Ethicon Endo-surgery, Inc.

Jorge N Gutierrez

Kevin L Houser

Michel A Paul

John A Hibner

Sean P Conlon

Edward A Rhad

Richard C Smith

Gregory D Bishop

Thomas J Sierocuk

Livyn O Okorocha

Narinderjit S Sambi

Sarah A Noschang

Laura A Gallagher

Charles S Black

Sarah A Cook

A method for medical treatment includes beginning coagulating patient tissue using an energy-based clamp coagulator, determining the clamping force, and measuring the acoustic impedance of the patient tissue. The method also includes compensating the measured acoustic impedance for clamp pressure and monitoring the coagulation using at least the compensated measured acoustic impedance. A first medical treatment system includes an energy-based clamp coagulator, an acoustic-impedance measurer, and a force measurer. A second system includes an energy-based clamp coagulator having a clamping member which includes, or is adapted to function as, an electrical-impedance-measuring electrode for measuring an electrical impedance of the clamped patient tissue. A third system includes an energy-based clamp coagulator having a clamping member which includes, or is adapted to function as, a temperature sensor for measuring a temperature of the clamped patient tissue.

Energy-based medical treatment system and method

The present invention is directed to an ultrasonic surgical blade including a top surface, a bottom surface and a cutting-edge. The cutting-edge is defined by a cutting-surface intermediate the top surface and the bottom surface, and the top surface has a width greater than the width of the bottom surface. The blade may be straight or curved. In one embodiment of the invention, at least a portion of the cutting-surface is substantially parallel to at least a portion of the top surface. In still another embodiment of the invention first and second side-walls intersect the top surface to form first and second cutting-edges that may be sharp or blunt. Alternately, a second cutting-edge may be defined by a second cutting surface intermediate the top and bottom surfaces. Depending on the angle between the intermediate cutting-surface and the top surface, the cutting-edge may be sharp or blunt. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a central ridge is provided on the bottom surface of the blade to eliminate blade burrowing and improve precision during coagulation. The cutting-edge is optimized to increase cutting speed of the blade while providing desirable hemostasis. The invention is of particular benefit for breast surgery, due to its cutting and coagulation characteristics.

Ultrasonic surgical blade with improved cutting and coagulation features

A trocar including a cannula with a tubular sleeve having a stepped region thereon is disclosed. The stepped region has a plurality of discrete steps. Each step has a step floor and a step support base tapering radially inwardly from the step floor to an adjacent step floor. When the trocar is inserted through the body wall, and the stepped region of the sleeve of the cannula contacts the body wall, the force required to inadvertently pull the cannula out of the body wall when surgical instruments are withdrawn from the cannula increases. Thus, the tubular sleeve of the cannula increases the retention force of the cannula during surgery. The retention force is increased without appreciably affecting the force required to insert the trocar through the body wall. Additionally, these benefits are achieved without using helical threads or externally mounted stability devices, which add cost, complexity and increased risk of causing unwanted tissue trauma.

Trocar including cannula with stepped region

Various mechanisms, and a method of operating them, are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by means of the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation. The helical gear pitch decreases in a direction such that the mechanical advantage is increased as the articulation angle increases.

Method for operating a surgical instrument

Various mechanisms are provided for use in a surgical instrument. A shaft and an engaged lost motion operating knob are provided for rotation relative to a handle portion. A latch system prevents rotation of the shaft unless the shaft is rotated by the knob. A cartridge is provided for rotation at the distal end of the shaft. Engaging structures are provided for preventing rotation of the cartridge relative to the shaft when axial forces are applied to the cartridge. A loading tool is provided for engaging the cartridge to install the cartridge on the instrument. The cartridge includes a washer for engaging a carrier on which the cartridge is mounted so as to prevent rotation of the washer. The washer is adapted to engage a fastener advancing member in a first angular orientation and is disengaged when the cartridge is rotated to establish a second relative angular orientation. In the first angular orientation, the fastener advancing member is restrained against longitudinal movement to assist in installation of the cartridge onto the instrument. The distal end of the instrument can be articulated, and a helical gear operator is provided for effecting the articulation.

Surgical instrument

Growing community of inventors

Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Jorge N Gutierrez