Abstract: An ultrasonic frequency surgical dissecting device including a handpiece with a surgical blade that vibrates in a direction transverse to a long axis passing through the handpiece and blade for improved cutting and coagulation

Abstract: A system for rapidly and accurately delivering sterile fluid in a surgical environment comprises: (1) a strain gauge sensor; (2) a container of fluid connected to the strain-gauge sensor so that the strain-gauge sensor can generate an electrical output proportional to the weight of the fluid and container from time-to-time; (3) a pump system for pumping fluid from the container and having adjustable speed control for delivery of fluids within the range of 30 ml/min to 1000 ml/min; (4) a sterile tubing set connected to the fluid source and passing through the pump system and for delivery of the fluid to the surgical environment (i.e., a patient or implantable device); (5) a processor for processing the electrical output from the strain gauge from time-to-time to determine the amount of fluid delivered to the surgical environment; and (6) a display for displaying the amount of fluid delivered to the surgical device.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for generating profiled pulses of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy at a distal surface of an ultrasonic applicator of an ultrasonic surgical instrument for application to tissues of a patient, including the providing of a profiled pulse signal with a first profile and a maximum magnitude during a first time portion and a second profile and a minimum magnitude during a second time portion, the second time portion being greater than or equal to the duration of the first time portion, the first time portion being between one millisecond and fifty milliseconds in duration, and the maximum magnitude in the range between two and twenty times the minimum magnitude.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical device for the coagulation of animal tissue having an ultrasonic applicator and a movable jaw with a jaw surface adjacent the distal portion of the ultrasonic applicator for movement toward the applicator to a closed position at a predefined clearance of between about 0.075 to about 1.9 millimeters from the applicator. The device may also include a mechanical cutting element that can be extended into the clearance to cut the tissue and means to vary the predefined clearance without removing the applicator from the patient. Tissue coagulating and cutting can be maximized and performed separately and can be easily monitored by the surgeon.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for generating profiled pulses of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy at a distal surface of an ultrasonic applicator of an ultrasonic surgical instrument for application to tissues of a patient, including the providing of a profiled pulse signal with a first profile and a maximum magnitude during a first time portion and a second profile and a minimum magnitude during a second time portion, the second time portion being greater than or equal to the duration of the first time portion, the first time portion being between one millisecond and fifty milliseconds in duration, and the maximum magnitude in the range between two and twenty times the minimum magnitude.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved surgical instrument and method for the aspiration of tissues and fluids from a patient via suction through a small diameter cannula. The device and method achieve improved results (e.g., speed and efficiency of the surgical procedure) using a continuous, precise amount of vented air of between about 3 and about 40 cubic feet per hour.

Abstract: An ultrasonic frequency surgical dissecting device including a handpiece with a surgical blade that vibrates in a direction transverse to a long axis passing through the handpiece and blade for improved cutting and coagulation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for generating profiled pulses of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy at a distal surface of an ultrasonic applicator of an ultrasonic surgical instrument for application to tissues of a patient, including the providing of a profiled pulse signal with a first profile and a maximum magnitude during a first time portion and a second profile and a minimum magnitude during a second time portion, the second time portion being greater than or equal to the duration of the first time portion, the first time portion being between one millisecond and fifty milliseconds in duration, and the maximum magnitude in the range between two and twenty times the minimum magnitude.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument for the removal of previously fragmented tissues and fluids from a patient through a small incision including a multi-lumen cannula, one lumen of which is used to supply an irrigating fluid to suspend and dilute the fragmented tissue and the other lumen for the application of suction to remove the tissue and fluids. The second lumen has a resistive ratio that is between 0.5 and 1.5 times the resistive ratio of the first lumen.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to ultrasonic surgical apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for generating profiled pulses of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy at a distal surface of an ultrasonic applicator of an ultrasonic surgical instrument for application to tissues of a patient with specific relationships between a magnitude of the pulse of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy and a duration of the pulse of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy so that the ultrasonic applicator can be driven to vibratory amplitudes previously not achievable and a more expedient surgical effect obtained.

Abstract: In general the ultrasonic probe for improved fragmentation is comprised of a longitudinal shank having a proximal end, a distal end, and a shaft. The shaft joins the proximal end and the distal end. The proximal end of the longitudinal shank has a connector for connecting the longitudinal shank to a source of ultrasonic vibrational energy. The distal end of the longitudinal shank may have a blunt or bullet-nosed tip. The shaft has one or more grooves near the tip which circumscribe the shaft of the longitudinal shank. The walls of the one or more grooves in the shaft of the longitudinal shank provide surface area on the distal end of the ultrasonic probe in planes generally perpendicular to the axis of the ultrasonic probe. The additional surface area increases the tissue fragmenting surface area of the distal end of the ultrasonic probe without increasing the diameter of the distal end of the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: In general a hand-held ultrasonic surgical apparatus with a focusing lens for fragmenting or emulsifying a predetermined volume of a medium located generally near a focal length from a concave surface of the focusing lens without significant heating of the medium includes a housing to be held and manipulated by a surgeon or physician and an acoustic assembly mounted within the housing. The acoustic assembly has a resonant vibratory frequency that is primarily determined by the length of the acoustic assembly and an axis along which the ultrasonic vibratory energy is directed. The preferred range for the resonant vibratory frequency to achieve sufficient focusing and sufficient ultrasonic power to fragment or emulsify tissue is between 100 kHz and 250 kHz. The acoustic assembly includes an ultrasonic motor, a rear driver, a front driver, a compression fastener, and a focusing lens.

Abstract: An applicator, such as a probe, tip or blade, for an ultrasonic surgical device, the applicator being shaped and sized for surgical application, and comprising: (a) a base material forming the applicator, the base material being a high-strength aluminum alloy; and (b) a surface coating on the applicator, the surface coating being aluminum oxide, and said surface coating having a thickness between 0.0001 and 0.0003 inch.

Abstract: An ultrasonic frequency surgical dissecting device including a handpiece with a surgical blade that vibrates in a direction transverse to a long axis passing through the handpiece and blade for improved cutting and coagulation

Abstract: In general a protective sheath for an ultrasonic fragmenting device includes a handpiece to be held and manipulated by a surgeon. The handpiece has a housing, an ultrasonic motor mounted therewithin, and an ultrasonic horn connected to the ultrasonic motor. An elongate ultrasonic probe is attached to the ultrasonic horn. The elongate ultrasonic probe has an outer surface about and along is length and has one or more vibratory nodes spaced alone the length of the ultrasonic probe as a function of the resonant wavelength. The ultrasonic fragmenting device includes the protective sheath with a hollow sleeve with a proximal end and a distal end and which surrounds the elongate ultrasonic probe and extends therealong. The hollow sleeve has an inner surface formed, shaped, and sized to prevent contact with the outer surface of the elongate ultrasonic probe so that there is generally a clearance between the inner surface and the outer surface.

Abstract: In general a protective sheath for an ultrasonic fragmenting device includes a handpiece to be held and manipulated by a surgeon. The handpiece has a housing, an ultrasonic motor mounted therewithin, and an ultrasonic horn connected to the ultrasonic motor. An elongate ultrasonic probe is attached to the ultrasonic horn. The elongate ultrasonic probe has an outer surface about and along its length and has one or more vibratory nodes spaced along the length of the ultrasonic probe as a function of the resonant wavelength. The ultrasonic fragmenting device includes the protective sheath with a hollow sleeve with a proximal end and a distal end and which surrounds the elongate ultrasonic probe and extends therealong. The hollow sleeve has an inner surface formed, shaped, and sized to prevent contact with the outer surface of the elongate ultrasonic probe so that there is generally a clearance between the inner surface and the outer surface.

Abstract: An improved surgical instrument for the removal of fragmented tissues and fluids from a patient through a small incision is disclosed. The instrument utilizes a source of suction and a source of irrigating fluid which suspends and dilutes the fragmented tissues and also provides a pressure vent to improve the speed and thoroughness of the procedure. A multi-lumen cannula is used to deliver the irrigating fluid to the operative site, to vent the operative site, and to remove the fragmented tissue and fluids from the operative site.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to ultrasonic surgical apparatus. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved method and apparatus for generating profiled pulses of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy at a distal surface of an ultrasonic applicator of an ultrasonic surgical instrument for application to tissues of a patient with specific relationships between a magnitude of the pulse of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy and a duration of the pulse of ultrasonic frequency vibratory energy so that the ultrasonic applicator can be driven to vibratory amplitudes previously not achievable and a more expedient surgical effect obtained.

Abstract: A catheter adapted to perform electrophysiological procedures comprises a body member, a manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the body member for applying torque to the body member, the handle having a control knob adapted for control movements in a first plane and in a second plane simultaneously. A deflection control line is attached at its distal end to the distal portion of the catheter and its proximal end attached to the control device of the handle so that tension applied to the control line by sliding the control knob causes deflection of the distal portion of the catheter. A stiffening member is disposed within the body member of the catheter and is slidable, said stiffening member providing increased rigidity to the portion of the body member in which the stiffening member is located. Rotation of the control knob controls the position of the stiffening member in the body member.

Abstract: A catheter adapted to perform electrophysiological procedures comprises a body member, a manipulation handle attached to the proximal end of the body member for applying torque to the body member, the handle having a control knob adapted for control movements in a first plane and in a second plane simultaneously. A deflection control line is attached at its distal end to the distal portion of the catheter and its proximal end attached to the control device of the handle so that tension applied to the control line by sliding the control knob causes deflection of the distal portion of the catheter. A stiffening member is disposed within the body member of the catheter and is slidable, said stiffening member providing increased rigidity to the portion of the body member in which the stiffening member is located. Rotation of the control knob controls the position of the stiffening member in the body member.