US6945981B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Finger operated switch for controlling a surgical handpiece
Assignee: Ethicon Endo Surgery Inc
•
Filing: 2001-06-11
•
Granted: 2005-09-20
•
Expires: 2021-06-11
Abstract
Abstract According to the invention, a finger-operated switch for activating and operating an ultrasonic surgical handpiece is provided. The power output of the surgical handpiece is responsive and proportional to the pressure applied to the finger-operated switch. The finger-operated switch includes, but not limited to, force sensitive resistors whose resistance is proportional to the force applied by the finger of the human operator of the surgical handpiece, force sensitive capacitors whose capacitance is proportional to the pressure, deflection or compression of the insulation layer between two electrodes or is proportional to the spacing between the two conductive layers, strain gauges mounted underneath or integral to the housing of the surgical handpiece such that the pressure applied thereto results in an output change in the strain gauges, magnets or ferromagnets encased or embedded in an elastomer with a sensor inside the surgical handpiece that detects the field strength of the magnet and monitors changes relative to the force applied to the handpiece housing, and piezo film or piezo ceramic whose charge or voltage is proportional to the force applied.
Inventors
- 👤 William T. Donofrio
- 👤 Richard M. Harper
- 👤 Jason A. Born
- 👤 Richard F. Schwemberger
- 👤 Robert P. Gill
- 👤 Mary E. Schramm
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:46
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B2017/00367; A61B2017/320069; A61B2017/320071; A61B2017/320089; H; H01; H01H; H01H2300/00; H01H2300/014; H01H2300/022
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 66
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for implementing surgical procedures comprising: an ultrasonic surgical handpiece having an end-effector; a generator console for controlling the handpiece; an electrical connection connecting the handpiece and the console, wherein the console sends a drive current to drive the handpiece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the end-effector; and a finger-operated switch provided on a housing of the handpiece, the switch activating the handpiece at a first power level if a sensor monitored pressure value on the switch reaches a high threshold, deactivating the handpiece if the sensor monitored pressure value reaches a low threshold, and provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressure on the switch is changed, and the hand piece operating at a level proportional to the sensor monitored pressure value on the finger-operated switch.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
134 words
A system for implementing surgical procedures comprising: an ultrasonic surgical handpiece having an end-effector; a generator console for controlling the handpiece; an electrical connection connecting the handpiece and the console, wherein the console sends a drive current to drive the handpiece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the end-effector; and a finger-operated switch provided on a housing of the handpiece, the switch activating the handpiece at a first power level if a sensor monitored pressure value on the switch reaches a high threshold, deactivating the handpiece if the sensor monitored pressure value reaches a low threshold, and provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressure on the switch is changed, and the hand piece operating at a level proportional to the sensor monitored pressure value on the finger-operated switch.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is distally located on the handpiece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the handpiece is operated at a power level selected from a plurality of power levels if the sensor monitored pressure value reaches a specific threshold of a respective plurality of thresholds corresponding to the plurality of power levels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor is located inside the housing of the handpiece, said sensor selected from a group consisting of an electro-mechanical switch, a force-sensitive resistor, force sensitive capacitor, strain gauge, magnet, ferromagnet, piezo film and piezo ceramic.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch comprises a pair of switch button members.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 5 wherein each of the switch button members comprises: an upper surface and a lower surface; a first post and a second post extending outwardly away from the lower surface; and a first raised section and a second raised section on the upper surfacer said raised section being supported by a center recessed section formed therebetween.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the first post is disposed generally opposite the first raised section and the second post is disposed generally opposite the second raised section so that the first post is directed toward the interior of the handpiece when the first raised section is depressed and the second post is directed toward the interior of the handpiece when the second raised section is depressed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch further comprises an inactive center region for resting of a finger and serving as a tactile reference.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is generally user-alignable with the end-effector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is symmetrically aligned and indexed to the end-effector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is a ring switch with a ring-like circumferential appendage on the handpiece that is located near a distal end of the handpiece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch comprises a capacitive transducer having a center ring, an outer layer of elastomer on the exterior of the center ring, and a ring electrode on top of the ring switch.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 11 further including multicolor illumination and a control such that the ring switch becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of pressure thresholds.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch is a sensor comprising a piezo portion and a substrate adjacently disposed with the piezo portion, the ring switch outputting a first polarity signal when pressure is applied to the piezo portion and outputting a second opposing polarity signal when pressure is applied to the substrate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch is a sensor comprising a first piezo ring, a second piezo ring, and a center ring disposed between the first piezo ring and the second piezo ring, the ring switch outputting a first polarity signal when pressure is applied to the first piezo ring and outputting a second opposing polarity signal when pressure is applied to the second piezo ring.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch comprises a first seal and a second seal, and a piezo ring disposed between the first seal and the second seal, the ring switch outputting a first polarity signal when pressure is applied in one direction to the piezo ring and outputting a second opposing polarity signal when pressure is applied in another direction to the piezo ring.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch comprises a pair of outer rings, a center ring disposed between the outer rings, and a pair of flexible rings respectfully located on the exterior of the outer rings to support the center ring with the outer rings, and a pair of piezo rings fixed to two sides of bottom of the center ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch comprises a support ring and a pair of adjacently located activation zones which are circumferential bands serially connected with the support ring.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 11 wherein the ring switch further comprises a sliding barrier covering a portion of the circumferential appendage.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the activation zones consist of one of an electro-mechanical switch, force sensitive resistors, force sensitive capacitors, strain gauges, magnets, and piezo material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the ring switch further comprises a middle rib disposed between the activation zones, the middle rib serving as a divider for the activation zones.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 21 further including multicolor illumination and a control so that the middle rib becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of pressure thresholds.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the ring switch further comprises a distal rib located on a distal end of the activation zones.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 23 further including multicolor illumination and a control so that the distal rib becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of thresholds.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 18 wherein the ring switch further comprises a proximal rib on a proximal end of the activation zones.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 25 further including multicolor illumination and a control so that the proximal rib becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of thresholds.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 18 wherein each of the activation zones is further divided into subzones corresponding to variable power levels of the plurality of pressure thresholds.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising switches on opposing sides of the handpiece that generally avoid inadvertent activation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch is a hysteresis switch.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the switch provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressured on the switch is changed.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for implementing surgical procedures comprising: an ultrasonic surgical handpiece having an end-effector; a generator console for controlling the handpiece; an electrical connection connecting the handpiece and the console, wherein the console sends a drive current to drive the handpiece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the end-effector; and a finger-operated switch provided on a housing of the handpiece, the switch activating the handpiece at a first power level and deactivating the handpiece if a low threshold is reached, and provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressure on the switch is changed, and the handpiece operating at a level proportional to a sensor monitored pressure value on the finger-operated switch.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
117 words
A system for implementing surgical procedures comprising: an ultrasonic surgical handpiece having an end-effector; a generator console for controlling the handpiece; an electrical connection connecting the handpiece and the console, wherein the console sends a drive current to drive the handpiece which imparts ultrasonic longitudinal movement to the end-effector; and a finger-operated switch provided on a housing of the handpiece, the switch activating the handpiece at a first power level and deactivating the handpiece if a low threshold is reached, and provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressure on the switch is changed, and the handpiece operating at a level proportional to a sensor monitored pressure value on the finger-operated switch.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch is distally located on the handpiece.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 31 wherein a sensor is located inside the housing of the handpiece for monitoring the switch, said sensor selected from a group consisting of an electro-mechanical switch, a force-sensitive resistor, force sensitive capacitor, strain gauge, magnet, ferromagnet, piezo film and piezo ceramic.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch comprises a pair of switch button members.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system of claim 34 wherein each of the switch button members comprises: an upper surface and a lower surface; a first post and a second post extending outwardly away from the lower surface; and a first raised section and a second raised section on the upper surface, said raised section being supported by a center recessed section formed therebetween.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
68 words
The system of claim 35 wherein the first post is disposed generally opposite the first raised section and the second post is disposed generally opposite the second raised section so that the first post is directed toward the interior of the handpiece when the first raised section is depressed and the second post is directed toward the interior of the handpiece when the second raised section is depressed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch further comprises an inactive center region for resting of a finger and serving as a tactile reference.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch is generally user-alignable with the end-effector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch is symmetrically aligned and indexed to the end-effector.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch activates the handpiece at the first power level if a monitored pressure on the switch reaches a high threshold, and deactivating the handpiece if the monitored pressure reaches the low threshold.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 40 wherein the switch is a ring switch with a ring-like circumferential appendage on the handpiece that is located near a distal end of the handpiece.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
39 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch comprises a capacitive transducer having a center ring, an outer layer of elastomer on the exterior of the center ring, and a ring electrode on top of the ring switch.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 41 further including multicolor illumination and a control such that the ring switch becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of pressure thresholds.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch is a sensor comprising a piezo portion and a substrate adjacently disposed with the piezo portion, the ring switch outputting a first polarity signal when pressure is applied to the piezo portion and outputting a second opposing polarity signal when pressure is applied to the substrate.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
69 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch is a sensor comprising a first piezo ring, a second piezo ring, and a center ring disposed between the first piezo ring and the second piezo ring, the ring switch outputting a first polarity signal when pressure is applied to the first piezo ring and outputting a second opposing polarity signal when pressure is applied to the second piezo ring.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
67 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch comprises a first seal and a second seal, and a piezo ring disposed between the first seal and the second seal, the ring switch outputting a first polarity signal when pressure is applied in one direction to the piezo ring and outputting a second opposing polarity signal when pressure is applied in another direction to the piezo ring.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
63 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch comprises a pair of outer rings, a center ring disposed between the outer rings, and a pair of flexible rings respectfully located on the exterior of the outer rings to support the center ring with the outer rings, and a pair of piezo rings fixed to two sides of bottom of the center ring.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch comprises a support ring and a pair of adjacently located activation zones which are circumferential bands serially connected with the support ring.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the activation zones consist of one of an electro-mechanical switch, force sensitive resistors, force sensitive capacitors, strain gauges, magnets, and piezo material.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
30 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the ring switch further comprises a middle rib disposed between the activation zones, the middle rib serving as a divider for the activation zones.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 50 further including multicolor illumination and a control so that the middle rib becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of pressure thresholds.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the ring switch further comprises a distal rib located on a distal end of the activation zones.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 52 further including multicolor illumination and a control so that the distal rib becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of thresholds.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the ring switch further comprises a proximal rib on a proximal end of the activation zones.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 54 further including multicolor illumination and a control so that the proximal rib becomes illuminated in difference colors corresponding to a plurality of thresholds.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 48 wherein each of the activation zones is further divided into subzones corresponding to variable power levels if the plurality of pressure thresholds.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 48 wherein the ring switch further comprises a sliding barrier covering at least one of the activation zones.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 41 wherein the ring switch further comprises a sliding barrier covering a portion of the circumferential appendage.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 31 further comprising switches on opposing sides of the handpiece that generally avoid inadvertent activation.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 31 wherein the switch is a hysteresis switch.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
98 words
An ultrasonic surgical handpiece having a housing with a finger-operated switch located thereon, the switch having a sensor for monitoring pressure thereon so that the handpiece is placed in an operative mode when the sensor monitors a pressure above a first threshold and is placed in another operative mode when the pressure is below a second threshold, and provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressure on the switch is changed, and the handpiece operates at a level proportional to a pressure value on the finger-operated switch that is monitored by the sensor.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
98 words
An ultrasonic surgical handpiece having a housing with a finger-operated switch located thereon, the switch having a sensor for monitoring pressure thereon so that the handpiece is placed in an operative mode when the sensor monitors a pressure above a first threshold and is placed in another operative mode when the pressure is below a second threshold, and provides its switching functionality according to a lagging effect as the monitored pressure on the switch is changed, and the handpiece operates at a level proportional to a pressure value on the finger-operated switch that is monitored by the sensor.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
13 words
The handpiece of claim 61 wherein the first and second thresholds are identical.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
18 words
The handpiece of claim 61 wherein the first threshold is at a higher pressure than the second threshold.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2917691A
Cited
US4321530A
Cited
US4979952A
Cited
US5001649A
Cited
US5060658A
Cited
US5180363A
Cited
US5425704A
Cited
US5026387A
Cited
US5112300A
Cited
US5400267A
Cited
US6252334B1
Cited
US5449370A
Cited
US5707369A
Cited
US5630420A
Cited
US5879364A
Cited
US6017354A
Cited
US6090123A
Cited
US5968007A
Cited
US6037724A
Cited
GB2326346A
Cited
US6019775A
Cited
US6013048A
Cited
US6066135A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2008-09-19 | 2009-03-21 | 2009-09-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2012-09-19 | 2013-03-21 | 2013-09-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2016-09-19 | 2017-03-21 | 2017-09-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |