Endoscopic ultrasonic aspirator with modified working tip

Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus for endoscopic removal of compliant biological tissues utilizing an endoscopic ultrasonic aspirator comprising irrigation (94) and aspiration (122) means, a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer (70), a first resonator (72) such as a half-wave stepped velocity transformer, a probe including a second resonator (78) such as a constant-stress velocity transformer, a blunt or modified working tip (80) of open channel means or restricted tubular means for application of ultrasonic energy to cellular material, and a capacitive fluid sensor (124) to detect the presence of irrigation fluid adjacent these transforms within the instrument. The surgery is advantageously performed by operating the transducer in the 10-20 KHz range to achieve maximum cavitation of the intracellular fluids in the tissues to be removed.

Inventors

• 👤 David G. Wuchinich
• 👤 Robert Brendolan
• 👤 Louis Katz

Bibliographic Details