Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical cutting instrument includes a handpiece containing an ultrasonic generator. A hollow cutting probe is connected to the handpiece and is longitudinally moved at ultrasonic frequency when the generator is energized. The hollow probe has a cutting edge or edges formed thereon. One embodiment has a side cutting edge for side cutting action of skin, tissue, or bone. Other embodiments have a cutting edge formed on the tip of the probe. The hollow probe allows cut tissue or bone to be removed from the operative site by a vacuum applied thereto. The hollow probe also allows an irrigating fluid to be introduced to the operative site.

Abstract: A transducer in a probe is positioned between first and second body members in a housing. An elongated tip is coupled to the first body member. A mass is provided on the first body member to amplify the ultrasonic vibrations imparted to the tip by the transducer. A tube extends through the second body member and the transducer into the first body member to hold the transducer in an abutting relationship with the body members without extending any bolts between the body members and the transducer. The tube, the body member, the transducer and the tip have axial passage which provide an axial aspiration path from the free end of the tip. Suction in the passageways exhausts through the passageways material removed from a particular area in a patient's body upon the application of the tip to the particular area while the tip is vibrating ultrasonically.

Abstract: Crystals are energized to vibrate at an ultrasonic frequency. The crystals are coupled to an insert having a body portion coaxial with the crystals so as to vibrate the insert at the ultrasonic frequency. At least one sharp cutting edge extends from one end of the body portion of the insert. The thickness of the insert may taper progressively from the body portion to the sharp cutting edge. The sharp cutting edge may actually constitute a pair of edges disposed in a scissor relationship. The cutting edge(s) may progressively converge to a sharp point. Alternately, the sharp cutting edge may be disposed at the inner periphery of an aperture. Instead of being vibrated at a single ultrasonic frequency, the insert may be vibrated at a pair of ultrasonic frequencies to impart a vibration of the insert simultaneously in the coaxial direction and in a direction perpendicular to the coaxial direction. The insert engages a meniscus to trim fragments from the meniscus.

Abstract: A hollow member is made from a material such as titanium with properties of vibrating longitudinally. The interior surface of the hollow member is preferably quite smooth. At least one member is disposed on the hollow member and is provided with properties of vibrating longitudinally at an ultrasonic frequency when energized. Preferably a plurality of such vibratory members are disposed around the periphery of the hollow members. The vibratory members may be crystals. The vibratory members are preferably disposed in a socket in the hollow member so that the vibratory members are flush with the hollow member. A hollow catheter made from a pliant material such as a silicone rubber is disposed on the hollow member and the vibratory members and is preferably provided with a substantially smooth inner periphery and a substantially smooth outer periphery along its length. The forward end of the catheter preferably covers the forward end of the hollow member and preferably has a blunt disposition.

Abstract: A housing supports a tray for slidable movement of the tray within the housing. The tray and the housing may be paramagnetic. The tray is shaped to define at least one cup for receiving a contact lens and cleaning fluid. The tray may be supported on a resiliently compressible pad which is in turn supported on a ledge forming a part of the housing. A slug is supported by, or embedded in, the tray to provide for a movement of the slug with the tray. The slug may be magnetizable and may be displaced from an armature and a coil enveloping the armature. When the coil is energized, it magnetizes the armature. The energizing of the armature causes the slug to be attracted to the armature in a direction to compress the pad. When the coil is de-energized, the compressed pad expands to move the tray away from the armature. In this way, the tray is vibrated in directions to displace the contact lens from the wall of the cup and to agitate the cleaning fluid so that all of the surfaces of the contact lens are cleaned.