Ultrasonic surgical instrument

Claim 2

An ultrasonic energy instrument comprising ultrasonic transducer means including elongated probe means for converting electrical energy into vibratory energy along the length of the probe means to produce movement at the free tip end of said probe means, shield means of substantially rigid metallic material, and means for mounting said shield means around and in spaced relationship to said probe means over a substantial portion without any mechanical connection between the probe means and the shield means of the length thereof to confine the vibrating energy.

Claim 3

An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said shield means extends beyond the tip of the probe means.

Claim 4

An instrument as in claim 2 wherein said shield means extends completely around the probe for its entire length.

Claim 5

Apparatus as in claim 2 wherein said shield means is partially open at the portion which extends beyond the probe tip.

Claim 6

An instrument as in claim 1 wherein said means for mounting said shield means to said transducer means comprises first coupling means on said transducer means and mating demountable second coupling means to which said shield means are mounted.

Claim 7

An ultrasonic energy instrument comprising ultrasonic transducer means including elongated probe means for converting electrical energy into vibratory energy along the length of the probe to produce movement at the free tip end of said probe means, first coupling means on said transducer means adjacent the attached end of said probe means, second coupling means, an elongated tubular shield means attached to said second coupling means, said coupling means when connected to said first coupling means holding said shield means around and in spaced relationship to said probe means over a substantial portion of the length of said probe means to confine the vibratory energy and leaving a space between said probe means and said shield means and an exit from said space to the exterior of the instrument, and means on said second coupling means for supplying fluid to said space between said probe means and said shield means, said fluid leaving said space from said exit.

Claim 8

An ultrasonic energy instrument comprising ultrasonic transducer means including elongated probe means for converting electrical energy into vibratory energy along the length of the probe to produce movement at the free tip end of said probe means, first coupling means on said transducer means adjacent the attached end of said probe means, second coupling means, an elongated tubular shield means attached to said second coupling means, said coupling means when connected to said first coupling means holding said shield means around and in spaced relationship to said probe means over a substantial portion of the length of said probe means to confine the vibratory energy and leaving a space between said probe means and said shield means and an exit from said space to the exterior of the instrument, and means on said second coupling means for supplying fluid to said space between said probe means and said shield means, said fluid leaving said space from said exit.

Claim 9

Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said fluid is a liquid which flows around the probe means to cool the same.

Claim 10

Apparatus as in claim 6 wherein said fluid is a gas.

Claim 11

An ultrasonic energy instrument comprising an ultrasonic transducer means including an elongated probe means for converting electrical energy into vibratory energy along the length of the probe means to produce movement at the free tip end of said probe means. a. first and second tubular sleeve means, b. means for mounting said first and second tubular sleeve means to said transducer means to hold said first tubular sleeve means in spaced relationship with said probe means over at least a substantial portion of the length thereof to define a first passageway between said probe means and said first tubular sleeve means and to hold said first and second tubular sleeve means in a spaced relationship to define a second passageway therebetween, c. means for supplying fluid to said first and second passageways, and d. means for permitting the fluid in each of said passageways to exit therefrom. 10. An instrument as in claim 9 further comprising means for sealing the exit of the second passageway at the tip end of the probe, said second sleeve being formed with an opening in the wall thereof through which the second fluid can exit from the second passageway.

Claim 12

An instrument as in claim 10 further comprising means for shielding a substantial portion of the tip of the probe means to hold it out of contact with an object with which the instrument is to be used.

Claim 13

An instrument as in claim 9 further comprising means for sealing the exit of the second passageway at the tip end of the probe, said first sleeve being formed with an opening in a wall thereof to provide communication between said first and said second passageways for the second fluid.

Claim 14

An instrument as in claim 9 further comprising means for sealing the exit of said first passageway at the tip end of the probe, said first sleeve formed with an opening in the wall thereof to direct the first fluid out of said first passageway at an angle lying off the longitudinal axis of the probe.

Claim 15

An instrument as in claim 13 further comprising means for sealing the exit of the second passageway at the tip end of the probe, said first sleeve being formed with an opening in a wall thereof to provide communication between said first and said second passageways for the second fluid.

Claim 16

An instrument as in claim 13 further comprising a third sleeve means which is slidable over said second sleeve means to close off the opening in the wall of said first sleeve means.

Claim 17

An instrument as in claim 15 further comprising means for sealing the exit of the second passageway at the tip end of the probe, said first sleeve being formed with an opening in a wall thereof to provide communication between said first and said second passageways for the second fluid.

Claim 18

An instrument as in claim 16 further comprising means for shielding a substantial portion of the tip of the probe means to hold it out of contact with an object with which the instrument is to be used.

Claim 19

An instrument as in claim 13 further comprising means for shielding a substantial portion of the tip of the probe means to hold it out of contact with an object with which the instrument is to be used.

Claim 20

The instrument of claim 6 wherein said shield means is of metal.

Claim 21

An instrument as in claim 9 wherein said means for mounting said first and second sleeve means comprises a holder to which said sleeve means are attached and mating coupling means on said holder and said transducer means, said means for supplying fluid to said first and second passages including means on said holder for accepting first and second fluids from respective sources.