S
7117034	Kronberg	Oct 2006	B2
7118564	Ritchie et al.	Oct 2006	B2
7124932	Isaacson et al.	Oct 2006	B2
7125409	Truckai et al.	Oct 2006	B2
7128720	Podany	Oct 2006	B2
7131860	Sartor et al.	Nov 2006	B2
7135018	Ryan et al.	Nov 2006	B2
7135030	Schwemberger et al.	Nov 2006	B2
7137980	Buysse et al.	Nov 2006	B2
7144403	Booth	Dec 2006	B2
7153315	Miller	Dec 2006	B2
D536093	Nakajima et al.	Jan 2007	S
7156189	Bar-Cohen et al.	Jan 2007	B1
7156853	Muratsu	Jan 2007	B2
7157058	Marhasin et al.	Jan 2007	B2
7159750	Racenet et al.	Jan 2007	B2
7160296	Pearson et al.	Jan 2007	B2
7160299	Baily	Jan 2007	B2
7163548	Stulen et al.	Jan 2007	B2
7169144	Hoey et al.	Jan 2007	B2
7169146	Truckai et al.	Jan 2007	B2
7179254	Pendekanti et al.	Feb 2007	B2
7179271	Friedman et al.	Feb 2007	B2
7186253	Truckai et al.	Mar 2007	B2
7189233	Truckai et al.	Mar 2007	B2
D541418	Schechter et al.	Apr 2007	S
7204820	Akahoshi	Apr 2007	B2
7207997	Shipp et al.	Apr 2007	B2
7210881	Greenberg	May 2007	B2
7211079	Treat	May 2007	B2
7217128	Atkin et al.	May 2007	B2
7217269	El-Galley et al.	May 2007	B2
7220951	Truckai et al.	May 2007	B2
7223229	Inman et al.	May 2007	B2
7229455	Sakurai et al.	Jun 2007	B2
7235071	Gonnering	Jun 2007	B2
7244262	Wiener et al.	Jul 2007	B2
7258688	Shah et al.	Aug 2007	B1
7269873	Brewer et al.	Sep 2007	B2
7273483	Wiener et al.	Sep 2007	B2
D552241	Bromley et al.	Oct 2007	S
7282048	Goble et al.	Oct 2007	B2
7285895	Beaupré	Oct 2007	B2
7300431	Dubrovsky	Nov 2007	B2
7300435	Wham et al.	Nov 2007	B2
7300446	Beaupre	Nov 2007	B2
7303531	Lee et al.	Dec 2007	B2
7303557	Wham et al.	Dec 2007	B2
7306597	Manzo	Dec 2007	B2
7309849	Truckai et al.	Dec 2007	B2
7311706	Schoenman et al.	Dec 2007	B2
7311709	Truckai et al.	Dec 2007	B2
7317955	McGreevy	Jan 2008	B2
7318831	Alvarez et al.	Jan 2008	B2
7326236	Andreas et al.	Feb 2008	B2
7331410	Yong et al.	Feb 2008	B2
7335165	Truwit et al.	Feb 2008	B2
7335997	Wiener	Feb 2008	B2
7337010	Howard et al.	Feb 2008	B2
7353068	Tanaka et al.	Apr 2008	B2
7354440	Truckai et al.	Apr 2008	B2
7364577	Wham et al.	Apr 2008	B2
RE40388	Gines	Jun 2008	E
7380695	Doll et al.	Jun 2008	B2
7380696	Shelton, IV et al.	Jun 2008	B2
7381209	Truckai et al.	Jun 2008	B2
7390317	Taylor et al.	Jun 2008	B2
7404508	Smith et al.	Jul 2008	B2
7408288	Hara	Aug 2008	B2
7416101	Shelton, IV et al.	Aug 2008	B2
7416437	Sartor et al.	Aug 2008	B2
D576725	Shumer et al.	Sep 2008	S
7419490	Falkenstein et al.	Sep 2008	B2
7422139	Shelton, IV et al.	Sep 2008	B2
7422463	Kuo	Sep 2008	B2
D578643	Shumer et al.	Oct 2008	S
D578644	Shumer et al.	Oct 2008	S
D578645	Shumer et al.	Oct 2008	S
7431704	Babaev	Oct 2008	B2
7441684	Shelton, IV et al.	Oct 2008	B2
7455208	Wales et al.	Nov 2008	B2
7462181	Kraft et al.	Dec 2008	B2
7464846	Shelton, IV et al.	Dec 2008	B2
7472815	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2009	B2
7473263	Johnston et al.	Jan 2009	B2
7479148	Beaupre	Jan 2009	B2
7479160	Branch et al.	Jan 2009	B2
7481775	Weikel, Jr. et al.	Jan 2009	B2
7488285	Honda et al.	Feb 2009	B2
7494468	Rabiner et al.	Feb 2009	B2
7502234	Goliszek et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7503893	Kucklick	Mar 2009	B2
7503895	Rabiner et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7506790	Shelton, IV	Mar 2009	B2
7506791	Omaits et al.	Mar 2009	B2
7524320	Tierney et al.	Apr 2009	B2
7530986	Beaupre et al.	May 2009	B2
7534243	Chin et al.	May 2009	B1
D594983	Price et al.	Jun 2009	S
7540871	Gonnering	Jun 2009	B2
7544200	Houser	Jun 2009	B2
7549564	Boudreaux	Jun 2009	B2
7559450	Wales et al.	Jul 2009	B2
7567012	Namikawa	Jul 2009	B2
7568603	Shelton, IV et al.	Aug 2009	B2
7569057	Liu et al.	Aug 2009	B2
7572266	Young et al.	Aug 2009	B2
7572268	Babaev	Aug 2009	B2
7578820	Moore et al.	Aug 2009	B2
7582084	Swanson et al.	Sep 2009	B2
7582095	Shipp et al.	Sep 2009	B2
7585181	Olsen	Sep 2009	B2
7588176	Timm et al.	Sep 2009	B2
7601119	Shahinian	Oct 2009	B2
7607557	Shelton, IV et al.	Oct 2009	B2
7621930	Houser	Nov 2009	B2
7641653	Dalla Betta et al.	Jan 2010	B2
7645278	Ichihashi et al.	Jan 2010	B2
7654431	Hueil et al.	Feb 2010	B2
7659833	Warner et al.	Feb 2010	B2
7665647	Shelton, IV et al.	Feb 2010	B2
7670334	Hueil et al.	Mar 2010	B2
7670338	Albrecht et al.	Mar 2010	B2
7674263	Ryan	Mar 2010	B2
7678069	Baker et al.	Mar 2010	B1
7678125	Shipp	Mar 2010	B2
7682366	Sakurai et al.	Mar 2010	B2
7686770	Cohen	Mar 2010	B2
7686826	Lee et al.	Mar 2010	B2
7688028	Phillips et al.	Mar 2010	B2
7691098	Wallace et al.	Apr 2010	B2
7699846	Ryan	Apr 2010	B2
7713202	Boukhny et al.	May 2010	B2
7714481	Sakai	May 2010	B2
7717312	Beetel	May 2010	B2
7717915	Miyazawa	May 2010	B2
7721935	Racenet et al.	May 2010	B2
D618797	Price et al.	Jun 2010	S
7726537	Olson et al.	Jun 2010	B2
7727177	Bayat	Jun 2010	B2
7738969	Bleich	Jun 2010	B2
7740594	Hibner	Jun 2010	B2
7751115	Song	Jul 2010	B2
D621503	Otten et al.	Aug 2010	S
7766210	Shelton, IV et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7766693	Sartor et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7770774	Mastri et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7770775	Shelton, IV et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7771425	Dycus et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7771444	Patel et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7775972	Brock et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7776036	Schechter et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7778733	Nowlin et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7780054	Wales	Aug 2010	B2
7780593	Ueno et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7780651	Madhani et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7780659	Okada et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7784662	Wales et al.	Aug 2010	B2
7796969	Kelly et al.	Sep 2010	B2
7798386	Schall et al.	Sep 2010	B2
7799020	Shores et al.	Sep 2010	B2
7799045	Masuda	Sep 2010	B2
7803152	Honda et al.	Sep 2010	B2
7806891	Nowlin et al.	Oct 2010	B2
7810693	Broehl et al.	Oct 2010	B2
7811283	Moses et al.	Oct 2010	B2
7819819	Quick et al.	Oct 2010	B2
7821143	Wiener	Oct 2010	B2
D627066	Romero	Nov 2010	S
7824401	Manzo et al.	Nov 2010	B2
7832611	Boyden et al.	Nov 2010	B2
7834484	Sartor	Nov 2010	B2
7837699	Yamada et al.	Nov 2010	B2
7845537	Shelton, IV et al.	Dec 2010	B2
7846155	Houser et al.	Dec 2010	B2
7846161	Dumbauld et al.	Dec 2010	B2
7854735	Houser et al.	Dec 2010	B2
D631155	Peine et al.	Jan 2011	S
7861906	Doll et al.	Jan 2011	B2
7862560	Marion	Jan 2011	B2
7876030	Taki et al.	Jan 2011	B2
D631965	Price et al.	Feb 2011	S
7878991	Babaev	Feb 2011	B2
7879033	Sartor et al.	Feb 2011	B2
7892606	Thies et al.	Feb 2011	B2
7901400	Wham et al.	Mar 2011	B2
7901423	Stulen et al.	Mar 2011	B2
7905881	Masuda et al.	Mar 2011	B2
7909824	Masuda et al.	Mar 2011	B2
7922061	Shelton, IV et al.	Apr 2011	B2
7922651	Yamada et al.	Apr 2011	B2
D637288	Houghton	May 2011	S
D638540	Ijiri et al.	May 2011	S
7936203	Zimlich	May 2011	B2
7951095	Makin et al.	May 2011	B2
7951165	Golden et al.	May 2011	B2
7959050	Smith et al.	Jun 2011	B2
7959626	Hong et al.	Jun 2011	B2
7972329	Refior et al.	Jul 2011	B2
7976544	McClurken et al.	Jul 2011	B2
7981050	Ritchart et al.	Jul 2011	B2
7998157	Culp et al.	Aug 2011	B2
8038693	Allen	Oct 2011	B2
8057498	Robertson	Nov 2011	B2
8058771	Giordano et al.	Nov 2011	B2
8061014	Smith et al.	Nov 2011	B2
8070711	Bassinger et al.	Dec 2011	B2
8070762	Escudero et al.	Dec 2011	B2
8075558	Truckai et al.	Dec 2011	B2
8089197	Rinner et al.	Jan 2012	B2
8097012	Kagarise	Jan 2012	B2
8105323	Buysse et al.	Jan 2012	B2
8142461	Houser et al.	Mar 2012	B2
8152801	Goldberg et al.	Apr 2012	B2
8152825	Madan et al.	Apr 2012	B2
8157145	Shelton, IV et al.	Apr 2012	B2
8161977	Shelton, IV et al.	Apr 2012	B2
8162966	Connor et al.	Apr 2012	B2
8172846	Brunnett et al.	May 2012	B2
8172870	Shipp	May 2012	B2
8177800	Spitz et al.	May 2012	B2
8182502	Stulen et al.	May 2012	B2
8186877	Klimovitch et al.	May 2012	B2
D661801	Price et al.	Jun 2012	S
D661802	Price et al.	Jun 2012	S
D661803	Price et al.	Jun 2012	S
D661804	Price et al.	Jun 2012	S
8197472	Lau et al.	Jun 2012	B2
8197502	Smith et al.	Jun 2012	B2
8207651	Gilbert	Jun 2012	B2
8210411	Yates et al.	Jul 2012	B2
8226675	Houser et al.	Jul 2012	B2
8235917	Joseph et al.	Aug 2012	B2
8236019	Houser	Aug 2012	B2
8236020	Smith et al.	Aug 2012	B2
8241271	Millman et al.	Aug 2012	B2
8246575	Viola	Aug 2012	B2
8246615	Behnke	Aug 2012	B2
8252012	Stulen	Aug 2012	B2
8253303	Giordano et al.	Aug 2012	B2
8257377	Wiener et al.	Sep 2012	B2
8257387	Cunningham	Sep 2012	B2
8273087	Kimura et al.	Sep 2012	B2
D669992	Schafer et al.	Oct 2012	S
D669993	Merchant et al.	Oct 2012	S
8286846	Smith et al.	Oct 2012	B2
8287485	Kimura et al.	Oct 2012	B2
8287528	Wham et al.	Oct 2012	B2
8287532	Carroll et al.	Oct 2012	B2
8292888	Whitman	Oct 2012	B2
8298223	Wham et al.	Oct 2012	B2
8298225	Gilbert	Oct 2012	B2
8303576	Brock	Nov 2012	B2
8303580	Wham et al.	Nov 2012	B2
8303583	Hosier et al.	Nov 2012	B2
8319400	Houser et al.	Nov 2012	B2
8323302	Robertson et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8333778	Smith et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8333779	Smith et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8334468	Palmer et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8334635	Voegele et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8337407	Quistgaard et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8338726	Palmer et al.	Dec 2012	B2
8344596	Nield et al.	Jan 2013	B2
8348967	Stulen	Jan 2013	B2
8357103	Mark et al.	Jan 2013	B2
8366727	Witt et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8372099	Deville et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8372101	Smith et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8372102	Stulen et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8374670	Selkee	Feb 2013	B2
8377059	Deville et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8377085	Smith et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8382748	Geisel	Feb 2013	B2
8382775	Bender et al.	Feb 2013	B1
8382782	Robertson et al.	Feb 2013	B2
8403948	Deville et al.	Mar 2013	B2
8403949	Palmer et al.	Mar 2013	B2
8403950	Palmer et al.	Mar 2013	B2
8418073	Mohr et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8418349	Smith et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8419757	Smith et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8419758	Smith et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8419759	Dietz	Apr 2013	B2
8425545	Smith et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8430898	Wiener et al.	Apr 2013	B2
8435257	Smith et al.	May 2013	B2
8439912	Cunningham et al.	May 2013	B2
8439939	Deville et al.	May 2013	B2
8444637	Podmore et al.	May 2013	B2
8444662	Palmer et al.	May 2013	B2
8444664	Balanev et al.	May 2013	B2
8460288	Tamai et al.	Jun 2013	B2
8461744	Wiener et al.	Jun 2013	B2
8469981	Robertson et al.	Jun 2013	B2
8479969	Shelton, IV	Jul 2013	B2
8480703	Nicholas et al.	Jul 2013	B2
8485413	Scheib et al.	Jul 2013	B2
8486057	Behnke, II	Jul 2013	B2
8486096	Robertson et al.	Jul 2013	B2
8491578	Manwaring et al.	Jul 2013	B2
D687549	Johnson et al.	Aug 2013	S
8506555	Ruiz Morales	Aug 2013	B2
8509318	Tailliet	Aug 2013	B2
8512359	Whitman et al.	Aug 2013	B2
8512365	Wiener et al.	Aug 2013	B2
8523889	Stulen et al.	Sep 2013	B2
8531064	Robertson et al.	Sep 2013	B2
8535340	Allen	Sep 2013	B2
8535341	Allen	Sep 2013	B2
8546996	Messerly et al.	Oct 2013	B2
8546999	Houser et al.	Oct 2013	B2
8568400	Gilbert	Oct 2013	B2
8573461	Shelton, IV et al.	Nov 2013	B2
8573465	Shelton, IV	Nov 2013	B2
8579928	Robertson et al.	Nov 2013	B2
8591459	Clymer et al.	Nov 2013	B2
8591506	Wham et al.	Nov 2013	B2
8591536	Robertson	Nov 2013	B2
D695407	Price et al.	Dec 2013	S
D696631	Price et al.	Dec 2013	S
8602031	Reis et al.	Dec 2013	B2
8602288	Shelton, IV et al.	Dec 2013	B2
8608745	Guzman et al.	Dec 2013	B2
8616431	Timm et al.	Dec 2013	B2
8623027	Price et al.	Jan 2014	B2
8650728	Wan et al.	Feb 2014	B2
8652155	Houser et al.	Feb 2014	B2
8659208	Rose et al.	Feb 2014	B1
8663220	Wiener et al.	Mar 2014	B2
8690582	Rohrbach et al.	Apr 2014	B2
8696366	Chen et al.	Apr 2014	B2
8704425	Giordano et al.	Apr 2014	B2
8709031	Stulen	Apr 2014	B2
8747351	Schultz	Jun 2014	B2
8749116	Messerly et al.	Jun 2014	B2
8752749	Moore et al.	Jun 2014	B2
8753338	Widenhouse et al.	Jun 2014	B2
8754570	Voegele et al.	Jun 2014	B2
8764735	Coe et al.	Jul 2014	B2
8771270	Burbank	Jul 2014	B2
8773001	Wiener et al.	Jul 2014	B2
8779648	Giordano et al.	Jul 2014	B2
8784418	Romero	Jul 2014	B2
8808319	Houser et al.	Aug 2014	B2
8827992	Koss et al.	Sep 2014	B2
8845537	Tanaka et al.	Sep 2014	B2
8882791	Stulen	Nov 2014	B2
8888776	Dietz et al.	Nov 2014	B2
8888809	Davison et al.	Nov 2014	B2
8899462	Kostrzewski et al.	Dec 2014	B2
8900259	Houser et al.	Dec 2014	B2
8911460	Neurohr et al.	Dec 2014	B2
8951248	Messerly et al.	Feb 2015	B2
8951272	Robertson et al.	Feb 2015	B2
8956349	Aldridge et al.	Feb 2015	B2
8961547	Dietz et al.	Feb 2015	B2
8968283	Kharin	Mar 2015	B2
8968355	Malkowski et al.	Mar 2015	B2
8974477	Yamada	Mar 2015	B2
8979890	Boudreaux	Mar 2015	B2
8986287	Park et al.	Mar 2015	B2
8986302	Aldridge et al.	Mar 2015	B2
8989903	Weir et al.	Mar 2015	B2
9017326	DiNardo et al.	Apr 2015	B2
9039695	Giordano et al.	May 2015	B2
9044261	Houser	Jun 2015	B2
9050093	Aldridge et al.	Jun 2015	B2
9050124	Houser	Jun 2015	B2
9060775	Wiener et al.	Jun 2015	B2
9060776	Yates et al.	Jun 2015	B2
9066747	Robertson	Jun 2015	B2
9072539	Messerly et al.	Jul 2015	B2
9089360	Messerly et al.	Jul 2015	B2
9095367	Olson et al.	Aug 2015	B2
9107689	Robertson et al.	Aug 2015	B2
9113940	Twomey	Aug 2015	B2
9168054	Turner et al.	Oct 2015	B2
9198714	Worrell et al.	Dec 2015	B2
9220527	Houser et al.	Dec 2015	B2
9226766	Aldridge et al.	Jan 2016	B2
9226767	Stulen et al.	Jan 2016	B2
9232979	Parihar et al.	Jan 2016	B2
9237921	Messerly et al.	Jan 2016	B2
9241728	Price et al.	Jan 2016	B2
9241731	Boudreaux et al.	Jan 2016	B2
9259234	Robertson et al.	Feb 2016	B2
9283045	Rhee et al.	Mar 2016	B2
9326788	Batross et al.	May 2016	B2
9339289	Robertson	May 2016	B2
9351754	Vakharia et al.	May 2016	B2
20010025173	Ritchie et al.	Sep 2001	A1
20010025183	Shahidi	Sep 2001	A1
20010025184	Messerly	Sep 2001	A1
20010031950	Ryan	Oct 2001	A1
20010039419	Francischelli et al.	Nov 2001	A1
20020002377	Cimino	Jan 2002	A1
20020019649	Sikora et al.	Feb 2002	A1
20020022836	Goble et al.	Feb 2002	A1
20020029055	Bonutti	Mar 2002	A1
20020049551	Friedman et al.	Apr 2002	A1
20020052617	Anis et al.	May 2002	A1
20020077550	Rabiner et al.	Jun 2002	A1
20020156466	Sakurai et al.	Oct 2002	A1
20020156493	Houser et al.	Oct 2002	A1
20030014087	Fang et al.	Jan 2003	A1
20030036705	Hare et al.	Feb 2003	A1
20030050572	Brautigam et al.	Mar 2003	A1
20030055443	Spotnitz	Mar 2003	A1
20030114851	Truckai et al.	Jun 2003	A1
20030144680	Kellogg et al.	Jul 2003	A1
20030199794	Sakurai et al.	Oct 2003	A1
20030204199	Novak et al.	Oct 2003	A1
20030212332	Fenton et al.	Nov 2003	A1
20030212363	Shipp	Nov 2003	A1
20030212392	Fenton et al.	Nov 2003	A1
20030212422	Fenton et al.	Nov 2003	A1
20030229344	Dycus et al.	Dec 2003	A1
20040030254	Babaev	Feb 2004	A1
20040030330	Brassell et al.	Feb 2004	A1
20040047485	Sherrit et al.	Mar 2004	A1
20040054364	Aranyi et al.	Mar 2004	A1
20040064151	Mollenauer	Apr 2004	A1
20040092921	Kadziauskas et al.	May 2004	A1
20040092992	Adams et al.	May 2004	A1
20040097911	Murakami et al.	May 2004	A1
20040097912	Gonnering	May 2004	A1
20040097919	Wellman et al.	May 2004	A1
20040097996	Rabiner et al.	May 2004	A1
20040116952	Sakurai et al.	Jun 2004	A1
20040132383	Langford et al.	Jul 2004	A1
20040147934	Kiester	Jul 2004	A1
20040167508	Wham et al.	Aug 2004	A1
20040176686	Hare et al.	Sep 2004	A1
20040176751	Weitzner et al.	Sep 2004	A1
20040199193	Hayashi et al.	Oct 2004	A1
20040204728	Haefner	Oct 2004	A1
20040243147	Lipow	Dec 2004	A1
20040260300	Gorensek et al.	Dec 2004	A1
20050020967	Ono	Jan 2005	A1
20050021018	Anderson et al.	Jan 2005	A1
20050021065	Yamada et al.	Jan 2005	A1
20050033337	Muir et al.	Feb 2005	A1
20050049546	Messerly et al.	Mar 2005	A1
20050070800	Takahashi	Mar 2005	A1
20050096683	Ellins et al.	May 2005	A1
20050099824	Dowling et al.	May 2005	A1
20050103819	Racenet et al.	May 2005	A1
20050143769	White et al.	Jun 2005	A1
20050149108	Cox	Jul 2005	A1
20050165345	Laufer et al.	Jul 2005	A1
20050177184	Easley	Aug 2005	A1
20050182339	Lee et al.	Aug 2005	A1
20050188743	Land	Sep 2005	A1
20050192610	Houser et al.	Sep 2005	A1
20050209620	Du et al.	Sep 2005	A1
20050222598	Ho et al.	Oct 2005	A1
20050234484	Houser et al.	Oct 2005	A1
20050249667	Tuszynski et al.	Nov 2005	A1
20050256405	Makin et al.	Nov 2005	A1
20050261581	Hughes et al.	Nov 2005	A1
20050261588	Makin et al.	Nov 2005	A1
20050273090	Nieman et al.	Dec 2005	A1
20050288659	Kimura et al.	Dec 2005	A1
20060030797	Zhou et al.	Feb 2006	A1
20060058825	Ogura et al.	Mar 2006	A1
20060063130	Hayman et al.	Mar 2006	A1
20060066181	Bromfield et al.	Mar 2006	A1
20060074442	Noriega et al.	Apr 2006	A1
20060079874	Faller et al.	Apr 2006	A1
20060079879	Faller et al.	Apr 2006	A1
20060084963	Messerly	Apr 2006	A1
20060095046	Trieu et al.	May 2006	A1
20060190034	Nishizawa et al.	Aug 2006	A1
20060206100	Eskridge et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060206115	Schomer et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060211943	Beaupre	Sep 2006	A1
20060217729	Eskridge et al.	Sep 2006	A1
20060224160	Trieu et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20060235306	Cotter et al.	Oct 2006	A1
20060247558	Yamada	Nov 2006	A1
20060253050	Yoshimine et al.	Nov 2006	A1
20060264809	Hansmann et al.	Nov 2006	A1
20060271030	Francis et al.	Nov 2006	A1
20070016235	Tanaka et al.	Jan 2007	A1
20070016236	Beaupre	Jan 2007	A1
20070055228	Berg et al.	Mar 2007	A1
20070056596	Fanney et al.	Mar 2007	A1
20070060915	Kucklick	Mar 2007	A1
20070060935	Schwardt et al.	Mar 2007	A1
20070063618	Bromfield	Mar 2007	A1
20070074584	Talarico et al.	Apr 2007	A1
20070106317	Shelton, IV et al.	May 2007	A1
20070129716	Daw et al.	Jun 2007	A1
20070130771	Ehlert et al.	Jun 2007	A1
20070131034	Ehlert et al.	Jun 2007	A1
20070149881	Rabin	Jun 2007	A1
20070162050	Sartor	Jul 2007	A1
20070166663	Telles et al.	Jul 2007	A1
20070173803	Wham et al.	Jul 2007	A1
20070173813	Odom	Jul 2007	A1
20070173872	Neuenfeldt	Jul 2007	A1
20070175949	Shelton, IV et al.	Aug 2007	A1
20070185380	Kucklick	Aug 2007	A1
20070191712	Messerly et al.	Aug 2007	A1
20070219481	Babaev	Sep 2007	A1
20070239028	Houser et al.	Oct 2007	A1
20070239101	Kellogg	Oct 2007	A1
20070249941	Salehi et al.	Oct 2007	A1
20070260234	McCullagh et al.	Nov 2007	A1
20070265560	Soltani et al.	Nov 2007	A1
20070275348	Lemon	Nov 2007	A1
20070282335	Young et al.	Dec 2007	A1
20070287933	Phan et al.	Dec 2007	A1
20070288055	Lee	Dec 2007	A1
20080009848	Paraschiv et al.	Jan 2008	A1
20080013809	Zhu et al.	Jan 2008	A1
20080051812	Schmitz et al.	Feb 2008	A1
20080058585	Novak et al.	Mar 2008	A1
20080058775	Darian et al.	Mar 2008	A1
20080058845	Shimizu et al.	Mar 2008	A1
20080077145	Boyden et al.	Mar 2008	A1
20080082039	Babaev	Apr 2008	A1
20080082098	Tanaka et al.	Apr 2008	A1
20080097501	Blier	Apr 2008	A1
20080114364	Goldin et al.	May 2008	A1
20080125768	Tahara et al.	May 2008	A1
20080140158	Hamel et al.	Jun 2008	A1
20080147092	Rogge et al.	Jun 2008	A1
20080171938	Masuda et al.	Jul 2008	A1
20080172051	Masuda et al.	Jul 2008	A1
20080177268	Daum et al.	Jul 2008	A1
20080188878	Young	Aug 2008	A1
20080200940	Eichmann et al.	Aug 2008	A1
20080208108	Kimura	Aug 2008	A1
20080208231	Ota et al.	Aug 2008	A1
20080214967	Aranyi et al.	Sep 2008	A1
20080234709	Houser	Sep 2008	A1
20080243106	Coe et al.	Oct 2008	A1
20080243162	Shibata et al.	Oct 2008	A1
20080245371	Gruber	Oct 2008	A1
20080249553	Gruber et al.	Oct 2008	A1
20080255423	Kondo et al.	Oct 2008	A1
20080262490	Williams	Oct 2008	A1
20080281200	Voic et al.	Nov 2008	A1
20080281315	Gines	Nov 2008	A1
20080281322	Sherman et al.	Nov 2008	A1
20080287948	Newton et al.	Nov 2008	A1
20090023985	Ewers	Jan 2009	A1
20090048537	Lydon et al.	Feb 2009	A1
20090054886	Yachi et al.	Feb 2009	A1
20090054894	Yachi	Feb 2009	A1
20090076506	Baker	Mar 2009	A1
20090082716	Akahoshi	Mar 2009	A1
20090088785	Masuda	Apr 2009	A1
20090112229	Omori et al.	Apr 2009	A1
20090118751	Wiener et al.	May 2009	A1
20090118802	Mioduski et al.	May 2009	A1
20090138006	Bales et al.	May 2009	A1
20090143799	Smith et al.	Jun 2009	A1
20090143800	Deville et al.	Jun 2009	A1
20090143806	Witt et al.	Jun 2009	A1
20090149801	Crandall et al.	Jun 2009	A1
20090163807	Sliwa	Jun 2009	A1
20090207923	Dress	Aug 2009	A1
20090216157	Yamada	Aug 2009	A1
20090223033	Houser	Sep 2009	A1
20090254077	Craig	Oct 2009	A1
20090254080	Honda	Oct 2009	A1
20090264909	Beaupre	Oct 2009	A1
20090270771	Takahashi	Oct 2009	A1
20090270812	Litscher et al.	Oct 2009	A1
20090270853	Yachi et al.	Oct 2009	A1
20090270899	Carusillo et al.	Oct 2009	A1
20090275940	Malackowski et al.	Nov 2009	A1
20090318945	Yoshimine et al.	Dec 2009	A1
20090327715	Smith et al.	Dec 2009	A1
20100004508	Naito et al.	Jan 2010	A1
20100016785	Takuma	Jan 2010	A1
20100016852	Manzo et al.	Jan 2010	A1
20100022825	Yoshie	Jan 2010	A1
20100030233	Whitman et al.	Feb 2010	A1
20100030248	Palmer et al.	Feb 2010	A1
20100036370	Mirel et al.	Feb 2010	A1
20100042077	Okada	Feb 2010	A1
20100049180	Wells et al.	Feb 2010	A1
20100057118	Dietz et al.	Mar 2010	A1
20100063525	Beaupre et al.	Mar 2010	A1
20100063528	Beaupré	Mar 2010	A1
20100069940	Miller et al.	Mar 2010	A1
20100158307	Kubota et al.	Jun 2010	A1
20100187283	Crainich et al.	Jul 2010	A1
20100222714	Muir et al.	Sep 2010	A1
20100228264	Robinson et al.	Sep 2010	A1
20100234906	Koh	Sep 2010	A1
20100262134	Jensen et al.	Oct 2010	A1
20100274160	Yachi et al.	Oct 2010	A1
20100280407	Polster	Nov 2010	A1
20100292691	Brogna	Nov 2010	A1
20100298743	Nield et al.	Nov 2010	A1
20100298851	Nield	Nov 2010	A1
20100331742	Masuda	Dec 2010	A1
20110004233	Muir et al.	Jan 2011	A1
20110009850	Main et al.	Jan 2011	A1
20110077648	Lee et al.	Mar 2011	A1
20110087218	Boudreaux et al.	Apr 2011	A1
20110112526	Fritz et al.	May 2011	A1
20110125151	Strauss et al.	May 2011	A1
20110125174	Babaev	May 2011	A1
20110144806	Sandhu et al.	Jun 2011	A1
20110224689	Larkin et al.	Sep 2011	A1
20110238065	Hunt et al.	Sep 2011	A1
20110257650	Deville et al.	Oct 2011	A1
20110270126	Gunday et al.	Nov 2011	A1
20110290853	Shelton, IV et al.	Dec 2011	A1
20110290856	Shelton, IV et al.	Dec 2011	A1
20120004655	Kim et al.	Jan 2012	A1
20120022525	Dietz et al.	Jan 2012	A1
20120022530	Woodruff et al.	Jan 2012	A1
20120022583	Sugalski et al.	Jan 2012	A1
20120059289	Nield et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120065628	Naito	Mar 2012	A1
20120071863	Lee et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120078139	Aldridge et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120078243	Worrell et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120078244	Worrell et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120078247	Worrell et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120078278	Bales, Jr. et al.	Mar 2012	A1
20120080332	Shelton, IV et al.	Apr 2012	A1
20120101495	Young et al.	Apr 2012	A1
20120101501	Nishimura et al.	Apr 2012	A1
20120109159	Jordan et al.	May 2012	A1
20120116379	Yates et al.	May 2012	A1
20120116391	Houser et al.	May 2012	A1
20120116394	Timm et al.	May 2012	A1
20120116395	Madan et al.	May 2012	A1
20120130256	Buysse et al.	May 2012	A1
20120130365	McLawhorn	May 2012	A1
20120136354	Rupp	May 2012	A1
20120138660	Shelton, IV	Jun 2012	A1
20120143211	Kishi	Jun 2012	A1
20120150170	Buysse et al.	Jun 2012	A1
20120165816	Kersten et al.	Jun 2012	A1
20120172873	Artale et al.	Jul 2012	A1
20120172904	Muir et al.	Jul 2012	A1
20120177005	Liang et al.	Jul 2012	A1
20120184946	Price et al.	Jul 2012	A1
20120199630	Shelton, IV	Aug 2012	A1
20120199632	Spivey et al.	Aug 2012	A1
20120203143	Sanai et al.	Aug 2012	A1
20120203247	Shelton, IV et al.	Aug 2012	A1
20120209289	Duque et al.	Aug 2012	A1
20120209303	Frankhouser et al.	Aug 2012	A1
20120210223	Eppolito	Aug 2012	A1
20120215220	Manzo et al.	Aug 2012	A1
20120245582	Kimball et al.	Sep 2012	A1
20120253370	Ross et al.	Oct 2012	A1
20120269676	Houser et al.	Oct 2012	A1
20120330307	Ladtkow et al.	Dec 2012	A1
20130012957	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2013	A1
20130030433	Heard	Jan 2013	A1
20130035680	Ben-Haim et al.	Feb 2013	A1
20130053840	Krapohl et al.	Feb 2013	A1
20130072856	Frankhouser et al.	Mar 2013	A1
20130072857	Frankhouser et al.	Mar 2013	A1
20130079762	Twomey et al.	Mar 2013	A1
20130103023	Monson et al.	Apr 2013	A1
20130103024	Monson et al.	Apr 2013	A1
20130110145	Weitzman	May 2013	A1
20130123776	Monson et al.	May 2013	A1
20130123777	Monson et al.	May 2013	A1
20130123782	Trees et al.	May 2013	A1
20130123822	Wellman et al.	May 2013	A1
20130131660	Monson et al.	May 2013	A1
20130165929	Muir et al.	Jun 2013	A1
20130217967	Mohr et al.	Aug 2013	A1
20130226207	Stulen et al.	Aug 2013	A1
20130226208	Wiener et al.	Aug 2013	A1
20130245659	Robertson et al.	Sep 2013	A1
20130253498	Germain et al.	Sep 2013	A1
20130267975	Timm et al.	Oct 2013	A1
20130274734	Maass et al.	Oct 2013	A1
20130282038	Dannaher et al.	Oct 2013	A1
20130282039	Wiener et al.	Oct 2013	A1
20130296908	Schulte et al.	Nov 2013	A1
20130338661	Behnke, II	Dec 2013	A1
20130345689	Ruddenklau et al.	Dec 2013	A1
20140005640	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005653	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005656	Mucilli et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005661	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005662	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005676	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005680	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005681	Gee et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005701	Olson et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005702	Timm et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005703	Stulen et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005705	Weir et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005708	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140005718	Shelton, IV et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140012299	Stoddard et al.	Jan 2014	A1
20140066962	Robertson et al.	Mar 2014	A1
20140087569	Lee	Mar 2014	A1
20140107538	Wiener et al.	Apr 2014	A1
20140114327	Boudreaux et al.	Apr 2014	A1
20140135804	Weisenburgh, II et al.	May 2014	A1
20140155921	Price et al.	Jun 2014	A1
20140180280	Sigmon, Jr.	Jun 2014	A1
20140243864	Voegele et al.	Aug 2014	A1
20140276970	Messerly et al.	Sep 2014	A1
20150045819	Houser et al.	Feb 2015	A1
20150066067	Stulen	Mar 2015	A1
20150073460	Stulen	Mar 2015	A1
20150112335	Boudreaux et al.	Apr 2015	A1
20150119914	Neurohr et al.	Apr 2015	A1
20150119915	Neurohr et al.	Apr 2015	A1
20150119916	Dietz et al.	Apr 2015	A1
20150157355	Price et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150157356	Gee	Jun 2015	A1
20150164533	Felder et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150164534	Felder et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150164535	Felder et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150164536	Czarnecki et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150164537	Cagle et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150164538	Aldridge et al.	Jun 2015	A1
20150182251	Messerly et al.	Jul 2015	A1
20150182276	Wiener et al.	Jul 2015	A1
20150182277	Wiener et al.	Jul 2015	A1
20150196318	Messerly et al.	Jul 2015	A1
20150250495	Robertson et al.	Sep 2015	A1
20150257780	Houser	Sep 2015	A1
20150257781	Houser et al.	Sep 2015	A1
20150265308	Houser et al.	Sep 2015	A1
20150327883	Messerly et al.	Nov 2015	A1
20150328484	Messerly et al.	Nov 2015	A1
20150340586	Wiener et al.	Nov 2015	A1
20150351789	Robertson et al.	Dec 2015	A1
20160030076	Faller et al.	Feb 2016	A1
20160089209	Parihar et al.	Mar 2016	A1
20160089533	Turner et al.	Mar 2016	A1
20160095617	Price et al.	Apr 2016	A1
20160106509	Worrell et al.	Apr 2016	A1
20160120563	Messerly et al.	May 2016	A1

Foreign Referenced Citations (282)

Number	Date	Country
2003241752	Sep 2003	AU
2535467	Apr 1993	CA
1233944	Nov 1999	CN
1253485	May 2000	CN
1634601	Jul 2005	CN
1640365	Jul 2005	CN
1694649	Nov 2005	CN
1922563	Feb 2007	CN
1951333	Apr 2007	CN
101040799	Sep 2007	CN
101467917	Jan 2009	CN
3904558	Aug 1990	DE
9210327	Nov 1992	DE
4323585	Jan 1995	DE
19608716	Apr 1997	DE
20021619	Mar 2001	DE
10042606	Aug 2001	DE
0136855	Sep 1984	EP
0171967	Feb 1986	EP
1839599	Oct 1987	EP
0336742	Apr 1989	EP
0342448	Nov 1989	EP
0424685	May 1991	EP
0443256	Aug 1991	EP
0456470	Nov 1991	EP
0598976	Jan 1994	EP
0677275	Mar 1995	EP
0482195	Jan 1996	EP
0695535	Feb 1996	EP
0741996	Nov 1996	EP
0612570	Jun 1997	EP
1108394	Jun 2001	EP
1138264	Oct 2001	EP
0908148	Jan 2002	EP
1229515	Aug 2002	EP
1285634	Feb 2003	EP
0908155	Jun 2003	EP
0705570	Apr 2004	EP
0765637	Jul 2004	EP
0870473	Sep 2005	EP
0624346	Nov 2005	EP
1594209	Nov 2005	EP
1199044	Dec 2005	EP
1609428	Dec 2005	EP
1199043	Mar 2006	EP
1433425	Jun 2006	EP
1256323	Sep 2006	EP
1698289	Sep 2006	EP
1704824	Sep 2006	EP
1749479	Feb 2007	EP
1815950	Aug 2007	EP
1844720	Oct 2007	EP
1862133	Dec 2007	EP
1875875	Jan 2008	EP
1199045	Jun 2008	EP
1964530	Sep 2008	EP
1972264	Sep 2008	EP
1974771	Oct 2008	EP
1435852	Dec 2008	EP
1498082	Dec 2008	EP
1707131	Dec 2008	EP
1997438	Dec 2008	EP
1477104	Jan 2009	EP
2014218	Jan 2009	EP
2042112	Apr 2009	EP
1832259	Jun 2009	EP
2074959	Jul 2009	EP
2106758	Oct 2009	EP
2111813	Oct 2009	EP
2200145	Jun 2010	EP
1214913	Jul 2010	EP
2238938	Oct 2010	EP
2298154	Mar 2011	EP
1510178	Jun 2011	EP
1946708	Jun 2011	EP
2305144	Jun 2011	EP
2335630	Jun 2011	EP
1502551	Jul 2011	EP
2361562	Aug 2011	EP
2365608	Sep 2011	EP
2420197	Feb 2012	EP
2422721	Feb 2012	EP
1927321	Apr 2012	EP
2510891	Oct 2012	EP
2316359	Mar 2013	EP
1586275	May 2013	EP
1616529	Sep 2013	EP
2583633	Oct 2014	EP
2113210	Mar 2016	EP
1482943	Aug 1977	GB
2032221	Apr 1980	GB
2317566	Apr 1998	GB
2379878	Nov 2004	GB
2447767	Aug 2011	GB
S 50-100891	Aug 1975	JP
S 59-68513	May 1984	JP
S 59141938	Aug 1984	JP
62-221343	Sep 1987	JP
S 62-227343	Oct 1987	JP
62-292153	Dec 1987	JP
S 62-292154	Dec 1987	JP
63-109386	May 1988	JP
63-315049	Dec 1988	JP
H 01-151452	Jun 1989	JP
H 01-198540	Aug 1989	JP
02-71510	May 1990	JP
2-286149	Nov 1990	JP
H 02-292193	Dec 1990	JP
H 03-37061	Feb 1991	JP
04-25707	Feb 1992	JP
H 04-64351	Feb 1992	JP
4-30508	Mar 1992	JP
H 04-150847	May 1992	JP
H 04-152942	May 1992	JP
05-095955	Apr 1993	JP
H 05-115490	May 1993	JP
H 06-070938	Mar 1994	JP
6-104503	Apr 1994	JP
6-507081	Aug 1994	JP
H 06-217988	Aug 1994	JP
H 7-508910	Oct 1995	JP
7-308323	Nov 1995	JP
8-24266	Jan 1996	JP
8-275951	Oct 1996	JP
H 08-299351	Nov 1996	JP
H 08-336545	Dec 1996	JP
H 09-503146	Mar 1997	JP
H 09-135553	May 1997	JP
H 09-140722	Jun 1997	JP
H 10-005237	Jan 1998	JP
10-295700	Nov 1998	JP
H 11-501543	Feb 1999	JP
H 11-128238	May 1999	JP
H 11-192235	Jul 1999	JP
11-253451	Sep 1999	JP
H 11-318918	Nov 1999	JP
2000-041991	Feb 2000	JP
2000-070279	Mar 2000	JP
2000-210299	Aug 2000	JP
2000-287987	Oct 2000	JP
2001-029353	Feb 2001	JP
2001-502216	Feb 2001	JP
2001-309925	Nov 2001	JP
2002-186901	Jul 2002	JP
2002-204808	Jul 2002	JP
2002-263579	Sep 2002	JP
2002-301086	Oct 2002	JP
2002-330977	Nov 2002	JP
2002-542690	Dec 2002	JP
2003-000612	Jan 2003	JP
2003-010201	Jan 2003	JP
2003-510158	Mar 2003	JP
2003-116870	Apr 2003	JP
2003-126104	May 2003	JP
2003-126110	May 2003	JP
2003-310627	May 2003	JP
2003-530921	Oct 2003	JP
2003-339730	Dec 2003	JP
2004-129871	Apr 2004	JP
2004-147701	May 2004	JP
2005027026	Jan 2005	JP
2005-040222	Feb 2005	JP
2005-066316	Mar 2005	JP
2005-074088	Mar 2005	JP
2005-534451	Nov 2005	JP
2006-6410	Jan 2006	JP
2006-512149	Apr 2006	JP
2006-116194	May 2006	JP
2006-158525	Jun 2006	JP
2006-218296	Aug 2006	JP
2006217716	Aug 2006	JP
2006-288431	Oct 2006	JP
2007-050181	Mar 2007	JP
2007-229454	Sep 2007	JP
2007-527747	Oct 2007	JP
2008-508065	Mar 2008	JP
2008-119250	May 2008	JP
2008-521503	Jun 2008	JP
D1339835	Aug 2008	JP
2008-212679	Sep 2008	JP
2008-536562	Sep 2008	JP
2008-284374	Nov 2008	JP
2009-511206	Mar 2009	JP
2009-517181	Apr 2009	JP
4262923	May 2009	JP
2009-523567	Jun 2009	JP
2009-236177	Oct 2009	JP
2009-254819	Nov 2009	JP
2010-000336	Jan 2010	JP
2010-514923	May 2010	JP
2010-534522	Nov 2010	JP
2010-540186	Dec 2010	JP
2011-505198	Feb 2011	JP
2012-235658	Nov 2012	JP
5208761	Jun 2013	JP
5714508	May 2015	JP
2154437	Aug 2000	RU
22035	Mar 2002	RU
WO 9222259	Dec 1992	WO
WO 9308757	May 1993	WO
WO 9314708	Aug 1993	WO
WO 9316646	Sep 1993	WO
WO 9320877	Oct 1993	WO
WO 9421183	Sep 1994	WO
WO 9424949	Nov 1994	WO
WO 9509572	Apr 1995	WO
WO 9534259	Dec 1995	WO
WO 9630885	Oct 1996	WO
WO 9639086	Dec 1996	WO
WO 9816156	Apr 1998	WO
WO 9826739	Jun 1998	WO
WO 9835621	Aug 1998	WO
WO 9837815	Sep 1998	WO
WO 9847436	Oct 1998	WO
WO 9920213	Apr 1999	WO
WO 9952489	Oct 1999	WO
WO 0064358	Nov 2000	WO
WO 0074585	Dec 2000	WO
WO 0124713	Apr 2001	WO
WO 0154590	Aug 2001	WO
WO 0167970	Sep 2001	WO
WO 0195810	Dec 2001	WO
WO 0224080	Mar 2002	WO
WO 0238057	May 2002	WO
WO 02062241	Aug 2002	WO
WO 03082133	Oct 2003	WO
WO 2004012615	Feb 2004	WO
WO 2004026104	Apr 2004	WO
WO 2004032754	Apr 2004	WO
WO 2004032762	Apr 2004	WO
WO 2004032763	Apr 2004	WO
WO 2004037095	May 2004	WO
WO 2004060141	Jul 2004	WO
WO 2004098426	Nov 2004	WO
WO 2004112618	Dec 2004	WO
WO 2005117735	Dec 2005	WO
WO 2005122917	Dec 2005	WO
WO 2006012797	Feb 2006	WO
WO 2006042210	Apr 2006	WO
WO 2006058223	Jun 2006	WO
WO 2006063199	Jun 2006	WO
WO 2006083988	Aug 2006	WO
WO 2006101661	Sep 2006	WO
WO 2006119139	Nov 2006	WO
WO 2006119376	Nov 2006	WO
WO 2006129465	Dec 2006	WO
WO 2007008703	Jan 2007	WO
WO 2007008710	Jan 2007	WO
WO 2007038538	Apr 2007	WO
WO 2007040818	Apr 2007	WO
WO 2007047380	Apr 2007	WO
WO 2007047531	Apr 2007	WO
WO 2007056590	May 2007	WO
WO 2007087272	Aug 2007	WO
WO 2007143665	Dec 2007	WO
WO 2008016886	Feb 2008	WO
WO 2008042021	Apr 2008	WO
WO 2008049084	Apr 2008	WO
WO 2008051764	May 2008	WO
WO 2008089174	Jul 2008	WO
WO 2008118709	Oct 2008	WO
WO 2008130793	Oct 2008	WO
WO 2009010565	Jan 2009	WO
WO 2009018067	Feb 2009	WO
WO 2009018406	Feb 2009	WO
WO 2009027065	Mar 2009	WO
WO 2009046234	Apr 2009	WO
WO 2009073402	Jun 2009	WO
WO 2009120992	Oct 2009	WO
WO 2010017149	Feb 2010	WO
WO 2010068783	Jun 2010	WO
WO 2011008672	Jan 2011	WO
WO 2011052939	May 2011	WO
WO 2011100321	Aug 2011	WO
WO 2011144911	Nov 2011	WO
WO 2012061722	May 2012	WO
WO 2012128362	Sep 2012	WO
WO 2012135705	Oct 2012	WO
WO 2012135721	Oct 2012	WO
WO 2013018934	Feb 2013	WO
WO 2013062978	May 2013	WO
WO 2014092108	Jun 2014	WO

Non-Patent Literature Citations (30)

Entry
International Preliminary Report on Patentability for PCT/US2011/024190, Aug. 14, 2012 (8 pages).
International Search Report for PCT/US2011/024190, Sep. 12, 2011 (7 pages).
U.S. Appl. No. 13/751,680, filed Jan. 28, 2013.
Technology Overview, printed from www.harmonicscalpel.com, Internet site, website accessed on Jun. 13, 2007, (3 pages).
Sherrit et al., “Novel Horn Designs for Ultrasonic/Sonic Cleaning Welding, Soldering, Cutting and Drilling,” Proc. SPIE Smart Structures Conference, vol. 4701, Paper No. 34, San Diego, CA, pp. 353-360, Mar. 2002.
AST Products, Inc., “Principles of Video Contact Angle Analysis,” 20 pages, (2006).
Lim et al., “A Review of Mechanism Used in Laparoscopic Surgical Instruments,” Mechanism and Machine Theory, vol. 38, pp. 1133-1147, (2003).
Gooch et al., “Recommended Infection-Control Practices for Dentistry, 1993,” Published: May 28, 1993; [retrieved on Aug. 23, 2008]. Retrieved from the internet: URL: http//wonder.cdc.gov/wonder/prevguid/p0000191/p0000191.asp (15 pages).
Huston et al., “Magnetic and Magnetostrictive Properties of Cube Textured Nickel for Magnetostrictive Transducer Applications,” IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, vol. 9(4), pp. 636-640 (Dec. 1973).
Incropera et al., “Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer”, Wiley, New York (1990). (Book—not attached).
F. A. Duck, “Optical Properties of Tissue Including Ultraviolet and Infrared Radiation,” pp. 43-71 in Physical Properties of Tissue (1990).
Orr et al., “Overview of Bioheat Transfer,” pp. 367-384 in Optical-Thermal Response of Laser-Irradiated Tissue, A. J. Welch and M. J. C. van Gernert, eds., Plenum, New York (1995).
Campbell et al, “Thermal Imaging in Surgery,” p. 19-3, in Medical Infrared Imaging, N. A. Diakides and J. D. Bronzino, Eds. (2008).
Sullivan, “Cost-Constrained Selection of Strand Diameter and Number in a Litz-Wire Transformer Winding,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 16, No. 2, Mar. 2001, pp. 281-288.
Sullivan, “Optimal Choice for Number of Strands in a Litz-Wire Transformer Winding,” IEEE Transactions on Power Electronics, vol. 14, No. 2, Mar. 1999, pp. 283-291.
Graff, K.F., “Elastic Wave Propagation in a Curved Sonic Transmission Line,” IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics, SU-17(1), 1-6 (1970).
Makarov, S. N., Ochmann, M., Desinger, K., “The longitudinal vibration response of a curved fiber used for laser ultrasound surgical therapy,” Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 102, 1191-1199 (1997).
Morley, L. S. D., “Elastic Waves in a Naturally Curved Rod,” Quarterly Journal of Mechanics and Applied Mathematics, 14: 155-172 (1961).
Walsh, S. J., White, R. G., “Vibrational Power Transmission in Curved Beams,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, 233(3), 455-488 (2000).
http://www.apicalinstr.com/generators.htm.
http://www.dotmed.com/listing/electrosurical-unit/ethicon/ultracision-g110-/1466724.
http:/www.ethicon.com/gb-en/healthcare-professionals/products/energy-devices/capital//ge. . .
http://www.4-traders.com/JOHNSON-JOHNSON-4832/news/Johnson-Johnson-Ethicon-E. . .
http://www.medicalexpo.com/medical-manufacturer/electrosurgical-generator-6951.html.
http://www.megadyne.com/es—generator.php.
http://www.valleylab.com/product/es/generators/index.html.
Covidien 501(k) Summary Sonicision, dated Feb. 24, 2011 (7 pages).
Gerhard, Glen C., “Surgical Electrotechnology: Quo Vadis?,” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. BME-31, No. 12, pp. 787-792, Dec. 1984.
Fowler, K.R., “A Programmable, Arbitrary Waveform Electrosurgical Device,” IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society 10th Annual International Conference, pp. 1324, 1325 (1988).
LaCourse, J.R.; Vogt, M.C.; Miller, W.T., III; Selikowitz, S.M., “Spectral Analysis Interpretation of Electrosurgical Generator Nerve and Muscle Stimulation,” IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, vol. 35, No. 7, pp. 505-509, Jul. 1988.

Related Publications (1)

	Number	Date	Country
	20150123348 A1	May 2015	US

Divisions (1)

	Number	Date	Country
Parent	12703866	Feb 2010	US
Child	14590580		US

Seal arrangements for ultrasonically powered surgical instruments

Information

Patent Number

Date Filed

Date Issued

Inventors

Original Assignees

Examiners

CPC

Field of Search

CPC

International Classifications

Abstract