US6129735A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic treatment appliance
Assignee: Olympus Corp
•
Filing: 1998-10-13
•
Granted: 2000-10-10
•
Expires: 2018-10-13
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to the present invention comprises a handpiece with a built-in ultrasonic transducer, and an elongated probe extending forward from the handpiece and connected to the ultrasonic transducer in order to propagate ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic treatment appliance further comprises a distal probe part formed as an integral part of or independently of the probe at the distal end of the probe, a jaw opposed to the distal probe part so that the jaw can open or close freely, and a thin chip located on the jaw or, the clamping side of the clamping portion of the jaw on which the clamping portion touches a living tissue, or an elastic member interposed between the supporting portion and clamping portion of the jaw.
Inventors
- 👤 Mitsumasa Okada
- 👤 Makoto Miyawaki
- 👤 Manabu Ishikawa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B18/00; A61B18/04; A61B18/12; A61B18/14; A61B18/1442; A61B18/1445; A61B17/28; A61B17/2812; A61B17/282; A61B2017/2825; A61B2017/2829; A61B17/29; A61B2017/2926; A61B2017/320069; A61B2017/320071; A61B2017/320082; A61B2017/320088; A61B2017/320089; A61B17/320092; A61B2017/320094; A61B2017/320095
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 67
Claim 1
Independent Claim
109 words
An ultrasound treatment appliance having a handpiece with a built-in ultrasonic transducer, and an elongated probe extending forward from the handpiece and connected to said ultrasonic transducer in order to propagate ultrasonic vibrations, comprising: a distal probe part formed as an integral part of or independently of said probe at the distal end of said probe; a jaw opposed to said distal probe part so that the jaw can open or close freely; and a thin chip or elastic member, included in said jaw, for minimizing a sound stemming from vibrations propagated from said distal probe part, wherein said jaw is composed of a supporting portion and clamping portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
109 words
An ultrasound treatment appliance having a handpiece with a built-in ultrasonic transducer, and an elongated probe extending forward from the handpiece and connected to said ultrasonic transducer in order to propagate ultrasonic vibrations, comprising: a distal probe part formed as an integral part of or independently of said probe at the distal end of said probe; a jaw opposed to said distal probe part so that the jaw can open or close freely; and a thin chip or elastic member, included in said jaw, for minimizing a sound stemming from vibrations propagated from said distal probe part, wherein said jaw is composed of a supporting portion and clamping portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said thin chip is located on the clamping side of said clamping portion of said jaw on which said clamping portion touches a living tissue.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 2, wherein said clamping portion is press-fitted into and thus fixed to said supporting portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 3, wherein said thin chip is fitted into grooves bored on both sides of the bottom of a clamping ditch formed in said clamping portion, and thus locked.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 3, wherein said thin chip is formed as an integral part of said clamping portion made of a resin material by performing insert molding.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 3, wherein said thin chip is locked in said jaw by fixing said clamping portion to said supporting portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said thin chip is made of a metallic material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 7, wherein the thickness of said thin chip ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 7, wherein the clamping surface of said thin chip on the treatment side thereof and the surface of said distal probe part coming into contact with the clamping surface are polished.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said thin chip is made of a ceramic material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of said thin chip ranges from 0.05 mm to 0.5 mm.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 10, wherein the thickness of said thin chip ranges from 0.1 mm to 0.3 mm.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 10, wherein the surface of said distal probe part that meets the clamping surface of said thin chip on the treatment side thereof is coated with a ceramic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said thin chip is affixed and thus locked on the clamping side of said jaw.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said thin chip is locked on the clamping side of said jaw using an adhesive and screw.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said thin chip is fitted into grooves bored on both sides of the bottom of a clamping ditch, and thus locked.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said clamping portion is fixed to said supporting portion using a screw.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said clamping portion is freely attachable to or detachable from said supporting portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said elastic member is interposed between said supporting portion and clamping portion of said jaw.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 19, wherein said elastic member is a rubber member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 19, wherein said elastic member is a blade spring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 19, wherein said clamping portion and elastic member are molded in one united body.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 22, wherein said elastic member is freely attachable to or detachable from said supporting portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 19, wherein a quantity of contraction of said elastic member is set according to the property of said distal probe part on a quantity of deflection.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 24, wherein the thickness of said elastic member changes between the distal portion and proximal portion thereof.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
53 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein said distal probe part has an ultrasonic treatment surface that is a flat surface parallel to the longitudinal-axis direction of said probe, and the section modulus of said distal probe part is larger on the proximal side thereof than on the distal side thereof.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 26, wherein said section modulus of said distal probe part increases continuously from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 27, wherein said distal probe part has a surface along which the section modulus of said distal probe part varies continuously and linearly from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 27, wherein said distal probe part has a surface along which the section modulus of said distal probe part varies continuously and curvedly from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
125 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations; a handpiece having said ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein; a probe connected to said ultrasonic transducer and serving as a vibration propagation member for propagating ultrasonic vibrations to a distal probe part that is a constituent part of a treatment assembly; a jaw, opposed to said distal probe part, being a constituent part of said treatment assembly; and a jaw supporting base having said jaw pivot freely, wherein said jaw supporting base is positioned according to a node of vibrations propagating along said probe and includes a restraining detent member for restraining said jaw supporting base and probe from rotating about the axes thereof so that said jaw and probe can be rotated together.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
125 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations; a handpiece having said ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein; a probe connected to said ultrasonic transducer and serving as a vibration propagation member for propagating ultrasonic vibrations to a distal probe part that is a constituent part of a treatment assembly; a jaw, opposed to said distal probe part, being a constituent part of said treatment assembly; and a jaw supporting base having said jaw pivot freely, wherein said jaw supporting base is positioned according to a node of vibrations propagating along said probe and includes a restraining detent member for restraining said jaw supporting base and probe from rotating about the axes thereof so that said jaw and probe can be rotated together.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 30, wherein said jaw supporting base is mounted in a sheath put on said probe with the rotation about the axis thereof restrained.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
22 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 31, wherein an operating means for rotating said sheath is included in an operation unit.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 30, wherein a plurality of surface finishing layers is overlaid on at least part of said probe that propagates ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 33, wherein said probe is made of a titanium alloy, and a surface finishing layer is formed on the surface of the titanium alloy according to the PVD.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 33, wherein said surface finishing layer is overlaid three times, and the total thickness of the three overlaid surface finishing layers is approximately 8 μm.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 33, wherein said surface finishing layer to be formed on said probe is laid on a portion of said probe that may meet another member.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 33, wherein an area to be coated with said surface finishing layer is narrower on an upper layer than on a lower layer.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 37, wherein said area to be coated with said surface finishing layer gets narrowed gradually from a lowermost layer to an uppermost layer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 33, wherein an intermediate layer of said surface finishing layer except an uppermost layer serving as a surface is a plating layer.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
53 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 30, wherein said distal probe part has an ultrasonic treatment surface that is a flat surface parallel to the longitudinal-axis direction of said probe, and the section modulus of said distal probe part is larger on the proximal side thereof than on the distal side thereof.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 40, wherein the section modulus of said distal probe part increases continuously from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 41, wherein said distal probe part has a surface along which the section modulus of said distal probe part varies continuously and linearly from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 41, wherein said distal probe part has a surface along which the section modulus of said distal probe part varies continuously and curvedly from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
143 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations; a handpiece having said ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein; a probe connected to said ultrasonic transducer and serving as a vibration propagation member for propagating ultrasonic vibrations to a distal probe part that is a constituent part of a treatment assembly; a jaw, opposed to said distal probe part, being a constituent part of said treatment assembly; an operation rod coupled with the tip of said jaw and serving as an operation force conveying medium member for opening or closing said jaw; a sheath for covering said probe and operation rod; and spacers for positioning said probe relatively to said operation rod in said sheath, wherein said spacers are loosely engaged with said probe and held by said operation rod so that said spacers will not be displaced in a longitudinal direction.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
143 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance, comprising: an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic vibrations; a handpiece having said ultrasonic transducer incorporated therein; a probe connected to said ultrasonic transducer and serving as a vibration propagation member for propagating ultrasonic vibrations to a distal probe part that is a constituent part of a treatment assembly; a jaw, opposed to said distal probe part, being a constituent part of said treatment assembly; an operation rod coupled with the tip of said jaw and serving as an operation force conveying medium member for opening or closing said jaw; a sheath for covering said probe and operation rod; and spacers for positioning said probe relatively to said operation rod in said sheath, wherein said spacers are loosely engaged with said probe and held by said operation rod so that said spacers will not be displaced in a longitudinal direction.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 44, wherein at least part of said spacers are made of a material ensuring high sliding efficiency relative to said probe.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 44, wherein said spacers are arranged at positions on said probe coincident with nodes of ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of surface finishing layers are overlaid on at least part of said probe that propagates ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 47, wherein said probe is made of a titanium alloy, and a surface finishing layer is formed on the surface of the titanium alloy according to the PVD.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 47, wherein said surface finishing layer is overlaid three times, and the total thickness of the three overlaid surface finishing layers is approximately 8 μm.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 47, wherein said surface finishing layer to be formed on said probe is laid on a portion of said probe that may meet another member.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 47, wherein an area to be coated with said surface finishing layer is narrower on an upper layer than on a lower layer.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 51, wherein said area to be coated with said surface finishing layer gets narrowed gradually from a lowermost layer to an uppermost layer.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 47, wherein an intermediate layer of said surface finishing layer except an uppermost layer serving as a surface is a plating layer.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 44, wherein a plurality of surface finishing layers is overlaid on at least part of said probe that propagates ultrasonic vibrations.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 44, wherein said probe is made of a titanium alloy, and a surface finishing layer is formed on the surface of the titanium alloy according to the PVD.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 54, wherein said surface finishing layer is overlaid three times, and the total thickness of the three overlaid surface finishing layers is approximately 8 μm.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 54, wherein said surface finishing layer to be formed on said probe is laid on a portion of said probe that may meet another member.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 54, wherein an area to be coated with said surface finishing layer is narrower on an upper layer than on a lower layer.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
30 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 58, wherein said area to be coated with said surface finishing layer gets narrowed gradually from a lowermost layer to an uppermost layer.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 54, wherein an intermediate layer of said surface finishing layer except an uppermost layer serving as a surface is a plating layer.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
53 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 44, wherein said distal probe part has an ultrasonic treatment surface that is a flat surface parallel to the longitudinal-axis direction of said probe, and the section modulus of said distal probe part is larger on the proximal side thereof than on the distal side thereof.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 61, wherein the section modulus of said distal probe part increases continuously from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 62, wherein said distal probe part has a surface along which the section modulus of said distal probe part varies continuously and linearly from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonic treatment appliance according to claim 62, wherein said distal probe part has a surface along which the section modulus of said distal probe part varies continuously and curvedly from the distal side thereof to the proximal side thereof.
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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) | 2003-10-10 | 2004-04-10 | 2004-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-10-10 | 2008-04-10 | 2008-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-10-10 | 2012-04-10 | 2012-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |