US5342380A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic knife
Assignee: ADVANCE OSSEOUS TECHNOLOGIES
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Filing: 1993-04-29
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Granted: 1994-08-30
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Expires: 2013-04-29
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic knife of the type for surgical incision in various types of tissue and/or for the removal of cement within the body. The knife has a reduced thermal footprint to minimize thermally induced tissue damage. Tooth configuration on the knife cooperates with the stroke of the ultrasonic drive to produce efficient cutting, as well as tactile feedback to the surgeon with respect to the rate of cutting, and changes in tissue density. Ultrasonic knife tip extenders are also disclosed for advancing the ultrasonic knife tip through the working channel of an endoscope. Methods utilizing the foregoing apparatus are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Larry L. Hood
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:06
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B17/00; A61B17/32; A61B17/320068; A61B17/3209; A61B17/3211; A61B17/3213; A61B2017/00017; A61B2017/00137; A61B2017/00141; A61B2017/00146; A61B2017/0015; A61B2017/320069; A61B2017/320072; A61B2017/320074; A61B2017/320077; A61B2017/320082; A61B2017/320088; A61B2017/320089; A61B90/00; A61B90/03; A61B2090/038
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
A blade carrier for handling an ultrasonic surgical blade in a sterile environment while minimizing the risk of inadvertent blade stick, said ultrasonic blade of the type comprising a generally planar body extending from a shaft which has a pair of opposing wrenching flats, said blade carrier comprising: a blade tip end defining a blade cavity which is configured to receive the blade planar body; and a blade connector end comprising a pair of generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces and said hinge region forming an open channel configured to receive a portion of the blade shaft with the opposing surfaces contacting the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, said blade connector end being constructed of a material having sufficient resilience such that rotation of the blade carrier will rotate the blade contained therein until a predetermined torque is applied, whereby said opposing surfaces of said open channel deflect outwardly and cam off the wrenching flats to release the blade when said predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
A blade carrier for handling an ultrasonic surgical blade in a sterile environment while minimizing the risk of inadvertent blade stick, said ultrasonic blade of the type comprising a generally planar body extending from a shaft which has a pair of opposing wrenching flats, said blade carrier comprising: a blade tip end defining a blade cavity which is configured to receive the blade planar body; and a blade connector end comprising a pair of generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces and said hinge region forming an open channel configured to receive a portion of the blade shaft with the opposing surfaces contacting the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, said blade connector end being constructed of a material having sufficient resilience such that rotation of the blade carrier will rotate the blade contained therein until a predetermined torque is applied, whereby said opposing surfaces of said open channel deflect outwardly and cam off the wrenching flats to release the blade when said predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein each surface of said open channel comprises a projection positioned distal of said hinge region.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein said blade tip end comprises a pair of opposing wings which extend away from said blade cavity, said wings being positioned proximate to said blade connector end.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein said blade tip end comprises a knob which is generally axially aligned with said open channel, said knob being positioned at an end of said blade tip end distal of said blade connector end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein said predetermined torque at which said opposing surfaces deflect is generally about three (3) inch-pounds.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein said blade carrier has an overall length of about 2.5 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein said blade cavity of said blade tip end is a rounded-bottom recess having a depth slightly greater than a width of the blade planar body.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A blade carrier of claim 1, wherein said blade carrier has a longitudinal axis and said hinge region has a generally arcuate shape which extends about said longitudinal axis between corresponding ends of said generally opposing surfaces.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
A blade carrier comprising: a blade housing; a blade tip end on the housing; a blade cavity in said housing, said cavity sized to receive a planar body portion of a blade with a shaft of the blade extending from said blade cavity; and means on said housing for engaging opposing wrenching flats on the blade shaft so that the blade contained within said blade carrier rotates with rotation of said blade carrier, and for releasing said blade from said blade carrier when a predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
A blade carrier comprising: a blade housing; a blade tip end on the housing; a blade cavity in said housing, said cavity sized to receive a planar body portion of a blade with a shaft of the blade extending from said blade cavity; and means on said housing for engaging opposing wrenching flats on the blade shaft so that the blade contained within said blade carrier rotates with rotation of said blade carrier, and for releasing said blade from said blade carrier when a predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
The blade carrier of claim 9, wherein said means comprises a channel formed by generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces sized and positioned to contact the wrenching flats of the blade shaft with the blade shaft positioned within the channel.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The blade carrier of claim 10, wherein said means further comprising projections positioned on said opposing surfaces to retain said shaft within said channel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A blade carrier of claim 10, wherein said hinge region is formed of a resilient material which biases said opposing surfaces against the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, and which deflects at the application of said predetermined torque so that said opposing surfaces spread slightly apart to permit relative rotation between the blade carrier and the blade contained therein.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
A blade carrier of claim 12, wherein said predetermined torque is generally about three inch-pound.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
303 words
A method of attaching a surgical blade to a knife while maintaining a sterile surgical environment and minimizing the risk of inadvertent blade stick, said blade of the type comprising a generally planar body extending from a shaft which has a pair of opposing wrenching flats, said shaft having a connector end positioned opposite of said blade, said method comprising the steps of: providing a blade carrier comprising a blade tip end defining a blade cavity which is configured to receive the blade planar body, and a blade connector end comprising of generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces and said hinge region forming an open channel configured to receive a portion of the blade shaft with the opposing surfaces contacting the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, said blade connector end being constructed of a material having sufficient resilience such that rotation of the blade carrier will rotate the blade contained therein until a predetermined torque is applied, whereby said opposing surfaces of said open channel deflect outwardly and cam off the wrenching flats to release the blade when said predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier; inserting the blade into said blade carrier such that the blade planar body is positioned within said blade cavity of said blade tip end and said blade shaft extends through said blade connector end with said pair of generally opposing surfaces contacting said opposing wrenching flats of said blade shaft; engaging the connector end of the blade shaft with a corresponding end of a knife; rotating said blade carrier relative to the knife; tightening the blade against said knife by applying a torque to said blade carrier; and spreading said opposing surfaces apart so as to release said blade shaft once a predetermined torque is applied to said blade carrier.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
303 words
A method of attaching a surgical blade to a knife while maintaining a sterile surgical environment and minimizing the risk of inadvertent blade stick, said blade of the type comprising a generally planar body extending from a shaft which has a pair of opposing wrenching flats, said shaft having a connector end positioned opposite of said blade, said method comprising the steps of: providing a blade carrier comprising a blade tip end defining a blade cavity which is configured to receive the blade planar body, and a blade connector end comprising of generally opposing surfaces interconnected by a hinge region, said opposing surfaces and said hinge region forming an open channel configured to receive a portion of the blade shaft with the opposing surfaces contacting the wrenching flats of the blade shaft, said blade connector end being constructed of a material having sufficient resilience such that rotation of the blade carrier will rotate the blade contained therein until a predetermined torque is applied, whereby said opposing surfaces of said open channel deflect outwardly and cam off the wrenching flats to release the blade when said predetermined torque is applied to the blade carrier; inserting the blade into said blade carrier such that the blade planar body is positioned within said blade cavity of said blade tip end and said blade shaft extends through said blade connector end with said pair of generally opposing surfaces contacting said opposing wrenching flats of said blade shaft; engaging the connector end of the blade shaft with a corresponding end of a knife; rotating said blade carrier relative to the knife; tightening the blade against said knife by applying a torque to said blade carrier; and spreading said opposing surfaces apart so as to release said blade shaft once a predetermined torque is applied to said blade carrier.
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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) | 1997-08-29 | 1998-02-28 | 1998-08-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-02-28 | 2002-08-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-08-29 | 2006-02-28 | 2006-08-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |