Abstract: Ultrasonic energy is used for treating degenerative dementia. A focal point of an ultrasonic transducer beam is directed at a target area of the brain to promote removal of substances that accumulate in the interstitial pathways that are at least partially responsible for the degenerative dementia. In one example, the target area of the brain may comprise the hippocampus and the degenerative dementia may be Alzheimer's disease. The ultrasonic beam may stimulate brain tissue at a frequency that corresponds to a naturally occurring deep sleep burst frequency of neurons and subsequent astrocyte activation patterns that drive a convective process responsible for brain solute disposal. For example, the transducer may generate a burst frequency of between 1-4 hertz to stimulate deep sleep brain functions that help remove amyloid plaque.

Abstract: An exemplary security threat monitoring system receives performance metric data representative of a performance metric for a storage system, applies the performance metric data as an input to an unsupervised machine learning model, and identifies, based on an output of the unsupervised machine learning model, an anomaly in the performance metric data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating treatment are disclosed that can include the use of imaging techniques in conjunction with one or more non-invasive techniques for modifying tissue, e.g., tissue in or around the spine. Depending on the type of treatment to be performed, various imaging modalities may be suitable for visualizing the tissue. Energy can be applied to tissue from outside of the body such that the tissue is modified in a non-invasive manner. For example, focused ultrasound can be used to dissect body tissues or can be applied to specific regions of tissue to change a characteristic of the tissue, e.g., increase its elasticity. The methods disclosed herein can be stand-alone treatments or can be performed prior to one or more surgical procedures. For example, non-invasive imaging and modification of body tissues can facilitate accessing the spine, preparing an interbody space, and/or surgically correcting the spine.

Abstract: A method of treating a condition associate with accumulation of an agent in cells in a patient includes exposing the cells to ultrasound, to selectively kill or induce apoptosis in the cells. The cells include the accumulated agent.

Abstract: Various ultrasonic instruments are disclosed. The ultrasonic instruments include structures configured to indicate the cutting length of the instruments, detect when grasped tissue has extended beyond the cutting length of the instrument, and prevent tissue from extending beyond the cutting length. Several techniques for each types of structures are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasound stimulation helmet (100) configured to regulate an endogenous neurotrophic factor in a brain or expression of proteins related to a neurodegenerative disease comprises: a main body (1) having a forehead perimeter adjustment knob (12), a back head perimeter adjustment knob (13), a fastening support frame (14), and multiple position adjustment knobs (15); and multiple ultrasound probes (2) detachably mounted on the main body (1), wherein the ultrasound probe (2) has a frequency adjustment button and an intensity adjustment button to respectively control an output frequency and output intensity of the ultrasound probe (2), and other ultrasound parameters and an angle of the ultrasound probe (2) itself are adjustable as well.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a body, a shaft assembly, an articulation section, an end effector, and an articulation drive assembly. The articulation drive assembly is configured to drive the articulation section to deflect the end effector relative to the longitudinal axis from a non-articulated configuration to an articulated configuration. The articulation drive assembly includes a rotatable housing, a static member, and an indication feature. The rotatable housing is rotatably coupled to the body. The static member is fixed relative to the body. The indication feature is configured to indicate when the end effector is deflected into the non-articulated configuration. The indication feature includes a ridge and a cantilever arm. The ridge extends from an exterior surface of the rotatable housing. The cantilever arm defines a slot configured to house the ridge when the end effector is in the non-articulated configuration.

Abstract: A catheter for use with a suction source for removing excess fluid from a tissue treatment site has a catheter body, a distal section and a fluid evacuation path, where the distal section includes a multi-lumened member and at least one evacuation port, and the fluid evacuation path extends through a lumen in the multi-lumened member to provide suction communication between the suction source and the at least one evacuation port. The fluid evacuation path may also be configured for two-way flow, including distally and proximally along the catheter.

Abstract: A rheology system (202) includes a rheology transducer device (204) for introducing mechanical waves into a subject of interest (120). The rheology transducer device (204) includes multiple transducers (212), a driving device (206) for driving the rheology transducer device (204), a sensor device (208) for sensing mechanical waves at the subject of interest (120), and a control device (210) for receiving input from the sensor device (208) and for controlling the driving device (206) based on the received input from the sensor device (208). An MR rheology system (200) includes the above rheology system (202) and an MR imaging system (110) adapted to control the rheology system (200). A rheology method includes with the rheology system (202), driving the rheology transducer device (204) to introduce mechanical waves into the subject of interest (120), sensing mechanical waves at the subject of interest (120), and performing feedback control.

Abstract: Described is system for mapping user behavior to brain regions of interest. Using a cognitive-behavior model, a behavioral task is selected that is suited for a desired brain state. Using a functional-anatomical model coupled to the cognitive-behavior model, a set of high-definition neurostimulations is selected to be applied to the user during performance of the selected behavioral task. The selected set of high-definition neurostimulations targets specific regions of the user's brain. Changes in the user's brain state are sensed during application of the set of high-definition neurostimulations and performance of the selected behavioral task using at least one brain monitoring technique. The coupled functional-anatomical and cognitive-behavior models are adapted until the desired brain state is reached.

Abstract: The presented methods and devices may provide at least one treatment action leading to one or more treatment effects including influencing the tissue to enhance, renew or improve biosynthesis of at least one component of an extracellular matrix. In one embodiment, the methods and devices may provide treatment effects to skin fibroblasts and/or fasciacytes of the patient, influencing the skin fibroblasts and/or fasciacytes to enhance, renew or improve biosynthesis of hyaluronic acid.

Abstract: Acoustic touch sensing system architectures and methods for acoustic touch sensing can be used to detect a position of an object touching a surface. Acoustic touch sensing can utilize transducers (e.g., piezoelectric) to simultaneously transmit ultrasonic waves along a surface and through a thickness of a material. The location of the object can be determined based on the amount of time elapsing between the transmission of the waves and receipt of the reflected waves. In some examples, an acoustic touch sensing system can be insensitive to water contact on the device surface, and thus acoustic touch sensing can be used for touch sensing in devices that may become wet or fully submerged in water. In some examples, techniques such as isolation and absorption of acoustic energy can be used to mitigate acoustic energy reflected by portions of the electronic device and interfere with the acoustic touch sensing operation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical shears includes an ultrasonic surgical blade, a clamping arm operable to open and close toward the blade, and a tissue pad attached to the clamping arm. A method for sealing a blood vessel of a patient includes obtaining an ultrasonic surgical shears and positioning the blood vessel between the blade and the tissue pad. The clamping arm is operated to exert an average coaptation pressure between and including 120 psi and 210 psi. The blade is ultrasonically vibrated to transect and seal the blood vessel.

Abstract: Embodiments of dermatological cell treatment are described generally herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer and generator assembly disposed in the housing, a shaft extending from a distal end of the housing, and an end effector assembly coupled to the shaft and operatively connected to the ultrasonic transducer and generator assembly. The ultrasonic surgical instrument further includes a handle assembly having a first set of power contacts formed thereon and being removably attachable to the housing, a power receiving mechanism having a second set of power contacts formed thereon, and a power cable electrically connected between the first and second power contacts.

Abstract: Devices, systems, compositions and methods for long term or prolonged transdermal administration of an active agent are provided.

Abstract: A method for identifying at least one cortical stimulation site in a subject for the application as a target that can be used for treatment of a psychiatric/neurological disorder related to a deep brain region of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex including the subgenual and rostral anterior cingulate by using a first focal-neuromodulation technique, said method comprising: applying pulses of a second a focal-neuromodulation technique to different cortical areas of said subject; simultaneously with the application of said pulses at a cortical area measuring a psychophysiological signal representative of a heart rate of the subject for said cortical area, and when observing a systematic change in psychophysiological signal, identifying a corresponding cortical area as at least one cortical stimulation site that is functionally connected to said deep brain region of the ventromedial prefrontal cortex including the subgenual and rostral anterior cingulate for presenting said target for the treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling level measuring device (10) for measuring the filling level in a container (2) through the wall (9) thereof by means of ultrasound, having an ultrasonic measuring head (12), a controller (20), and a fastening device (24) by means of which the filling level measuring device (10) can be fastened to the container (2) such that the ultrasonic measuring head (12) is pressed against the wall (9) of the container (2). The invention further relates to a method of operating such a filling level measuring device (10), wherein a sampling rate is used which is situation-dependent. The invention finally relates to an assembly made up of such a filling level measuring device and at least one spacer (50) which can be attached to the lower edge of a container (2) to be provided with the filling level measuring device (10).

Abstract: A surgical instrument comprising a transducer configured to produce vibrations along a longitudinal axis. The surgical instrument further comprises an ultrasonic blade extending along the longitudinal axis. The ultrasonic blade is coupled to the transducer and comprises a body and a treatment region. The body comprises a proximal end, a distal end, and a bottom surface. The distal end of the body is movable relative to the longitudinal axis by the vibrations produced by the transducer. The treatment region extends from the proximal end to the distal end. The surgical instrument further comprises a protective sheath disposed adjacent to the bottom surface of the ultrasonic blade.

Abstract: The present invention provides enhanced ESWL efficacy for therapeutic and operational outcomes. Device behavior and performance data is measured in-situ and analyzed for both intra-procedure and inter-procedure breadth of regard such that both therapy optimization and maintenance optimization engines are provided an accurate and current assessment of ESWL system and device state and performance. This feedback and control provides the ability to compensate in real time for the current patient therapy and offline for future patient therapy for machine/therapy idiosyncrasies and realize continuous calibration of system/devices to the performance required for maximum ESWL patient efficacy.

Abstract: A medical imaging system configured to provide cardiac sonothrombolysis therapy is disclosed. Various embodiments of portable cardiac sonothrombolysis devices are disclosed. The devices may be configured to determine if one or more ultrasound probes have a proper view of the heart, and if not, may steer the beam to a desired location. The ultrasound probes may be configured for both imaging and cardiac sonothrombolysis therapy. The ultrasound probes may be configured to be hands-free. The portable devices may be configured to provide operating instructions to an operator. The instructions may be provided via graphics, audio, and/or video.

Abstract: A system for performing a diagnostic or therapeutic procedure within a subject includes a device having a distal portion configured for insertion within a lumen or duct of the subject, the device including an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, the elongate body comprising a polymeric material and having a proximal end and a distal end, one or more electrically-conductive tracings carried on a first surface of the elongate body and configured to carry a signal, and one or more conductors embedded within the polymeric material and configured to carry a signal.

Abstract: A medical device includes, a vibration transmitting member configured to be capable of transmitting vibration for use in a treatment; a jaw configured to move between an abutted position where the jaw abuts on the vibration transmitting member, and a spaced position where the jaw is spaced apart from the vibration transmitting member; and a cover provided in such a position that the vibration transmitting member is interposed between the cover and the jaw, and configured such that a first distal portion, which is located at a distal end of the cover, comes in contact with the vibration transmitting member, when the jaw is located in the abutted position.

Abstract: A control system for delivering energy waveform radiation to influence in vivo tissue is described. For the system, the energy waveform radiation is generated by a radiation unit and is directed along a pathway to the tissue and a registration unit is provided to identify a start place relative to the in vivo tissue. Also, a monitor is provided to compare the start place with a base reference to measure an error signal between the start place and base reference. With this measured error signal, a controller operates the radiation unit using input from the monitor to effectively attain and maintain a zero error signal. More specifically, the controller can provide operational parameter inputs to the radiation unit for configuring the waveform radiation including a radiation frequency, f, and a volume intensity level, v, for the radiation and an exposure time interval, ti.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic generator for repelling harmful animals. The invention comprises a columnar ultrasonic wave generating body 18 which has a piezoelectric element 16 and a connecting body 22 and a smaller-diameter connecting body 24 each having a reduced diameter, a diaphragm 28 which is in the form of a speaker horn, and a connecting rod 26 which extends from the ultrasonic wave generating body 18 and connects and fixes the diaphragm 28 to an end thereof. The thickness of the diaphragm 28 gradually decreases from the base 34 connected to the connecting rod 26 toward an outer edge of the diaphragm 28 and one or more undulated portions 36 are formed concentrically on the front face of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A neuromodulator accurately measures—in real time and over a range of frequencies—the instantaneous phase and amplitude of a natural signal. For example, the natural signal may be an electrical signal produced by neural tissue, or a motion such as a muscle tremor. The neuromodulator generates signals that are precisely timed relative to the phase of the natural signal. For example, the neuromodulator may generate an exogenous signal that is phase-locked with the natural signal. Or, for example, the neuromodulator may generate an exogenous signal that comprises short bursts which occur only during a narrow phase range of each period of an oscillating natural signal. The neuromodulator corrects distortions due to Gibbs phenomenon. In some cases, the neuromodulator does so by applying a causal filter to a discrete Fourier transform in the frequency domain, prior to taking an inverse discrete Fourier transform.

Abstract: An induction heating coil is positioned inside a tube-like instrument having dimensions similar to current laparoscopic instruments. Magnetic field intensities of up to 15 kA/m at a frequency of 289 kHz are achieved while the instrument is operated at safe temperatures. A cooling agent system maintains a desired temperature inside the instrument and temperatures sensors monitor the temperature of the cooling agent as well as the temperature of the induction heating coil to safely operate the instrument within operating temperatures.

Abstract: A surgical instrument has an ultrasonic blade that connects to a distal end of an ultrasonic waveguide. A clamp arm assembly is moveable from an opened position for receiving a tissue, toward a closed position for clamping the tissue. A clamp arm actuator connected to the clamp arm assembly directs the clamp arm assembly from the opened position toward the closed position. An outer sheath surrounds at least a portion of the ultrasonic waveguide. The outer sheath includes a cover removably received against a sheath body, and a sheath securement feature able to detachably couple the cover to the sheath body such that the cover can be detached from the sheath body for accessing the ultrasonic waveguide within the outer sheath.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of using a plant extract or active fraction thereof for inhibiting an herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection, wherein the plant is a: Cornus species; Achillea species; Trifolium species; Trillium species; and/or Plantago species. The present invention also provides plant extracts, active fractions, and compositions kits comprising same.

Abstract: Active auscultation may be used to determine organ (e.g., lung or heart) characteristics of users. An acoustic or piezo-electric signal (e.g., a pulse, a tone, and/or a broadband pulse) may be projected into an animal (typically human) body or thorax. The signal interacts with the body, or lungs, and in some cases may induce resonance within the body/lungs. A resultant signal may be emitted from the body which may be analyzed to determine, for example, a lung's resonant frequency or frequencies and/or how the sound is otherwise absorbed, reflected, or modified by the body. This information may be indicative of lung characteristics such as lung capacity, a volume of air trapped in the lungs, and/or the presence of COPD.

Abstract: A fluid transportation device for transportation fluid comprises a valve main body, a valve chamber base, a valve membrane, an actuator and a cover body, and locked and positioned by several locking elements, the electrically conductive locking elements are correspondingly penetrated through the penetration holes of the valve main body, the valve chamber base and the vibration plate of the valve membrane to lock with the corresponding screw holes, and a plurality of thread grooves respectively disposed on the vibration plate, the valve main body and the valve chamber base are corresponding to two thread grooves of the cover body, and an electrode lead of the piezoelectric element is embedded into the two thread grooves of the cover body and embedded into the thread grooves of the vibration plate, valve main body and the valve chamber base, so that the fluid transportation device is assembled.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sound producing member adapted to press at any angle and a press-switching water discharging mechanism and a shower head. The sound producing member is a rotating shaft having a semicircular cross section, and the rotating shaft includes an abutment surface for abutting a press-switching water discharging valve and an arc-shaped surface adapted to press at any angle; pivot shafts for being rotatably installed at the bottom of a button are disposed at two ends of the rotating shaft, the arc-shaped surface is adapted with a contact surface at the bottom of the button; and a sound producing member adapted with a contact surface of the press-switching water discharging valve is concave in shape and is disposed in the abutment surface of the sound producing member.

Abstract: An osteotome suitable for cutting through cancellous bone that is holding an orthopaedic implant requiring revision within a cavity of a bone, comprises a cylindrical waveguide connectable to a source of ultrasonic vibrations at its proximal end and a blade having a hollow part-cylindrical cross-section and a cutting edge at its distal tip. The respective longitudinal axes of the waveguide and the blade cross at an angle of about 30°, and the waveguide and blade taper and curve smoothly together where they meet. The osteotome is dimensioned such that a first antinode of the ultrasoncic vibrations is located at a proximal end of the waveguide, a second antinode is located at the distal tip of the blade and a node is located where the waveguide and blade meet. The osteotome cuts readily through cancellous bone when ultrasonically energized.

Abstract: A fluid transportation device comprises a valve main body, a valve chamber base, a valve membrane, an actuator and a cover body. The valve main body comprises an inlet passage and an outlet passage. The valve chamber base comprises an inlet valve passage, an outlet valve passage and a compressible chamber communicating therewith. The valve membrane is arranged between the valve main body and the valve chamber base, having two valve plates respectively form a valve switch structure which seal the inlet valve passage and the outlet valve passage. The actuator covers the compressible chamber. The cover body covers the actuator and has a plurality of screw holes, which are corresponding to the penetration holes of the valve main body, the valve chamber base and the actuator, and several locking elements are inserting the penetration holes and locked with the screw holes to assemble the fluid transportation device.

Abstract: To that end, in order to overcome some of the deficiencies presented herein above, an exemplary system, method and computer-accessible medium for determining an attribute(s) of a brain of a patient, can include, for example, receiving information obtained from a computed tomography (“CT”) scan(s) of a portion(s) of the brain, generating a CT image(s) that can be based on the information, and determining the attribute(s) of the brain based on the CT image(s) by segmenting an intracranial space (ICS) in the CT image(s). The attribute(s) can include a presence or absence of Alzheimer's disease, total volume of the ICS, brain, CSF or a lesion or the volumes of ICS, brain, CSF or lesion(s) expressed as a percentage of other volume(s). The aforementioned areas can be segmented using a combination of thresholding, morphological erosions, morphological dilations, manual segmentation or semi-automatic segmentation techniques, all of which can be parallel procedures.

Abstract: A surgical tool can include a main unit and a first rigid sheath. The main unit includes an inner tube that is received within an outer tube. The first rigid sheath removably receives the main unit and connects to the main unit via a coupling between a first connector portion of the main unit and a second connector portion of the rigid sheath. The first rigid sheath can be completely removed from the main unit when the first connector portion is decoupled from the second connector portion. A different rigid sheath having a different shape from the shape of the first rigid sheath can then be removably attached to the main unit instead of the first rigid sheath. A surgical tool kit includes a plurality of rigid sheaths having different shapes and having the ability to be removably attached to the main unit.

Abstract: In an energy treatment unit and an energy treatment instrument, a jaw openable and closable relative to a probe distal portion of a probe is attached to a distal portion of an energy transmission portion. A liquid feed conduit extends between the energy transmission portion and the probe in a cavity portion, and a liquid ejected from an ejection port, that is formed at a distal end of the liquid feed conduit, flows into a jaw cavity in an inside of the jaw. A liquid outflow portion is provided on an outer surface of the jaw, and the liquid flowing into the jaw cavity flows to an outside of the jaw from the liquid outflow portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acoustic treatment of tissue are provided. Acoustic energy, for example ultrasound energy, under proper functional control can penetrate deeply and be controlled precisely in tissue. Some aspects provide a method configured for removal of at least a portion of an object, such as a foreign material, in tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic surgical instrument includes a proximal portion forming a socket attached to an ultrasonic vibration generating device and a distal portion. The instrument extends from the proximal portion to the distal portion along a main longitudinal axis and also includes a fluid channel. The distal portion includes a cutting portion, a fluid port and one or two radial bumps extending radially outwardly. The radial projections have a longitudinal position corresponding substantially to the longitudinal position of the cutting portion, whereby the radial bump provides a mark and/or a tactile location point beneath the skin for the surgeon for use in rhinoplasty or jaw surgery.

Abstract: A method described herein includes describing a load current with a discrete time function. The method includes using a first frequency and a second frequency to provide an approximation of the described load current, wherein a transform applied to the discrete time function identifies the first frequency and the second frequency. The method includes estimating a loop inductance and a loop resistance of a wire loop by exciting a transmit circuit with a voltage reference step waveform, wherein the transmit circuit includes the wire loop. The method includes scaling the approximated load current to a level sufficient to generate a minimum receive voltage signal in a receiver at a first distance between the wire loop and the receiver. The method includes generating a first voltage signal using the scaled load current, estimated loop inductance, and estimated loop resistance. The method includes exciting the transmit circuit with the first voltage signal.

Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure relate to a biometric sensing device that combines sensing with an actuator for two way communication between a finger on a surface and the device. The sensor can also function as an actuator. A finger can be authenticated based on an image of the finger generated by the sensor and also based on a response to energy delivered to the finger by the actuator. Two way communication can provide more robust authentication than fingerprint sensing alone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for treating disorders of a secreting gland in an eyelid. The device includes an eyeball protection cap for covering an eyeball of a patient to protect the eyeball, and a support body for fixing the eyeball protection cap and enabling an eyelid of the patient to be located between the eyeball protection cap and the support body in order to support the eyelid in the state of being in contact with the eyelid, wherein the eyeball protection cap is configured such that the inner surface of the eyeball protection cap covers the eyeball in order to protect the eyeball and the outer surface of the eyeball protection cap contacts the inner surface of the eyelid, which is located between the eyeball protection cap and the support body, in order to provide electrical stimulation to a secreting gland in the eyelid such that a secretion is smoothly secreted from the secreting gland.

Abstract: An apparatus is configured to operate on tissue. The apparatus includes an end effector with an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is configured to pivot relative to the lower jaw. The apparatus also includes an electrode cap coupled to either the upper or lower jaw. The electrode cap includes a first electrode surface configured at a first polarity and a second electrode surface configured at a second polarity. The second polarity is opposite to the first polarity. The electrode cap is configured to be applied to tissue such that the electrode cap is operable to deliver bipolar RF energy to the tissue. The electrode cap may be used to selectively weld bleeding tissue in a localized fashion, without having to place the tissue between the jaws, and without having to use an instrument separate from the jaws.

Abstract: Treatment systems, methods, and apparatuses for treating acne, hyperhidrosis, and other skin conditions are described. Aspects of the technology can include cooling a surface of a patient's skin and detecting changes in the tissue. The tissue can be cooled a sufficient length of time and to a temperature low enough to affect glands or other targeted structures in the skin.

Abstract: Human and animal infections are treated using extracorporeal acoustic pressure shock waves that destroy harmful pathogens as bacteria, viruses, funguses and other micro-organisms to disinfect infected tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasonic instrument includes a housing, an ultrasonic transducer support by the housing, and an integrated usage indicator. The housing is configured to removably connect to a shaft assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is configured to be acoustically connected to a waveguide and operated a predetermined number of use cycles. The integrated usage indicator is operatively connected to the housing and includes a used state indicator. The used state indicator is configured to indicate to a clinician in a used state when the ultrasonic transducer has been operated at least the predetermined number of use cycles for limiting usage of the ultrasonic transducer to the predetermined number of use cycles.

Abstract: An example sonar transducer assembly is provided including at least one transducer element and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one set of electrical connections for the at least one transducer element. The electrical connections include flex tabs configured to flex out of a PCB plane. The sonar transducer assembly also includes a support structure including an aperture for the at least one transducer element. The support structure is configured to support the body of the PCB, allow flexion of the flex tabs into the aperture, and retain the at least one transducer element in the at least one aperture. The transducer element is installed in a direction that is perpendicular to the PCB plane causing the flex tabs to flex outwardly from the PCB plane, thereby creating an elastic force of the flex tabs applied against opposing ends of the at least one transducer element.

Abstract: A method and device for skin treatment include using a laser diode bar stack to generate a mix of at least two laser wavelengths for application to a skin area to be treated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic forceps comprises a housing, an acoustic assembly, and a tine. The housing joins the acoustic assembly and the tine to the forceps and permits the tine to pivot relative to the acoustic assembly. The acoustic assembly comprises a transducer, a waveguide, and ultrasonic blade, and a waveguide sheath. The transducer is configured to generate ultrasonic vibrations directing the ultrasonic vibrations to the waveguide. The waveguide communicates the ultrasonic vibrations distally to the ultrasonic blade. The ultrasonic blade is configured to vibrate in response to the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the transducer. When the tine is pivoted relative to the transducer, the tine is configured to move toward the ultrasonic blade. Tissue may be grasped between the tine and the ultrasonic blade. The tissue may be denatured when the ultrasonic vibrations generated by the transducer vibrate the ultrasonic blade, thus resulting in the tissue being cut and/or sealed.

Abstract: A medical instrument includes a tubular cutter extending along an axis and having a windowed outer sleeve and a moveable inner cutting sleeve. An ultrasound transducer is operatively coupled to the inner cutting sleeve in order to induce motion in the inner cutting sleeve to enhance cutting or resection of tissue by the inner cutting sleeve as it is reciprocated or otherwise moved past the cutting window. The instrument typically will include a motor drive configured to reciprocate and/or rotate the inner cutting sleeve relative to the windowed outer sleeve, usually at a reciprocation rate between 1 and 10 Hz.