Abstract: A CUSA having a cannula with an ultrasonic vibrating tip and a flue disposed around the cannula. A first ring electrode is disposed around the outside circumference of the flue and is movable along the axial length of the flue, allowing the physician to locate the electrode in a desired location. An RF generator supplies current to the first electrode and a current flow is formed between the electrode and the tip, with the tip acting as a ground. A second ring electrode can be disposed around the outside circumference of the flue proximal to the first and is also movable along the length of the flue. A second current flow can be established between the first electrode and the second. The movability of the electrodes and/or switching between electrodes allows the control of ablation and cauterizing zones formed between the electrodes and between the electrodes and the tip.

Abstract: An CUSA having a cannula with an ultrasonic frequency vibrating tip with a flue disposed around the cannula. A first electrode is disposed on an outside of the flue and an RF generator provides current to the first electrode. A current flow is formed between the electrode and the tip and the tip acts as a ground. The first electrode can take the shape of a complete circumferential ring or a partially circumferential ring. The first electrode can be removably disposed on and/or movable along a length of the flue to allow the surgeon to “clip-on” or adjust the electrode at the position of their choice. A second electrode can be disposed on the outside of the flue and proximal to the first. A second current flow can be formed between the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical system has an ultrasonic unit including an instrument operatively connected to an ultrasonic generator, wherein the instrument has an ultrasonic end effector on the distal end of a shaft. The system further includes a positioning unit including a movable arm adapted for releasably holding the instrument, whereby an operator may direct the positioning unit to position the end effector at a surgical site inside a body cavity of a patient for performing a plurality of surgical tasks. The system further includes a control unit operatively connected to the ultrasonic and positioning units, wherein the control unit is programmable with a surgical subroutine for performing the surgical tasks. The system further includes a user interface operatively connected to the control unit for initiating an operative cycle of the surgical subroutine such that the surgical tasks are automatically performed during the operative cycle.

Abstract: Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit.

Abstract: A composite end effector for an ultrasonic surgical instrument is provided and includes a first portion formed from a first material that exhibits a first characteristic value when excited by an ultrasonic energy input and a second portion formed from a second material that exhibits a second characteristic value when excited by the ultrasonic energy input. The composite end effector exhibits a composite characteristic value different from the first and second characteristic values when excited by the ultrasonic energy input.

Abstract: Several embodiments of medical ultrasound handpieces are described each including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system includes a medical ultrasound handpiece having a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and includes an ultrasonically-vibratable medical-treatment instrument which is attachable to a distal end of the transducer assembly. An embodiment of a medical ultrasound system is described, wherein the medical ultrasound system has a handpiece including a medical ultrasound transducer assembly and including a housing or housing component surrounding the transducer assembly. A method for tuning a medical ultrasound handpiece includes machining at least a distal non-threaded portion of an instrument-attachment stud of the transducer assembly to match a measured fundamental frequency to a desired fundamental frequency to within a predetermined limit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade, and an instrument, having a gain step. The blade body has, in any half wave length of the ultrasonic-surgical-blade body, a first vibration antinode, a vibration node, a second vibration antinode, and a gain step. The gain step is located between the second vibration antinode and the first vibration antinode. The gain step is spaced apart from the vibration node by a gain-step distance greater than 5% of the distance between the second vibration antinode and the first vibration antinode. The instrument includes the blade, a handpiece having an ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic transmission rod whose proximal end is operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer and whose distal end activates the blade. In one option, the first vibration antinode is the distal tip, and the gain step is located between the vibration node and the distal tip, resulting in an increased active length of the blade.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical blade, and an instrument, having a gain step. The blade body has, in any half wave length of the ultrasonic-surgical-blade body, a first vibration antinode, a vibration node, a second vibration antinode, and a gain step. The gain step is located between the second vibration antinode and the first vibration antinode. The gain step is spaced apart from the vibration node by a gain-step distance greater than 5% of the distance between the second vibration antinode and the first vibration antinode. The instrument includes the blade, a handpiece having an ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic transmission rod whose proximal end is operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer and whose distal end activates the blade. In one option, the first vibration antinode is the distal tip, and the gain step is located between the vibration node and the distal tip, resulting in an increased active length of the blade.

Abstract: A surgical tool or applier facilitates laparoscopic or endoscopic implantation through a single bodily tissue lumen of an anastomotic ring device for forming a hollow rivet type of attachment between tissue lumens. In addition to forming a puncture between apposite tissue walls at the anastomosis site, the applier assists or wholly actuates the anastomotic ring device and is retracted to deploy the actuated ring device. Illumination incorporated into a distal portion of a cannula enables confirmation of deployment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical hand piece is caused to be driven with an output displacement that is correlated with the phase margin, which is the difference of the resonant frequency and the anti-resonant frequency of the hand piece. A frequency sweep is conducted to find the resonant frequency and the anti-resonant frequency for the hand piece. The resonant frequency is measured at a point during the frequency sweep where the impedance of the hand piece is at its minimum. The anti-resonant frequency is measured at a point during the frequency sweep where the impedance of the hand piece is at its maximum. Using a target or specific output displacement, a drive current is calculated based on the phase margin which is the difference between the resonant frequency and the anti-resonant frequency. The hand piece is caused to be driven with the output displacement, by accordingly controlling the current output from a generator console for driving the hand piece.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical hand piece is caused to be driven with an output displacement that is correlated with the phase margin, which is the difference of the resonant frequency and the anti-resonant frequency of the hand piece. A frequency sweep is conducted to find the resonant frequency and the anti-resonant frequency for the hand piece. The resonant frequency is measured at a point during the frequency sweep where the impedance of the hand piece is at its minimum. The anti-resonant frequency is measured at a point during the frequency sweep where the impedance of the hand piece is at its maximum. Using a target or specific output displacement, a drive current is calculated based on the phase margin which is the difference between the resonant frequency and the anti-resonant frequency. The hand piece is caused to be driven with the output displacement, by accordingly controlling the current output from a generator console for driving the hand piece.