US5728089A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfabricated structure to be used in surgery
Assignee: University of California
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Filing: 1994-10-31
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Granted: 1998-03-17
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Expires: 2014-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A microstructure suitable for use as a surgical instrument. The microstructure includes a silicon substrate having body and horn portions. The horn portion may include a blade with a forward edge. A piezoelectric actuator may be mechanically coupled to the body portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Amit Lal
- 👤 Richard M. White
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 07:17
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B3/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1402; G; G01; G01H; G01H11/00; G01H11/06; G01H11/08; G10; G10K; G10K9/00; G10K9/12; G10K9/122; H; H04; H04R; H04R17/00; A61B17/00; A61B17/00234; A61B2017/00345; A61B2017/00831; A61B2017/0088; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/32007; A61B2017/320072; A61B2017/320074; A61B2017/320075; A61B2017/320089; A61B2018/00053; A61B2018/00107; A61B2018/00119; H04R17/04; H04R17/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A surgical tool, comprising: (a) a casing; (b) a cutter formed of a first and a second microstructure bonded together, each of said microstructures having: (i) a substrate of a first semiconducting material, said substrate having a body portion and a horn portion projecting forward from said body portion, (ii) said horn portion having a blade portion which is free to vibrate, said blade portion having a forward edge which is significantly thinner than said body portion, and said body portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, (iii) a piezoelectric actuator for imparting mechanical energy to said blade portion, said piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to the top surface of said body portion, and piezoelectric actuator including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a piezoelectric layer between said first and second electrode layers, and (iv) the bottom surfaces of the body portions of said first and second microstructures bonded together to form said cutter; (c) means for mounting said cutter in said casing; (d) means for supplying power to said first and second electrode layers; and (e) means for controlling said power supply means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A surgical tool, comprising: (a) a casing; (b) a cutter formed of a first and a second microstructure bonded together, each of said microstructures having: (i) a substrate of a first semiconducting material, said substrate having a body portion and a horn portion projecting forward from said body portion, (ii) said horn portion having a blade portion which is free to vibrate, said blade portion having a forward edge which is significantly thinner than said body portion, and said body portion having a top surface and a bottom surface, (iii) a piezoelectric actuator for imparting mechanical energy to said blade portion, said piezoelectric actuator mechanically coupled to the top surface of said body portion, and piezoelectric actuator including a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, and a piezoelectric layer between said first and second electrode layers, and (iv) the bottom surfaces of the body portions of said first and second microstructures bonded together to form said cutter; (c) means for mounting said cutter in said casing; (d) means for supplying power to said first and second electrode layers; and (e) means for controlling said power supply means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The tool of claim 1 wherein the respective bottom surfaces of the body portions of the first and second microstructures have a channel running lengthwise from the front to the back of said body portions, said first and second microstructures bonded so the channels are aligned to form a conduit for disposing of debris, said conduit running lengthwise from the front to the back of said cutter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The tool of claim 2 further including a pump providing suction; and a tube inside said casing connecting the back end of said conduit to said pump to suck debris into said conduit.
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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) | 2001-03-16 | 2001-09-15 | 2002-03-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-16 | 2005-09-15 | 2006-03-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-16 | 2009-09-15 | 2010-03-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |