US3898992A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic surgical methods
Assignee: Ultrasonic Systems Inc
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Filing: 1974-07-08
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Granted: 1975-08-12
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Expires: 1994-07-08
Abstract
Abstract The method and apparatus of the invention use ultrasonic energy in the form of mechanical vibrations transmitted by a tool member to close off small severed blood vessels, such as in humans, by the formation of closures at the terminal portions thereof, and stop what is called ''''oozes'''', that requires constant mopping or cleaning techniques during an operation. This tool member may be in the form of a knife ultrasonically vibrated to simultaneously sever and close off respective terminal portions of the severed blood vessels while performing surgical procedures. The tool member, of a proper configuration, may also join together layers of tissue, including the walls of unsevered blood vessels, and with respect to the latter is foreseen as replacing the ''''tying off'''' of arteries and veins currently necessary in surgery.
Inventors
- 👤 Lewis Balamuth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/12; A61B17/11; A61B18/00; A61B18/18; A61B18/20; B; B29; B29C; B29C65/00; B29C65/02; B29C65/08; B29C65/74; B29C65/743; B29C65/7443; B29C66/00; B29C66/80; B29C66/81; B29C66/814; B29C66/8141; B29C66/81411; B29C66/81415; B29C66/81417; B29C66/82; B29C66/822; B29C66/8227; B29C66/83; B29C66/832; B29C66/8322; B29C66/84; B29C66/861; B29C66/90; B29C66/95; B29C66/951; B29C66/9512; B29C66/9516; A61B17/00491; A61B2017/00504; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/320069; A61B17/320092; A61B2017/320093; A61B2017/320094; A61B2017/320095; B29C66/9513; B29C66/9517; B29L; B29L2023/00; B29L2023/005
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of joining together layers of tissue in vivo, with a tool member having a working surface, comprising the steps of A. overlapping the layers of tissue in contact with each other, B. applying the working surface of said tool member against said overlapping portions at a surface thereof, such that said working surface applies a small compressive force to said tissue traversing the area of overlap, C. vibrating the working surface of said tool member at an ultrasonic rate to apply an additional recurring force to said layers of tissue, with said force having a substantial component of vibration normal to the overlapped surfaces of said layers of tissues, D. selecting the frequency of said ultrasonic rate so as to produce an optimum flow of the collagenous elements in said layers of overlapping tissue, E. continuing the application of said ultrasonic vibrations until a bond is formed between the collagenous elements, so as to join together said overlapping layers of tissue, and F. wherein the layers of tissue are obtained in overlapping contact with each other by
Claim 2
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of joining together layers of tissue in vivo, with a tool member having a working surface, comprising the steps of A. overlapping the layers of tissue in contact with each other, B. applying the working surface of said tool member against said overlapping portions at a surface thereof, such that said working surface applies a small compressive force to said tissue traversing the area of overlap, C. vibrating the working surface of said tool member at an ultrasonic rate to apply an additional recurring force to said layers of tissue, with said force having a substantial component of vibration normal to the overlapped surfaces of said layers of tissues, D. selecting the frequency of said ultrasonic rate so as to produce an optimum flow of the collagenous elements in said layers of overlapping tissue, E. continuing the application of said ultrasonic vibrations until a bond is formed between the collagenous elements, so as to join together said overlapping layers of tissue, and F. wherein the layers of tissue are obtained in overlapping contact with each other by
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
providing a support member having a support surface for engaging one side of said blood vessel,
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
providing a support member having a support surface for engaging one side of said blood vessel,
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
positioning said tool member in spaced relation to said support member with said blood vessel between said support and working surfaces, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
positioning said tool member in spaced relation to said support member with said blood vessel between said support and working surfaces, and
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further including the step of first clamping said layers of tissue in the approximate area to be joined, whereby the layers of tissue are maintained in contact with each other in the to be joined area.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
163 words
A hand held instrument for joining together overlapping layers of tissue in vivo, comprising A. a tool member having a working surface for contact with the surface of one of the layers of tissue to be joined, B. transducer means operative to vibrate said working surface of the tool member at a high frequency of at least 5,000 cycles per second and low amplitude in directions perpendicular to said working surface, C. support means having a support surface for contact with the surface of the opposite layer of tissue to be joined, and D. means for mounting said support means with respect to said transducer means in a manner to permit relative displacement of said working and support surfaces towards and away from each other for engagement with the opposite sides of the overlapped layers of tissue for applying a compressive force thereto, wherein the layers Of tissue are joined together by the combined action of the applied compressive force and ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
163 words
A hand held instrument for joining together overlapping layers of tissue in vivo, comprising A. a tool member having a working surface for contact with the surface of one of the layers of tissue to be joined, B. transducer means operative to vibrate said working surface of the tool member at a high frequency of at least 5,000 cycles per second and low amplitude in directions perpendicular to said working surface, C. support means having a support surface for contact with the surface of the opposite layer of tissue to be joined, and D. means for mounting said support means with respect to said transducer means in a manner to permit relative displacement of said working and support surfaces towards and away from each other for engagement with the opposite sides of the overlapped layers of tissue for applying a compressive force thereto, wherein the layers Of tissue are joined together by the combined action of the applied compressive force and ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A hand held instrument as claimed in claim 3, further including spring means yieldably urging said support means and transducer means for relative movement with respect to each other.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
A hand held instrument as in claim 4, wherein said relative movement is to a position wherein said working and support surfaces are normally in engagement with each other under a predetermined static force, whereby said support and transducer means are first separated for the placement of the layers of tissue therebetween.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
60 words
A hand held instrument as claimed in claim 4, wherein said relative movement is to a position wherein said working and support surfaces are normally maintained in spacially fixed relation to each other, whereby the layers are positioned between said surfaces and are brought together by the operation of the hand held instrument to join the layers of tissue together.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hand held instrument as claimed in claim 3, wherein said support means includes means for gripping the instrument by the hand of the user to permit manual control of the relative displacement between said overlapping working and support surfaces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
75 words
A hand held instrument as claimed in claim 7, wherein a. said transducer means is contained in a housing, and b. said support means further includes a pair of spaced apart legs on opposite sides of said transducer housing in fixed spaced relation to each other with said gripping means extending from one end of said legs, and one of said legs at its opposite end terminating in a support arm containing said support surface.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-08-11 | 1979-02-10 | 1979-08-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-08-11 | 1983-02-10 | 1983-08-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-08-11 | 1987-02-10 | 1987-08-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |