US6660017B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Balanced ultrasonic blade including a singular balance asymmetry
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
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Filing: 2001-05-21
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Granted: 2003-12-09
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Expires: 2021-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument is described wherein the balanced ultrasonic surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transmission rod and an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to the distal end of the ultrasonic transmission rod. According to the present invention, the ultrasonically actuated blade includes a treatment portion and a balance portion. The treatment portion has a functional feature such as, for example, a triangular blade which makes the treatment portion asymmetric. The balance portion includes a singular asymmetric balance feature designed and positioned to balance out any undesirable torque generated by the treatment portion. The balance portion further extends generally from a node point on the ultrasonic transmission rod to the proximal end of the treatment portion.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean M. Beaupre
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/320069; A61B2017/320071; A61B2017/320072; A61B2017/320074; A61B2017/320075; A61B2017/320088; A61B2017/320089
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An end effector for use in an ultrasonic surgical instrument, wherein said end effector comprises: an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end; an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end connected to said transmission rod at a longitudinal vibratory node point; a treatment portion including at least one functional asymmetry; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said node point to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An end effector for use in an ultrasonic surgical instrument, wherein said end effector comprises: an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end; an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end connected to said transmission rod at a longitudinal vibratory node point; a treatment portion including at least one functional asymmetry; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said node point to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
An end effector according to claim 1 , wherein said balance asymmetry is positioned to counter torque created at said proximal end of said blade by said at least one functional asymmetry.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
An end effector according to claim 2 , wherein said balance asymmetry is positioned such that transverse vibrations in said ultrasonic transmission rod are substantially equal to zero.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
An end effector according to claim 2 wherein said transmission rod has a balance ratio of less than 1:10.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An end effector according to claim 4 wherein said balance ratio of said transmission rod is less than 1:200.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
100 words
An end effector for use in an ultrasonic surgical instrument, wherein said end effector comprises: an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end; a balanced ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said balanced ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end; an angled treatment portion; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
100 words
An end effector for use in an ultrasonic surgical instrument, wherein said end effector comprises: an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end; a balanced ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said balanced ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end; an angled treatment portion; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
An end effector according to claim 6 wherein said blade has a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface including said angled treatment portion and said bottom surface being parallel to said transmission rod, said first singular balance asymmetry being positioned on said top surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An end effector according to claim 7 wherein said singular balance asymmetry comprises a cutout on said top surface of said balance portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
An end effector according to claim 7 wherein said singular balance asymmetry comprises a raised region on said bottom surface of said balance region.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
70 words
An end effector according to claim 8 wherein said blade is bisected by a plane of symmetry, said blade being substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry, said singular balance asymmetry comprising a cutout on said top surface of said blade wherein said cutout is substantially parallel to said plane of symmetry and wherein said cutout is substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
74 words
An end effector according to claim 9 wherein said blade is bisected by a plane of symmetry, said blade being substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry, said singular balance asymmetry comprising a raised region positional on said bottom surface of said blade, wherein said raised region is substantially parallel to said plane of symmetry and wherein said raised region is substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
125 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a balanced end effector for, wherein said instrument comprises: a handle including an ultrasonic handpiece; an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is operatively connected to said handpiece; an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end connected to said transmission rod at a longitudinal vibratory node point; a treatment portion including at least one functional asymmetry; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said node point to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
125 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument including a balanced end effector for, wherein said instrument comprises: a handle including an ultrasonic handpiece; an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is operatively connected to said handpiece; an ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end connected to said transmission rod at a longitudinal vibratory node point; a treatment portion including at least one functional asymmetry; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said node point to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 12 , wherein said balance asymmetry is positioned to counter torque created at said proximal end of said blade by said at least one functional asymmetry.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein said balance asymmetry is positioned such that transverse vibrations in said ultrasonic transmission rod are substantially equal to zero.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 13 , wherein said transmission rod has a balance ratio of less than 1:10.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 15 wherein said balance ratio of said transmission rod is less than 1:200.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
102 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is operatively connected to said handle; a balanced ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said balanced ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end; an angled treatment portion; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
102 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument, comprising: a handle an ultrasonic transmission rod having a proximal end and a distal end wherein said proximal end is operatively connected to said handle; a balanced ultrasonically actuated blade attached to said distal end of said transmission rod, wherein said balanced ultrasonically actuated blade comprises: a distal end; a proximal end; an angled treatment portion; and a balance portion including a singular balance asymmetry wherein said balance portion extends from said distal end of said ultrasonic waveguide to said treatment portion and said treatment portion extends from said balance portion to said distal end of said blade.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
47 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 17 wherein said blade has a top surface and a bottom surface, said top surface including said angled treatment portion and said bottom surface being parallel to said transmission rod, said singular balance asymmetry being positioned on said top surface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 18 wherein said singular balance asymmetry comprises a cutout on said top surface of said balance portion.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 18 wherein said singular balance asymmetry comprises a raised region on said bottom surface of said balance portion.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
86 words
An end effector according to claim 19 wherein said blade is bisected by a plane of symmetry, said blade being substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry, said singular balance asymmetry comprising a cutout on said top surface of said blade wherein said cutout surface is substantially parallel to said plane of symmetry and wherein said cutout is substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry and wherein said cutout is substantially symmetrical on either sides of said plane of symmetry.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
An ultrasonic surgical instrument according to claim 20 wherein said blade is bisected by a plane of symmetry, said blade being substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry, said singular balance asymmetry comprising a raised region positional on said bottom surface of said blade, wherein said raised region is substantially parallel to said plane of symmetry and wherein said raised region is substantially symmetrical on either side of said plane of symmetry.
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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) | 2006-12-08 | 2007-06-09 | 2007-12-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-12-08 | 2011-06-09 | 2011-12-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-12-08 | 2015-06-09 | 2015-12-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |