[54] ULTRASONIC KNIFE
[76] Inventor: Larry L. Hood, 25652 Nottingham Ct, Laguna Hills, Calif. 92653
[21] Appl. No.: 55,042
[22] Filed: Apr. 29,1993
Related U.S. Application Data
[63] Continuation of Ser. No. 839,411, Feb. 20, 1992, Pat. No. 5,261,922.
[51] Int. CI.* A61B 17/32
[52] U.S. CI 606/169; 128/898;
206/363
[58] Field of Search 604/22, 163, 192, 263;
606/169-171, 107; 206/363, 438; 128/898
[56] References Cited
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[ii] Patent Number: 5,342,380 [45] Date of Patent: Aug. 30, 1994
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Primary Examiner—C. Fred Rosenbaum
Assistant Examiner—Michael Rafa
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Knobbe, Martens, Olson &
Bear
[57] 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.
14 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
