Abstract: An improved rigid catheter is provided for lithotripsy. The catheter includes a rigid tube adapted to engage a lithotripsy transducer and power supply, with a restriction in an internal diameter of the rigid tube proximate a power delivery end of the rigid tube. The catheter may also include an enlargement on an external diameter of the tip. The tip may also be fabricated of a material considered to be very hard. The probe may also be solid with an enlarged tip.

Abstract: An electronic surgical probe including an axially elongated member adapted to receive ultrasonic vibrations from an ultrasonic motor or transducer and having a circular cross-section, has a coaxially positioned cannula or sheath surrounding the elongated member, the cannula or sheath defining an aperture adjacent the distal end portion of the elongated member, wherein fluid adjacent the distal end portion of the elongated member is activated or cavitated by ultrasonic vibrations from the distal end of the elongated member and passing through the aperture of the cannula acts upon tissue and/or other matter.

Abstract: A hollow operating needle for an ultrasonic surgical probe for fragmenting and removing material from the body has an elongated tapered portion which is coupled at its larger end portion to an ultrasonic motor for receiving and transmitting vibrations along the length of the needle to the operating end of the needle, with the needle defining at least one generally rectangular opening extending co-axially from the operating tip end and having the intersections of the longer sides of the at least one opening and the operating tip end being beveled, whereby a substantial portion of irrigating fluid supplied adjacent the operating end portion of the needle reaches the operating tip end of the needle and the surgical site and another substantial portion of the fluid passes through the at least one opening without reaching the operating tip of the needle.

Abstract: A hollow operating needle for an ultrasonic surgical probe for fragmenting and removing material from the body has an elongated tapered portion which is coupled at its larger end portion to an ultrasonic motor for receiving and transmitting vibrations along the length of the needle to the operating end of the needle, with the needle defining a plurality of spaced apart openings extending from the operating tip end terminating at a distance substantially less than the distance to the larger end portion, whereby a substantial portion of irrigating fluid supplied adjacent the operating end portion of the needle reaches the operating tip end of the needle and the surgical site and another substantial portion of the fluid passes through the plurality of openings without reaching the operating tip of the needle.

Abstract: An improved bubble control device is provided for an ultrasonic surgical probe or tool having a needle and a sleeve surrounding and spaced from the needle for at least a portion of the length of the needle, the device comprising a cylindrical hollow body having a bore and adapted to be positioned in the annular passage between the needle and the sleeve with the needle being received in the bore of the body, and having at least one groove formed on its peripheral surface through which fluid supplied to the annular passage between the needle and the sleeve and containing cavitation bubbles formed upon contact of the fluid with vibrating components are restricted in their passage by being forced through the space between the at least one groove formed on the peripheral surface of the body and the sleeve, and through the space between the body and the needle, thereby reducing the passage of bubbles formed in the fluid.

Abstract: A vented ultrasonic transducer for a medical handpiece which is provided with a number of vents which extend from the interior mounted crystal drive motor to the rear end of the handpiece so as to allow the handpiece to be rapidly sterilized with a flash autoclave and the vent tubes allow moisture to pass in and out of the handpiece and prevent moisture from remaining in the handpiece and shorting out the crystal electrical drive after sterilization has been completed.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic lithotriptor probe for performing fragmentation and removal of calculi deposits in the kidney and upper ureter wherein high frequency sound waves are utilized to disintegrate the calculi or stones based on placing the probe against the stones and causing them to disintegrate due to the ultrasonic energy. The probe is coupled to a transducer which drives it and the probe is hollow and aspiration is utilized to remove the particles of the stone through the probe. The probe extends into the transducer which prevents the probe from clogging. Also, the end of the probe which engages the stone is provided with a slit so as to prevent it from being clogged by the stone so as to cause the aspiration to be interrupted when the end of the probe extends into the confines of the stone in that the split will allow liquid to pass through the probe and continue to cool it and to remove fragments through the probe.

Abstract: An improved peristaltic pump which provides for rotating the head an offset angle relative to the rotor center and which includes a pivoted housing structure that can be adjusted by a spring loaded set screw so as to vary the quantity of material pump. By adjusting the set screw, the spacing between the head and the rotor can be adjusted to vary the volume of the pump. A one-way clutch assures that fluid cannot be supplied in a reversed direction through the pump.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying aspiration, irrigation, medication and ultrasonic power and dwell time to biotissue for surgery and treatment wherein the pressure for both aspirating and irrigating is precisely and accurately maintained by the use of a differential valve and a control reservoir which is generally much larger than the biotissue cavity to be operated on and wherein the pressures for irrigation, aspiration, medication and the application of the amplitude and dwell time of ultrasonic energy can be precisely controlled, externally, to the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for applying aspiration, irrigation, medication and ultrasonic power and dwell time to biotissue for surgery and treatment wherein the pressure for both aspirating and irrigating is precisely and accurately maintained by the use of a differential valve and a control reservoir which is generally much larger than the biotissue cavity to be operated on and wherein the pressures for irrigation, apiration, medication and the application of the amplitude and dwell time of ultrasonic energy can be precisely controlled, externally, to the patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for measuring and indicating the true power in watts supplied to an ultrasonic handpiece and also to indicate the accumulative power applied to the handpiece.

Abstract: A machine for performing surgery and treatment utilizing ultrasonic energy wherein so as to obtain precise control of the operating frequency and eliminate unnecessary heating and loss of power the hand tool as well as the generator and power supply are designed after establishing the designed criteria of the particular medical tool required thus allowing coupling of energy into the tool in a very efficient manner. Means are also provided for assuring that dangerous transverse modes of the instrument used will not occur which can cause injury to patients. Several unique additional safety and construction features are also shown.